THE SHEPHERD OF OUR LIVES: PASTOR J.F. ODESOLA – RCCG ONLINE CENTRAL DIGGING DEEP SERVICE TEACHING, 19TH JANUARY, 2021

RCCG ONLINE CENTRAL DIGGING DEEP SERVICE TEACHING.

MINISTERING: PASTOR JOHNSON FOLORUNSHO ODESOLA (CONTINENTAL OVERSEER IN CHARGE OF ADMIN/ PERSONNEL AND MIDDLE EAST, RCCG)

TOPIC: THE SHEPHERD OF OUR LIVES

DATE: 19TH JANUARY, 2021

TEXT: PSALMS 23:1-6

We Praise the Name of the Lord again, for the Choir Ministration. The Anointing of the Lord will continue to be upon you, in the Name of Jesus – Amen.

I thank my father-in-Lord, Daddy G.O – Thank You Sir!

And I thank our Mummy for nursing me – God Bless you Ma!

Shall we Pray?

SONG

I have a Father
Almighty Father
He is King of kings
And Lord of lords
I have a Father (Hallelujah!)

Repeated!

OPENING PRAYER

The King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Shepherd of our Souls and the Shepherd of our lives, we salute Your EXCELLENCY.

Thank You for caring for us. Thank You for taking care of us in a manner that is beyond comprehension, so we say, THANK YOU. LORD!

We appreciate You for another day of Digging Deep. Thank You for how You have been blessing us on this Platform.

We Pray that You will release Your Blessings to us today again.

I have come not as somebody who wants to speak but as a learner. Holy Spirit, operate upon my Spirit, my Soul, my Body.

And everyone connected to this Telecast or reading on the Label of DMC; we Pray You will bless us today and reassure us.

God of Grace, deposit Your Grace into our lives. Remove all our Problems and Satisfy our Souls.

Lord Almighty, let the rest of our lives be full of blessings and Peace of God.

When we close our eyes here, let us reign Eternally with You.

… Thank You Father! Blessed be Your Name.

Please, I surrender my head, my mouth,my heart – Just take over. I will not misrepresent You here!

Even let me be blessed through the things You will speak through my mouth.

And let everyone watching this Telecast or reading on the Label of DMC be blessed!

Thank You Father.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name we Pray – Amen!

Praise the Name of the Lord – Hallelujah!

We appreciate God again today!

What the Lord want us to look at today is what we Title: “THE SHEPERD OF OUR LIVES.”

We are going to read the Popular Psalm – Psalms 23:1-6.

We are going to look at few things there for a Reassurance.

The world is in “Panicking Mode”, the world is in “Fearful Mode”.

Even the strongest (by world standards) are not left behind.

But you have a Shepherd, I have a Shepherd – So let’s allow Him lead us in the way He wants to lead.

Psalms 23:1-6:

1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my Soul: he leadeth me in the Paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou Preparest a table before me in the Presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Lord bless the Reading and Hearing of His Word – Amen!

We can as well close the Digging Deep; because that’s Reassuring.

SEVEN (1) LESSONS FROM PSALMS 23:1-6:

The very first thing we hear there – “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

1. So the No. 1 Lesson there is RELATIONSHIP.

We must have a Relationship with the LORD as our Shepherd.

A sheep under the care of the Shepherd cannot be troubled – Once they follow the Shepherd, once they submit to the Shepherd, they are safe.

And we must also be submitted to the Lord as our Shepherd and follow Him.

We should not live our lives the way we want to live – Go wherever we want to go. We must follow the Guidance of the Shepherd.

Once we follow and submit to Him, all His Promises will be fulfilled.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” – Once you follow the Shepherd, there won’t be any want.

You won’t lack anything, according to Philippians 4:19 – “My God shall supply all your Needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”

3 John 1: 2 says: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest Prosper and be in Health, even as thy Soul Prospereth.”

God takes Pleasure in meeting all our Needs.

Psalms 35:27B says: “Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be Magnified, which hath Pleasure in the Prosperity of his Servant.”

You will lack nothing because the Shepherd takes care of you; and once you follow Him, your troubles cease.

But you must have a RELATIONSHIP.

… “The Lord is My Shepherd” talks about Relationship – “MY SHEPHERD.”

2. REST

Look at it: “He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures: He leadeth me beside the Still Waters.”

When the Lord is our Shepherd; He will nourish us. He will enable us to experience PEACE and REST.

A sheep will not lie down when it is uneasy and fearful or restless.

The world we live today is full of UNREST – War there, Famine here, Earthquake, Volcano.

All kind of UNREST – Talking about COVID-19; who knows the next thing that will come after this!

But what we are saying is this: Once you follow the Shepherd – RELAX!

When the Shepherd causes the sheep to relax, it will be willing to lie down.

The Lord wants us to REST and enjoy PEACE. He will lead us into Green Pastures of Rich Nourishment for our lives; lead us beside the waters of Serenity and Peace.

A sheep will not drink water that is not STILL.

The Lord wants us to Experience this DEEP PEACE in our Soul.

There are so much turbulence in the world we live in; but remember, when you have a RELATIONSHIP you have REST.

And I’m Praying for ALL of you that lack rest; even as you read on the Label of DMC – *The Lord will give you the REST you desire, in the Name of Jesus – Amen.

3. RESTORATION.

The Bible says: “He restoreth my Soul.”

When the Lord is your Shepherd, He RESTORES your Soul.

When the soul is discouraged, when the Soul is depressed; He will come and Revive us. He will Preserve our Souls.

In the Book of 1 Kings 18; it is the Chapter where Elijah called down Fire.

But in 1 Kings 19: 1-5; Elijah was DISCOURAGED. He said: “Kill me now, my life is not better than that of my father.”

But the Good Shepherd came, Strengthened and encouraged him to continue.

ARE YOU TIRED? – The Shepherd is there to RESTORE you – Amen!

Peter and the other Disciples went back to Fishing in discouragement. But Jesus met them, He encouraged them to keep Serving Him.

When the Lord is your Shepherd, He will RESTORE.

I like what is written in Joel 2:25-27 – It talks about how God is going to RESTORE.

He will restore things that have been taken away, and He will Restore your Soul.

When you have God as your Shepherd; because you have RELATIONSHIP, you have REST; you also have RESTORATION.

4. REFINING.

“He leadeth me in the Paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”

When the Lord is your Shepherd, He will lead you in the Path of Righteousness. He will REFINE your life, He will PURIFY you and cause you to WALK in the Right Path.

We can identify whether someone is following the Lord, if they follow the Path of Righteousness.

I mean, we should not believe those who walk in unrighteousness and wickedness; claiming that they are led by the Lord.

Some People say: “That’s the way the Lord is leading me.”

How can God lead you in Unrighteous Path?

.. The Lord does not lead anyone in the Path of Unrighteousness.

So, when you have Him as your Shepherd: you have RELATIONSHIP, you have REST, you have RESTORATION and you have REFINING – your life is REFINED.

No wonder: “If any man is in Christ, He is a New Creature, Old Things are Passed away; behold all Things have become New.”

Remember in Isaiah 43:19, He says: “I will do a NEW THING.” – REFINING your life!

He is Willing, He is Able, He has the Capacity, He has the Wherewithal and He cannot Possibly deceive.

Make Him your Shepherd today.

Why do you want to do it in a “HARD WAY” when you can do it in a “Very Easy” way?

The “Easy Way” is to allow the Shepherd to carry you.

5. REFUGE

“Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

… That talks about REFUGE – You have Refuge in the Shepherd!

When the Lord is our Shepherd, He is our REFUGE when we go through the Valley of the Shadow of death.

In the world we live today, People are battling with COVID-19; they are disputing themselves about Vaccines.

Some are saying this Vaccine works; while others saying No! It doesn’t work.

But may I say to you in Psalms 91:1-12;

1 He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome Pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the Pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any Plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For He shall give His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

…. Allow the Shepherd to be your REFUGE.

When you go through the Valley of the Shadow of death; His Presence is the Great Reassurance.

You may think you are lonely; but you are never lonely. You may be going through the Valley, feeling you are alone but someone is with you!

Maybe you lost a loved one, maybe you lost home because of what has been happening; maybe there’s an expectation that is dashed, maybe you have been wallowing in the Valley of tears;

The Lord had come to comfort you! The Lord has come to heal your broken heart.

He is a REFUGE and He wants to be your Refuge!

6. RENOWN

“Thou Preparest a table before me in the Presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

When the Lord is our Shepherd, He will HONOUR us before our enemies.

I like that – He will Anoint your head with OIL; He will cause your cup to run OVER – where it is full to OVERFLOWING.

Our cup is FULL, and there is more OVERFLOWING to bless others!

He will make us RENOWNED and Honour us, especially before our enemies who want to humilate us.

I can relate with Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is formed against you shall Prosper!

The Bible also says in Deuteronomy 28:7 – “The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.”

Isaiah 8:9 says: “Associate yourselves, O ye People, and ye shall be broken in Pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in Pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in Pieces.”

… “Thou Preparest a table before me in the Presence of mine enemies:

7. REWARD

“Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

When the Lord is our Shepherd, He will REWARD us; causing Goodness and Mercy to follow us all the days of our lives.

There is no doubt about this, because God will surely bring His Words to Pass! – They are the sure Words of God which can never go into voicemail.

We need not desparately chase after Goodness and Mercy; the Bible says: When we follow the Shepherd, Goodness and Mercy follow us like a Shadow, all the days of our life and throughout Eternity.

… And we shall dwell in the House of the Lord for ever!

All these Blessings will only be ours, when we submit to Jesus as our Shepherd.

SEVEN (7) THINGS YOU WILL HAVE WHEN YOU MAKE GOD YOUR SHEPHERD.

1. ETERNAL PARDON – Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11.

In a changing world, God’s Pardon is Eternal – He Pardon you and you have Salvation.

Man faces sudden changes through Natural Disasters; losses, ailments, disappointments but in the middle of all these; God offers you Pardon from sin through the Blood of Jesus. He offers forgiveness. And gives you Eternal Life and Salvation.

From the days of Adam, Human Beings have been tormented by the guilt of sin.

But Jesus came as a Shepherd, Offering you Eternal Pardon. So with Him as your Shepherd, you have ETERNAL PARDON.

2. ETERNAL PASSION – Jeremiah 31:3.

In a changing world, God’s Passion around us is Eternal.

He says in Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an Everlasting Love.”

His Passion for you for you is Eternal.

So many People are heartbroken because of ‘IRReliable’ Human Love – The love of man. They have strings attached to it!

People may love you because of so many selfish reasons like: Money, Position, or because of your Popularity.

… But the love will change as your circumstances Changes.

The only “RELIABLE LOVE” that does not change is the the LOVE OF GOD – It is unconditional, it is forever, and continues forever.

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not Perish, but have Everlasting Life.”

1 John 3:1-3 says: “Behold what manner of Love the Father has given to us.”

Romans 5:8 says: “God commanded His Love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

… You have ETERNAL PASSION

3. ETERNAL PRESENCE – Psalms 16:11, Isaiah 54:8.

In the changing World we live in, God’s Presence is Eternal.

No one can be with us at all times – Parents, Neighbours, Relatives, Colleagues cannot be with you forever.

They are with us for limitation of times and Periods – Only God can be with us throughout our life time!

If you depend on People, they will disappoint you. I mean, when they can no longer go forward, what can they do?

Hence, we must depend on the Eternal Presence of God, Who will never leave us nor forsake us.

I still remember a Story; we went for a Funeral in Zambia of a certain husband and the wife said: “I will DIE with my husband!”

So People were holding her.

And we needed to cover the grave. So we waited for about fifteen (15) minutes. Then I told the People to leave her!

And the moment they left her, she suddenly realized herself, and moved away on her own.

That tells us that the love of Humans are Pretentious and not Genuine but the Love of God and the Presence of God, is Eternal.

4. ETERNAL PROMISES – Isaiah 55:3.

In a changing world God’s Promises are Eternal.

People may forget about their Promises and even deny them; they may be unable to fulfil the Promises because of difficulties.

So many People are disappointed because of failed Promises.

In the middle of these failures, God’s Promises are Strong Foundation for our Life.

The Promises of God are unfailing and Eternal.

His Promises to Abraham were Fulfilled; even though circumstances appeared impossible.

Let us trust in the Eternal Promises of God. And there are so many of those Promises: “The Lord is my Shepherd;”

And His Promises are Eternal, so we can trust Him!

5. ETERNAL POWER – 1 Timothy 6:16.

In a changing world, God’s Power is Eternal. Human Power and Authority is changing and can change any time!

Somebody is the Head of State today, and can be removed the next day. But God is always on the Throne. He Rules forever. So you can depend on His Power.

Other Power in the world can go down; but the Power of God is Eternal and it is available.

John 1:12 says:

“But as many as received him, to them gave He Power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:”

Luke 10:19 says: “Behold, I give unto you Power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the Power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Acts 1:8 says: “But ye shall receive Power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the Uttermost Part of the Earth.”

So His Power is Eternal – You are Strong if you have Jesus as your Shepherd.

6. ETERNAL PURPOSE.

Even before the foundation of the world, God’s Eternal Plans and Purposes were Established.

There is something about you and the Purpose why you are on Earth. Human Plans are always very short-sighted when compared to God’s Plans.

God’s Plans are always Higher and they are Eternal.

7. ETERNAL PURITY – Isaiah 60.

This is telling us that God has a Standard.

The world’s standard of HOLINESS keep changing all the time.

What is acceptable today, is not acceptable the next day. So unacceptable lifestyle can be seen as normal in the changing world with the passage of time.

But God’s Standard of HOLINESS and PURITY does not change. His Purity and Holiness is Eternal.

And He is calling us to HOLINESS.

And I Pray we will heed His Call and enter into that Circle of Holiness, in the Name of Jesus – Amen.

HOW DO I CONNECT WITH MY SHEPHERD TO GET THE BLESSINGS HE GIVE?

1. Have a Dream and a Vision to follow the Shepherd and enjoy the benefits.

… Have a Dream that you are going to follow Him.

I like Joshua, in Joshua 24:15, he said: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

So, you need to dream to have connection with the Shepherd we are discussing today.

2. You need to TEAM UP.

You need to be United with the Shepherd.

Do not allow the enemy to separate you. You need to TEAM UP WITH HIM.

Because you and your SHEPHERD, you are better off!

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, the Bible says: “Two are better than one.”

You and JESUS are better!

In Matthew 12:25 says: You cannot work against Jesus and expect to enjoy His Blessings. You need to TEAM UP with Him.

3. You need to BEAM HIS LIGHT.

For those of you who are Born Again; BEAM HIS LIGHT – Shine BRIGHTER.

We are living in the Era (today) where People no longer Witness Christ.

See what Jesus (The Master Himself) said in Matthew 5:14-16:

“Ye are the light of the world. A City that is set on an Hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your Good works, and Glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”

In the same way Brothers and Sisters; let your Light shine before men, that they may see your Good deeds and Praise your Father that is in Heaven.

4. You need to STEAM.

What do I mean by STEAM?

You need to daily RELEASE those bottled up issues.

In 1 Peter 5:7; the Bible says: “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

If People have offended you, release them! – Ephesian 4:26; Ephesian 4:31-32.

5. You need to ESTEEM the Shepherd.

Esteem the Shepherd so that you can enjoy the BENEFITS.

And that’s you where we started from!

But you need to CONNECT WITH HIM.

He says: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11: 28-30.

ALTAR CALL

You need to come to Him!

Why would you want to carry your burden when there is a Burden Bearer?

Why do you want to lead yourself into a pit when there is a Shepherd?

Why do you want to go astray when someone is there you can focus on?

I beg of you, today is not a day to joke with:

I. So that that you can have Rest, Peace, Restoration, Eternal Love.

II. So that all the burdens in your heart could be taken care of. He is the One Who carries the burden.

And as a Believer, why don’t you carry your family issue and give them to Him?

Why not carry your work issues to Him today?

Hand them over to Him today – He is the Shepherd of your life.

With Him, you enjoy Peace, Rest, Restoration; with Him, you Experience massive Wonders. But you must CONNECT!

… Let’s bow our head as we Pray!

If you are watching out there or reading on the Label of DMC; brother, sister, father, mother, uncle, aunt and you are yet to get Born Again – Please, make today your acceptable day of Salvation.

And I’m going to Pray with you now; and if you are already Born Again, claim it as well.

Say with me: Jesus, come and be my Shepherd. I surrender all. Just be my Shepherd and I will follow You.

A Song Writer says: “I SURRENDER ALL.”

You need to do that!

… Shall we bow as we Pray?

PRAYER FOR SALVATION AND CLOSING PRAYER.

Eternal King, Thank You for the People who are confessing their sins.

I Pray that the God Who Forgives, the One Who Pardon Iniquities; You will forgive ALL their sins, Pardon ALL their Iniquities.

Let the Blood that cleanses, wash away every impurities; and let all impurities be taken away from their lives.

Let New Life come to them right away and let their names be documented in the Book of Life.

Give Grace to those who are surrendering their lives to follow You.

And for ALL Believers who have been strengthened today; who thought they have been forgotten; who feel the world is unfair to them; I ask, let this Reassurance of the Shepherd:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in Green Pastures: He leadeth me beside the Still Waters. He restoreth my Soul: He leadeth me in the Paths of Righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou Preparest a table before me in the Presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Let this Reassurance put them on the Mountain of Pleasure and Enjoyment today.

Let there be Renewing of Zeal to serve the Lord; let their Light Shine in this dark world.

And let us make it here on Earth and make it to Heaven.

Thank You Eternal Father!

In Jesus’ Mighty Name we Pray – Amen!

God Bless You!

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