This is a word I felt God speak to me a while back concerning the role of a pastor. At first I wondered if He was calling me to such a role. But after much prayer and research, I do not believe He is calling me to that job. However, I believe this word is something that pastors need to hear, especially in this day and age with so many different doctrines and ideas out there as to what a church should be. And what a pastor's role should be. Therefore I present it as clearly and as succinctly as I discern the Lord gave it to me. Here it is.
Take care to know the condition of your flocks and herds and what they have been conditioned to believe.
Those that are stuck in the valley may need healing before they can make it to higher ground. They may be stuck in a slough, sinking in mire, unable to see over the tall grasses that surround them.
Know my shepherd's heart for them. Take time to care. Take time to listen. Take time away from the crowd. Take time to know their condition and what it is that prevents them from reaching out to me.
Do your sheep have lesions?
Bleeding ulcers?
Ticks? Bites?
An inability to chew the meat of the Word?
Address them at their point of need. Take time to apply heat or cold, depending on the nature of their wounds. Help them climb over the hard, stony places in their lives until they get their feet on solid ground.
They need you to intercede for them.
I have given you power over the enemy. Don't be afraid to trample on snakes, casting out demons by the power of my Word. I want my sheep protected. All authority is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and teach my sheep, feed my sheep, lead my sheep, guide my sheep.
As my Father has sent me, so I have sent you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Wolves are in it for what they can get. Their wounds go deep; they say and do things that hurt the sheep because they don't care for the sheep. A shepherd protects the sheep from the wolves, and for those that have been bitten applies gentle pressure on cuts and bites to stop the bleeding and aid the healing process.
Wounds need careful examination, and this is not fun.
But though the sheep resist, you must persist. You must carefully examine the cause of the problem though it is not fun, and then apply pressure at the proper point (not needling them as with acupuncture, but with love and care). You must press through with gentle persistence to know their condition.
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