FJWL_02:506
         You shepherds must shepherd in the Spirit with great love, for your sheep will not follow you because of your hardness and because of your demanding. They will follow you because of your love and your care for them. So love and care.
         If you care as one cares for his child, you will show love, you will give instruction, you will correct in love, you will help supply their needs, and you will help them to grow in the proper way. You will feed them with the Words of God, you will feed them with the Words of David, and you will uphold these Words in your own life as an ensample to them. For the good shepherd goes before his sheep. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The good shepherd loves his sheep.
         Be not as an hireling, one who cares not for the sheep but cares only for himself, only for his own power, only for his own control. That is not shepherding, that is fleecing--fleecing in the flesh, fleecing in the spirit!
         Love your sheep. Love those that I have put in your care. Care for them and love them. Listen to them. Live with them. Be one with them. Have compassion upon them and care for them, as I care for you. For that is true shepherding, that is shepherding in the Spirit.
         Are you a true shepherd? Then love My sheep. Are you a true sheep? Then love your shepherds. Lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep. Lovest thou Me? Follow your shepherds. Lovest thou Me? Together follow Me, your Chief Shepherd, and I will lead you to green pastures, to pure, still waters, that you may benefit, that you may grow, and that you may be strengthened. (ML #3067)



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family