As A Shepherd

"As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day." (Ezekiel 34:12 NKJV)

"I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God : “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats." (Ezekiel 34:15-17 NKJV)

Such encouragement from these verses! I love especially the vision of The Shepherd searching for His sheep on the "cloudy and dark day!" 

Such promises of comfort for the hurting; the weak; for those who are in need of salvation!

And then the judgement! 

We often tend  to overlook the part of the verses that are uncomfortable! JUDGEMENT! 

The separation of the sheep from the goats, and the sheep from the sheep!

Everyone thinks of themselves as sheep! We love The LORD and call on His Name! 

But do we listen? 

Do we follow?

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27 NKJV)

So why the separation. Of sheep from sheep? What is to separate? We are all part of His flock! Right?

The Shepard's criteria, for sheep suitable for The Temple, is "sheep without spot or blemish"; symbols of sin! 

What does He consider sin? 

Everyone thinks: murder, adultery, stealing; those are unacceptable in society's eyes! However, in God's eyes - gossiping, harboring unforgiveness in your heart; fear and worry (unbelief), anger, bitterness and judgements are "spots and blemishes"; easily put under "The Blood", but for unrepented pride; the very thing that got lucifer thrown out of heaven!  ("Easy is the hardest thing you will ever do!" CM)

Confessing our sin to one another, choosing to forgive those that who have hurt us, and repenting of our judgements puts our sin under "The Blood"!  When we are obedient; we will know we have received forgiveness when the pain is gone! That is the promised freedom; the healing; the Peace! (James 5:16)

His sheep willingly follow, and submit to The Shepherd's voice; willingly lay down their will (pride) and are obedient to His Commands! 

So, just because we are sheep, doesn't mean we won't be separated!

Humble yourself! Submit!

Repent!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 1/5/14, 7/21/15