The Shepherd's Ministries

The Shepherd's Ministries Pastor David Ossenfort leads The Shepherd’s Ministries.

09/02/2026

LAURIE FERRIS
6:12 AM (3 hours ago)
to me

Being ready

Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit." Luke 12:35

Jesus had been speaking about seeking the Kingdom. He told the crowd, do not worry about what you wear or eat. Rather be concerned about the things that matter to God.

Be dressed in readiness......this weekend all over the world believers will dress for church services. They will be concerned with their appearance. But how many will be mindful of the time we live in? How many will spend time in prayer before service for the souls of the lost? How many will be worshiping the Lord in music and also in their actions towards those in their households—before they even leave for church?

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world”, if we walk in His Light we will not stumble in darkness. Scripture also says, His Word is a lamp unto our feet. How does one dress in readiness? By first coming to Christ in humbleness, asking forgiveness for sins. Once a person realizes his/her sin and need for the Savior, confessing such, he/she is clothed in righteousness. All the character of Christ is draped over them as a cloak—they walk wearing a robe of righteousness. The Light of Christ guides them as they walk this journey. His word (Jesus is the Word) is a lamp lighting the way as they walk.

Keep your lamps lit......this morning as you get ready, be mindful of the Holy Spirit. Seek His presence and power for your life. The oil of your lamp is the oil of the Spirit. Without this oil of the Spirit, your lamps will become dim. If your lamp becomes dim, your vision isn't clear and your way will be difficult.

Be ready, we never know what this very day may bring.

09/01/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:40 AM (8 hours ago)
to me

Level Ground
"Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8
The Psalmist (David) is in another battle. He is on the run from enemies. The ground around him seems un-level. What does he cry out? "Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning." What a wonderful promise we all have in God's word that His loving kindness and mercies are in fact new every morning. And because His loving kindness and mercy is sure and fair, we can trust Him to direct our steps no matter what the circumstances are today.
Some of us are pleading for direction. "Lord, teach me how to walk this season, (this situation I find myself in) out. Now more than ever I need Your wisdom to guide my steps. You alone formed me in my mother's womb, You alone know all my inner workings. You know my thoughts before I even think them. You know my heart and all the ponderings I hold even more than I know myself. Therefore, I will lift up my soul to You this day"
Sometimes this road we travel is full of tears. We step and feel as though we are on shaky ground. We gasp for fear that we are making wrong decisions. Take courage, the Psalmist goes on to say," For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me to level ground."
Lord, help us today to hold on to the hem of Your garment as the woman with the issue of blood did. Help us to hold on until the shaking ground becomes level ground. You are faithful. Thank You, Jesus.

08/31/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:51 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

Anyone believing there is no God is in a quandary. For as they witness parents laying down their lives for their children, couples vowing to stay together unto death, adults children caring for their elderly parents, cherishing their last moments, soldiers dying that others have freedom, nurses going way beyond the call of duty to hold the hand of the hurting and countless ministers all over the globe sacrificing comfort so that others find the God of hope....they have to wonder....what motivates such behavior in mankind?
Love . It’s Source is God. Without God there would be no desire, no motivation, no pulling in the direction of sacrifice for the sake of others.
All our existence, all which makes us human, comes from Love Himself. God is Love. God is real. There really is no other explanation.
Stay close to God and love.

08/30/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:55 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

Pray First:
When we begin our day in prayer and His Word, we see Jesus as He is presented in the scriptures. If we go into the world first, without time in His word and presence, we see Jesus in light of what the world says.
Also, if we begin our day, praying and seeking Him to show us our own hearts, we see ourselves through His eyes. We see ourselves through His loving purposes for us and our day. However, if we rush out, without being mindful of Him or our own hearts, we take on the perception of the people around us. We see ourselves through jaded vision.
We will never see Him for who He really is, unless we make it a priority to spend time with Him first. We will never see ourselves for who we really are or for who He desires us to be unless we are seeking Him in all things.
Lord, show us more of Yourself. And show us how you see us. What others see and desire for us.....will never get us to purposes you have ordained.

08/29/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:01 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

Here Comes the Bride!
Been considering creation and how the Lord God created a Bride for Adam out of Adam’s own side. Adam had all He needed except that he longed for a relational being like himself. Eve was not exactly like Adam of course, but she was the female image or reflection of all that he was made up of. He (Adam) was in God’s image; therefore, he was able to reason, will, create and have meaningful relationships. Adam in a very real way, as a representation of all mankind was created to reflect God. As image bearer Adam had God’s characteristics, yet, He wasn’t infinite in them.
This came to me this morning in a deeper sense. God in creating Eve for Adam was manifesting His own desire for a Bride. For the creation of mankind which Adam and Eve were the beginning of, was the beginning of the Bride of Christ.
Adam, a reflection of God, takes his Bride. Just as Christ will soon take His Bride (The Church) which is all who love Him, are faithful to Him, and forsake all others.
Be blessed, believers, just as God created Eve for Adam, we were all created for God. He desires an intimate relationship with us. We came from God’s creative, loving essence and are wired to seek Him for love and to love. For this reason, we leave the things of the world and cling to His side. Because we will never be completely whole until we do. We were made for Him and from Him. Our hearts need search no further. Our longing will be satisfied in Him.
I’m at a loss to fully express the realization of the depth of love Christ has for us all. Silence yourself today and hear the Groom calling.

08/28/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:29 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

"For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
What a wonderful promise from the Lord. This has been given to me more than once and I have read it many times.
When I was a new believer, I had fallen back in sin. I remember being so fearful that I was separated from the Lord. I went to my knees and cried (literally) sobbing and asking forgiveness. I exhausted myself and laid on my bed and fell to sleep. I had this amazing dream. I was in a very brilliantly colored pasture. The trees were magnificent , so big, strong and green like I had never experienced. And the trees were actually dancing, branches were waving, and clapping their hands. The music was so wonderful! The sun was shining brighter than I could begin to describe.
When I woke up, the song on the radio was this very verse to music. I got up and looked out my window and it was so sunny outside, just like my dream.
I share this to encourage someone today who feels they are separated from the Lord. When I had this dream, I was new to the faith. I had never read this scripture before. I was so in love with Jesus, that the littlest thing I did wrong cut me to the heart. And although I knew at some level I was forgiven through His finished work on the cross, I still "felt" like I could be taken from Him. It was shear agony in those moments of fear and doubt. But I have learned of His great grace and mercy since and also that if you are actually grieving over sin and desire His closeness, you in fact are His and He will draw you back to where you belong.
There have been other times this verse has been given to me. Each time was a defining moment in my life. Once was when I was returning home from my first trip to Africa. It was His assurance that bigger things were coming and not to loose hope in His promises. Shortly after this, I ended up in the foreign mission field for six years, four of which were in my beloved South Africa.
So, this morning it was given once more, while I seeking His guidance and beyond myself. The greatest confirmation for me is to hear His promise to be led forth with peace! For someone who struggles so much daily to have peace this is so powerful!
My friends, take God at His word this morning. When all around is unrest, He gives His children peace and rest in Him. I actually sang these scriptures over myself this morning as a statement of faith. He keeps His promises.
The world is in such chaos, yet this verse promises a day when all of nature will be fertile and shout for joy! There will be life in abundance soon like you and I have never seen or imagined! The King is returning for His Bride and all the earth travails in its longing for His return. Be encouraged...eyes has not seen nor ear has heard what is about to come to fruition ....we are blessed who fear and honor His Name!!!

08/27/2026

Laurie Ferris
6:02 AM (3 hours ago)
to me

Then I looked, and I heard the sound of a vast number of angels——thousands and thousands, millions and millions! They were all around the throne, the living beings and the elders; and they shouted, “Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise!” Rev. 5:11
In this world where we exalt people, giving them way too much glory, Lord, help us to be ever mindful of Who we are made to worship. You are the Lamb of God, slaughtered for us all. You alone are worthy of honor, glory, adoration and praise. All others are mere humans, with flaws such as is common to all mankind. Oh Lord help us to realize as we go on our way, often giving no mind at all to your presence ——— millions upon millions of angels are bowing before you giving you praise. Let us gain sight as to Who you really are....bring us to a place of awe.
Lord when I truly consider you I am totally undone. My greatest desire is to know you more. Bring me to that place of knowing.

08/26/2026

Laurie Ferris
5:19 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

" 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." Psalm 23:4
"Your rod and Your staff they comfort me." We have all seen pictures of Jesus as the loving Shepherd with a Shepherd's Cane or Staff. He is usually holding a sweet little sheep or lamb in His arms, close to His bosom...as though comforting it. This picture is warm and gives us all a tender, loving awareness of the Good Shepherd.
Yet, there is often more to the picture than what seems obvious. Did you ever consider that there is a reason the Shepherd is holding that lamb so closely and comforting it?
As I was praying this morning, this Psalm came to me. I saw in my mind's eye a sheep pen. The Shepherd is there watching over the sheep and providing all good things....He has set a table before His sheep. A tableland is set actually, meaning: He makes sure the area the sheep grazes in is safe and fertile.
All should be going well, but then the sheep sees the littlest danger and it begins to run. I see this cute little lamb running all over the sheep pen aimlessly in such confusion. The Shepherd draws it back with His cane. He does this over and over. However, the sheep is stubborn at times, and he actually attempts to leave the fold and the Shepherd.
This is where the "rod and staff" come in. This speaks of discipline. I know all you animal lovers will not like this.....but sometimes a good shepherd has to break the legs of the sheep for its own good. Better an injury which will eventually heal than loose the sheep altogether.
After the leg has been broken, the shepherd picks that sheep up and holds it close and comforts it. What he has broken, will begin to heal.
This sounds sad but this is reality for us believers. Our Good Shepherd has many 'Runners" who like to go their own way and then graze aimlessly, if they are not careful, they begin to graze in other fields where the shepherd isn't caring, there is no safety provided....the "table" or tableland is not set for them. And though the Good Shepherd keeps calling them back.....they no longer heed His voice. They turn a deaf ear, and they get torn apart!
Believer, be aware if you have a tendency to run and seek your own path. The Good Shepherd will have to "Break" you. It is painful; however, He who tears can also mend. He desires to keep you in His fold and keep you healthy and restored.
I used to work in the school system, and we had children who were called "Runners". We all knew that meant they were high risk kids who have a tendency to run whenever they felt threatened or thought a "crisis" was close. These were kids with major trust issues due to much abuse.
Many of the Lord's "kids" are the same. Because of major trust issues, they have a tendency to run. The Lord is calling you to come close to Him. And allow Him to mend those broken places in your heart.
Father, thank you for sending us the Good Shepherd. Help us who may be in a season of discipline to see its for our good. Help us to heed the Shepherd's voice and allow Him to hold us to His bosom.

08/25/2026

LAURIE FERRIS
5:00 AM (3 hours ago)
to me

"The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7

The Lord is only good, therefore there is no impure thing in Him. He cannot be tempted by evil nor will He ever tempt us with evil.

A stronghold in time of trouble. He's unmovable, unshakable and He alone can steady you in each and every storm.

And He knows those who take refuge in him. I absolutely love this and am convinced of it. He knows means He is intimate with those who take refuge in him. No prayer you pray in silence. No tear you cry in the dark. Not a single move toward the Lord goes unnoticed. He sees each one who is calling and waiting on Him. Unlike the old Bette Midler song, " From A Distance" God does not watch us from a distance. He is intimate with all our ways, love does not stand at a distance, it draws close. He is perfect love, watching you, hearing you and moving on your behalf. Be encouraged believers.

08/22/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:13 AM (6 hours ago)
to me

"Then he began to curse and swear," I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. Matt. 26:74
Perhaps the deepest heartache for a Minister or family member is to see someone you have prayed for, deny the Lord. It isn't always as obvious as Peter's denial here. He spoke it out-loud. Some will deny Him whether by their speech, or by going their own way. And they have those who love them trying to show them the way back out of the pit. But they chose for a season to stay in that miry clay.
Peter came back to Jesus after bitterness and weeping. Perhaps you realize the Lord Jesus told him he would. Jesus knowing all things, knew in time Peter would come back. He'd be stronger, bolder and on fire. But there had to be some pain first in his journey.

Be encouraged. As you pray for those who used to fellowship with you, praising the precious name of Jesus. Keep praying and loving them. Pray that even if they must endure much pain in their journey back to the cross, the good Lord will continue to remind them of His love and faithfulness. Pray that precious seed of the Word you gave them will rise up and speak to their hearts. Never give up believing for your loved ones to come back and have a Peter experience. Remember, Peter, the one who turned his back and denied the Lord, ended up strengthening the brethren just as Jesus said.

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P. O. Box 430
New Hartford, NY
13413

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+13157242434

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