Every sheep that will get the best from its shepherd must learn how to be still. Being still means to trust in the shepherd’s person, that he would never lead them to a place of danger or harm nor will he leave them in the face of trouble.
They trust him to take them to where the choicest grasses are and the cleanest of water is.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need. He gives me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm waters. Psalm 23:1-2 ICB
They follow behind him, and when he stops, they stop too. An obedient sheep knows to stay within the safe boundaries created by the shepherd.
It is not in the sheep’s place to teach the shepherd what to do but to watch, listen to and obey the shepherd at all times – to be still and follow the shepherd.
Do you obey your parents at home? When they tell you not to do something because of the bad things that could happen to you, do you listen to them? Or you do as you like, thinking you know what’s best for you?
A sheep doesn’t know what’s best for it. Only the shepherd does. Are you a good sheep following Jesus as your shepherd? Do you obey Him by obeying your parent’s instructions? Learn to be still and follow Jesus.
The most important question that you need to ask yourself right now is this—have you accepted Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour? If yes, are you obeying His leading?
If not, then say the prayer at the bottom of this post.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe you are the son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I accept you into my life as Lord and Saviour. I want to be a sheep in your flock. Please be my shepherd. In your mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Action point: Look through this series and see where you can improve on.
Declaration: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want
Today, we start with how to ensure your safety as a sheep in this world. A sheep knows better than to be alone without any help. The first way to ensure your safety is to have a shepherd. Jesus is your shepherd. He is the good shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” John 10:11 NLT.
He repeated it here
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,” John 10:14 NLT.
What does a shepherd do? A shepherd looks over a flock of sheep. He is their guardian, watching over them. A protector that keeps them safe from being attacked by other animals stronger than they. He is their provider, ensuring they graze on the choicest grasslands.
As a child, you have to be under the protection of somebody. That’s why you have parents to look after you. They gave birth to you and really care for you. They will protect and provide for you. God has made them shepherds over you in this world.
Prayer: Lord, help me to obey my parents who are my shepherds in Jesus name. Amen
Action Point: Have you been disobedient to your parents? Repent.
Declaration: I am an obedient child. I listen to my parents.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God; He is the special gift. He is our friend and comforter. In the place of prayer, He enables us, especially in tough situations.
You need Him to function perfectly as a child of God. When Jesus was going to leave the earth, the disciples were sad to hear this. He said that he had to go for the Holy Spirit to come. The Holy Spirit had to come for us to receive the spirit of God.
How do you receive the Holy Spirit?
The first thing is to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of your life. This means that you confess all your sins because you believe God sent Jesus to die for your sins. After this, you renounce all sins and make a decision not to go back to them again.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. – Rom 10:9, KJV
The next step is receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit either by the laying of hands or by the Holy Spirit himself coming on you. The manifestation of this is the evidence of tongues. Some kids might choose not to speak in tongues, probably out of fear of what their friends or classmates might think or say about them. Others could just be afraid of what is happening to them.
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. – Acts 8:15, 17, KJV
I beg you not to be afraid of what people around will say or think of you. Do not be afraid of what is happening to you. The Holy Spirit is not harmful in any way.
After this, you need to start practicing the tongues you have been given. Do so as often as you can. This is a great way to pray as it enables you to weed out distractions. It helps your spiritual muscles grow.
For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands. – 2 Tim 1:6, ASV
Having the Holy Spirit, the special Gift, is one of the best things that will happen to you as a Christian.
You should be part of the fold. A sheep doesn’t exist on its own or should say it wants to stay alone. That poses a huge danger to it as wild animals can prey easily on it. Also, it won’t be able to enjoy other benefits of having a shepherd around.
What is the key reason why you shouldn’t move away from the flock? The bible says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. The enemy doesn’t come to be your friend but to make sure you don’t become who God says you are.
How does this translate to you as a child of God? It simply means that you shouldn’t move with and or act like unbelievers. The bible says again that one shouldn’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
As a child, make friends with Christian believers like yourself, attend church regularly, practice what the bible says, and obey your parents.
A flock of sheep consists of sheep, not sheep and lions or other animals. If you find a pride of lions, it only has lions in it, not lions and gorillas. So why would a sheep want to be with a pride of lions when the lions only want to tear it into pieces?
Your place as a sheep is with your fellow sheep guided and guarded by your shepherd. The shepherd can only watch over sheep, not lions. And a sheep that has been with lions cannot be like a sheep again unless it drops the lion’s attitude and behavior.
Any sheep that refuses to be like a sheep beside its shepherd will definitely be removed from the flock. Why? So that it doesn’t influence the other sheep into becoming like it. It doesn’t contaminate their minds and teaches them how not to be sheep.
Stay with your flock so you don’t fall prey to wild animals. Let Him shepherd you as you should be.
Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Gaurdian of your souls. 1 Pet.2:25 NLT.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay within the reach of my shepherd always. Amen
Action point: Have you wandered away? Retrace your steps home.
Little one, there is power in your words. Your words reflect what your dominant thoughts are towards a person, situation, or thing. In other words, your thoughts form or influence your words.
“The Lord hates evil thoughts. But he is pleased with kind words.” Prov. 15: 26 ICB.
The types of words you speak to a person, about something or a situation tells a lot about your feelings.
So also, the degree to which you say those words, coupled with your facial expression, a lot can be understood.
A raised, angry, and harsh voice could mean anger or dislike. But a low, cool, and sweet tone could show love, respect, and care.
May God give you the grace to speak sweet and kind words to even those who hurt you. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, Jesus, I need your help with my words. Help me to deal with my thoughts so I can speak positive and life-giving words even to those that offend me in Your mighty name I pray. Amen.
Action point: After dealing with your thoughts and words, how about apologizing to someone you said some unkind words to? Try it.
Declaration: I receive the grace not to think or speak ill towards anyone.
