11/11/2020 - MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERS

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Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:2

God calls whomever He wants to the ministry, but it is up to the person to accept it or not. If you perform the task in any way, prepare for the Day of Reckoning. There are those who pretend not to have understood the ministerial call, resembling some sinners, who, when the divine bell sounds, pretend not to have understood it. However, at the second coming of Christ, they will go to eternal torment, for they have despised the heavenly gift, which would deliver them from condemnation.

The mission of shepherding God’s people was born in His heart. After all, as the name says, the people belong to Him. Now, the Father knows the good and bad within us. When the Lord calls a person to shepherd His Church, they will be prepared by Him to carry out the task with the necessary wisdom and anointing. The Creator does not see how man sees things (1 Samuel 16:7). Everything is clear before His eyes.

As sovereign in everything, if those called surrender to Him and seek Him, they will behave prudently and in the fear of the Lord. Jacob’s fear did not allow him to attack his father-in-law when he changed his salary ten times (Genesis 31:41). Fearing God is essential for shepherding His flock with excellence and success. Being a pastor may be a privilege, but it means more responsibility.

In accepting the shepherding of a congregation, an individual must consider himself busy with the Lord’s work, with no room for another task. The right thing is to forsake other professional occupations to dedicate yourself fully to the ministry. He must consider himself available to the heavenly Father, paying no attention to any job offers.

The shepherd becomes responsible for what happens to the flock placed under his authority. This is serious! No lion or bear can attack anyone under his command nor snatch any sheep. Even though he could have died,  David went after the lion and then the bear (1 Samuel 17: 34-36), when they attempted to take one of his sheep. God honored him, and with one blow, the boy killed both.

The minister of the Gospel represents the Most High at all times, so he should not be available to do other things. He has to live off his ministry, which is honorable, for he was placed in that position by the Lord Himself. When he needs to pray for any of the members of the congregation or on behalf of a family member, the pastor can and should use the power granted to the Church to turn on or off whatever is necessary, believing that it will be done in Heaven (Matthew 16:19).

Woe to those who do harm to the flock, failing to look for good pastures so that they feed and strengthen themselves. No minister of God can be careless in His work. By obeying the Lord in everything, your sheep will not be killed, stolen or destroyed by the devil.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares