November 4, 2022

Dear Church Family,

God calls leaders to shepherd. They’re not really dealing with real sheep, but they’re called to care for His people like a shepherd cares for his sheep. This picture is used both in the New Testament for Elders and in the Old Testament, for the spiritual leaders of Israel and Judah. More often than not, they were very poor shepherds. In Ezekiel 34, God has strong words against them.

Ezekiel 34:2-4 (ESV)
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.

Instead of caring for the people, they only cared for themselves and completely neglected their calling. This passage is so disheartening for me, as I think of those hurt so much by bad leadership. It is an incredibly discouraging chapter, but it ends with words of hope. God Himself promises to be the Good Shepherd that these people needed.

Ezekiel 34:11-16 (ESV)
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

People will fail us, even those called to care for us. No matter what, though, we have a Good Shepherd Who will never fail us.

What’s Happening at Gospel Life:

Daylight Saving Ends: Remember to set your clocks back before bed this evening.New Location: We’ll begin meeting at Columbia High School starting this Sunday. Coffee and Connections will be at 9:30 am and the morning worship service will be at 10 am. The address of the school is: 301 S Happy Valley Rd, Nampa, ID 83687. Look for signs leading into the cafeteria entrance.

Pray for the CWI Outreach: Continue to pray for God to use the outreach on Mondays from 11:30-12:30 pm. Kevin and Alice Edgerton are leading a study on Credible Forensics. Please pray that God brings more students to the class and that He uses it to point them to their Creator.

Rake Up Nampa: We’re putting together a group to help with Rake Up Nampa. This is an event to help the elderly and disabled clean up their yards and will be next Saturday, November 12th from 8 am – 12 pm. Please let Pastor Dave know if you plan on helping. 

Life Groups: Life Groups are an important way to connect and grow at Gospel Life. If you’re looking for a group to join, we have several different options to choose from, with more coming soon. You can sign up below or stop by the Welcome Table on Sunday.
https://gospellifebiblechurch.churchcenter.com/groups/small-groups 

This Coming Sunday:
Calming the Storm – Join us as we study Mark 4:35-41 and see what the disciples learn about Jesus through a fierce storm.

Watch Previous Worship Services
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW5IMNeRoI99I-QNoGMnuWDy6Y5svTt_c