Tell Them
Baby Girl,
Why are you teaching this Bible study?
Because I love You and I love them.
Them? Who are they?
The ladies at Bible study.
Who are they?
They are women of all ages including young ladies who are growing into women.
Who are they?
They are mothers and daughters, sisters and aunts, grandmas, great grandmas, neighbors, friends, employers and employees. They are students and teachers, nurses and patients, dental hygienists, hair stylists, dog walkers, and government employees. They are single moms, only children, siblings, wives and widows.
Those are roles they perform in this life. Who are THEY?
People?
Baby, they are sheep, and if you LOVE Me, you will feed My sheep. From now on, that is to be your answer and the motivation of your heart.
What did I tell you about sheep?
“My sheep know My voice.”
What else? Word for word.
“There are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
The whole thing.
- EXCERPT FROM WALK YOUR CITY, A CALL TO PRAY –
You’re tempted to change from instrumental worship to music with words because, when we’re not actively talking, you want to disengage. Don’t. It is the moments between the words your soul perceives that our spirits are in communication.
Remember that My spirit will never directly engage with your mind.I will always communicate Spirit to spirit. It’s in these still quiet moments that what your spirit knows is able to float up and inform your mind. Don’t seek to shorten the process.
The more skilled you get at simply being in My presence, the more you will hear and know My voice. My sheep know My voice well, but new sheep in the herd have not learned to distinguish between the Shepherd and the enemy. Teach them to be still and listen.
I was quite intentional when I compared people to sheep and Myself as the Good Shepherd. I could not have used a more appropriate example for a pastor than the shepherd of a flock.
Compare with spiritual eyes the characteristic behaviors of sheep and of people.
A sheep’s behavior is in response to its surroundings and circumstances. Understanding the uncharacteristic behaviors of sheep depends on understanding what characteristic behaviors of sheep are.
Sheep are herding animals who travel in groups called “flocks.” It is a sheep’s natural instinct to remain close to the flock. They are not predators and roaming makes sheep vulnerable prey. A healthy member of the flock will not stray from it. There is safety in numbers as it is harder for a predator to get a sheep who is close to the flock. If a sheep strays from the flock, something is likely wrong.
Sheep have a strong sense of vision and are reluctant to go where they cannot see. They avoid shapes and shadows and startle easily. They will run from what frightens them.
Sheep have a keen sense of hearing and will startle at sudden loud sounds like barking or yelling. When sheep become nervous they are more difficult to handle. To minimize stress, the handler should speak in a quiet calm manner.
It is the strong, flocking instinct that makes it easy for one shepherd to look after so many sheep. When one sheep moves, the rest will follow, even if it does not look like it is a good idea. This is why in Turkey, in 2006, 400 sheep died when one sheep tried to cross a 15-meter-deep ravine and the rest of the flock followed.
From birth, lambs learn to follow the older sheep. The dominant members of the flock lead and the more submissive and docile sheep follow.
A sheep will become highly agitated if it becomes separated from the flock. Because sheep are domesticated, it is unlikely that they would survive in the wild, especially in the presence of predators.
Sheep who are close enough for bodily contact remain calmer and have lower stress hormones than sheep without physical contact.
Changes in normal sheep behavior can be an early sign of illness or injury. A sheep that is displaying behaviors contrary to standard flocking behaviors is either struggling with illness or is lost. Even the last sheep coming through the gate should be suspected of not feeling well, especially if it is usually one of the first.
Appetite is another strong indicator of health. Healthy sheep will chew on their cud for several hours every day. Healthy sheep are eager to eat and are almost always hungry. If given the opportunity, they will overeat. They will bleat in anticipation of food and will rapidly approach the one with the feed.
A lamb that bleats all the time is probably hungry and not getting enough to eat. An unhealthy or hungry sheep often stands scrunched up instead of stretching out.
Lack of appetite is probably the most common symptom exhibited by a sick sheep. For a healthy sheep, supplemental feedings are good motivators, making sheep friendlier and less intimidated by people.
A sheep that is reluctant to get up and move is likely in pain, as is a sheep who is reluctant to lie down and rest. A sheep that cannot relax is under stress, and teeth grinding is another sign that she is under stress.
Healthy lambs are usually very active and enjoy group play. As lambs get older, they spend less time with their mother and more time with their peers.
Parents and grandparents can tend to become discouraged and disengage when younger people pull away to spend more time with their peers. This natural behavior does not mean the child no longer needs the older generation, but rather the older generation needs to watch carefully for the signs of illness: reluctance to lay down or reluctance to get up, a lack of appetite, or drastically pulling away from people.
As parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, and other positions of God-given authority, it is your responsibility and privilege to bring these concerns to the Throne Room of Heaven. The burden of meeting the need is Mine.
Caution parents against rewriting history. In China, the Chinese Bible is currently being rewritten to make Jesus out to be someone He was not. For those who have never picked up a Bible, that new version they are creating will be the only gospel they will know.
History books are being rewritten throughout the years to paint pictures of the past in the way the authors want the future generations to believe things happened.
When older generations rewrite their personal history as they convey those stories to the younger generation, the altered version of reality can be extremely detrimental to the development of our young people.
Openly share your past mistakes so that kids have the opportunity to learn from yours rather than creating their own. When parents, grandparents, teachers, and people in places of authority are not open with past struggles with authority, sexuality, relationships, and even faith, it creates a world where kids believe there is something wrong with them, because they wrestle with these things.
The things we struggled with in previous generations have been amplified as we have failed to create and maintain a world with godly moral standards, and we have become completely tolerant of the enemy’s involvement in our homes, schools, and churches.
It is time to rob hell and take back everything the enemy has stolen when we left the door unlocked.
Stewarding young people’s souls is not a solitary position or a one-man race but a team effort. Parenting should be seen as a relay race, where the baton is handed off in some seasons several times a day to different runners.
In some legs of the race, parents are able to choose who holds the baton but, for most of the race, the parents have very little control. Some holding the baton are very invested in the outcome of the race and some, most likely with no ill intentions, are sabotaging it.
In the first leg of the race, the baton is always carried by the mother from conception, at minimum, to birth. What happens in that first leg sets the pace for the rest of the race. The baton is then passed many times between hundreds of teammates; parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbors, babysitters, teachers, Sunday school teachers, coaches, counselors, peers, bus drivers, employers, and more.
Pray for every soul who, at some point, will steward the baton in your children’s life.
Shame is a terrible motivator when calling others to repentance. Remember the woman at the well and My gentle approach when addressing her sin? When I plainly stated that she had been married to five different men and was currently living with one she had not yet married, it was simply to gently say, “I see you. I see all of you, I know you, I LOVE you, and I want to offer you life.”
As My followers, the acknowledgment of another person’s wrongdoings should be very rare, and only approached prayerfully. Conviction of sin is the role of My Spirit, not your soul.
As a parent, it is your God-given responsibility to address sin and My calling to righteousness but do so patiently and with the grace of God. Do not address your child’s sin until you are able to without sinning yourself.
You are never to discipline from a place of anger, resentment, or bitterness, even if you are disciplining the same behavior for the 100th time. If you are unable to approach discipline as I discipline My children, seek godly counsel. Ungodly parenting will give your children the wrong idea about Me, and that could have eternal consequences.
There is no place for ego in the church. Ego = Easing God Out. When a church wants to be known for anything, other than Jesus, ego has taken root.
Pray that the spirits of pride and rebellion would be replaced by a spirit of humility. The fall of mankind in the garden of Eden began with pride and rebellion. The fall of many churches begins the same way.
Pride has expectations, humility is expectant - be expectant.
The call to ministry of any sort should never be undertaken lightly and without significant prayer.
My children are, by nature, of interest to the enemy because he is seeking to lure them into his kingdom of darkness with promises of possessions, power, and prestige. His strategy in two words is: “happiness trap.”As he did with Jesus, he lays before My children what he knows to be the bait that caught them before hoping they’ll fall for it again. Unfortunately, this strategy often works, so he is persistent.
When My children decide to draw closer to Me, the enemy feels the threat and throws distraction and trouble in the path leading them to the conclusion that it was My doing. Ultimately, many come to the conclusion that the price of obedience is not worth the “possible” eternal payoff. The enemy only needs to cause a hint of doubt for this strategy to succeed in disarming an unfortified faith.
The majority of the enemy’s time and attention are spent with the believer who has gone all in. This is the Christian who is willing to sacrifice his or her preference, personality, and possessions for the benefit of the Kingdom of Heaven.
For the believer who has committed their life to ministry, the battle for their soul is at an all-time high. The enemy knows that a spirit who has been made new in Christ Jesus is untouchable. The spirit of a believer has been purchased by the Blood shed on the cross and is no longer territory the enemy can occupy.
What the enemy knows, and believers tend to forget is that, while our spirit is saved, our soul (mind, will, and emotions) is not. The battle between God and satan is over our soul and the enemy will stop at nothing to win!
God has provided us with all of the necessary armor to protect ourselves but whether or not we put it on will determine how successful we are at warding off the enemy’s attacks.
Suit up. Show up. Stand up. Don’t sit down.
You’re asking how I want you to wrap this Bible study up?
Tell them to close their eyes and imagine themselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the dusty hillside of the mountain in Galilee overlooking the breathtaking view of the sea of Galilee. Although the view is stunning, like the rest of My disciples, they are caught up in the emotion of the moment and unable to take their eyes off of Me.
As they stand there bewildered by My very presence and in awe of My unsurmountable LOVE for them, have them imagine they had been standing with My disciples at the back of the crowd as the cross I was nailed to was slowly raised and with a jolt dropped into the hole in the ground. Have them imagine feeling consumed, as My disciples were, by the shame of their denial of Me yet gripped with fear that they might be identified as one of My followers just one month before.
Remind them that, sitting in the Upper Room, just days before My crucifixion, they swore their allegiance to Me and, days later, like Peter, confronted with the question, “Weren’t you with Jesus of Nazareth?” they denied they ever knew Me.
Now, standing before them, I lock eyes with them and say:
“Baby girl, don’t be afraid. I’m going back to the right hand of the Father and although I know it doesn’t feel like a good thing right now, it is. Don’t follow your feelings - they will mislead you. I need you to be strong and courageous. For three years, I have walked with you to show you how to walk. I hid nothing from you and, even as I go back to the Father, I KEEP nothing FROM you. I will send My Spirit to lead you and guide you all the days of your life. I didn’t come here to spoon feed you; I came to teach you to fish. As I walked, I want you to walk. As I taught, I want you to teach. As I have LOVED you, I want you to LOVE. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely, I am with you ALWAYS, to the very end of the age.”
As their minds begin to drift, draw them back into the moment.
There is a slight warm breeze. The tall, undisturbed grass is rustling on the hillside. You can hear the bleating of sheep off in the distance, the echoes of children’s laughter, and the lapping of the water along the shoreline below.
Tears fill their eyes as they fixate on the perfectly healed scars on My hands and on the bridge of my feet, and they remember the haunting echo of the hammer as the nails pierced hands that had done nothing but feed, clothe, heal, and embrace the very people who did nothing to stop it all from happening.
Tell them to look back in My eyes.
I CHOSE that. It was the only way.
They are probably feeling as you are right now: the world is so big and I am so small. What do I have to offer?
Remind them of their lunch bag. I don’t need much; just what they have. Two loaves, five fish… that will do. Urge them to offer that to Me and see what I can do with it. Remind them how many baskets we had left over. Twelve. We had a FULL basket left over for each of the disciples to carry on to our next task - so will they. If they give Me what they have, they will never go without.
It feels like I’m asking you to eat an elephant. The whole world?!
If all of My children grab a fork and a knife…
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
If you lead your neighbor to the Water, they can fill their jar and take it home to their family. When their family gets thirsty, they can lead their own family to the Water. As their friends and neighbors ask where they filled their jar, they can lead them to the Well.
You aren’t “saving sinners from hell,” you’re leading thirsty people to water.
Thirsty people everywhere are chasing mirages in the desert because they haven’t found the Well. You don’t need to stand on the street corner with signs shouting, “I know where to find water!” Stand on the street corner DRINKING your glass of water and thirsty people will ask where you got it.
My kids are hungry and thirsty, refusing to eat or drink, and looking just as desperate as the people who have not discovered the source… when all they would have to do is lower the bucket and draw from the Well… but I don’t need to tell you that. You were saved and starving for 39 years. You spent most of those 39 years talking about the Well while your skin was cracking and peeling from dehydration. It’s no wonder people didn’t listen. You could describe the Well but there was little evidence you had ever tasted the water.
Remind them that they are made up of 60% water and hydration is maintained through regular consumption - not occasional sips of water.
No one has ever consumed a glass of water on accident.
No one has ever eaten a loaf of bread without first putting it in their hand to eat.
I am the Bread of Life; so is the Bible. Hunger is stimulated by eating. If they want to get hungry, they need to eat. Tell them to open their Bible and read it for themselves. It is full of nutrition and, whether it tastes good in the moment or not, whether they FEEL like eating or not, eating WILL nourish them and give them strength.
Holy Spirit is the Living Water. A bottomless Well is within each of My children. Remind them that prayer is how they lower the bucket and obedience is how they take a drink. Having a Well full of water and dying of dehydration is the state of nearly an entire generation of My Children.
Of the 603,000 Israelite men who left slavery in Egypt, 40 years later, only TWO of those men had the privilege of entering the Promised Land because of willful disobedience - not because of My Will.
There is a reason I am not simply sending you into the world to make disciples and baptize them. If you don’t teach my disciples to obey EVERYTHING I have commanded, they will die in the wilderness as a consequence of their own disobedience and will not know why. MY people are perishing for lack of knowledge. Teach them and teach them to obey.
Remind them:
That I am the Good Shepherd; to follow Me and lead others in the way I lead them.
To renew their soul (mind, will and emotions) and cause it to agree with the Mind of Christ which is in their spirit. A renewed mind is the ONLY way to live in My peace that passes understanding and experience joy rather than temporary moments of happiness.
To sow generously, unconcerned with how long that seed takes to germinate. The black mustard seed can lay dormant for 50 years before it finally takes root. They could die staring at dirt waiting for the seed to break ground, or they could spend those 50 years throwing out more seed. The choice is theirs.
That to be anointed is to be set apart or dedicated to God. They were anointed WITH the Holy Spirit when they became a Christ follower and are empowered by Him to accomplish My Will on the earth. Their mission is to proclaim the good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captive, and release prisoners from the darkness.
That anointing their home and what they possess is a personal decision. I do not force My children to dedicate all they have to Me, but I encourage it.
That they did not pay for the seed, I did. The Word of God was provided at a HIGH PRICE and it was intended to be shared.The Word is new every morning. It will never run out and never run dry. Share it generously.
That I am doing a work in them which I intend to complete, and that ALL things, even the most unpleasant things in life, I am ABLE to work for the good of those who love Me, who have been called according to My purpose, if - IF - they are WILLING to place all things - ALL THINGS - into My hands.
To not become weary in doing good because, in MY perfect timing, they WILL reap a harvest if they don’t give up.
To break bread together often, physically and spiritually. Urge them to not be so busy living life that they fail to create a life worth living. Eating together, physically and spiritually, requires sacrifice and intentionality. Learn to live with intention. The days are long, the years are short, and the Kingdom is at hand.
That not everyone will understand the joy in following Me because the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. It is a narrow path and, unfortunately, many will not find it.
That Holy Spirit is not going to tell them EVERYTHING that is to come but, like a dimly lit flashlight, will give them the next right step. Remind them that since they live by the Spirit, they must keep in step with the Spirit.
That they were created to bear fruit. Their lives are to be marked by who they are, not just what they do. Remind them that they are not just trying to behave as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, they ARE love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. That’s who they are.
That they are not to love as the world loves. Their LOVE is to mirror Mine. LOVE is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast and it is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the Truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres, and LOVE never fails.
That as amazing as they naturally are, in themselves they have no light of their own. They are like the moon, created to reflect the sun. Grumbling, complaining, and arguing are like clouds that block the sun, causing us to not reflect the light as we ought. Encourage them to choose gratitude and thanksgiving so their lives will shine.
That the enemy is not overcome simply by the Blood on the Cross, but also by the Word of their testimony. Their story matters; encourage them to share it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
That I cannot be mocked; it is a hard Truth, but men reap what they sow. You can’t plant rocks and expect sunflowers to grow.
And finally, remind them that the Bible, the sword of the Spirit, is the ONLY weapon in the armor of God.
Tell them that the Bible:
Is sharp like a sword. The Word of God can cut through deception and reveal Truth about situations and the intentions of people’s hearts.
Is not just a collection of words but a powerful force that can transform lives when applied and obeyed.
Can expose hidden motives and intentions of the heart.
Can be used to actively combat spiritual, mental, and emotional attacks brought on by the enemy.
Empowers you to stand against spiritual forces.
Exposes lies and reveals God’s Truth.
Is WIDELY accessible to most Christ followers. Those who can get their hands on it most easily respect it the least. There are Christ followers around the world who would risk their lives to get their hands on just a portion of the Word and treasure that Word more than life itself.
Is not to be treated casually just because it is so easily available.
Tell them I LOVE them.
Tell them I long to spend time with them.
Tell them I am jealous for their attention and affections.
When they start to believe what the enemy would tell them - that their life doesn’t matter, their influence isn’t enough, or their effort is in vain - urge them to close their eyes and get back on that hillside of Galilee, look in My eyes and listen again:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely, I am with you ALWAYS, to the very end of the age.”
LOVE,
Daddy
Matthew 28:18-20