Jesus the Good Shepherd

God’s Service Department

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

If you have worked in the service department of any store you know that returns can be a challenge. People lose their receipts or bring in things that are just worn out with age. Worse yet some try returning items that came from another store. All of this takes time and patience and tempers sometimes flare. But no matter what the problem, the goal is to restore confidence and put things back in their rightful place.

Today’s scripture talks about a different kind of returning. We are the ones who need to be returned to where we belong. We have forgotten where home is and spiritually speaking have lost our receipt. But nothing can prevent God from restoring us. We can be accepted whether we are worn out, broken or even purchased at another store. God is in the business of returns so don’t even think of giving up. Right now He is willing to accept us as his own and become the Shepherd of our souls!

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:25

Still Waters!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Does your life feel sometimes more like a roaring waterfall than a quiet stream? Then remember that it is through the cascading circumstances of waterfalls and whitewater rapids that rivers remain clean. Impurities are removed and fresh life giving oxygen added. There at the base of the waterfall the water rests. There is the purest and best place to drink.

If today you feel the roughness of life’s current battering you against sharp rocks don’t give in to fear. Your Good Shepherd is still keeping His promises and on the other side of sorrow and disappointment lie still waters. There He will give us a clear cold cup to drink that will refresh our soul! That is the place He prepares us for the adventures that still lies ahead!

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:2 NKJV

A Light in the Valley

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

There’s a light in the valley

of death now for me

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Rufus McDaniel 1914

Are you passing through what feels like the longest and darkest valley in your life today? David tells us in Psalm 23 that He won’t fear in that darkness because he knows that his shepherd is always with him. Jesus goes even further when be says that if we are following Him we will never walk in darkness!

Oh but does it feel like a dark and confusing time? Yes for me too brother. Today dark clouds sit on my horizon also sister. But in this valley God’s promise is more true than ever. He Himself is the light. We must confront our fear and refuse to run! The light is shining only on the path ahead and that light is our Lord Jesus Christ. He longs to not only be the light of the world; He offers to be the light of yours and my world. Only He knows the way to the other side of our valley. Take a deep breath, calm your racing heart and in faith just keep taking one step at a time behind your Savior. He is more than only the light if the world – He is also the light of life!