A shepherd is someone who tends and rears sheep. A shepherd caters for the sheep. A shepherd has a responsibility to guide, protect and provide for the sheep. So in a sense, the shepherd watches over the sheep and the sheep is fully dependent on the shepherd.

There is therefore a strong bond that exists between a shepherd and a sheep. The shepherd loves the sheep and expresses this love in the level of care given to the sheep and in return, the sheep trusts and relies on the shepherd.

Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, which He quickly contrasts with a Hireling (a hired hand, who is not the owner of the sheep). From the way Jesus sees it, a shepherd is considered ‘Good‘ when he can go to any length (including losing his own life) to care for the sheep (John 10:11)

We don’t need any other Shepherd dying for us, Jesus already did.

Below I share Psalms 23:1‭-‬6 from the Easy-To-Read version. I pray that it is a reminder to us all, that Jesus is truly committed to caring for us. As you read this Psalm today, consider and assume the position and confidence of its writer….

The Lord is our Shepherd; He watches over and caters for us……..

The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need. He gives me green pastures to lie in.

He leads me by calm pools of water. He restores my strength.

He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.

Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.

You prepared a meal for me in front of my enemies. You welcomed me as an honored guest. My cup is full and spilling over.

Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house a long, long time.

When the overall head of an organisation appoints you into an office, irrespective of your qualification or experience, you assume office and discharge your duties accordingly. You have his backing, he has your commitment and loyalty. God Almighty placed us in an office, in the position of authority, at His right hand, let’s assume our office. Sit and be seated at the Father’s Right Hand, enjoy victories and also take charge of your responsibilities.

So a sign is usually indicative of something and is often looked out for. For example, a rainbow may indicate changes in season, a thunder may signal a coming storm.
If believers are to lay hands on the sick to recover, then there is healing power in a believers hand (in the name of Jesus). But how best to prove this except by acting on it.

I will give you the keys to God’s kingdom. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God’s judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God’s forgiveness.”
Matthew 16:19 ERV

This conviction that God will come through for us is solidly hinged and anchored by hope; the joyful and confident expectation that we will indeed see and experience these things.  Hope sustains our confidence that our faithful God will bring His promises to pass in our lives

in this Kingdom worry has no place because we know to ask and receive, seek and find, to knock and have access to open doors (Matthew 7:7). We know to say, believe and have, to speak to the mountain believing, and to see it move (Mark 11:23).

God doesn’t want us sick and physically weak. He wants us to prosper, be in good health, even as our soul prospers. A weak state is only beautiful as long as we become more focused on God, committed to fellowship and prayer, humble, teachable, calm, attentive, trusting and dependent on God

I do not believe that Jesus’s fury was exactly because some form of trading was going on at the temple area. I believe Jesus’s extreme display of anger was because of the misplaced priorities displayed regularly by the temple-attendees.

Experience can increase one’s empathy level, help balance emotions and cognition, help manage expectations, provide a wider view on things, can help with planning, … and more.

First Timothy chapter 6 is an admonition from Apostle Paul to shun ungodliness which is often expressed as strife, disputes, contentions, evil desires and pride. To rather pursue and embrace righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Godliness with Contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

Servants are to honor and respect their masters; whether believing or unbelieving. Teachers are to teach wholesome doctrines that are in accordance with godliness.

Verse 12 of 1 Timothy 12 is not just an admonition; it is a command. A command to fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
I Timothy 6:12 NKJV

My interest is on ‘lay hold on eternal life’.

To ‘lay hold of’ means to clench, cling to, clutch, catch, grasp, seize, to take and hold something, to understand something.

Eternal life means everlasting life, never ending life, never perishing, life more abundantly, continuous life, endless life.

If you have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you have eternal life (John 3:15-16). And the purpose of this life is to keep you in the covenant, in constant uninterrupted fellowship with God (1 John 1:1-3, John 6:54-58), to keep you safe from the Destroyer (John 10:28); safe to live and enjoy all that pertains to life and godliness available to you through Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:3).

Ungodliness and evil desires are evil, and they emanate from the evil One whose sole agenda is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

It is unlikely to be clinging, clenching, holding fast, grasping or holding firmly to eternal life (in fellowship and total surrender to God) and to still be drowned in strife, disputes, contentions, perdition, quarrels and all forms of ungodliness.

And because this life is endless and continuous, those who have it and remain fully plugged into it, can live perpetually in godliness and contentment, away from all expressions of evil.

It also is very unlikely that you’ll die before you are ready if you keep confessing and muttering “I have life and life more abundantly, God’s life, Zoe life, ….. the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave is in me and continually pumps life to every part of my body”.

“We have to fight to keep our faith. Try as hard as you can to win that fight. Take hold of eternal life. It is the life you were chosen to have when you confessed your faith in Jesus—that wonderful truth that you spoke so openly and that so many people heard.“
1 Timothy 6:12 ERV

Happy Monday…

Have a most blessed week

Love Always ❤