Kingdom – Page 7 – Praying Pint

The Great Shepherd

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

“For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Micah 5:4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalms 23 is such a heart confident warming for our soul. He makes me l lie down – He knows the rest our souls need. He restores me – He knows that we have a tendency to deplete our souls over the cares and worries of the day. He comfort us – He knows we need His rod and staff to both protect and direct us. He prepares – He has a plan and purpose for our life. He anoints – He blesses us. He leads us and is the overseer of our soul – He knows we need guidance to keep on the path that brings honor and glory to God. Other scripture tells us He is the good shepherd and that He knows us – We know Him. We follow Him. He hears us. He holds us in His hand and no one can remove us from them. He wipes away our tears. He helps us. He guides us. He never leaves us. He restores us. In Him is eternal life for all who trust in, cling to, and rely on Him alone. Whatever we are facing, God is our strength and comforter in times of trouble. Run to Him. He is the great Shepherd.

A True Leader

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:16
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

Daniel 7:13
“I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed

Ephesians 1:20
according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

All of the world leaders are either elected by the people or they have taken power by force. How should we act in the presence of a King or Ruler. Some would say with the respect of the title which they hold. Others would say with the respect the person holding the title deserves. In our global information flowing world it is easy to hear reports on leaders which are on both sides of the moral/ethical coin. Any given day it is a coin toss how the media will paint them. Much of what they do is made public but even more is not. Christ on the other hand did everything in public. He did not seek his own self interest but rather desired to do the will of His heavenly Father. Scripture says that Jesus has been given all authority over heaven and earth. He was not elected by man nor did he come to his leadership by force. He was placed in power by God. While on earth he led by being humble, servant, compassionate, loving, kind, healer, and giving hope, peace, and rest to the burdened people who lacked it. He led by sacrificing his life for those who would choose to believe and desire to live for God. Worldly leaders are always going to disappoint us but Jesus never will. His promises are rocks we can stand on.

Who is the Greatest?

Pride has a way of entering our lives without us even noticing it. More than likely we can look at the last time we were upset and get a clear picture of our heart. It seems simple things will drive us up pride mountain where we take a stand and claim our right to whatever. We must examine our heart and intent constantly to ensure we walk a path of being humble. Sometimes we just don’t know where to start. Choose to desire to know God. Choose to listen to what He is telling your heart. Be obedient to where He is leading you. Pride enters into our lives when our focus is on ME, MYSELF, and I.

Matthew 18:1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

20:25
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

23:11
The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted

Proverbs 29:23
One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor

James 4:6
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.