NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2007

VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“...but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” (1 Thessalonians 2 verses 7 and 11-12)

IN THIS EDITION:
What are the hallmarks of a shepherd?
Jesus calls his followers to be shepherds. He, of course, is the Great Shepherd but each of us can also be a shepherd.

The role of a shepherd is not limited to leadership in the church. Yes, it is true that some will shepherd congregations. Some, however, will shepherd their families, some will shepherd their colleagues at work and some will shepherd their friends.

Jesus wants his flock cared for in the same way as he had cared for the disciples. Everything he had invested in them he wants invested in the church.

His prime work had simply been to reveal the Father. He allowed the disciples to meet the Father he knew. Jesus shows us, by example, that one of the main things a shepherd can do is introduce people to the Father. The commission to go to the world comes out of our knowing the Father. We can only go in love. And, we can only go in love if we have first received love ourselves.

Paul, was also a shepherd. He travelled round his churches bringing comfort and encouragement to the people.

In 1 Thessalonians 2 Paul shows us the heart of a shepherd which is indeed the heart of the Father.

He went as "a nursing mother" to the church. He went gently to share his life with them because they had become dear to him. This is not only an intimate picture of relationship but it shows the merciful and tender heart of a shepherd.

Paul also went as a father to encourage, comfort and urge the believers to live a life worthy of God's calling. Again we see a merciful and compassionate shepherd's heart.

Who do you shepherd? And I'm not just talking about in the church! Who do you care for? Do you care for them as a nursing mother? Do you care for them as an encouraging and comforting father?

As we care for others our care should not be defined solely by what we do. It should principally be defined by our hearts. Are our hearts full of love? Have we received love? Are we living in love? Are we a signpost to the Father?

This is our hallmark, that we live in love and allow love to flow out of us to those we care for.

This is our hallmark, that we reveal the Father.

EVENTS
Please review the events page as it is regularly updated: www.afathertoyou.com/signposts/events.html

In His Love

Mark Gyde