Which Shepherd are you following?

John 10.27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The implication here is that there are other Shepherds. (My sheep hear My voice…) Other Shepherds who want to get the attention of sheep are also speaking. To which Shepherd are we listening?

The Shepherd of selfishness?
The Shepherd of covetousness?
…of envy?
…of greed?
…of gossip?
…of pride?
…of…anything that would replace the Good Shepherd.

If we listen to the Shepherd of selfishness we will follow the path to meeting our own needs rather than the needs of others.

If we listen to the Shepherd of covetousness we will follow the path to dissatisfaction in God’s provision.

If we listen to the Shepherd of envy we will follow the path to bitterness and resentment.

If we listen to the Shepherd of greed we will follow the path to hoarding our possessions.

If we listen to the Shepherd of gossip we will follow the path to pain and loss of relationships.

If we listen to the Shepherd of pride we will follow the path to stumbling and falling.

If we listen to the Good Shepherd we will follow the path that leads to life, peace, joy, contentment, and, eventually, heaven!

The Good Shepherd’s voice IS heard by His sheep! The Shepherd is followed by His sheep!

A Heart to Praise

Dear Father,

We lift our voices in words and songs in a feeble attempt to praise you.

We have enough to praise you for: life, light, truth, grace, redemption, glory, peace,...

We have the faculties to praise you: our tongues, our minds, our voices, our bodies.

We have the time to praise you: right now.

We have the place to praise you: right here.

Give us the heart to praise you!

"All praise to God who reigns above,
the God of Grace and Glory!"

In Jesus' Good Name,
Amen.