We Know In Part . . .
One of the Words that the Holy Spirit has given to me is "Reconciliation" especially in the Body of Christ! He is so confirming it in so many ways. For example, they mentioned it several times during former President's Ford eulogy messages from different people. Also, different people he seems to connect me to are using this word. I am so convinced, that it is of the uttermost importance to move in that vein. As Jesus wants us, calls us to be his ambassadors. I refer to it as being his "Agents of Reconciliation". Did not Jesus come to reconcile us back to the Father?! And, aren't we imitators of Him?
Jesus in his high priestly prayer (John 17), prayed that we would be one even as He and the Father were ONE. It is so time out for all these different factions. I sometimes wonder if many of us serve the same God. Is it a different Jesus or what! Many are saying they love Jesus, but their actions do not line up with their words. Many are speaking with fork tongues! Many are ignoring God's children, their gifting, talents and graces whatever you want to call them. It is what I call the "invisible thing". That is just plain ignoring folks - so unlike the Jesus I know, especially if we say we are one of his! I sense the Holy Spirit grieving over this for it is indeed a hateful and hurtful set of circumstances. How can one say they love Jesus whom they have not seen and can't seem to love the people they see everyday or every church service! I believe the Holy Spirit is calling for not another revelation, but a reconciliation, one that reflects who He is and what He came to accomplish. It is not about US, but about Him who was born, died, and rose again and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.
"Reconciliation" is one of the Key Words for 2007. Listen for yourself! Then, move forward in being a Doer of His Word!
Pastor Sheena P. Coleman, NAELM
Your Comfort Matters
Written by
Pastor Sheena P. Coleman, BS, MBA,
Master of Arts Christian Ministries (MACM), Project Ministries
Individuals, more often than any other time of the year, tend to transition from this life during the Christmas and New Year’ holiday season. Those left behind often suffer with deep feelings of great loss. Psalms 23:5 offers relief, it states that your rod and staff, they comfort me. The 23rd Psalm is a very familiar passage to many. The shepherd in the story is none other than David. This part of the Psalm centers on your comfort matters.
In the Middle East, the shepherd carved only a rod and staff. The rod, which I will address first, was made from a tree. It was very similar to a policeman’s club. For the shepherd, it was their main weapon of defense for them and their sheep. For the sheep, the rod represented continuous comfort or strength.
Can you recall the story of Moses of how God referred to him as the desert shepherd? Well, he sent Moses to deliver Israel out of Egypt from under Pharaoh’s bondage. It was his rod that was used to demonstrate the power vested in him. God manifested miracles thru Moses’ rod to convince Pharaoh of Moses divine commission and to reassure the people of Israel. The rod speaks therefore of the spoken Word of God. It is the, “Thus saith the Lord”. The scriptures are his rod.
When we find ourselves facing loss of any kind, physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, it is reassuring to know we can turn to the Word of God! It is a comfort to have this powerful tool at work for us. Just like Jesus, our Good Shepherd, used the Scripture in his desert temptation with the devil so can we in whatever that maybe! Our comfort matters to the Chief Shepherd.
The next weapon a shepherd uses in addressing our comfort matters is a staff. This instrument is very unique only to sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or hogs, but is designed and shaped and adapted especially to the needs of the sheep. The staff is a symbol of the concern and compassion that a shepherd has for his flock. It is primary for the comfort to the flock.
The staff speaks of long-suffering and kindness. Now, what does that look like? The shepherd’s staff is normally a long, slender stick often with a crook or hook on one end. Just as the rod of God reflects the Word of God, so does the staff of God. It is symbolic of the Spirit of God.
One of the primary areas of sheep management in which the staff plays a great role is intimacy. The staff draws sheep together into an intimate relationship. In the Christian life, we find the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, drawing us together and to himself. The following poem provides an image of the special attention we can receive from the shepherd.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”
“author” Mary Stevenson
Our Good Shepherd is concerned about our comfort matters.
Pastor Sheena P. Coleman, BS, MBA, MACM Project Ministries©
