Announcements....

Hello All,

I have an announcement to make...

Zeph Daniel interviewed Ronnie McMullen on podcast a few days ago..great interview..my Internet actually let me listen to it with only a few glitches...

The interview can be heard at Zeph's site .
http://zephreport.podomatic.com/

Zeph also has a lot of other interesting things to listen to so please go check it out.
Also I will be doing an interview with Zeph this week and will let you know when it is posted.

Remember Ronnie's sites.
http://thepropheticwatch.com
http://ufoencounterslive.com

Zeph and Ronnie are two of my favorite brothers and I feel very blessed to do interviews with them.

Now a couple more entries from Gentle Shepherd....

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2

THE SPIRIT SHALL REST ON HIM

We have been talking about Jesus as the Branch. How many branches do we see about us? They sway in the wind as each season challenges the source of their strength and life. The tree, or the vine, must have a strong root system in order to maintain the very existence of the branches, but the branch must have the sustaining power to abide and maintain its connection to the source of life.
Jesus came out of the stem of Jesse. He came forth out of the root ordained and maintained by heaven. He would grow into the Branch that would be used by the Father. But, first He had to be identified and empowered in His humanity.
John the Baptist explained how he was to recognize the Messiah:
“…I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:32 -34).
The identification for the Promised One was the Holy Spirit descending on the Anointed One at His water baptism. The prophet Isaiah confirms this. He said of the Messiah that the Spirit of the LORD would rest on Him. With the abiding presence of the Spirit on the man Jesus, He was confirmed as the Messiah. He would walk in wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and in the fear of the LORD. He is our example. We need to walk in the abiding presence, power and riches of the Spirit.
As we grow in the knowledge of our Lord, we will understand what it means to be a branch. All life, power, wisdom, and purpose come from above. This is why our faith must reach upward and not inward and outward. Such a reach will allow us to consider the divine purpose and working of God that needs to take place in our lives. After all, it was true for Jesus in His humanity; therefore, it is true for us.

Prayer: Lord, we are so limited by our human focus, but we do have priceless examples that reveal Your perfect ways to us. Amen.

Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-6

A RIGHTEOUS BRANCH

Jesus is the Branch and from Him will come the life that will produce a gigantic tree. This tree will be a resting place, providing shade, and where fruit and strength reside. We know that this tree represents the kingdom of God .
In Zechariah we learned that Jesus came as a servant. In other words, He came in a position of servitude in order to come into submission to the plan and will of the Father. As a servant, He served as an example to us as to the type of attitude we must have, as well as the type of life we must learn how to live.
Jeremiah presents Jesus as a branch in another light. As already mentioned, Jesus is the Branch in which the life of God budded forth. This life represented His kingdom. Since the kingdom of God was going to be brought forth within the lives of men, there had to be a king to oversee it. We know God promised this king to King David. He stated He would establish the throne of David forever, as well as put a king upon the throne who would rule forever. This promise was in regard to the eternal kingdom being set up, as well as the future reign of the Messiah.
Jesus would clearly be king. He would not only be King of the Jews, but He would come back after His ascension as the King of kings, ready to be established on the throne of David forever.
This is also our glorious promise. The fact that Jesus is coming back is our blessed hope, but the other promise points to His righteousness being established from His throne throughout the earth. There will be justice, as well as prosperity, salvation, and safety.
The prophet Jeremiah summarizes that this branch will be called “The LORD our Righteousness.” As a branch in the kingdom of God , we must exhibit right standing with God and others. We must be honorable and just in all of our practices.

Prayer: Lord, our hope is in You, not in this present world. The world’s solutions are temporary, but You offer what is eternal. Amen.

©2008 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
www.gentleshepherd.com
Questions or comments welcome. Email: ministry@gentleshepherd.com