Tag: direction

The Shepherd Loves His Sheep

Growing up, our parents would sing us a song with the words, “the Shepherd loves His sheep, and God loves me.” That song has been stuck in my head ever since I started studying John 10.

Carl Pollard

Growing up, our parents would sing us a song with the words, “the Shepherd loves His sheep, and God loves me.” That song has been stuck in my head ever since I started studying John 10. 

In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This metaphor reveals our deep need for His guidance and care, as Scripture compares humanity to sheep—creatures often lacking in wisdom, strength, or direction. For the most part, being called sheep isn’t necessarily a compliment. Notice a few attributes about sheep that are shockingly similar to mankind: 

Sheep are notorious for their lack of direction. An example of this is a 2005 incident in Eastern Turkey, where 1,500 unattended sheep plummeted off a cliff, with the first 400 dying and the rest saved by their bodies breaking the fall. Like sheep, we often follow misguided paths or peer pressure, blindly stumbling into danger without the Shepherd’s guidance. Isaiah 53:6 reminds us, “All we like sheep have gone astray,” underscoring our need for Jesus to lead us.

Sheep are also defenseless, unable to fend off predators effectively. Similarly, we are spiritually vulnerable without Christ’s protection. Matthew 9:36 describes the crowds as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” highlighting Jesus’ compassion and our need for His safeguarding presence. As Christians, we find strength in unity, sticking together under His care.

Sheep can become “cast down,” stuck on their backs and helpless until the shepherd intervenes. We, too, face moments of being spiritually or emotionally “cast,” unable to rise without Jesus’ help. Isaiah 40:11 assures us that He gathers His lambs and gently leads them, offering restoration when we’re down.

Sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice, a trait we’re called to emulate by spending time with Jesus to discern His guidance (John 10:27). Unlike sheep, we often struggle to listen, distracted by the world’s noise. Additionally, sheep aren’t built to carry heavy burdens, and neither are we. Psalm 55:22 encourages us to cast our cares on the Lord, who sustains us.

Finally, sheep are valuable, prized in biblical times for their resources. Jesus sees us as infinitely precious, sacrificing His life for us (Matthew 25:32). We are also called to embody the innocence of lambs, pure and righteous, rather than the destructive independence of goats.

As sheep, we are directionless, vulnerable, and burdened without the Good Shepherd. Yet, in His care, we find guidance, protection, and purpose. 

Will you run to the Good Shepherd and follow His voice today?

DIY

Wayne Moyers

If you have ever watched any home improvement TV shows, I’m sure you have seen the ads for Home Depot and their slogan, “Getting Projects Done.” This ad is aimed at the do-it-yourself’er, the DIY’er.

I have to admit that I am a DIY’er. I enjoy watching TV shows and YouTube videos of other DIY’ers and experts, trying to learn as much as I can to make my next project easier and hopefully have better results. I’m confident that many of you are DIY’ers as well. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from successfully completing a DIY project. No matter how large or small, no matter if it’s something around the house, a landscaping project in the yard, a repair or something to the car, truck, or, my personal favorite, the tractor.

No matter how much we learn on how much knowledge we acquire taking on these projects, there is one project that is way too big and way too important for any DIY’er. That project is our salvation. No matter what our DIY abilities are, we cannot save ourselves. Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Then, he writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8).

No man’s wisdom, knowledge, message, experience or abilities can save him, but God’s gospel can. It is the only thing that can save us and the only way to salvation (John 14:6). God, through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has provided a way to rescue us from the consequences of sin. He offers us salvation so that we can have a second chance at life and an opportunity to experience a spiritual rebirth into a new life in the Spirit and ultimately eternal life with Him in heaven (Acts 2:46-47). God says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

If you have not been obedient to the gospel and need to take advantage of the salvation that God has offered or you have need of the prayers of God’s people, don’t try to do it yourself. Do what God says do for the help only He can give.

Difficult People? 11 Practical Verses

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

The Bible is filled with so many helpful verses on daily living. Many of us can find it difficult at times to work with people, especially if we’re having a stressful day. Here are eleven practical passages that will help us in our interactions with others this week. 

  1. A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger 
    (Proverbs 15:1) 
  2. The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases 
    persuasiveness (Proverbs 16:21) 
  3. Be gentle and show courtesy to all people (Titus 3:2) 
  4. Do good to everyone (Gal. 6:10) 
  5. Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) 
  6. As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them (Luke 6:31) 
  7. Discern your own thoughts, identify your intentions (Heb. 4:12) 
  8. Treat others like you would treat Jesus. How would you interact with 
    Him? (Matthew 25:40) 
  9. Season your speech with grace. It’s the Savior’s All-Spice for every relationship-building goal (Col. 4:5-6)
  10. Praise God and be joyful, it attracts people (Psalm 100:1-5)
  11. Be ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, show courtesy to all people (Titus 3:1-15) 

One thing you might notice about these scriptures is how many of them deal with our speech. According to the book of James, the tongue is incredibly difficult to tame. Reading these verses, it becomes clear that there are several advantages of placing the bridle over our lips. 

The Good, The Bad, & The Lucky

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

In 1951, two to three miles off the coast of Point Reyes, California, a military plane went down after battling faulty electrical issues and then eventually running out of fuel. The plane made a crash landing in the ocean and to make matters a little more terrifying, it was a Great White shark haven. There was one Army service man who managed to escape the aircraft, but once in the water he had no idea where to go. It was in the early morning and the fog was too thick to see through. Knowing he had to do something, he simply chose a direction and began to swim. After a couple of miles of swimming he finally, to his relief, reached land. Later on in life he’d go on to become the star of several Hollywood movies, direct his own movies, and even star in movies that he himself directed! His name was Clint Eastwood. 

He got lucky. Occasionally, that happens in life. We flip a coin, spin a bottle, or make a random turn and it all ends up working out in the end. Accidental fortune might happen in some areas of life, but not when it comes to our spiritual lives. There won’t be anyone in heaven who says, “I have no idea how I got here. I just randomly went through life and made the right choices, I guess!”

 If we’re looking for a deeper faith, a closer walk with God, or directions along the narrow way, we’ll have to be intentional about that. 

Psalm 25:5 reminds us that not only does God guide us into all truth, but that this is a path that must be taught. 

The World Is Desperate

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

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Carl Pollard

Generalizations are almost always wrong. For example, just because you’re from Colorado doesn’t mean you smoke weed, or just because you’re homeschooled doesn’t mean you’ve never seen a person before. Just because you live in Alabama doesn’t make you an Alabama fan. Just because many people fall into a category, doesn’t mean that every person is the same.

There is one generalization that is true: the world is desperate. Without Christ, many issues in life go unsolved. Family problems are harder to overcome, job issues get blown out of proportion, and questions go unsolved. Over the next few weeks I’d like to look at three major issues that the world has no answer for. But these three topics are easily explained through God’s Word.

Each one of us has had these thoughts before. Every single person ever born at some point will have these questions. So number one, the world is desperate for Guidance (Psa. 119:105). Ever been lost? It is amazing how easy it is to get turned around. I’m terrible with directions, and even with maps up on my phone, I still find a way to get lost.

The world feels the same way–they’re lost. They don’t have direction in life. They float around going from one thing to the next looking for guidance. As Christians, our guide is God’s Word. It gives us a map for life. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, has to do with guidance. Each section in this chapter covers different aspects of keeping God’s Word. In the first eight verses, the psalmist says things like, “blessed are those who walk in the Law of the Lord,” and “I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.” The rest of the chapter sticks with this pattern.

If you ever find yourself questioning why you follow scripture, study this chapter and you will find reason after reason. Looking at verse 105, it says this, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Are you anxious? Turn to God’s Word. Are you hurting? Turn to God’s Word. Are you afflicted? Turn to God’s Word (119:107). Has your family disowned you? Turn to God’s Word. Have your kids left the Church? Turn to God’s Word. Did you lose your job? Turn to God’s Word. See, the world doesn’t turn to scripture when it faces these problems, and they are left without a guide, without comfort, and without something to rely on. There’s a reason God inspired men to write the Bible, and that reason is so that flawed man can have a guide through life.

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As my dad and Wes Autrey demonstrated in Yellowstone Park, you also                    need to know how to use a roadmap to avoid getting lost.