Bitterness

Nothing positive comes from bitterness for a start.
Bitterness is a poison that can bury into the heart.
It can pattern jealousy or it may even imitate anger.
But, bitterness is more severe, more like a mugger.
That sneaks up slowly into your life, and takes over.
Taking over very facet of your life until you discover 

Bitterness has become part of you, deep in your heart.
It speaks, slips out of your lips not wanting to depart.
It is of Satan you know, just part of his best“big ploy”.
His plan is just like a missile to aim, seek, and destroy.

Soon others will begin to notice that you are bitter too.
Facial expressions begin to change, in fact all you do.
They take on the demeanor of a discontentment in life.
To others it often seems like you always cause strife.
It is one of those roots that is growing deep within.
It is fine to place the blame on Satan, but it is our sin.
A new start has to begin with confession and change.
And only Christ can give you the power to re-arrange 

We are told not to miss the grace of God, and to be 

Watching no bitter root grows defiling many you see.

THOT: “What goes down the well comes up in the bucket.”

• Bitterness destroys relationships that can destroy us all.
• Bitter root always grows bitter fruit.
• Bitterness not only destroys the vessel on which it is poured, it destroys the vessel in which it is stored.

• Hebrews 12:15 ~ See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 
• Ephesians 4:31 ~ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 
• Romans 3:14 ~ Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 
• Psalm 5:9 ~ Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave, with their tongue they speak deceit. 
• Proverbs 14:10 ~ Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
• Proverbs 17:25 ~ A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.

Shepherds Urgently Needed

Lead like a Shepherd, it is always about the sheep.
It is a calling, not a career, your job is to keep 

The sheep safe; you need to be ever watchful 

They can easily lose their way; they are willful.
You must seek lost sheep, pursue and steer them.
They can scatter which often causes mayhem.

Be willing to be misunderstood to do any good.
They are fearful, and many times misunderstood.
Be willing to seek lost sheep, patiently steer them.
They can be stubborn so do not always condemn.
They are fearful so watch for wolves that attack.
You have to be willing to seek, bring them back.

Round your sheep up safe into a penned keep 

Before you stop for a rest, or even fall asleep.
Sheep get diseases, you are responsible to heal.
There are sheep “rustlers” who will often steal.
And brand them with their mark, so take care 

To brand your own sheep, and always be aware.

The pay on this earth is not monetary, but brings joy.
Your reward is heaven, you are under God’s employ.
Christ talked about His sheep to teach us every day 

That we need to be shepherds to show others the way.
You have to look for the sheep where they all are 

For they are followers and are afraid to travel far.

• 1 Peter 5:2 ~ Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers ... not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.
• Acts 20:28 & 29 ~ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I know that after I leave wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
• Matthew 1:36 & 37 ~ When He saw the crowds He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples,‘The harvest is plentiful but he workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into His harvest field.
• John 10:10 ~ I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens up the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.