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The Good Shepherd

  • Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35 WEB

    When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them for they were lost and helpless. The words 'harassed and scattered' literally mean 'torn and thrown down.' Jesus saw the people as unprotected sheep wandering about and being easy prey for predators.

    Jesus would stop and take the time to teach and heal them. He cared and He said several times in His teachings that He was The Good Shepherd, and that He came to seek and save the lost sheep (John 10:11, Luke 15:6, Luke 19:10).

    Cold hearted people can make you feel unwelcome, even in what they call 'The house of God.' They threw Jesus out of their temple after He preached to them: 'So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple' (John 8:59).

    They did not like it when Jesus had lunch with sinners either, but He did it anyway: 'The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?' (Mark 2:16). The cold religious people stood outside watching Jesus have dinner with the sinners, instead of them.

    The religious elite called Jesus 'A drunkard and a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners' (Mark 2:16). I thank God that Jesus was and still is, a friend of sinners like me.

    Don't ever let cold, negative people, influence your view of Jesus for you are always welcome in His house. Jesus came to seek and save the lost like us, and He is always glad to see us. We need to ask ourselves, 'Which group are we in today? The cold and exclusive, or the warm and welcoming.' The Bible is very clear which side Jesus was on.

    Jesus is still the good Shepherd. If you are wandering through life today and feel a bit lost, look to Jesus who is just a prayer away as He is already seeking you out. He is a friend that is closer than a brother. Jesus loves you, but sometimes His followers struggle to represent Him correctly. Let us do better.

    Prayer: Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

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31 comments
  • 3
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wylesedited: February 13, 2016 Amen! I have so been a part of those negative people. Always moaning and groaning in my pain, sometimes lashing out before I realize it. Tormented by hateful hurtful people that never stop to see the distruction they leave behind. God is good to me for rescuing me from all that negative! I still struggle with complaining and being negative about my pain but I am working on it! Seems no matter how high of pain levels for the day I am almost always blessed with being able to walk through it anyway so I really can't complain if I can still be mobile! The struggle is real when you fight depression... sometimes it's you being negative and you haven't actually noticed yet your attitude needs major adjustment or if you smiled more you would get a better response from others. In my heart I always want to be showing God's love but in my head... sometimes things get confusing and frustrating so I end up not being the best representitive of God's love in action. I thank God daily that he loves me regardless! I pray daily for a heart  like Jesus and the wisdom to use it for healing mercies to others. Thank you Pastor for shining God's light for us! Pastor's Prayer: Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
February 13, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt AMEN!
February 13, 2016
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh When we ask God for help,he may say,"I've got something even better for you".Ask God for what you want,but don't be surprised when he gives you what you really need. Thanks be to God.Believe .Acts 3:6.
February 13, 2016
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Julie Schneider
Julie Schneider I applied for a job once at a "Christian" school but after several harrowing interviews they concluded that I wasnt Christian enough because my born again story didnt match what they wanted.  They even tried to "save" me.  It was a nightmare that I still can cry about!
February 13, 2016
  • 1
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Wow! People, even us christians can be so judemental! It is SOOOO good to know we are ENOUGH to God and Jesus!! I can be stuck in the past so easy some days and others I am determined to live in the peace of the now! I still cry over others hurtfulness but not as much anymore as I know God loves me and I am enough for him! Love & hugs 
February 13, 2016
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Michele  Smart
Michele Smart Wow that's so crazy Julie how they felt the right to determine your worthiness.  God was looking out for you by getting you out of there!
February 13, 2016
  • 3
Janet Clary
Janet Clary So many churches and those who claim to be true followers of Christ are the ones that are the most negative, all around!!  Makes me wonder why they attend church at all!!   I have attended churches where I was ridiculed for being in recovery because as they put it "If you had of been in church to start with, you would have never shamed your family or become a big sinner." .   Wow, makes me wonder what bible  they read out of.  Forgiveness and the Lords love allow us to make a new beginning each day.  We are children of God and earn the right to make mistakes and be forgiven.  We are but human and have to realize that even Jesus loves us all.   I have some very rough days where I get depressed, cry, become negative and complain that I wish I could do some of the things I used to be able to do, before my Rheumatoid got worse.  I believe its alright to feel your true fellings and then pray to God to show me a better way.   Jesus loves us even in our darkest hour;  I love the personal relationship I have with the Lord and do not feel the guilt that others think I should.  I will always be a child of God and if I complain too much then I know that my savior will and can give me a brighter day to walk in.    Pastor Dion, that message today is something that the entire world needs to hear.  You are one of Gods disciples and never forget that we all love your daily devotions and all the wonderful work that you and our First Lady do here.  You and ms. Sylvia always give us hope and the path for a positive change in our lives!  Hugs, Janet
February 13, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I agree.
February 13, 2016
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Janet, stay warm there! It is cold this weekend!
February 13, 2016
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Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Jesus my Savior and best friend.  Thank you for always being there.  Amen!!
February 13, 2016
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Trish Hicks
Trish Hicks Pastor Dion excellent message as per usual.I can always know that if i ever need a positive word where to come. Again thank You.
February 13, 2016
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Joan Joseph
Joan Joseph We were like sheep going astray but now,(because he bore "our" sins in his body on the tree) the Lord is my Shepherd, the Overseer of my soul. Amen. 1 Peter 24-25.
February 13, 2016
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I thank God that He is my Good Shepard, my Great Sheperd and my Chief Shepard.
February 13, 2016
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Dorene Glaze
Dorene Glaze Amen
February 13, 2016
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.Thank you Heavenly Father,for redeming me,and being the good Shepherd in my life,even when I have strayed from you ,you have called me and waited for my return with open arms,and not given up on me.Help me Lord to be teachable according to your word,and give me wisdom and understanding when talking and reaching out to others.That you will be glorified.In the name of Jesus I pray. Thank you Pastor For the prayer and the words of encouragement  for today.
February 13, 2016
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! I pray that He breaks my heart for the things that break His!
February 13, 2016
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Sharon Peterson
Sharon Peterson Amen. That message hit home.
February 13, 2016
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Sometimes it's difficult when judgemental people ridicule me, but I try to remember that Jesus' ways are not like man's. Thank you for today's devotional--I really needed to be reminded!
February 13, 2016
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Valerie  King
Valerie King Amen! Amen! Amen! 
February 13, 2016
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Kath Paro
Kath Paro Dion~ Thank you for sharing your message today.  It gave me greater understanding of how to handle those who shun and disagree what I feel is Jesus's way of blessing  those less fortunate than I.  I need to walk with Jesus and not waver in our journey.  Amen
February 13, 2016
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Belinda Lee
Belinda Lee Awesome words. Thank you! The Lord is my shepherd I shall never want!!
February 13, 2016
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Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen Lord Jesus, amen. 
February 13, 2016
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen and Thank you Jesus for always being there for me.
February 13, 2016
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Joseph Krell
Joseph Krell He will make a way, where there seems to be no way! Know Jesus- Know Peace!  OR.    No Jesus- No Peace!
February 13, 2016
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Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen!
February 13, 2016
  • 2
John Smith
John Smithedited: February 13, 2016 Regarding Mark 2:16, Matthew 11:19 is parallel verse.  Gospel of Mark actually doesn't contain the "drunkard" term.  This is how the Amplified bible translation reads: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, Behold, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and [[a]especially wicked] sinners! Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by what she does (her deeds) and by [b]her children." According to the NIV (highly criticized modern translation) Jesus was called a "drunkard" but the Amplified says a "wine drinker."  (King James says a "winebibber")  Wine wasn't always alcoholic but often just unfermented juice.  So, don't be deceived into believing Jesus drank alcohol and got drunk.   I love the message today as all others but I just wanted to warn anyone who might have had problem with alcohol in past that devil will use that verse to deceive you and convince you to drink again.  All drunkenness is sin, I am convinced.  I learned the hard way, so I am not trying to remove the speck from your eye, just telling you that verse doesn't translate accurately the way Amplified Translation (classic edition) does.  Just that one word "drunkard" throws the whole verse out of context because it inplies that Jesus was accused of getting drunk, but the original translations merely said he ate and drank "wine" with sinners.  They had "old wine" and "new wine" which may be fermented (alcoholic) or merely juice.   They had no soft drink industry, Romans built aqueducts just to bring fresh water from the mountain tops into the cities.  So, if fresh water was scarce, or required effort to retreive, the fact that grape juice is being lauded or consumption of "wine" could be considered extravagant or overindulging does not mean it was alcohol as it might in our modern times of excess everything.   
February 13, 2016
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Joey Smith
Joey Smith AMEN
February 13, 2016
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
February 13, 2016
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Dion!  Lord, Help me to be a light, a witness, and an example to this world for Your Kingdom!
February 14, 2016
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Mark Duell
Mark Duell Father, help me to reach out to those that are lost that I come in contact with daily. Let me see their struggle and their pain through your eyes. Give me the words to speak the love of Christ.
February 14, 2016
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Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord Thank for this message. Let me do better each day. Amen.
February 15, 2016