Be A Part Of The Story...

Yesterday was my first Sunday back at my home church. For some reason I never realize how much I miss it until I go back and am reminded how much I love it. 

It is always a mix of emotions. The people are so welcoming, there is always some part of the system that is different, daddy always seems to find some loop hole in his sermon to mention me :) 

But it is wonderful. I attend such a huge church when I am at school, so coming back to our little family church is always so nice. There are always new faces and seeing old ones is always great too.

It has been a while since I have heard daddy preach. I always have pages of notes and verses when I listen to him, I just love it. But yesterday his sermon was very unique. I have never heard him deliver a message in such a mellow way. He was talking to the church and our role within the body. He encouraged us to be a part of the story, and allow God to use us. But one of my favorite parts was he outlined, Biblically, his role as a shepherd of the flock, and our role as supporters and pieces of the body. 

The Shepherds role over his flock is to

Feed the Sheep

{John 21:17} 

Gather the Sheep

Guard the Fellowship

{Acts 20}

Must always lead flock to the throne

Care for the flock

Examine his own motives

In 2 Peter 2 we see that it is important to examine the motives of those who we follow. 

The motives of a man's heart will show you who you can trust.

As followers of Jesus Christ, allowing a shepherd in our lives to guide and direct us, we are called to have faith... PRAY for our shepherd... Encourage the leaders of the church... Give them freedom to be who the Lord created them to be.... rejoice together.

I left church yesterday very encouraged. I left feeling secure. Secure that I serve a loving savior who died for me and my sins. A savior that grants me grace every single day, though I do not deserve it. 

I left also having security that my father has a special calling. A calling that the Lord gave him. The Lord trusts my father with this flock in QC. My dad may not be driving the best car, or going on the most amazing vacations, but he is being obedient to his calling from the Lord. Taking on the flocks cries and the flocks joy. I am so thankful that I have an earthly father that is so strong in the Lord. And I am so thankful that I have a heavenly father that is above all.

So be a part of the story.