Psalm 23 is the most recognized portion of Scripture outside of John 3:16 for most Christians. There is a lot of ground covered in these six verses. The primary focus is the Shepherd-King providing comfort and supplying our needs all through life including our appointed time of death. But there are several nuances within Psalm 23 that expand beyond the comforting nature of the psalm.
When reading, ‘He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake’ I saw that in a different light as I read the 23rd Psalm recently. As I thought through this, a few things came to mind. Our shepherd will never lead us down the wrong path. So, why do we often find ourselves going the wrong way? Is it because we are not following our shepherd, as sheep tend to drift away? Are we allowing someone or something else to lead us astray? The psalmist writes, ‘He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness,’ which He can only do, meaning if we end up on the wrong road we are not following Him but following another or even ourselves. And that is not the righteous way!
The Lord leads us down paths that will always honor His name. The roads we travel on our own without God’s guidance rarely end up honoring His name. If the Lord is truly our shepherd, then we need to surrender all our will to His will and not fight against it and take that hard turn back on the right road. It leads to ‘righteousness for His name’s sake.’
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
How often have you used the phrase, ‘I have too much on my plate?’ I’m not speaking of a dinner plate, which never can have too much on it, but your plate of responsibilities you have taken on. Suddenly you find yourself overwhelmed with the commitments you’ve made all with good intentions or perhaps you just couldn’t say no. Now your plate is full and no extra room to squeeze in the necessary chores you need to accomplish.
I’m beginning to find myself saying, ‘I have too much on my plate.’ Soon, I’ll be asking myself, ‘Do I need a bigger plate?’ But I can answer that right now, No! So, what is needed is an evaluation of the responsibilities on my plate. First, what is on my plate that was put there by God? Second, what has God directed me to add on my plate? During discouraging times in keeping up with the Lord’s work it is good to recall Jesus’ words. When we are weary in our work, even work for God, and the burden seems too much to bear, Jesus says He will give us rest. He doesn’t say, He’ll take away the God appointed duties on our plate, but He will give us rest.
The Lord Jesus invites us to hook up with His yoke, as oxen are yoked together to plow a field. The yoke allows the two to work together side by side. If you’re doing the Lord’s work, you are plowing a field with Him. Young inexperienced oxen are joined together with older experienced oxen for training. Jesus put this work on your plate, and He is right alongside there with you to help you and train you. Notice that even when we get discouraged and feel we can’t go on, Jesus tells us His yoke is easy and the burden He gives us is light. We can trust Him with that. Everything on our plate from the Lord should remain there. He will help us through it. It’s His work.
Third, we may have some things on our plate that need a reevaluation by way of prioritizing. Listing them by priority you’ll be able to accomplish those things which are necessary. The Lord will honor your commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities you have on your plate. Those with less importance, God has not forgotten but will help you complete them in His good timing. And fourth, there may be some things on your plate, and mine that we need to get rid of. They can’t afford to take up valuable important space on the plate the Lord gives us to work. When we prioritize what’s on our plate, beginning with what God has put there and work our way down, we will find there is more than enough space on the plate, maybe even some room for dessert.
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 NLT
One of my personal devotionals I read had an interesting comment last week. The writer stated there is a big difference between an experience with Jesus and a relationship with Him. That got me to thinking. Some Christians have the idea that Christianity is about feelings and experiences. They need to feel God’s power through the Holy Spirit doing great miracles in their lives to feel His present. In between there is an emptiness they try to fill looking for that next big spiritual moment, when that moment is right around the corner and is always there.
Granted there are extra special moments the Lord bestows upon us, and we should be grateful and praising Him for each one. The Lord God loves to enrich us with answered prayer, healing, and bringing miracles into our lives. But nothing pleases Him more that when we sit quietly at His feet as Mary did in the gospel of Luke. “Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.” (Lk.10:39 nlt) The Lord wants us to spend with Him through prayer, reading His Word, meditating on what His Word says, and taking time to listen to Him. That’s a relationship.
The quietest moments spent with Jesus daily will lead to a relationship that will outlast any previous experience you may have had. Because every day you go back for more time not looking or waiting for something great to happen because it is already happening. So, what are you looking for? You may have both.
“So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, ‘Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.’” Mark 7:5 NLT
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Jesus and His disciples arrived at Gennesaret on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee after a windy night walking on the water and calming the wind. The disciples were amazed of what they just witnessed even though they have seen Jesus perform many miracles, but they were slow to learn, as we all are at times when we should already know the truth. A familiar scene develops as Jesus and His companions brought the boat to shore. Immediately, the people recognized Him. The word spread, good news travels fast! Soon people were coming from all over the area when they heard Jesus was in the Gennesaret region. They heard of Jesus’ miracles of healing and were rushing to get near Him. “They ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was.” (Mk.6:55 nlt) As Jesus walked through the countryside and in the marketplaces of various villages, people would bring their sick begging Him to let them touch the fringe of His robe. Mark records that all who touched Him were healed. The news of Jesus was once again rapidly expanding forcing another visit by the Pharisees from Jerusalem.
“One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus.” (Mk.7:1 nlt) They got right to work observing and taking notes of Jesus’ activities and those of His disciples. The Pharisees took notice that the disciples did not perform the ceremonial hand washing before eating. This was a tradition of the elders. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary explains, “The tradition of the elders was the unwritten corpus of commands and teachings of honored rabbis of the past, a body of 613 rules designed to regulate every aspect of life.” (1) The Pharisees considered these commands binding, and the people were to obey. They questioned Jesus why His disciples did not observe the traditions of the elders. What they were really saying was ‘why are you teaching your disciples to disobey the traditions of the elders?’ This command had nothing to do with dirty hands but was a ceremonial rinsing if one became defiled by touching a Gentile or an unclean person while out in public. They were claiming an inward cleansing by outward action, which they made up. Jesus tells the Pharisees they have it all backwards.
Jesus calls them hypocrites, and then quotes Isaiah the prophet, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ (Mk.7:6-7 nlt) Jesus notes how they deliberately ignore God’s laws to elevate their own laws. He uses the example of those who refuse to honor their parents by not caring for them, claiming their income has been vowed to God. The Pharisees ruled that money given to God could not be used for any other purpose. They used Numbers 30:2 as their defense, “A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.” (nlt) The traditions of the elders were overriding God’s law to apply their law. Jesus then tells them this is only one example of the many non-binding laws they have over the Lord’s binding laws in Scripture.
Jesus calls the crowd to Himself to bring them back into conformity with Scripture. People in our day, and sadly some churches need to bring back what the Bible teaches. There are misguided souls who follow the traditions of churches and the oracle preachers with a present personality because it requires only a mechanical response. No change of heart or lifestyle is necessary, just follow the rules and whatever feels good. Jesus tells the people, “All of you listen, and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” (Mk.7:14-15 nlt) He explains deeper to His disciples that food consumed with or without dirty hands cannot defile you for it goes in and comes out. That does not defile you. It is what is lying inside your heart that defiles you. Jesus says, “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” (Mk.7:21-23 nlt)
Age-old traditions will not save you if they are man-made laws added throughout the course of history with no Biblical support or reference. Added prophecies and teachings not included in Scripture preached by popular ministers today will not save you either. It is only what God recorded in His Holy Word. The saving redeeming grace provided by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins and acceptance of that by faith is the only age-old tradition that will save you.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Eph.2:8-9 nlt)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT
I awoke the other morning to an all too familiar headline from ‘6abc news’ in Philadelphia. “8 shot, 1 killed across 4 neighborhoods within 3 hours in Philadelphia.” I realize this happens in virtually every major city in the United States and across the world. Some are not as bad, some worse, but it is on-going. It hits close to home with Philadelphia being the closest major city to where we live. People across the U.S. experience those same feelings frequently if they reside near a major city. It has become a way of life to digest these news stories daily.
Government officials and law enforcement are fighting a losing battle as they attempt to curtail crime in their major cities. It is made harder when politicians spread their wings, and the root of the problem is not acknowledged or even discussed. The root of all crime is the fallen sinful nature of every human being. Until this is realized, and we seek the help and guidance of God in governing according to His standards, this will continue to escalate. There will still be crime in the fallen world as Satan is the prince and power of the air in our sinful world (Eph.2:2) but as we turn back towards God there will be less of it.
The apostle Paul states clearly that Satan is at work in this world. It is not only the physical world, but it is the unseen spiritual world where Satan does his best work. This manifests itself in the news headline we just witnessed from Philadelphia this week. The unseen world of evil rulers and authorities with their mighty powers shows itself every day in the violence we face. This is the root of the problem.
So, what are we to do? Know that God is a just God. Know He will make everything right. Know that God has a plan for a future heavenly kingdom on this earth. Know that this kingdom will be ruled by Jesus Christ. Know that when that future day comes and you want to be sure you are there, you need to accept Jesus as your savior. Know that Jesus died for your sin and know that He defeated Satan at the cross. Satan’s rule of the unseen world and its influence on earth will end. In the meantime, let us work at governing as God has commanded us according to His Word, understanding the root of the problem.
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.” Daniel 7:9 ESV
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When we think of the word ancient, most of us would think of something quite old, and some of us might dare to assign that to someone quite old. Nevertheless, you may have heard God being referred to as the ‘Ancient of Days.’ You might be familiar with the worship song ‘Ancient of Days.’ But Ancient of Days described of God has nothing to do with His age, which is ageless for He is eternal, nor does it refer to our understanding of God throughout the centuries of ancient history we study. It is a reference to God being judge. It is a divine throne that will judge the world through the Son of Man, the name Jesus used most often for Himself while on the earth.
None of us know when that day will occur, but it is sure to happen. The Son of Man is going to return to judge and rule the world. John writes in the book of Revelation, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (1:7 esv) The prophet Daniel wrote down the visions the Lord gave him concerning the end times as hard as they are to understand. Striving to know exactly what will happen during those end times may cause you a lot of confusion and a headache or two. Continue to learn as much as you can remembering the bottom line of what we can be sure of, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.”
“Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.” Mark 6:47-48 NLT
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If you have just witnessed Jesus’ feed 20,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, would you be amazed if you then saw Him walking on the water hours later? His disciples were. Now before we criticize the disciples, let’s jump in their sandals on their boat and experience the ride. Jesus tells them to go ahead of Him to Bethsaida planning to meet them there later. As they set sail, another windstorm developed as is common on the Sea of Galilee. A short trip is now 9 hours old and instead of hugging the coast along the northern end of the sea, they are being driven farther out into the middle. And then they think they have seen a ghost!
We start this week after Jesus’ miracle of feeding the multitude. He insisted His disciples leave for Bethsaida ordering them into the boat. He would then send the people away and head up to the hills to spend time with His Father in prayer. Jesus being a miracle worker and the Son of God in the flesh still needed a time to rejuvenate physically and spiritually with His Father. How much more do we need it and yet neglect to do it. Jesus needed this time alone in prayer and the top of those hills was a perfect setting for it. The eastern side of the Sea of Galilee was a mountainous region with slopes leading up to a plateau. It was a good place to be alone and away from the crowd. Jesus would also have a good view of His disciples crossing the sea.
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Jesus saw the disciples were in serious trouble as the winds were pushing them out into the middle of the sea. The Bible says Jesus went out to them during the fourth watch of the night which is somewhere between 3am-6am. We may question why Jesus waited so long. Matthew Henry offers this comment, “If Christ’s visits to his people be deferred long, yet at length he will come; and their extremity is his opportunity to appear for them so much the more seasonably.” The time spent with His Father was important and Jesus wasn’t about to forget His disciples. He did go out to them walking on the water. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Jesus would be able to perform this feat. He is the Lord of the Sea. Paul writes in the book of Colossians, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.” (1:15-16 nlt)
As Jesus got closer to them, they became frighten and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jewish superstition said appearance of spirits during the night would bring disaster. The disciples should not have been swayed by a superstition, but how would we react in the darkest part of the night if we saw someone walking on the water in a windstorm. And Jesus was not only walking on the water but at a steady pace not affected by the wind. The Bible says He was walking on the water as if He intended to go pass them. Jesus was testing their faith to see if they would recognize Him and His miraculous powers and overcome their fear and invite Him into their boat. “But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage! I am here!’” (Mk.6:50 nlt)
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When Jesus entered the boat without saying a word the fierce winds stopped. The disciples were amazed. Were they more amazed that the winds suddenly stopped or that they had just witnessed Jesus’ walking on the water? As this point, we don’t know, but we do know the disciples’ hearts were still not sensitive to who Jesus is. They weren’t grasping all that Jesus was doing and showing them. The disciples were fascinated by His miracles but couldn’t put two and two together. The world is amazed by any attesting miracles they see today by the hand of God. They may say, ‘it is a miracle’ or ‘only by God’ but there is no real understanding of who the true God is. The true God is the creator of heaven and earth. He formed us out of the dust of ground and gave us life. He provided a way of forgiveness for sinning against Him. Jesus Christ, the holy one of God, came to earth to die in our place for the punishment of sin providing the way of salvation to all who believe. Jesus also walked on water. Don’t be amazed. Understand who Jesus is with the help of the Holy Spirit and accept Him as your savior.
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36 NLT
Government subsidies are benefits provided to individuals, businesses, educational institutions, medical facilities, social and economic programs, food distribution to low-income people, and industries involved in agriculture, energy, and housing. Many countries across the world supply these government subsidies. They vary as to the needs of the country and the resources available. For example, China and the European Union provide subsidies in agriculture. Poland, Germany, and France grant fossil fuel subsidies. The United States provides subsidies in agriculture and manufacturing, along with other industries for the advancement of a sound economy and the overall prosperity of its people.
While many government subsidies are beneficial and the taxpayer’s money is well spent, many are not so beneficial, and many need to be streamlined or eliminated. One area needed to be streamlined are the government assistance programs for the poor. Overall, government subsidies given for the health and welfare of the poor and elderly are needed programs. It is the responsibility of the government to care for those who cannot care for themselves and to assist those to be able to care for themselves. There are non-profit organizations that receive government assistance for their programs to feed and care for the poor. My question is, should Christian organizations including churches willingly accept money from the government in caring for the poor?
I have heard it said, and have repeated it many times myself that, ‘if Christians and the church were doing what we should be doing there would be no need for government assistance.’ Christians are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. No, we can’t feed the multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, but we can give what we can and watch the Lord multiply it through others doing the same. The church has a deeper responsibility in caring for the poor than any government. Government assistance is given out of duty and obligation. Christian giving is given out of love for Jesus Christ and love for our neighbor. When we love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves the Lord will provide what is necessary to help the poor and hungry through us.
Again, if the church is being the church and Christian organizations are adhering to Biblical standards there should be no need to accept federal money. Going into partnership with the deep pockets of the government may seem logical but it is what is known as a ‘red herring.’ First, the government’s deep pockets are filled with money that is non-existent. Adding to the federal debt when we as Christians can help with this problem is irresponsible and showing lack of faith in our creator. Secondly, once any Christian organization, church, medical facility, or educational institution accepts money from the federal government they have lost full control of administering the gospel message with the services they provide.
Government subsidies have their place in our world today, but they have put a strain on federal budgets across the world. The Christian church can help relieve some of the burden by being the church, being the hands and feet of Jesus, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
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“For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.” (Ro.15:26 nlt)
“Go back home. Your son will live!” ……. “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” John 4:50, 52 NLT
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God reveals the answers to our prayers in His timing. We need not worry if He hears us, He does. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” (1Pt.3:12 nlt) Knowing that God hears our prayers gives us assurance that He will answer them. When we get the answer is up to God. He will answer when the time is right and is in line with His purposes. When God hears our prayers, He doesn’t need to think how He will answer. He has already determined it. God doesn’t change His mind or have a change of heart in our waiting process. His answer will come as decided.
Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between an answer of ‘no’ or ‘wait.’ The answer ‘no’ may be realized rather quickly, but then again perhaps the Lord has a lesson for us in the waiting period. Rest assured, either way you’ll have the answer. The same is true for a ‘yes’ answer to prayer. We may receive it quickly or need to wait accordingly for God’s will. But He has already answered and will reveal it to us.
One of the greatest joys is to have an answer to prayer immediately. I’ve had several in my life, and I trust you have too. Looking back, we rejoice in God’s immediate response to our immediate need. In the gospel of John there is story of a government official who had such an immediate answer to prayer, but didn’t realize it until the next day.
John writes, “There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.” (Jn.4:46-47 nlt) At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus told the man to go home that his son will live. He believed Jesus and started home. On his way home the next day he met some of his servants who told him his son was alive and well. The fever suddenly left him at that very hour at 1 o’clock in the afternoon the day before. Whether we receive an instant answer to our prayers or need to wait, we know God hears us and determines His answer that very hour always revealing it to us in His timing.
“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” Mark 6:34 NLT
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This week in our study of the book of Mark we see Jesus as the good shepherd. Leading His disciples to a place of rest which they all desperately needed, Jesus is met by people who had followed Him around the Sea of Galilee to be near Him. Jesus didn’t get upset that His plans were ruined but looked on the people with compassion. He saw them for who they were, sheep without a shepherd.
Our story begins with the disciples returning from their preaching tour Jesus had sent them on. Jesus, naturally, would want a full report of their mission. Recapping their tour of duty was met with constant interruption that Jesus finally said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” (Mk.6:31 nlt) The Bible says the disruptions made it impossible even for them to eat. What is needed most after a long time spent on the road in your job is a good meal when you arrive home. Jesus knew this and suggested they get away from the crowds. “So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.” (Mk.6:32 nlt)
Their destination was the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee near the city of Bethsaida. Their departure didn’t stop the people from following Him. They took the long route walking eight miles along the shore arriving before Jesus who was cutting across the lake which was only four miles. It is possible the disciples’ boat incurred headwinds slowing them down, and it could have been the people were in a hurry not to let Jesus get away from them. Jesus met them as He came to shore with His disciples. Seeing the size of the crowd, the Bible says, “(Jesus) had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” (Mk.6:34 nlt) The rest and quiet time they were anticipating would have to wait, the sheep need a shepherd.
Jesus was teaching well into the late afternoon when His disciples came to Him saying, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” (Mk.6:35-36 nlt) Jesus was aware of the hour and it was now time to turn His teaching specifically to the disciples. He told them to give them something to eat. The disciples gave Jesus a logical answer back up by numbers that it would take eight months of wages to feed such a crowd, also calculating the size of the crowd. The Lord was about to test their faith and teach them valuable truths about Himself. ‘“How much bread do you have?’ he asked. ‘Go and find out.’ They came back and reported, ‘We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” (Mk.6:38 nlt) Then Jesus told them to have the people sit down, it’s supper time!
It would do us well to picture the scene of this miraculous feeding of this large group of people. Jesus instructs the people to sit in groups on the green grass. The place is on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee. The grass is green signifying it is in the spring after the late winter and early spring rains. Grass in that area becomes dry and brown during the hot summer months. Having them sit down in groups of fifties and hundreds shows an orderly process. Our Lord always does everything in an orderly fashion. It would be smart for us to follow His example in all our endeavors. Jewish festivals in the day used a symmetrical seating of 50 semi-circles of 100 people for easy food distribution. So, this wasn’t uncommon. The Greek word used for ‘groups’ is prasia meaning ‘a garden bed or plot.’ The Wycliffe Bible Commentary describes the place as, ‘a picturesque scene, like beds of flowers with the different colors from all the clothing sitting in groups that can be seen from a distance.’ Yes, Jesus certainly does things in order and in splendid color.
“Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share.” (Mk.6:41 nlt) In the preceding verse the words ‘took’ ‘looked’ ‘blessed’ and ‘break’ or ‘breaking’, are in a simple past tense in the Greek, whereas ‘gave’ is in the imperfect tense meaning ‘kept giving’ as in our text. Here is the miracle occurring. Jesus kept on giving the bread and fish and kept on giving until everyone had something to eat and were satisfied. There were also leftovers which Jesus had the disciples gather up. Twelve baskets in fact, one for each disciple so no one would miss out on their teacher’s lessons.
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They learned Jesus is the good shepherd who feeds His sheep. Jesus taught them He was able to feed thousands of people with five loaves and two fishes. The major lesson here is He can supply every need for His sheep. This miracle fulfilled prophecies from the Old Testament concerning the Messiah shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23 says, “And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.” (nlt) Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah who was to come. And Isaiah the prophet wrote, “On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.” (Is.45:6 niv)
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the shepherd who feeds His sheep, protects His sheep and died for His sheep. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (Jn.10:11 nlt) The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news about the good shepherd who came and laid down His life in order that we may have eternal life by believing in His name. Yes, it’s supper time!
Word for the Soul 