Monday 31 March 2014

SHEPHERD OR WOLF- 31/03/2014

SHEPHERD OR WOLF- 31/03/2014

Yesterday’s message was titled “BE GRATEFUL?”. Today’s message is titled “SHEPHERD OR WOLF?” as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise 1 Peter 5:2: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind" and read Lamentatiions 4: 1 -5. The Bible in one year for today has been taken from Ezekiel 30:20 to Ezekiel 33-34 and Psalm 73:18-28.(Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is  today's message for our usual discussion . 

"Our Bible reading for today is a grim lamentation of Prophet Jeremiah. It concerns both the spiritual and physical state of affairs of the people of God of his time. This state of affairs sadly reflects the current state of affairs of God's people in our time. The Bible says that all these were written as examples for those upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:1 1). This state of affairs is therefore indicative of the times we live in; theseare the end-times. Let us learn one or two lessons from this lamentation to deliver our soul from impending doom. ln this end-time, many pastors and preachers are no longer building with precious stones on the Sure Foundation — Jesus Christ. Rather, they are building with rubble, i.e. the philosophy of men and modern ideologies in order to make Christianity ”intel|igible” to a 21“century audience. Even the sea monsters draw out the breast and give suck to their young ones, but the teachers of God's people have become cruel — denying the flock the sincere milk of the Word, not even when sincere seekers of truth demand for it.
Many modern day pastors and ministers of the gospel of all categories are failing to live by the injunction of the dying Apostle Paul to Timothy, his son in the Lord, and by extension, to all ministers of the gospel in 2 Timothy 4:2 &5:
”Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evanlgelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
The Bible warns ministers of the gospel against negligence or dereliction of duty in Ezekiel 3:18-21. Ezekiel was also told not to consider the.unfriendly countenance of his audience but rather to deliver the word as he was asked to (Ezekiel 2:6-7). The reason we have worship centres all over the place without ' godly impact is because God's watchement are not doing their duty right. Some pastors don't consider if members of their congregation are heaven-bound or not. In as much as they keep on bringing: their offerings, ’’all is well”. This is not right. As a Christian parent, you need to take today's message as yours as well. Your home is your God-given flock. It is for you to nurture in’ the fear of the Lord. Are you a shepherd or a wolf? Think about this, and may the Lord grant you understanding  Jesus‘ Name."

Today's prayer point is to Pray for all ministers of the Gospel around the world, that God will grant them  the grace to preach the gospel without fear or favour.

God bless you all. Have a fruitful week in Jesus Name, amen.


6 comments:

  1. great message. trully many minister of the Word of GOD are wolfs in sheep clothing ravaging and eating deep into there members personal resource, without feeding them both of physical and spiritual food. may GOD have mercy on all of us.

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  2. Father have mercy on us all and help to live and do your will always in Jesus name.

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