The Rock Weekly – September 3, 2025

Go to www.therock.org/events for more info

 

Who Is Your Shepherd?

 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Everyone of us is being led by someone or something each day.  The question is who is leading you each day? …Who is your shepherd?  In Matthew 9:36, Jesus looks at a crowd of people and immediately has compassion on them, “because they were harassed and helpless people, like sheep without a shepherd.”  

I see many people who attend church, read their Bible, and even pray to Jesus, but He is not necessarily their shepherd…the one who is leading their lives each day. To give a little context, we need to see ourselves as sheep.  That’s what Jesus calls us. 😊  Unfortunately, sheep are known to lack intelligence.  They also have no sense of direction and they are almost entirely defenseless when it comes to predators. They also require food and water every single day, yet won’t likely find it on their own.  This is why they need a shepherd.  A good shepherd is one who will guide his sheep to grazing land, find water for them, protect them from enemy prey, keep them from wandering away, and live/dwell among them. 

In John 10:14 & 27, Jesus tells us, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish…”

So back to the question, “Who is your shepherd?”  If Jesus is truly leading you, then the following statement should be true… “I shall not (be in) want.”  This is a good litmus test as to whether “the Lord is your shepherd”.  I know in my own life there are times I am not being led by Jesus. These are times I start to take my eyes (my mind/heart) off of Him and off of the kingdom…the ‘things above’ (Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2) and place them on the things of this world.  When this happens, I almost immediately go into a mindset of “wanting” or another word for this is anxiousness…which is a realization of deficiency or a lack of something, and this produces a leading by fear instead of faith.  When this happens, my hope is that I can quickly become aware of my misstep, run back to the Good Shepherd, get my eyes back on Him, and follow His lead again!  One of the best ways to do this is through prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord! It is the peace of Jesus which is then able to guard my heart and mind…getting me back to a kingdom mindset (the age to come, the mind of the Spirit).

“Do not be anxious (in want) about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (…no longer in want!).”  Philippians 4:6-7

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 6:25-34), Jesus teaches us to “not be anxious about our life” or “what we will eat…drink…or wear”, but to “seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness” (the age to come) and that He will take care of what is needed in this age. May this be so as we follow the Shepherd!

Lord Jesus, great Shepherd of the sheep,  Teach us your ways, that we may walk by faith and be led by You as our Shepherd. May we never be in want, anxious, double-minded, trying to serve both God (the age to come) and money (this age), being blown and tossed by the wind and unstable in all we do (James 1:6-8). May Your leading keep us in the mindset of the hope of the age to come as a sure and steadfast anchor of our soul! (Heb 6:19) Amen!

May the Lord be your Shepherd every day!  I love you and am praying for you.
Pastor Mike and your Rock staff

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE  7:00pm * In-Person & On-Line *
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

FOUNDATIONS CLASS – 6:00pm Wednesdays
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99757846764?pwd=Tm8zQ0JQWk1xeHFBcEU5anNFN1l4dz09

 

YOUTH ~ ABIDE YOUTH (6th – 12th Grade) – WEDNESDAY NIGHT – 7:00pm
Invite a friend and come have a great time. If you have any questions, email jaden@therock.org

 

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of each Month
https://www.therock.org/foodbank/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

 

SUNDAY MORNING PRE-SERVICE PRAYER  8:15-9:15am – *In-Person & On-line*
ZOOM Direct Video Link:
           https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85340164797?pwd=V0lmWFRRL0R6Tm56QTdRUHNoMWI3QT09
ZOOM Meeting ID: 853 4016 4797
          ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#

 

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*
           Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE  Here are some ways you can partner with The Rock as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, compassion help, missions, and our food bank.  Click on the following link or graphic.  www.therock.org/give

 

Have a Question, Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?

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