ShepherdLeader.com

We always seek Jesus when we experience pain in our life, however this devotional reminded me of how I need to seek Jesus everyday and allow Him to nurture my soul. Yet we as shepherds need to model that with our people and let them know that we are with them, not just in the times when their is tro...

Early in my ministry I experienced the misunderstanding of those around me. Thinking that they/ we were all on the same page was a mistake. I had no clue of how to deal with conflict and division ensued. Restoration was still achieved, although the process took much longer in my heart, which affecte...

The shepherd's goal is to reproduce the flock annually in hopes of gathering enough to weather the hard times. This reading sparked for me the thought that we not only need to grow in a numerical number as a congregation we also need to grow leaders. the question remains are we reproducing ourselves...

The details often weigh us down like a sack of rocks. This weight causes us not to be able to see very far because we are so concerned about the details. We need to look at how the overall health of our congregation is reflected in the way we care for all the members, not just the ones that are conv...

As described in the devotional. How many times do we "feed our soul." I realized that I often say thank you for people that feed my body, yet I cannot remember the last time I told someone thank you for feeding my soul.

The news that spreads about where the best pasture is located is a lot like our church culture today. We are competitive and notice who is doing the latest thing to attract people, wondering if we will lose our sheep to the latest fad. One person once remarked that if you think the grass is greener ...

I was convicted by the readings, realizing that togetherness and teamwork needs two or more people involved. As a pastor it is so easy to forge ahead by just doing it yourself, robbing others of the joy of serving with you...which I think is the point of team. But, with the business you sometimes th...

In this devotion I was struck by the Hebrew word Nahal which means "leading with tenderness." I so often want to lead with a battle cry like Braveheart and have people follow, yet often times it is the whisper and soft words of encouragement that move people. Tenderness denotes that you kn...

After visiting the dessert outside Jerusalem and seeing the sheep roaming with the shepherd. I thought I knew where i was, however all of the hills and rocks started to look alike. There is always that moment when you realize in your gut that you are lost and fear sets in. there is no greater comfor...

Many years ago I had the opportunity of seeing a sacrifice and it was a sight I will never forget. The idea of sacrifice was foreign to me, yet it was so much a part of the OT and I knew it was important to understand. I was thankful to the apostle Paul for writing, " Therefore, I urge you, bro...

When things go wrong, I usually want justice, wanting to get even with another person. Yet I am reminded from this devotional that I really want God to be the one exacting justice. It is freeing that I am not the one that is responsible for that. God is continuing to develop in me the heart of the s...

The lion that is referred to in this devotional is one that will fiercely fight to extend the kingdom that it rules. We so often look for the gentle side of these creatures, however we loose the idea the scripture tells us of a creature that will rule...C. S Lewis reminded me of the awesomeness of G...

The wolf preys on those that are weak and defenseless. Often the shepherd will not notice one missing till the morning. How diligent are we in protecting our congregations form those that would prey on the innocent and helpless. Unfortunately we do not know either that something is wrong till the cr...

I remember as a child being afraid of the dark and always wondering what lurked outside. Yet, I recently became a Father and as I hold my daughter in my arms I cannot imagine never not standing between her and anything that would seek to bring her harm! The shepherd does this by choice to protect hi...

I would be curious to know what a shepherd would have named me, or what distinguishing marks I might have had a birth. Seriously, it is so awesome that God knows my name. It is also important that I can respond to His voice. The business of this world, that I wear as a badge of courage often mutes t...