Ears To Hear # 82

UGLY FEET VS PRETTY FEET

     VS        

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” 
(Romans 10:15).

         I cannot begin to share with you the heart ache I was experiencing this morning as I was led into intercession for two groups of people. When it was all over, our precious Lord reminded me, “You’re not really interceding until you believe that I can and will change these situations.”
         This is hard for me to write but I believe it needs to be said. 
         I looked at the Bible beside me on my bed where I meet each morning to visit with our Lord and take notes. The fan was blowing the pages, so I placed an extra pen there to mark my place. No matter where I open the Bible now, the Lord speaks to me.
         I didn’t really want to go there today, but I couldn’t draw my eyes away from it. Something I had seen there time after time, always grieved me. So, I made excuses for all concerned because I couldn’t find peace about this issue.
         What issue? The people of God who have been driven out of their places of worship; the local sheep folds.  I could never find it in my heart to blame the earthly shepherd, but here it sat in front of me, the very words of God. EXEKIEL 34.  I had underlined so many verses here in the past, that I knew I was still seeking the answer.
         Today, I read the first verse clearly: “And the Word of the Lord came …saying to prophecy to the shepherds.”  Yes, this was written to the shepherds of that day, but also for today. 
         Most churches of today are covering as many areas as possible to help the sheep. But I feel there is one area that has been overlooked. In verse 4, the Lord says that He is against the shepherds who do not bring again that which was driven away.
         This is a special group of people whose hearts have been right toward God, but through misunderstandings and failure to seek reconciliation which could require humility on the part of the shepherd and the sheep, no one came to find the hurt sheep. Verse 6 says that “none did search or seek after them.” 

A WOMAN STOOD UP

         When I was younger in the Lord and had seen less in the world, I wondered what this lady was talking about. She stood up in the school of ministry one morning when we were offering prayer requests. And she asked us to pray for back sliders.
         “Back sliders?” My naïve reaction was, “How could anyone backslide once they knew Jesus?” Actually, I still wonder that today but I am learning.
         When she spoke, I could see that she had a passion for these people. She even said it was her ministry. I thought she was ‘missing it’; wasting her time. 
         Oh, I had great compassion for winning souls…but I had little concept about the perpetual care that sheep need once they have come into God’s Kingdom.
         I find it interesting, how so many years later, I still see that lady standing there. I don’t remember her name, but I remember the stand she took for the hurting sheep that others were too busy to seek out.

BE BOLD

         “Be bold, now.”, I tell myself. “I must be bold as I make this statement.”
         The people I have seen driven away had such hunger for the Lord, that they went on to serve Him in many ways and ministries. Yes, you could say they were “kicked out” of the nest. There is a time for them to go out on their own and make more disciples…using their special gifts and trusting in God above all others. But God is Good and this is not His Best way to go. 
         At this point I will not refer much to many who were not ready to fly on their own with God. When they were diseased, sick, weak, broken, or felt driven away and didn’t show up at the well at feeding time, did anyone go to seek them out? When the shepherd counted his sheep, did he notice if any were missing? Did he care enough to search and seek after them or send someone to find them?

THE KICKED OUT

         But this should not happen. There are many ways to drive the sheep away so that they feel “kicked out.” One way is to ignore them and allow them to think no one cares, especially their earthly shepherd.
         How many times must the sheep reach out to the shepherds only to be ignored? How many times have the sheep wanted to be one-in-the-Lord with their brothers and sisters? Yet, the shepherd has been given the key to the house of God…and he locks some of the sheep out. God holds him responsible. There are many reasons I come to this conclusion, but the main one is Ezekiel chapter 34. God doesn’t like it and neither do I.

THE BEST WAY TO GO

         By now, some of my readers are probably fuming. It’s okay. We are going somewhere with this.
         To be called out, or sent out is the best way to go. I know the sheep often expect too much of their earthly shepherd. But, in love and humility, I believe it is the earthly shepherd’s duty to teach the sheep to trust the voice of the Lord for themselves. Many of the shepherd’s Prize Sheep leave because they have been wounded. These are the sheep who work directly under the Pastor…the ones he has trained in leadership. Are they not worth going after?
         When they have learned to hear the voice of God for themselves, the pastors should rejoice and both shepherd and sheep should be exceedingly glad for each other.
         This brought me to my knees as I felt the burden of the pastors and I prayed: “Lord, help the earthly shepherd. I know their loads are heavy. Please make them light. The sheep blame the shepherds and the shepherds blame the sheep. Oh, Lord…let there be unity in the Body of Christ. In humility and love, Father, I pray that shepherds will seek out those who have been driven away…and make peace with them so that no bitterness can grow. Show them “how”, Lord. Thank You!
         “The sheep do not want to be excluded from their earthly fold. They just need someone to do what You said, Lord…seek them out…and let them know that someone cares.”

ON TO OTHER MINISTRIES

         For those who have gone on to other ministries, there should still be reconciliation. They should be free to return to their original church home, welcomed, loved, and celebrated as parts of the Body of Christ. There should be no division. 
         When a couple or individual feels that God is calling them somewhere else in ministry, the home church should send them forth with blessings. They should support them in any way our Lord directs. But especially in good will and prayer. Then, as they go forth, their feet are beautiful…not ugly. These are the “sent” ones who have been won, discipled, and sent as the shepherd and sheep are able to come into agreement.

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” 
(Romans 10:15).

IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO, LORD?

l. We can recognize the truth…not make excuses for shepherd or sheep.
2. Not murmur and complain and lay blame.
3. Pray for wisdom for the earthly shepherds; forgiveness for the Driven     Away ones.   
4. Pray for peace and restoration of relationships for all. 
5. Pray for humility for both shepherd and sheep.
6. Pray for Peace Makers.
7. And when we pray, BELIEVE that this is possible. Have Faith for this! That the Body of Christ may be one-in-the Spirit.

A SMALL GROUP

         This may be such a small group of people that they may appear insignificant to many church goers. But there are more than many realize. Just in case you are a pastor or one of the Driven Out ones, you recognize the disabling and unnecessary pain this causes for both and the Body of Christ. In many ways, I hope you are neither of these. It means one less battle for you to fight. But, if you are in this situation, on either side of it, or think you have already passed through it; if you feel you have won or lost, I’m asking my friends to pray for you. I want you to know that you are not alone…that others of your family are praying for you.
          2Cr 5:18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
           I understand that sometimes it seems impossible to become reconciled, or for some relationships to be restored. And sometimes the Lord does encourage us to move on…but with God all things are possible. If it is the desire of our heart to have peace with our brothers and sisters, let’s not forget that God Still Answers Prayer. The fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much. And God still opens doors.
         Please…just Pray and Believe with me…that communication will be opened between the shepherds and the sheep. And those who have been driven away will be sought out and brought back to their fold.

 Will we just stand there and ignore the need? Or will we

Pray about it? Then, even go ourselves, as the Lord directs? 

Will we be willing as a part of the Body of Christ…to comfort His sheep?