I Am: The Good Shepherd

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The story is told of an outstanding actor who was asked to entertain one evening at an immense dinner party. As the great actor arose to speak the room was filled with excitement as the eager guests anticipated his message.
The star of the day said that he was going to recite the Twenty-third Psalm. This he did in a dramatic and eloquent manner. As soon as he had finished the chamber roared with applause as the audience arose in a standing ovation.
The next speaker of the evening was an elderly white-haired man who was weak and feeble, worn by many long years of steadfast, patient labor as a missionary. A hush fell over the audience as he arose. After a moment’s silence he said humbly, “I, too, would like to recite the Shepherd’s Psalm.”
Then, lifting his face slightly toward Heaven he closed his eyes and began:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
When the servant of the Lord finished, a pin could have been heard if one had dropped on the floor. This time there was no applause. There was standing ovation. Not a sound was heard. Yet, throughout the room there was not a dry eye. Tears were flowing freely.
Shortly afterward, a man approached the outstanding actor and said, “I don’t understand. You both said the same thing. Your presentation was perfect in every way. Yet, when he spoke in his halting, imperfect manner, people were moved too deeply for words. What made the difference?”
The actor hesitated and then replied, “The answer is simple. I knew the Twenty-third Psalm and I knew it well, but he knows the Shepherd!”
David said in Psalm 23:1
Psalm 23:1 NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Ask your neighbor “do you know the Shepherd.”
See hypocrisy isn’t me saying some and just not doing it. But its me actually doing what I said but with the wrong motivates.
Because the Lord is I shall not!
David personalized it and said the Lord is MY Shepherd. Do you know the Shepherd?
In order for me not to want The Lord must first be my Shepherd.
If the Lord isn’t my Shepherd I’m gonna always be in want, I’m gonna always envy.
I’m gonna always want a church change.
I’m gonna always want a career change, I’m gonna always be discontented.
David was a shepherd and he knew both the needs and the cares of the sheep.
He knew what it was like to protect the sheep, He protected the sheep from a lion and a bear.
He risked his life for the sheep, he smelled like sheep.
His identity was wrapped around him being a little scronny red head shepherd boy.
David knew when one sheep was in distress or injured.
He knew all the sheep by name and all the sheep knew him and they wouldn’t listen to another shepherd. because they knew David cared for them.
He knew that sheep where defenceless, weak, and foolish. And in David said yes I’m a sheep!
You would’ve thought that David would’ve gave himself some credit. And said I am the a lion, or a bear, camododragon, crocodile.
His identity was wrapped around him being a little scronny red head shepherd boy. name because he was apart of a guerrilla group that he founded, but later the name denoted his political shrewdness.
David understood that our wants in life cannot sustain us
A want is to not have enough of what is needed.
Let not,
A soldier cannot say to his weapons these will sustain me
A artist cannot say to her art. these will sustain me
A tradesman cannot say to his trade, my trade my profession will sustain me.
A scholar cannot say to his books, that my books will sustain me.
But only when The Lord is our Shepherd will we not be in want.
Jesus identified Himself as that expected “Good Shepherd” (John 10:14). He is also called the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20) and “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). Because the Lord was David’s Shepherd, his needs were met.
Kings would called themselves Shepherd's I’m assuming it had to do with trying tho persuade the people about what kind of leader they would be
Psalm 23:2–3 NKJV
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
By the Lord being our Sherpherd He gives us Spiritual nourishment.
As a Shepherd leads the sheep to grass for feeding so The Lord leads us.
He restores my soul.
This is spiritual restoration. Our souls need to be restored.
He leads us by the still waters for rest and cleansing.
Here the spiritual lesson is clear: the Lord provides forgiveness and peace for those who follow Him.
John 10:14 NKJV
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
The fact that the Good Shepherd knows the sheep speaks about His ownership and His watchful insight.
Speaks about care and attention.
Psalm 1:6 (NKJV)
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Revelation 2:2 (NKJV)
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
He knows our virtue our life before Him.
I know your works Rev 2:9 , 13, 19. 3:1, 3:8, 3:19
Revelation 2:9 NKJV
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
He also knows our tribulations, our poverty , our stand for truth.
Hebrews 6:10 NKJV
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
God is not a tyrant who pays no attention to justice.
God doesn’t over look your work and love which ultimately preceded from His grace.
John 10:15 NKJV
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
A good Shepherd risk his life for the sheep, but Jesus The Good Shepherd consciously gives His life for the sake of the sheep.
praying for Faith
thankful doe Debbie.
Katie and family
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