Sheep are very defenseless animals yet are one of the most valuable. Millions of people depend on the food and clothing they provide but at the same time these sheep require constant protection and care. Sheep need a shepherd because they do not have initiative in finding their own food and water. Their shepherd must carefully check the pastures he puts them in for poisonous plants and remove them or the sheep will eat them and die. Sometimes sheep will eat too much of one thing and become bloated. When they lie down it makes them roll onto their back and then they cannot get up again. Sheep also need constant protection against predators because they do not have the instincts to recognize the danger they are in and they do not have sharp claws, teeth or speed to defend themselves. Sheep also tend to wander and need to be found.
“For you like sheep going astray” Isaiah 53: 25

WHAT TYPE OF FOOD DO "SHEEP" REQUIRE?
1. The water of the Word
Early in the morning a good shepherd will lead his sheep to green pasture because dew is still on the grass. This gives the sheep the ability to consume water since they will not drink from running water, only still water.
  For us the cleansing power of God's truth is the “water” of His Word. “ Sanctify them through the truth, your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV.
  Just as the washing of our hands eventually cleanses the impurities, so does the Word flowing through our hearts and minds cleanse the impurities from our souls. By reading large sections of Scripture and meditating on it we can cleanse our hearts and minds from those impurities. 1 Timothy 4:13.
   2. The Milk of the Word
John 3:3 compares our salvation to new birth. Paul explains that a newborn Christian needs to have the milk of the Word. He tells us that milk is the truth on which our Christian life is based in Hebrews 6:1-2. “Repentance from acts that lead to death...faith in God...baptisms ( I believe both water and Holy Spirit)... laying on of hands...resurrection of the dead...and eternal judgment.” We must have new believers understand this to keep them from being drawn away by every false doctrine. (Ephesians 4:14)
   3. The Meat of the Word
As we become mature and grow in faith with our relationship with the Lord, we are able to take in the meat of the Word. (Hebrews 5:14) We should at this point have our consciences heightened and be able to very quickly discern right from wrong.
  In order to be an adequate feeder of God's sheep we must be a diligent worker. (Psalm 78:72)

 

HOW CAN THE WORD BE BOTH MILK AND MEAT?  
  As we read the Word one of us will get the milk of the Word and the other meat. What's the difference? The revelation of the Holy Spirit. He reveals insight and deeper truths of God's Word. The Holy Spirit was revealed to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. At this point all they had was milk, but Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and “...he explained to them what was said in all Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27 NIV). As believers we should be able to experience the meat of His Word in this same way (Luke 24:32).
  So a good shepherd, in the same way, will make sure those under his spiritual care, will not only take in adequate food and living water but also take time to meditate on it so it will become the meat of sustenance for his life, his family life and his spiritual children's life. “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day---teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.”  A Chinese proverb

CAN WE AS MATURE CHRISTIANS DEVELOP DEPENDABILITY FOR GOD?
   Dependability means purposing to do the will of God no matter the cost. The prerequisite for big responsibility is being dependable in small assignments. “ Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10. Our dependence on God's ability is how we develop dependability. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.
   Becoming dependent to God is a character quality that will help us distribute the spiritual food that will be multiplied and spread by those very ones who we choose to feed and invest our lives in. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11. Recognition of the shepherd's voice comes only as His “sheep” spend time together everyday in His Word. By doing this we gain our greatest defense against dangers by heeding His voice. No wonder God calls us sheep, because He is our protector shepherd. He knows we need Him for our care and protection.   
  So purpose to develop dependability so we can protect ourselves, our families and especially those weaker “sheep” who need YOU!

God Bless! I pray God changes me everyday to continue being His Servant!
In Christ's Love
Debbie Ippolito