The Shephard

Matthew 9:35-38

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

 

“The savior looks with compassion on his people, the people of God.  He could not rest satisfied with the few who had heard his call and followed.”  Bonhoeffer

This scripture is evidence that the harvest is great, but only Jesus in his mercy can see it.

“There were questions but no answers, distress but no relief, anguish of conscience but no deliverance, tears but no consolation, sin but no forgiveness.”  Bonhoeffer

Does this quote sound familiar?   Written in the 1940’s, yet extremely relevant even today.

I watched a video that I have not seen in years.  This song is written by Donnie Sumner.  He wrote this after a very dark time in his life.  He experienced that forgiveness that so many need….he met the Master.

Southern Gospel is not everyone’s favorite style of music, but if you will listen to the words of this powerful song, you may be drying tears from your eyes like me.  I will attach the lyrics after this video.

 

 

“The Night Before Easter”

The night was so different from all the rest
And a silence covers the Earth;
The stars have no glimmer, the moon tries to hide,
For in death lies the man of their birth.

In a room filled with sorrow, a mother cries
For Jesus, her Son now is gone;
Her child sent from heaven was taken away,
Heart broken she feels all alone.

At the feet of his mother a little boy cries
Saying “‘momma’ I don’t understand;”
I remember the look of love in His eyes,
That I saw, by the touch of His hand.

The King of all ages, the Giver of life,
For a moment lies silent and still;
But a power sent from heaven comes breaking the night,
And death must bow to His will.

Then a stone moves, the Earth shakes (and) birds start singing,
The sun shines, the Earth warms (for) new life it’s bringing;
A little boy stops crying, a mother is smiling,
For death could not hold their King

God Bless!!!

Chris

Questions

Life is full of questions.  Without them, we would learn very little.   Questions give us the opportunity to expand our knowledge and pick the brains of the wise souls around us.

 Questions also allow me the chance to ponder and search the Word of God for answers to the questions of this life.

In Sunday School this week, we talked about questions.   Our youth are faced with many challenges in today’s world. 

Here are a few questions that they were willing to write down and turn over to Father God.

“Why to we have to put up with the world today and all of its crap.”

“Why are there so many people that claim they know God but do not follow Him in their actions.”

“Why is fighting temptation so hard?”

“Why don’t I always feel you there with me?”

“Why do so many bad things happen at once.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Why do good people suffer?”

These are just a few of the questions that were shared on Sunday.

I challenged each young adult to pray over their question(s) this week.  They also dropped a copy of their questions in the “JUNK TRUNK” which represents them giving their questions to Father God.

Please help me pray that God would bring peace, comfort and answers to these questions.

Mark 5:36b “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

We have to believe!!

We are challenged multiple times in God’s word to listen.

Mark 9:7  “Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love.  Listen to Him!’”

We have to believe that God has purpose for our lives.  The answers to our questions are simply the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan in our lives.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

It’s OK to ask questions, as long as our faith is strengthened while we wait for the answers.  

Even though we may not know the answer immediately, our statement to Father God should be this; “I have this question and even though I may not have or get an answer, I believe, Father God, that you have a divine plan and trust you for my future.”

Take some time today and meditate on this one verse.

Psalm 37:7a “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;”