The mercy & kindness, the patience & long-suffering of the Father is unmatched, unimaginable. May He continue to turn His face toward us all so that all may return to Him, while He may be found!
AMEN! another fantastic message with which i fully agree.
while the primary reason why we are called “sheep” might certainly have to do with our drifting (something i had not considered in the past), i still cannot help but acknowledge the fact that sheep are very dumb animals. most animals created for food do seem to be on the unintelligent side as compared with many of those not created for food. this is not a hard fast rule, but it does seem to often apply.
so i believe there is some degree of truth to that aspect of the metaphor — especially when considering the vast difference between human “intelligence” and God-kind INTELLIGENCE. ;-)
regardless, thank you for pointing out this drifting aspect of the metaphor. if i use that in a future message to our congregation, i'll try to remember very hard to give you credit for it. ;-)
well, i don't have any ideas as to where to invest this very profound point you made about “we sheep drift”... perhaps i could use most of your study/message here & just give you credit, as i've done in the past with some others.
my current message for next Sabbath is regarding the topic of “priesthood”, because for at least some years now i've been hearing some very odd claims about “Jesus not being allowed to enter the holiest of holies of the temple”... yet, i know of Jesus as being our King AND High Priest. besides that, i see “YHWH” in the OT as *being* Jesus... thus, i understand that it was Him who sat upon the mercy seat the entire time. further, that He entered the thrown of His Father in heaven, of which the temple is modeled after. all this also includes further investigation of “Melchizedek”, as i've seen some very odd videos on that subject recently that make little Biblical sense to me.
i'm still working on it, but i can share my findings with you when it's ready (enough) for presentation. i most always update my studies over time as i revisit them prior to again giving them as a message or sermon.
curiously, which thing that i mentioned most seems like a head-scratcher?
and of course, i don't see any of such doctrines as being salvational, regardless what any fellow believer understands about the Godhead and priesthood.
yes, this concept never made any sense to me, seeing how He is both King & High Priest. so far, i've only heard such folks use Hebrews 8:4 to make such a conclusion. my first thought is that they are most likely misunderstanding the chapter, but i'll need to question what other scriptures are being used to justify such a concept.
Have you ever read Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23? In it, he shares that sheep will continue eating in one spot once the grass has been eaten until they are eating dirt. He also shares a number of insights about things like “still waters” not being healthy to drink from, so leading beside them means not actually letting them drink.
Happy New Year Brother. Hope the flu is backing off for you. Thank you for this wonderful gift today. Praying 2026 can be a banner year of surrender for this old boy. Refinement through the fire so to speak. Hoping to hear God's voice more fully through trust and Faith. Grateful that you are an instrument in my life. Blessings My Friend!
I just discovered this gem! There are quite a few impactful lines but here are a few that hit home.
“He let him walk”
“Repentance is not a feeling”
“We are not our own”
“The easy road is easy because I am in charge”
“There will be a cost”
shalom v’shalvah
The mercy & kindness, the patience & long-suffering of the Father is unmatched, unimaginable. May He continue to turn His face toward us all so that all may return to Him, while He may be found!
AMEN! another fantastic message with which i fully agree.
while the primary reason why we are called “sheep” might certainly have to do with our drifting (something i had not considered in the past), i still cannot help but acknowledge the fact that sheep are very dumb animals. most animals created for food do seem to be on the unintelligent side as compared with many of those not created for food. this is not a hard fast rule, but it does seem to often apply.
so i believe there is some degree of truth to that aspect of the metaphor — especially when considering the vast difference between human “intelligence” and God-kind INTELLIGENCE. ;-)
regardless, thank you for pointing out this drifting aspect of the metaphor. if i use that in a future message to our congregation, i'll try to remember very hard to give you credit for it. ;-)
Godbless... 🙏🏼😎❤️♾️
Thank you! I love how you framed it!
"especially when considering the vast difference between human “intelligence” and God-kind INTELLIGENCE. ;-)"
I appreciate your kind words, thank you for taking the time to read and comment, let me know how the sermon goes! (genuinely interested) 😊
well, i don't have any ideas as to where to invest this very profound point you made about “we sheep drift”... perhaps i could use most of your study/message here & just give you credit, as i've done in the past with some others.
my current message for next Sabbath is regarding the topic of “priesthood”, because for at least some years now i've been hearing some very odd claims about “Jesus not being allowed to enter the holiest of holies of the temple”... yet, i know of Jesus as being our King AND High Priest. besides that, i see “YHWH” in the OT as *being* Jesus... thus, i understand that it was Him who sat upon the mercy seat the entire time. further, that He entered the thrown of His Father in heaven, of which the temple is modeled after. all this also includes further investigation of “Melchizedek”, as i've seen some very odd videos on that subject recently that make little Biblical sense to me.
Ha, that is a head-scratcher. I’m going to dig now...
i'm still working on it, but i can share my findings with you when it's ready (enough) for presentation. i most always update my studies over time as i revisit them prior to again giving them as a message or sermon.
curiously, which thing that i mentioned most seems like a head-scratcher?
and of course, i don't see any of such doctrines as being salvational, regardless what any fellow believer understands about the Godhead and priesthood.
this part, “Jesus not being allowed to enter the holiest of holies of the temple”.
yes, this concept never made any sense to me, seeing how He is both King & High Priest. so far, i've only heard such folks use Hebrews 8:4 to make such a conclusion. my first thought is that they are most likely misunderstanding the chapter, but i'll need to question what other scriptures are being used to justify such a concept.
... curiously, have you never run into this concept yet? i only ask because it sounds as if you haven't.
Comfort has always been the idol I’ve had to topple often.
Have you ever read Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23? In it, he shares that sheep will continue eating in one spot once the grass has been eaten until they are eating dirt. He also shares a number of insights about things like “still waters” not being healthy to drink from, so leading beside them means not actually letting them drink.
That is one I haven't read, but I definitely agree with what you're saying!
I’m writing exactly on the cost of faith, and uncommitted loyalty. Wow! How close we’re running.
Happy New Year Brother. Hope the flu is backing off for you. Thank you for this wonderful gift today. Praying 2026 can be a banner year of surrender for this old boy. Refinement through the fire so to speak. Hoping to hear God's voice more fully through trust and Faith. Grateful that you are an instrument in my life. Blessings My Friend!
Thank you Scott! You and me both, refinement is always needed! Blessings!