June 21 | John 10:1-10

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DAILY READING

John 10:1-10

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REFLECTION

Poor Shepherds

By Todd Marti

This week’s readings have focused on what makes a good shepherd, a good leader. They described fidelity to God’s ways, focusing on the needs of those being lead, humbly attending to the work God calls him or her to, and delivering God’s healing goodness.

Today’s reading looks at shepherding from a different angle: how to recognize and respond to poor shepherds. It captures Jesus’ reaction to the leaders of his day and how they frustrated the delivery of God’s love and healing, as described in John 9:13-34  (Well worth a read to fully understand today’s reading).  So what did Jesus teach in response to that? At least two things.

The first is how to recognize poor shepherds. This reading, considered in light of John 9:13-34 , identifies several characteristics of poor shepherds.  One is that they are prideful.  John 9:28-29, 34.  Relatedly, they are heavy handed, abusing those subject to their authority, bullying folks they should be nurturing. John 9:18-24, 28.   Another is that they distort God’s precepts in ways that frustrate God’s purposes. John 9:16.  They circumvent protections erected to protect the vulnerable.  John 10:1.  They seek to further their own interests at the expense of those God has placed in their charge. John 10.8, 10.  That conduct was not limited to Jesus’ time, it has occurred throughout human history.

Jesus taught us another, more important, way to recognize such shepherds—we are to “listen to” God’s teachings by becoming so familiar with his word and spending so much time with him that we “know his voice.” John 10:3-4. That gives us the benchmarks to measure leaders against.

The second is how to respond to poor shepherds.  Jesus describes several responses.

As just discussed, we are to “listen” for his voice, and to do so to the extent that we “know” it. John 10:3-4. The underlying Greek words describe more than casual acknowledgement, but describe harkening to, considering, understanding  and cherishing, paying attention to something. That kind of focus on Jesus will inoculate us against the lure of poor shepherds; we will recognize and “run away from” them. John 10:5.

Jesus also tells us to “follow” him.  John 10:4. The underlying Greek  describes active engagement; it refers to joining one as his attendant, conforming to his example, and obeying like a well-disciplined soldier.  We are far less likely to be lead astray if we are actively following Jesus’ examples.

PRAYER

Jesus, protect us from poor shepherds. Help us to know you so well and follow you so closely that we are not drawn to them, but instead stay faithful to you.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.

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June 20 | Psalm 95:1-7

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DAILY READING

Psalm 95:1-7

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REFLECTION

Give Praise

by Dave Thompson 

Today's scripture passage is one of praise and joyful emotion. It covers all that the author (anonymous) could raise to lift up the name of the Lord.

I have been told that we should start our daily prayers with the thankful expression of our love for God. I must admit that this doesn't come naturally for me. I find myself feeling that I am reading off a script and being repetitive. I have looked at the great prayer that the Lord gave us called the "Lord's Prayer." It was spoken 2000 years ago and is found in Luke 11:2-4. It was written and has been edited since. It begins with "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name..."

So the first myth of my prayer life is to think that "reading from a script or speaking from memory" is not any good. All I have to do is to get to "Forgive us our debts, (no trespasses) as we forgive the debts, (no trespasses) of others." You see even the many denominations after 2000 years can't agree on what the prayer should say. For clarity, our church says "trespasses."

Then there is the affirmation of who He is and why we honor Him. It says, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." Here we are telling God that we understand that we are people of His will. We continue by asking finally for His support in our lives. "Give us this day our daily bread (manna) and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us." I am a bit confused by the next piece, "Lead us not into temptation," as I have been taught that God doesn't do any bad things to us like leading us into temptation. The prayer goes on to say, "but deliver us from evil." And ends with "for thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the glory forever. Amen"

You see all praise and supplications grow off of this magnificent root prayer. The praising as in Psalm 95 and evidenced in "The Lord's Prayer," is crucial. We are His flocks of the fields and He will care for us, comfort us and never leave us. For that, He deserves all of the praise that can be formed by our mouths or thought in our heads. It can be somewhat repetitive, but when you are praising everything God has done, it will be repetitive in a sense. So, relax and let it flow. Get emotional at times and perhaps have goosebumps as you realize through your prayers of praise that He is worth it all.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your very being. You are the one who continuously tried to give your people a way out of being condemned, but until you gave yourself on the cross, people being human, always failed you. Give us thankful hearts and help us when our prayers begin to feel dry. It is the trick of the devil and we need to praise through that and accept and praise the great Savior that You are! Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE THOMPSON

I am the administrator of the Daily Worship Blog. My wife, Carla, and I have been attending UALC for seven years at the 9 o'clock service at Mill Run. We have two children, Catherine and Aaron. I have been a Christian for 53 years and am thankful that my Savior has given me two spiritual gifts that have carried me both spiritually and vocationally all my life: they are teaching and administration. I look forward to spending many years here at UALC to serve my Lord and Savior.

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JUNE 19 | PSALM 78:67-72

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DAILY READING

Psalm 78:67-72

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REFLECTION

Many are The Called, Few are The Chosen

by Judy Webb

He chose David his servant

    and took him from the sheep pens;

from tending the sheep he brought him

    to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,

    of Israel his inheritance.

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;

    with skillful hands he led them. (vv 70-72)

God had his choice of the 12 tribes of Israel, and he chose Judah. He had the choice of any place on earth for his sacred Mountain, and he chose Mt. Zion. He had the pick of all men on earth to be His servant, and He chose David. David, a man after God’s own heart. A sinful man, yet God chose Him to lead His nation Israel.

"...and the Lord said, You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler." 2 Samuel 4:2)

Doesn’t that give you hope? We, also sinful people, can be used by God for His good purposes, even today. Maybe, especially today! When we are willing, we can be used for good in a world of evil.

A study of David will reveal his shortcomings, his difficulties, and struggles. But we know from our own lives that these problems and obstacles only make us stronger and more faithful when we go through them with Jesus. When we realize how often the hard times make us stronger, it gives us a new vision and provides faith we never could obtain if everything went smoothly. Climbing the hills of desperation and navigating the valleys of peril is where we grow in character and perseverance. Our spiritual muscles are developed. Leaders are born during times of wandering, doubt and pain. So, we either step up or get trampled.

When we feel that all is lost and things will never improve – that is the point when we call out to Jesus, ask him to calm the storm of life right now, and then we submit to our calling.

David’s early years as a shepherd were a training ground for his future; for the responsibility God had in store for him. When he was ready, God took him from caring for sheep to caring for Israel. So, don’t treat your present situation lightly. It might be God’s training ground for your future.

Is your life seemingly out of control, hopeless? Never. God has a purpose and when we seek that purpose, pray for the guidance of Holy Spirit, and submit to his plan for our lives, a change happens.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, give us eyes to see you in all our struggles. Give us faith to climb the mountains in our path. Lord reveal the way we are to go, the plans you have for us and give us the courage to pursue it. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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