I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Your Good Shepherd
Shepherding has been a vital part of Middle Eastern life for thousands of years. And 2,000 years ago in ancient Israel, shepherds played an especially important role in the local economy.
Shepherds would not only lead their sheep to green pastures and freshwater, but they would also defend their flocks against predators, robbers, and other natural threats. They would nurture the weak, chase after wandering sheep, fix fences, persevere through extreme weather, and endure long seasons of loneliness.
If necessary, a shepherd would even put himself in harm’s way, risking his own life for his sheep.
It’s this ordinary, lonely life that Jesus chose to use to explain who He was to His people…
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11 ESV
By using a tangible example that first-century Jews would have understood, Jesus revealed characteristics about Himself.
Just like a shepherd, Jesus was—and is—humble, selfless, hardworking, concerned with the details of our lives, tender, brave, dedicated, and unafraid to lay down His life for His people.
But Jesus isn’t just a good shepherd; He is the Good Shepherd— and He wants to be your personal shepherd. So will you let Him? Will you trust Him with your life today?
Our Shield and Warrior
One of the primary images of God in the Old Testament is that of God as Warrior. All throughout Scripture, God is frequently going to battle for His people or standing with them in the midst of difficulty—protecting them from harm.
Scripture tells us that God does not idly stand aside and watch His children fight alone. He's a warrior—our Warrior—who's actively protecting His people.
This is why the writer of Psalm 3 calls God a Shield that surrounds him. God is not distant—He is present and active in our lives. Even though we may experience pain and suffering, we can go to God for help and safety. He knows how to protect us, and fight for us.
The writer of this Psalm also says that God is the One who lifts our heads in the midst of difficulty. It can be easy to become discouraged or tired in the middle of hard times. But even in those moments, God supports us.
When we come to God as our Shield, He not only protects us, but He also gives us hope and peace. He ...
