January 2008  

Provided by Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church
and Sorrells Springs Primitive Baptist Church

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd.

The twenty-third Psalm is quoted and referred to as much as any Psalm in the Bible. Often we make mention of this beloved Psalm without really paying attention to what it is teaching. In the first portion of the first verse we find at least two declarations. One is declared to be a shepherd and the same one is declared by another to be his shepherd.

If we search the scriptures we will find the person who is the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd. His name is Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John 10:11, Jesus said Himself that He is the Good Shepherd and He is the Good Shepherd because he knows all His sheep by name, loving them so much He laid down His own precious life for them. In Hebrews 13:20, Jesus is called the Great Shepherd of the sheep and He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep because He is powerful enough to save His sheep from their sins keeping them saved by His own preserving grace. In 1 Peter 5:4, Jesus is called the Chief Shepherd of the sheep because He rules His house (Church) by His word having many under shepherds  (pastors) governed by the same word.  Without any reservation we can call Jesus the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd, and his sheep (elect family of God) are his by grace being chosen in Him before the world began (Ephesians 1:4; 2Timothy 1:9). They belong to Him not by any good work that they have done, but according to his own purpose and grace (Titus 1:5; Psalms 100:3).

But does every child of God claim Him as their shepherd? David in this Psalm not only tells us He is the Shepherd but also claims Him as his Shepherd. One qualification of a good shepherd is that he be a good guide for the sheep. In Isaiah 46:10 we learn that God declares the end from the beginning and when we consider that, we understand the text in Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” One who knows so much is certainly able to be our guide. Another qualification of a good shepherd is that he be a good protector of the sheep. In Psalm 62:6-7 we read, “He only is my rock and salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength and my refuge, is in God.” And again in Psalm 18:1-3 we read, “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

After reading this the only conclusion that I can come to is, every child of God should claim Him as their shepherd, Praying daily; requesting guidance, protection and strength in an obedient life while here on earth, because He is the perfect guide, he is the perfect protector and He is the perfect Shepherd, the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God.

Elder Ronnie B. Loudermilk

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Services are held at Park Place Nursing Home in Monroe, Georgia, every 4th Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Regular services are held at 10:30 a.m.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Sister Cleo Autry
Sister Jean Swords
Sister Nora Haralson
Sister Mary Moss
Brother Mike Puckett
Brother Neal Robertson
Brother Charles Autry
Elder Edward Cagle
      and always for each other

SERVICES

Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church is located in Monroe, Georgia on Mt. Paran Church Road. Services are held each 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Directions

Sorrells Springs Primitive Baptist Church is located in Monroe, Georgia on Bold Springs Road. Services are held each 4th Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Directions

For more information, contact Elder Ronnie Loudermilk at
MountParanPBC@gmail.com