BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing English Emagazine December 2019 | Page 6

www.bymonline.org | December 2019
Say goodbye to casual reading of the Bible and
seriously immerse yourself in studying it if you are
interested in hearing the voice of the Spirit. “The Holy
Spirit does not want to be a resident in your life; He wants
to be the President of your life” says Dr. David Jeremiah.
“Moved by the Spirit” Simeon came to the temple (Lk
2:27).
Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the
church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I
know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in
among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your
own numbers men will arise and distort the truth in order
to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!
Remember that for three years I never stopped warning
each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).
3.Alertness in God's Work
Listen to Jacob narrating his shepherding: “I have
been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats
have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your
flocks, I did not bring you animals torn by wild beast; I
bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from
me for whatever was stolen by day or night. This was my
situation. The heat consumed me in the day time and the
cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes” (Gen 31:38-
40). That is watchfulness. He spent from his own pocket
and was alert day and night. This is how God watches
over us and that is why He is called a Shepherd (Jer
31:10).
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields
nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night” (Lk
2:8). Note, they were 'living' out in the fields. They were
keeping 'watch.' This speaks about their sacrifice and
alertness. Small wonder God sent His angels to them.
Remember how David killed a lion and bear to protect his
sheep, putting his life on the line? Ministry means
sacrifice and watchfulness. Each soul must be precious to
us and safeguarded.
When it comes to God's work, Paul cautions us to
watch over two things a) Ourselves b) Our flock. “Keep
watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy
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Shepherds are prone for attacks from the enemy.
“Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of
yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flocks?
….You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick
or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the
strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them
harshly and brutally …”(Ezek 34:1-4). If you read the
entire chapter you will know how to take care of
yourselves and the flock. Temptations for “dishonest
gain,” to “lord over them” and to be bad “examples to the
flock” are real. Be alert like Paul who says, that he
coveted not anybody's silver or gold or clothing and how
he was an example to them (Acts 20:33-35). Space will
not permit me to write more, though thoughts tumble
through my head. There are no brief answers to big
questions. Keep watch over your flock because you must
give account (Heb 13:17). “Watch out that you do not lose
what we have worked for” (2 Jn 8).
4.Alertness about Satan
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour… sufferings” (1 Pet 5:8,9). The devil has a
bagful of tricks to interest those who are suffering. So
“resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know
that the family of believers throughout the world is