the Voice, the Vessel, and the Vocation
Undershepherds
a serving of ministry manners
My All for God's Call
The Lord God is the Chief Shepherd
“GOD, the Master, says: From now on, I myself am the shepherd. I'm going looking for them. As shepherds go after their flocks when they get scattered, I'm going after my sheep. I'll rescue them from all the places they've been scattered to in the storms.”
“And I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep. I myself will make sure they get plenty of rest. I'll go after the lost, I'll collect the strays, I'll doctor the injured, I'll build up the weak ones and oversee the strong ones so they're not exploited.” (Eze 34:11-12, 15-16 MSG)
The Chief Shepherd’s warning to His Undershepherds
"Then this message came to me from the LORD: {2} "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn't shepherds feed their sheep? {3} You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. {4} You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the broken bones. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with force and cruelty. {5} So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They are easy prey for any wild animal. {6} They have wandered through the mountains and hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them. {7} "Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: {8} As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. Though you were my shepherds, you didn't search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. {9} Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. {10} This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, along with their right to feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey." (Ezek 34:1-10 NLT)
A Ministry Treasury [read]
A One-Thread Garment [read]
Be Unstrikeable! [read]
Double Honor [read]
Enriched to Reach Out [read]
Riches for the Pastor and His Congregation [read]
The Ministry Covenant [read]
Thoughts on Mistakes in the Ministry [read]
Treasures from Strangers [read]
/updated: 1Dec2012