To my wonder brothers and sisters of the Rickman Church, what a joy it is for me to know you and be able to minister to you from afar, I wish I were not 80 years old and unable to get around much anymore. I would love to be there in person and encourage and pray with you. In my intense times of prayer over the past few days this is what the Lord inspired me with. I love you and encourage you to “hang in there”
-Bill Stockham
“The LORD is my shepherd (ra’ah: too look after one another), I shall not want.” (Psalms 23:1) “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE.” (Psalms 100:1-3) Jesus says, “The thief (devil) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE, and that they may have it more abundantly. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD (poimēn: one who tends flocks, a pastor). The good shepherd (pastor) GIVES HIS LIFE for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)
“Even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:3-4) The valley of the shadow of death is a reference to how we consider the dark times in our lives. Financial, medical, relational or emotional…whatever is causing us to feel as if we’re walking in uncertainty or confusion, these are the dark times. These are the dark valleys. That doesn’t mean we ignore how it relates to us spiritually. Walking in spiritual darkness can cause us to feel SEPARATED FROM OUR SHEPHERD and that only makes things worse. Thankfully, we can trust that Jesus is ALWAYS WITH US and He is our GOOD SHEPHERD, which we read in the next verse “for YOU ARE WITH ME”.
Notice above it says “they may have LIFE, (zōē: the absolute fulness of our spiritual life) and that they may have it more ABUNDANTLY (perissos: far beyond what is expected, imagined, or hoped for.)” So, get together and pray for the Lord to send you a “good shepherd” trusting that He HEARS YOU always.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham