Sheep Thoughts

by Susanne Scheppmann

Key Verse;

“I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.”  Ezekiel 34:15 (NIV) 

Devotion:

Our car came to a complete stop on the winding mountain road. The herd of sheep meandered across the highway. They sashayed their way across the road to munch on a few mouthfuls of grass. The shepherd tried to hurry them across the asphalt, but to no avail.

Although several cars were delayed on their way up to Bryce National Park, no one seemed to mind. The people in the cars enjoyed watching the unexpected wooly spectacle—sheep and their shepherd making their way through life. 

As we waited for the road to clear, my imagination took over. Thoughts floated through my mind—sheep thoughts.

Sheep thought: “I belong to no one.”

The Shepherd says, “You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God, says the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 34:31 NLT) 

Sheep thought: “I am lost.”

The Shepherd says, “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” (Ezekiel 34:11 NIV) 

Sheep thought: “No one cares.”

The Shepherd says, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:34 (NIV) 

Sheep thought: “I am afraid.”

The Shepherd says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NIV) 

Sheep thought: “This is my shepherd!”

The Shepherd says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:14 (NIV) 

Final sheep thought:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

The road clears and we drive on  . . . life goes on . . .

What are your sheep thoughts? Do you know the Good Shepherd?

Prayer:                                                                                                                                                             

Dear Lord, help me to listen to Your voice. Teach me to follow you in complete trust and obedience. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application steps: 

Memorize Psalm 23. As you memorize it, ponder how each verse applies to your life.

Reflections: 

Why do I feel alone and uncared for?

Do I listen for the voice of my Shepherd?

How has the Shepherd taken care of me in the past?

Power verses:

 Hebrews 13:20-21, “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will.” (NIV) 

1 Peter 2:25, “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (NIV) 

© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

Dancing with Sugarplum

Dancing with Sugarplum

By Susanne Scheppmann

Key Verse:

But my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her. Song of Songs 6:9 (NIV)

Devotion:

I lost my heart to a blue-eyed Sugarplum.  The day I first held her in my arms I knew my life would never be the same.  This little one completed me…my joy, my delight, my granddaughter.

It amazes me how the Lord blesses each of us in such unique ways.  My grandchildren have become the focus of my life.  I always loved my sons.  I desired for them to be strong, independent, godly men.  They are all of that and more. I prayed that they would find the perfect woman to marry.  A woman who loved the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul. They did.  They fulfilled the verse in 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. In my mind, my life dreams and prayers were fulfilled.  But then…

But then, my grandchildren began arriving.  I always thought I would enjoy some grandchildren. But no one, especially myself, thought I would be completely captivated by those little darlings. I metamorphosed into a sappy grandma. Now I fully understood and embraced the verse, Children's children are a crown to the aged, Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)  

When my youngest granddaughter was born, I knew it was a “time to laugh….and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Nothing in this life has brought me more joy and delight than the four years I spent time with her. She was and still is a beauty—a princess—my Sugarplum. She is the fulfillment of our Key Verse today, But my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her. Song of Songs 6:9 (NIV)

Although I can no longer dance with her down my hallways or sing “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck” my heart is full of joy for the girl the Lord Jesus granted to be my granddaughter.  God fully blessed my life the day that my Sugarplum was born. My love holds no boundaries for her.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I thank you for blessed gift of my Sugarplum.  Only you know the love and joy I feel for her.  No greater blessing have you granted in my life. Please bless and protect her life.  I ask that you guide her footstep into an active faith relationship with you.  Lord, I thank you for her with every breath in my body.   
   

Power verses:

How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince's daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of a craftsman's hands. Song of Songs 7:1 (NIV

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy…."The LORD has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2 (NIV)

Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13 (NIV)

© 2017 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.