WHAT SHEPHERDS DO - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 7-9
WHAT SHEPHERDS DO Tuesday, August 3, 2010
MEMORIZE: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2) READ: Psalm 23:1-6 A good shepherd must be conversant with the characteristics of his sheep and relate with them according to what he knows about them. Without this, there will always be serious issues bordering on sheep-shepherd relationships. The shepherd is the defender of the sheep. The sheep you fail to protect will definitely end up in the teeth of lions. While in the midst of enemies, the sheep is reassured of safety as long as the shepherd is around. Unfortunately, the presence of some under shepherds does not insure the sheep against danger. If the lions of this world poverty, false doctrine, spiritual hunger, backsliding, etc. take a hold on your members in your presence, you are not a shepherd but an hireling. A sheep is so dependent that it does not know when to sleep or wake up. It is therefore the duty of the shepherd to ensure the sheep sleeps and wakes at the right time. To do all these, the shepherd must have genuine love for the sheep. How much do you love your members? “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2). According to the above scripture, it is the duty of the shepherd to ensure his sheep take adequate rest. After a hard day’s work, rest becomes mandatory. God designed our bodies in such a way that after work and rest, there is a rejuvenation, a renewal of the entire system that prepares the fellow for more work. Working without adequate rest is body abuse. You may appear to get away with it for a while but at some point when the body crashes, compulsory rest will be inevitable. But at this time, it will be at some cost. If you do not work hard, you are already resting and do not need any other form of rest. To ensure your people rest, do not occupy every day of the week with programs. Let them have time to rest. Let them also have time for their family. The way some church leaders design programs, they are responsible for breakage of homes of members. Also, when you observe members are falling spiritually asleep, you would prop them up with fiery messages. You must be alert to know what to serve your flock. Are you a true shepherd? ACTION POINT: If over-occupation of members is leading to breakage of homes, you are not a shepherd but an hireling.