If we be sheep in God's immense pasture…

If we be sheep in God’s immense pasture – we mere sheep and He being Shepherd- then my prayer for 2016 is that we sheep go back to school, and let God, be the One who Be the Teacher!
If it is true that the ‘fear of the Lord’ is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, then who are we kidding? The first place to start, dear Lord is a prayer, that you teach us this year, Your holy name to fear. Not ‘fear’ in fear but in reverential ‘awe’ and love. Oh, ‘Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name’ –  teach continually what all this means!
Put in our hearts a Godly sorrow that leads us to repentance – a ‘turn around’ of sorts, being humble and gentle,  emptying us of ourselves that can prove to be hard and sharp,that we might be anointed with the oil of forgiveness that our cups overflow…
That by emptying and letting go, and losing our lives, so to speak, that You would fill us, and fill us and fill us with love abounding, that Your love would flow like a fountain and then in great power, move our feet!
Teach us this year, in 2016, the way of the Lord – ‘gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding – abounding in love, abounding in mercy, arms open wide with love.  Forgiving iniquity and forgiving sin…’ This is the Way, the Truth and the Life, This is our hope and peace and our Joy:  You  – offer –  forgiveness!
Is there anything in this world more wonderful than that?!
So, dear God, teach us again and again, that to say, “I love You,” in return,  is done without words, but shown… through obedience.
May Your sheep hear Your Voice, and in humility and care, follow You, and be lead to the cross, each and every minute of the day, ‘likened as sheep’ which so easily forget – let us  remember that THAT is what LOVE looks like – Your willingness to surrender…
to surrender: “Not my will but Yours be done.” With Your  heart on us, and Your eyes on Your Father…
May Your sheep hear Your voice: ” I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own…And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
We prayer for ourselves that You help us remember: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…” That in 2016, minute by minute, hour by hour, month by month we follow, You, good Shepherd, and in fear and great awe, we be made whole!”
In Jesus Name, Amen, amen, and amen over and over again!

Author: Toni Rypkema

I'm a believer in Jesus. Because of this, I am married to a wonderful husband and the mom of a large family. For those who have battled cancer, or any other tragedy or disease, you might understand, I had a choice to get better or bitter. I chose to give thanks to Jesus for my every breath. For that reason alone, wanting to proclaim His goodness, do I write - Toni

One thought on “If we be sheep in God's immense pasture…”

  1. Singing and praying with you, Toni !
    “Just as I am, without one plea…
    3. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
    4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
    5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. “

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