Feed My Sheep

John 21:17

By Rev. Jackie E. Vogele

October 21, 2005

(COGAF News Article)  Peter was told to feed God's sheep, but some things are easier said than done.  For instance, take walking a tight rope.  As you get ready you hear words like balance and concentration.  Lean a little to the right, not too much, now go back left.  Keep your eye on the goal.  Forget what's going on around you.  Yeah!  These things all sound easy, but in reality many of the instructions you pull out of these do-it-yourself projects look like one thing in the mind of the manufacturer and in your mind, well, sometimes they are totally confusing.  Jesus did tell Peter to feed the sheep and so it isn't an impossible task.  God designed His creation to be hungry and that's what makes you pull through a drive-thru just for a “snack” (biggie size, please).  So if sheep are hungry and we're suppose to feed them, what and how might be the question.

What To Feed Them
King David was an experienced shepherd.  He would herd his sheep to green (fresh) pastures.  So the question of what would be fresh, appetizing spirit-saturated food. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The Lord’s mercies and compassions are new (fresh) every morning.”  Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, after telling His disciples not to worry, that every dog has its portion of trouble.  But verse 33 tells us how to find fresh food.  Seek first His kingdom and righteousness.

How To Feed Them
The "how" can be found in this verse and others.  As we discover fresh spiritual food, we advertise it to the sheep as they see God manna-fested (manifested) in our lives, they will get hungry and come and dine at the Master's table.  Jude 24 says, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, (And the one that will help us feed the Sheep) Be glory and majesty and Dominion and power Both now (today) and forever (tomorrow).”

Keep looking up!

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Rev. Jackie E. Vogele is the pastor of New Hope Assembly in Arkansas City, KS.

© 2005 COGAF News