The Shepherd's Ministries

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

06/08/2026

Laurie Ferris
5:27 AM (2 hours ago)
to me

Faith alone can be dangerous. Adam and Eve had strong faith when they bit that fruit. They believed all the Serpent told them would happen to be true. We often have much faith in things and people and even ourselves, as today's preachers even at times speak more of having faith rather than WHO to have faith in.
Had Adam and Eve believed God and placed their faith in Him fully, they would never had bitten that fruit. Be mindful therefore, you also can fall into this very temptation. Be sure your faith is in God and His Word. The Serpent today comes in the way of lying humanity. That same spirit is seeking who to fool and confuse. That spirit desires us all to doubt God's word and the only one who can save our souls.
Believe, have faith IN the LORD JESUS CHRIST.....And you are saved.

06/08/2026

Laurie Ferris
5:24 AM (2 hours ago)
to me

People Matter: As you come in contact with various people, they all matter to God. All were thought of as His tired, weary feet stumbled under the heavy burden of carrying His cross. God's precious Son, Yeshua/Jesus gave His all for all.
We are His hands and feet. I'd challenge us all to stop, sit and be quiet. Listen to Jesus. Ask Him to empty us of ourselves today, so He can move in and through us.
Handle others with care, they are precious to Him. If we go about our day, rushing here and there, not giving the Lord time to speak, and work in us. All our dealings with others will be in the flesh. The flesh can get irritated. It can be hurried. It can be distracted. It speaks too quick, and rarely listens. Worse yet, flesh only gives birth to flesh. Meaning, all our works will not meet the real need at hand. Because only the Lord knows the heart of others. He knows their cries. We pale significantly in our counsel. That is why I challenge us to stop, be quiet and listen. The heart beat of Christ, often leads us to the heart of others.
"Lord, help us begin by listening to Your heart."

06/08/2026

Laurie Ferris
5:31 AM (14 hours ago)
to me, Brenda

When I was about 13 my teacher asked this question, "Laurie, do you think people are basically good?” Back then I said,” yah, I think people mean to be good.” Or close to that.
One of the hardest truths for us is to realize, apart from Jesus Christ mankind is not really good at all. We may have our moments of being kind and generous. We may even love our family and friends deeply.
But.... consider our thoughts when someone rejects, mocks, slights or abuses us. If our hearts aren’t seeking after Jesus, if our thoughts are not renewed in His Word.... we want revenge. Or at least not so nice for that person.
The moment we realize how evil our own heart can be and how very sick our soul is.... that is the very moment God can move. Then we reach out to Him in our depravity, knowing without Him we can do nothing pure and good.
If you aren’t convinced, we need Jesus from day one, watch toddlers for a while as they push each other over toys or bite each other. Watch the news.... see a bunch of overgrown toddlers screaming and yelling for their rights, wearing vile symbols on the shirts and heads, threatening the very lives of those who oppose them.
The most freeing moment in our lives is when we realize the condition of our own hearts and cry out to Jesus Christ to change us.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, For the cross. The very place you took all my vile, disgusting thoughts and actions upon yourself and died. I love you for this. Let me never forget who I would be apart from you.

06/06/2026

JESUS STOOD STILL
"And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying unto him, be of good comfort, rise; he calls thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus." Mark 10 49-50
There is so much going on here....makes me say "Wow!" Here is Jesus and He was ministering to a great many people. As he is amongst the people he hears a man crying out....and then the scripture says "And Jesus stood still" In my thoughts I am putting all caps here JESUS STOOD STILL. Imagine you and I are in a huge crowd and people are moaning in pain and shouting all kinds of things and suddenly you from the depths of your heart cry out to God. And Jesus, even though He is in this big crowd suddenly stops everything and stands still on your behalf....WOW! Then he has people come to get you. Jesus is calling you.....they say....be of good comfort, rise; ....Hopefully your response is to be like this blind man...he cast away his garment and he rose and went straight to Jesus.
He cast away his garment: I remember years ago upon my first visit to Africa. We were on an evangelism team. There was an elderly lady and she was wearing a garment. People went to minister to her and shared the gospel with her. She said the "Sinners Prayer" But then someone grabbed for her garment and tried to pry it off the lady (they meant well, explaining she no longer needed what it stood for). She pulled back and began to cry. She wasn't giving it up or "Casting" it aside.
You see, her garment was worn to show her affiliation to a certain cult. It also meant she was involved in witchcraft. Although she liked what the people were sharing about the love of Jesus she wasn't ready to give up her former life....not just yet.....it held a sense of security for her.
I pray we today are like the man in the scriptures who cried out to the Lord and cast off his garment and went straight to Jesus. Please present yourself to the Lord this morning. Ask: "Lord am I holding anything in my hands that you desire for me to "cast" off. Is there a person I hold on to too tightly? A way of thinking which is holding me back from running to you? A certain ministry that I can't let go in order to go the next step with you? A wrong relationship? Sinful behaviors...lying, cheating, cursing, adultery, fornication, idolatry, gossip, deception, pride, un-forgiveness, bitterness, gluttony, etc." (I've missed some I am sure)
The man in scripture received all he needed from the Lord.......he was no longer blind! However, my heart will never forget the look and cries of that elderly lady walking away angry, because she was asked to give something up for the Lord. It was for her benefit to do so....but she couldn't receive it and therefore couldn't receive the Lord's best for her. She walked away remaining in bo***ge. As we say in S. Africa...SHAME! Heartbreaking.
+++ I have been in ceremonies in Africa when others in bo***ge have "cast" aside their garments...robes and ropes, etc. They burned them up in fires as a testimony that they were now free to walk with Christ. These people's lives were totally transformed for doing so!!!!! To God be the glory!!!!!

06/05/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:07 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

“The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous.” Psalm 146:8
Lord, this is my prayer for our nation and all it’s people today. Open eyes of those blinded by agendas, lies, false reports, misconceptions, hate and raw emotion. Help us all see the truth through Your eyes. Let us see in the spirit not in the flesh.
Many are bowed down in fear. This spirit of fear that is generated by evil devises has caused lasting damage and pain. Forgive those who have brought unjustified hurt to others. Cause them to bow down in repentance which leads to salvation. Only You are able to bow the hearts of man. Have mercy on us all Lord.
Brings us all Lord to a place of right standing with our hearts aligned to Your purposes and not man’s. You alone know what is best.
Lord Jesus, my heart hurts. It is so heavy that I cannot bear another lie of the enemy directing the actions of the multitudes. I hurt to see all the unnecessary pain and damage. Lord, teach us all Your ways. Teach us all Your grace toward one another. Teach us all to forgive because that is where true healing begins. May I never bow to any ideology, may I only bow my knee to You. For You alone are worthy.

06/04/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:32 AM (7 hours ago)
to me

One of my favorite hymns keeps bubbling out of me this morning, His Eye Is on the Sparrow. This hymn is rich with truth from the word of God. In short it states, not to be discouraged, troubled or lonely....For Jesus is my portion. His eye is on the sparrow and He watches over me.
I don't know fully what this day holds for me, I only know my own plans. And I surely do not know what it holds for you dear believer. But take heart, I do know that if you belong to Jesus, His eye is on you. Nothing which will come to you whether good or bad, escapes Him. He holds your today and all your tomorrows. Most importantly, His great love for you, holds you secure, in the palm of His hands. Not a word spoken against you will cause damage because those fiery darts have no power over His beloved.
You love Jesus, you trust Him, knowing without a doubt He has your best in His plans for you. His plans are always to draw you closer and shower you with His presence so that you can go forward. His peace, mercy and goodness surround you dear one.
Have a Jesus centered day.

06/04/2026

Laurie Ferris
Wed, Jun 3, 4:12 AM (1 day ago)
to me

Friday is National Donut Day here in the States. So, there will be donut deals all over. Not healthy for the body.....however, it can be "spiritually healthy" ----No, I haven't lost my sense. LOL!
During the second world war, the Salvation Army would hand out donuts and hot coffee to soldiers. This is where the celebration (Of Donut Day) originated.
I'm sure our brothers and sisters in the faith shared the Gospel and prayed with soldiers as well.
Let's keep this tradition alive today....and make it healthy for the spirit. Challenge: Keeping with the Christian tradition of the Salvation Army, buy donuts and hot coffee and give it to a vet you know today.....just to bless them. Ask if they have a prayer need. Share the love of Jesus today. See less

06/04/2026

Laurie Ferris
Wed, Jun 3, 4:09 AM (1 day ago)
to me

When is the last time you really stopped and listened to a person's heart? I mean didn't say a word and considered where the other person is coming from and why they needed to share their concern with you?
Scripture tells us that without love, we are like clanging cymbals. Have you heard clanging cymbals? They are out of tune and they grate at our nerves.
Jesus Himself, our Perfect Example of love, (love is shown in our behaviors) stopped, listened, searched people out, asked excellent questions. His only "agenda" was to love people in such a way that they would come to Him and be reconciled to His Father.
We need to ask ourselves, is our greatest desire to heal or prove a point? Jesus, of all people could have named fact after fact. He is all knowing after all. However, HE, stopped and listened to hearts.
I am challenged in this today.

06/04/2026

Laurie Ferris
Tue, Jun 2, 6:02 AM (2 days ago)
to me

His Invitation
But Yeshua (Jesus) said to him, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head." He said to another, "Follow Me." Luke 9:58
What an invitation. Jesus was calling people to follow Him and was very honest, saying in so many words, it will be more comfortable for the birds and foxes, they at least have a place to rest their heads at night.
Thank the Lord for those who are willing to follow Him even though the road gets pretty rough at times. Thank God for those who lay their heads on cold, filthy concrete floors of prisons every night for the sake of following Him. These are the true heroes of the faith today. The ones who will speak His name out of pure love without fear of loss, knowing no matter what, they will have eternal gain.
If Jesus were to come to us today and say, "Look the road will be rough at times. Your own family might turn their backs on you or worse have you killed. You may see those you love persecuted because of my name. You have to leave your comfortable home, where you find a place to lay your head each night. You will have to give up expensive meals and share with the poor instead. Your "platform" will not be a big stage with expensive sound effects, lights and smoke. Instead, your "platform" will be everywhere you walk and to every person you meet. I will send you to the ones who cannot shower. The ones who cannot afford to buy a concert ticket. I will send you to the least of them. And your healing ministry will not be on stage or TV. You will not need jet liners to fly you there. Rather, I will send you to the lepers and those who cannot afford to buy your fancy prayer clothes or pay "seed" money for miracles."
What if this was His invitation? Oh, it was.

06/04/2026

Laurie Ferris
Fri, May 29, 5:19 AM (6 days ago)
to me

To whom it may Concern......"He will perfect all that concerns you!"
Yes, the word perfect is used here. So what concerns you my brothers and sisters this day? What has been pulling on your heart strings so hard that you are not in a restful state?
Is it a broken relationship? He can mend that which is broken. Is it your health? He has always been the healer. Is the path crooked for you and confusion is e everywhere? He has promised to make your path straight. Are you just so tired of the fight that you want to throw in the towel? He knows about being tired and worn and even torn.... He alone can quicken your mortal body.
Yes, He will " perfect" all which concerns you this day. Remember His way is safe and sure and trustworthy. His way of changing you will be " perfect for His plans for your life.

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P. O. Box 430
New Hartford, NY
13413

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+13157242434

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