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The Good Shepherd

    If a parent loves a child, it is true that they will discipline them. Why? Because proper discipline keeps your children safe and teaches them how to make good decisions. No one likes to see an undisciplined child running wild and wreaking havoc. In the same way, our Heavenly Father disciplines us.

    The Lord gives us "rules" through the Bible not to restrict our lifestyles, but to keep us safe. He wants the best for us and has to teach us the right way to live like any Father. Do not take the Lord's discipline as a bad thing. When you hear the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, humbly heed His words of direction. Do not waste much time on guilt and shame, but take that instruction and apply it to your life. When you go through difficult circumstances, think of it as direction from the Lord. He uses those times to guide us and strengthen us.

    Remember that God only disciplines those He loves. He deeply loves you and I or He would not keep us from harm with His disciplinary ways. This is why David says that God's rod and staff comfort Him. Those are not very comforting instruments, but when used in the hands of a good shepherd, they keep his sheep out of the mouths of wolves. Don't allow yourself to be devoured, but rather, follow the leading of the good shepherd in your life.

Hebrews 12:5-11“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spiritsand live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV)

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. (NLT)
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)

 Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (NIV)

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