Scriptures: John 10:11-18, 27-30, Matthew 9:36, Psalm 23:1-2, 80:1, 95:7, 1 Peter 2:25, 5:7

When Jesus looked at people, He didn't see nameless faces, bland personalities, a bunch of hang ups or hiccups. He saw people as sheep. Most of us in this culture really can't appreciate what that means, because we don't live in an agricultural culture where shepherd and sheep are abundant. In that day and age, shepherding was a very intimate occupation. The shepherd knew each one of his sheep by name and he had one job--to provide for the sheep and to protect the sheep. In this message, Dr. Merritt helps us understand that God cares for us just as a shepherd cares for his sheep.

"When you allow the Lord to become your Shepherd, you can read His word for guidance, you can actually talk to Him and ask Him for direction. He promises that He will lead you where He wants you to go and where you need to go." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: Jesus, shepherd, care, concern, help, sheep, guidance, direction, good, Israel, Joseph, flock, leadership