Thursday 1-17-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

Today we continue our look at being a "sheep." One more thing that we don't need to fear as a follower of God is friction...fighting.

James 4:1 "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?"

Do you know someone who is prone to fighting? Enjoys uneasiness? Happy when they are combative? I do. Why are people like that?

Today's verse explains exactly why...it's inside them. Something inside is hurting...something within their soul is in pain. The problem comes when that internal pain surfaces to hurt others: both verbally and/or physically. How do we as sheep control this "inner turmoil?"

Easy.

We need to look to the Shepherd's example and trust in His ability to heal. If we are the one struggling with fighting and anger, the first plan of action is to do anything we can to be more like Jesus. Handle situations like Him...treat others like Him...use words like Him... I'm going to warn you, this isn't always easy. Most of us use excuses like "I was just born that way" or "I can't help it...my parents were like that" You can help it. If you are a grown adult, you get to choose your reaction to what goes on all around you. Want to be less angry? Actively seek the Shepherd's behaviors for your life...go after what may seem impossible right now...and keep at it. Pretty soon, your natural reaction to things will be the Godly one.

Also, we have to trust that God can heal that inner pain. What makes us prone to anger CAN be reversed...it can be changed...we can be different than our parents...it just takes a day-by-day commitment to follow the Shepherd's example and course for our lives.

When we find ourselves fearing friction...either as the cause of it...or hurt by its effects...we need to remember that the Shepherd is still in charge...and we, the sheep, aren't finished yet.

Pastor Brian

Monday 1-7-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

Welcome to Monday! We are going to make a little change here on the devotional blog. From now on, the daily devotionals will tie in directly to last weekend's message. For example, yesterday, Pastor Garland spoke on the Shepherd in our new series...thus, this week we will be talking about Shepherding and how to follow Christ...

I hope you like the new format and pray that it will help us as we try to live out the lessons from the weekend.

Today we're going to look at what a Shepherd is.

John 10:11-13 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

Shepherds are willing to lay down their lives to protect those that are under their care. Today, as you start this week...reflect on that. You serve a Savior who was willing to lay down His life so that you don't have to spend eternity paying off the debt that sin causes....separation from Him and death. Isn't that amazing? It is the cornerstone of our faith...

Sometimes we might be tempted to believe that Jesus takes care of us like the hired hand in this passage. We might falsely think that He protects us because of what we do for Him....what we provide for Him. We might think...if I read my Bible...go to church...etc....Jesus will love me more. That simply isn't true. Jesus loves us, protects us, and laid down His life for us because of His love for us. His love and care is unconditional and complete. He is the only Shepherd we will ever need.

Challenge for the Day: In your journal, write down today's definition of Shepherd. Every time you start to feel anxiety today...remember that you are being protected by Someone who died for you...and let God handle what is troubling you.

Pastor Brian