A word ministered at Now Faith Fellowship, in Plant City; on Sunday, 16 October, 2011
All “sheep” need a “good Shepherd.”
[Jn 10:11]
In times past, Abba promised to give us “pastors;” (aka shepherds) according to His heart, “which shall feed us with knowledge and understanding;” and travail with us, enduring birth pains, until Christ is completely formed in us. “Thus saith the Lord ...I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor ...be lacking.” [Jer 3:15; Gal 4:19, AMP; Jer 23:4]
During this season of GTFI's Celebration, of the faithful inauguration, commission, and provision of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give pause; to reflect on the Lord's “gift” to us. “And He gave some ...pastors ...for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
[Eph 4:8, 11-12]
Our Pastor, Ernest R. Howell, at GTFI, is a conscientious, “sent,” overseer of the flock; who watches for our souls, and, whose hope and crown of rejoicing is that we be found in the presence of the Lord, at His coming ...and he shepherd's us toward that end.
[1 Thess 2:19-20]
The Apostle Paul, a church builder, and a mentor of pastors, admonished: “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you ...to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.”
[1 Thess 5:12-13]
ThenSingsMySoul:
SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US,
MUCH WE NEED THY TENDER CARE.
IN THY PLEASANT PASTURES FEED US,
FOR OUR USE THY FOLDS PREPARE:
BLESSED JESUS, BLESSED JESUS!
THOU HAST BOUGHT US, THINE WE ARE.
