READ: John 10:1-18
…Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
1 Peter 5:2
A shepherd is privileged to help the sheep overcome their enemies: (Psalm 23:5). A shepherd has the privilege of warding off the enemies of the sheep. Life is full of enemies. Everyone on this earth lives under a constant threat of enemies. Sometimes an enemy is far away but what he says, thinks or does affects you in your house. A shepherd has the privilege of stabilizing, encouraging and helping the sheep overcome their enemies.
Enemies are full of jealousy and hatred. Enemies wish they could destroy you. Enemies wish they could consume you. Oh, how your enemies wish to hear some bad news about you!
Through your privileged shepherding work, the sheep will overcome evil spirits, overcome evil men, overcome strange women and overcome satan himself. It is a privilege to fight the enemies of God’s people.
A shepherd is privileged to anoint the sheep. “…Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). A shepherd is privileged to anoint the sheep. In the Middle East, shepherds rub their sheep with ointment to ward off the flies and insects. Rub your sheep with ointment, anoint them with oil! It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that any Christian can become whom he is supposed to be. A shepherd is privileged to help people to receive the Holy Spirit through the power of God.
Reinhard Bonnke said the Lord told him to have Fire Conferences so that all the new converts at his crusades would receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. This effort to let the new converts receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues is the shepherd anointing the sheep with oil. What a privilege to ensure that your sheep receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.