Tag: shepherd
The Throne in Heaven
Scripture reading for December 4: Revelation 4
“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first Voice, which I heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. And He Who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,. . .” Revelation 4:1-5
John, Jesus’ disciple and apostle, got to see a door standing open in heaven and was invited by Jesus to come through the door. The purpose Jesus revealed to John was that he was to see the events that would unfold on earth and in heaven after this time. We are told in Scripture not to seek out those who use the occult to know the future because only God knows what is to come. Here Jesus by grace invited John to come up through the door to heaven. I believe that Jesus, Himself, is the Door (John 10:7) and Good Shepherd Who leads us. (John 10:3, 11) John responded by faith accepting Jesus’ invitation.
Upon entering the door, John beheld the throne of heaven and the One seated there. He was shown the tremendous glory and color and light that radiated from the throne, comparing it to precious jewels that sparkled with amazing color. He also noted the rainbow around the throne that was like an emerald. This rainbow speaks of God’s promise to never destroy the earth with water and God’s mercy to Noah and those on the ark. Around the throne were twenty-four other thrones with elders seated, clothed in white and crowned. This fulfilled Jesus’ promise to His disciples that He would be seated on a glorious throne and they would have twelve thrones to judge the tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28) From this throne came lightning and thunder, reminders of God’s judgment and holiness. There were also seven torches of fire, speaking of the Holy Spirit and cleansing judgment. This throne is the center of all authority and power.
As you read this description of heaven, how do you process your own readiness to respond to Jesus’ invitation to come up there? Have you entered a relationship with Jesus Christ as the Door and Shepherd?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for extending the invitation to come through heaven’s Door to all people. Help me today to focus on Jesus Christ and share this wonderful news of a Savior and Shepherd. Amen.
A Savior/Shepherd is born!
Scripture reading for March 14th: Numbers 26-29, Luke 2
Luke2:8-11 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.”
Moses, a shepherd himself, spoke to the Lord about his appointment of a man who could lead the flock of Israel after he was taken home to God. The Lord appointed “Joshua” (whose name corresponds to “Jesus”) to shepherd His flock. Then the Lord revealed the birth of His Son almost 1500 years later, to shepherds who were keeping the flocks of sheep used in temple sacrifice. They were filled with great fear, but the angel exhorted them to “fear not” because of the Good News of a Savior Who came from God’ The Great Shepherd of all sheep would be born in a manger and His first visitors would be lowly shepherds! Mary and Joseph were both of the lineage of David, another great shepherd who lead the flock of God.
Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”
Prayer: Father God, Your planning and symbolism are humbling and amazing! You give grace to the humble and You demonstrated humility by sending Your Son from heaven’s glory to a manger in a cave. I am humbled that You would do this for my salvation from the bondage of sin and for the whole world. Open doors today that I might share this Good News of a Savior and Great Shepherd to lost sheep.
Numbers 27:15-18 “Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd. So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest, and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in your sight.”
The multitude of the Redeemed!
Scripture reading for December 10th: Revelation 7
Key Scriptures: Revelation 7:9-12 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
In Revelation 7:1-8 John recorded the sealing of the 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel with the seal of God. The seal reflects God’s ownership of those willingly sealed and they are set apart for the work of God during the great tribulation. God will at this time deal with the nation of Israel for their rejection of the Messiah. They will recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The number 12 is the number of the church of the Old Testament–twelve tribes, and the New Testament–twelve Apostles. After this sealing, John looks again and beholds a great uncountable multitude from the nations of the earth who are clothed in white and worshipping before the throne. When John was asked by one of the elders where these had come from, he answered, “Sir, you know.” John was told that these had come out of the great tribulation and were saints washed by the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:13-14 “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”“
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace to the nation of Israel and to the Gentiles, all of whom are sinners who have broken Your laws and gone against Your lordship. Thank You for the white robes of Your righteousness given by grace through faith to those who repent and believe. Give me grace today to stand true to You and proclaim the Good News of a merciful Savior! I will worship You forever and ever!
Revelation 17:17 “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Follow Jesus to Father’s House!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Numbers 26-29, Luke 2
Key Scriptures: Luke 2:49-52 “And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in the favor with God and man.”
As a young child of twelve, Jesus’ parents took Him to the temple for the required visits during the feasts. During the Feast of Passover, they went as was their custom. But as they left to return home, they found that Jesus was not among the throng of family and friends returning together. They returned to Jerusalem to find Jesus in the temple listening to the teachers and questioning them. Jesus returned with them and continued to grow in wisdom and favor with God and man!
Numbers 27:16-17 “”Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.””
Faith Confession and prayer: As one who is a disciple of Jesus, I choose to follow Jesus as my Shepherd in attending weekly believers gatherings for worship and listening to teaching of God’s Word. Help me Lord, to grow in wisdom and favor with God and man.
Finding the Way to Zion!
Scripture reading for November 8th: Jeremiah 48-50, 1st Peter 2
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 2:21-25 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, he did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Suffering was a part of Christ’s life on earth. His suffering set an example of patience and faith for all His followers. Suffering will be a part of every believer’s life on earth as well. We must keep our eyes on the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ and allow His healing wounds to steadfast faith.
Jeremiah 50:4-5 “”In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.'”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me and Your followers the Way to Zion! Thank You for the everlasting covenant through the blood You shed. By Your stripes I am healed. Amen.
The Good Shepherd
Scripture reading for April 18th: 2nd Samuel 7-9, John 10
Key Scriptures: John 10:9-11 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Jesus claimed a title that was in the history of His family line going back to King David. As David was a shepherd who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep against the lion and bear, so Jesus declared His intention of laying down His life for all the lost sheep of mankind.
2nd Samuel 7:8-9 “Now, therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of Hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make your name great . . .”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for shepherding me today. Deliver me today from my enemies and lead me to green pastures. Amen.
Rejoicing in Jesus our Shepherd!
Scripture reading for October 3rd: Micah 3-7
Key Scriptures: Micah 5:2, 4-5 “”But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. . . . He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth and He will be their Peace.”
Micah was given prophetic insight concerning the coming ruler of Israel who would be born in the town of Bethlehem (House of Bread). This information came over 700 years before the special person would be born. In fact, this “Ruler” would be a shepherd to His people, bringing security and provision and most importantly, peace! This “Ruler” would indeed be famous in the entire earth!
Rejoicing in prophetic fulfillment: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has be born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. . . . “In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a Ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.'” (Matthew 2:1-2, 5-6)
Overseers of the blood-bought Church!
Scripture reading for June 1st: Acts 20
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 20:26-28 “Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”
As he visited them again, Paul warned the elders and pastors that he had raised up to lead the new church at Ephesus about their need to be watchful and shepherd the flock of God. Paul told them that “savage wolves” would arise from their own number and try to divide the flock. (Acts 20:29-30) Paul had preached fully the whole counsel of God and had properly equipped them with all the truth. The Holy Spirit had anointed and placed each person in the leadership role that they occupied. Paul reminded them that it was God’s church that they were to watch over–purchased with Christ’s own blood!
Observations for over-comers: Watchfulness is needed to live successfully against the hosts of darkness arrayed against us. Stay under godly pastors and know God’s word! “See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11)