To My Weary Friend [[The Shepherd]]

Weary one,

Have you found the words of Psalm 28:9 yet?

Where the psalmist unleashes a barrel of truth… That changes everything.

Where Jesus meets you right where you are, no matter how messy or out-of-sorts your life seems.

He promises to meet us, lead us on, to carry us (if we will let Him), and be our everything.

… Only it isn’t a limited time offer…

It’s for all eternity. But, don’t delay! You are missing sooo much…

See, Jesus is the real deal!

And, He meets us.

Savior this truth, friends!

 

“Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever (Psalms 28:9).”

 

This message, designed for Israel, God’s treasure, is extended to us as well.

… Because Jesus came…

… Because Jesus broke down the barrier from us to Him and us to them…

He wants to save us!

He wants to call us His treasure.

He wants to lead us.

He wants to be our lifelong Shepherd.

He wants to carry us forever.

We don’t have to do life all on our own. We may feel like that is our only option, but I am telling you right now friend that we have another option. A much better option.

Jesus Christ.

He came for YOU! That’s the amazing depth of God’s love for you, that He would leave Heaven’s glory, splendor, and good things… That He would come. There is ONE thing He is missing and longing for..  And, it’s you. It’s me. He wants a love relationship with us. He wants THIS to become our reality.

He wants to be our Good Shepherd, as our reality to live by. Will you allow Him to? He is far more willing than you could ever imagine. Allow Him to step into your mess, your brokenness, and all that consumes your life. He just wants you to let Him in. What is stopping you from inviting Jesus into your heart and life?

Goals for April 26 – May 2

Do:

• Put finishing touches on “Grace Leads”
• Catch up on housework
• Write more

Read: Finish “Set Apart Woman”

Learn: Come to Jesus. Just come. No specific plan in mind, other than “coming”. Be content to simply sit in Jesus’ presence and rest in who He is, not in my actions. What He has done triumphs what I do or don’t do.

Be: focused on my Friend and Savior, Jesus. I need to remember that He is a Friend. I need to allow that truth to soak up my spirit. While it may seem, at times, that I have none to confide in, I need to remember the truest Friend I have: Christ.

“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide
in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you
everything the Father told me.” – John 15:15

“…[T]here is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
– Proverbs 18:24

The Outcast: Noah’s Faith and Testimony

While I think on all the amazing people God has ministered to and used throughout the course of history, I am reminded of one in particular that stands out.

A man, though imperfect, who was defined by a special kind of relationship with His Creator. A man whose name is Noah, who is known for building an ark.

What we seldom remember is how crazy he would appear to be – to his fellow neighbors. They hadn’t heard of rain or knew their need for God. The world he lived in, isn’t much different from our own. Humanity engulfed in sin. Refusing to know God. Refusing to turn from their wicked ways.

Noah stood apart… as he knew God. He knew and experienced the heart of God. He had a family that were set apart, and experienced God in their lives. It began with Enoch and continued with Noah… walking in fellowship with their Creator.

 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. (Gen. 6:5-6)

Humanity grieved the heart of our Creator. When we choose things of this world, and sin, instead of God, we must know that it grieves the God of the Universe. One thing stopped God from wiping out all of humanity (due to their wickedness): God had a special relationship with a God-fearing man whose name was Noah. Noah is a descendant of Enoch who is known for his fellowship with God.

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more,
because God took him away. (Gen. 5:24)
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Gen.6:8)

God had a special relationship with these men, though perhaps labeled as merely outcasts. They were set apart, because of the relationship they had with the God of the Universe. Through faith, Noah remained obedient to the word God spoke to him concerning the flood that would come. Though others missed this truth, he continued to speak and respond in faith to God’s mission for him.

Reflection Questions:

1. Who do you allow to define you as an outcast?
2. Are you allowing your relationship with God through His Son Jesus to be your defining characteristic?
3. Do we respond in faith and obedience to God’s will for our lives?

See Hebrews 11:7

The Outcast: The Paralytic and His Friends

³ Four people came, carrying a paralyzed man. ⁴ Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug a hole in the roof right above where he was speaking. When they got through, they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it. ⁵ When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralyzed man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” – Mark 2:3-5

Reading this account in Mark’s Gospel concerning this sick man, his friends, and Jesus -our Healer and Savior, we all can relate on some level. These men were not only friends. They were good friends who were determined, which is evident, as they brought this man to Jesus. Do we bring our friends to Jesus? We all have friends who are going through hard times on some level. How can we be there for them? These men genuinely cared and would do anything and go anywhere for this man/ These friends were not brought down by this man’s paralyzed body, but they were spurred on. They knew their friend needed them, and stayed there for him…

For whatever reason, these friends did not leave his side. They were the kind of friends who would go above and beyond what many others would do for him, and were really there for him. Today, how can we become these kinds of friends?

• Stay connected to them (aware of their struggles, needs, upcoming doctor appointments, or tests, etc).
• Be in prayer for them.Have a short visit with them (if they are up for it).
• Send them a facebook message. It is easy to allow not knowing what to say, to prevent us from saying anything at all. Here are some ideas  on what you can say:
  • “How are you feeling today?”
  • “Thinking of you.”
  • “I am praying for you.”
  • “I am going to the store. Can I bring you anything?”
• Volunteer to bring their family dinner (it helps!).
• Send a small note in the mail (everyone loves getting mail).

All of us are someone’s friend. We would consider ourselves a good friend to some,but an acquaintance of others. But with God’s help, we can aspire to be a better friend. A friend like these men were. Trusting that God can help us to be a better friend.

This Week: Be in prayer, and consider how you can be there for the sick in you know.

See Hebrews 10:24