Sheep Farming?

Richard and I visited New Creation Church in the month of March 2007. During the visit, we had a change to fellowship with Pastor Joshua Lee and Deacon Anthony Lau. Though the time was short, it was a blessing to both of us.

I came across this DVD "Shepherd and Sheep - The Secret To The Abundant Life" in the Rock Gifts & Book Center. The first thing I did was to find out whether there are dogs among the flock on the DVD cover. Obviously there are non, praise God, goooood job! In fact, I am a bit concern whenever I see this sort of shepherd and sheep pictures. My peace would be disturbed if I see dogs among the flock.

I believe in bible way of shepherding the sheep but not the worldly way. The bible way is call shepherding and the worldly way is call "sheep farming". What is the difference? Well, in the bible, our Lord never use dog to help in shepherding the sheep. In fact, He warned us to watch out for dogs! Our Lord is always leading the sheep at the front not from the back chasing after the sheep or forcing the sheep to move on. Our Lord would leave ninety nine sheep on the hills and go to look for the one that wander off. Sheep farming method would say I still have ninety nine sheep, who cares about the one that wander off? To be honest, how many sheep were hurt or wounded by dogs in this modern way of "sheep farming"? We are not aware that we are in fact, copying the method of the world and not the bible way of shepherding. If we have heart to see, our Great Shepherd is busy seeking the lost sheep and putting them back to an appropriate sheep pen. Good Shepherd knows each and everyone of us and He calls us by name.

I was very much blessed by this DVD. The way Pastor Joseph Prince delivered the message was full of cleansing water and the aroma of our Lord. This is the kind of spiritual food that we need for our spiritual life to face our everyday living in this fallen world. The word just refreshes us and strengthens us with the revelation of the Jesus' grace and love. It is this kind gracious aroma that leads us to follow the Good Shepherd!

When we are dwelling in the realm of grace, we are actually pointing the sheep to our Good Shepherd and the sheep are following because of the aroma of His grace. As we all follow, He says My sheep hear My voice.

What kind of voice are you hearing? A condemning voice from the dogs or a loving and affirming voice from the Good Shepherd?