The Shepherd's Ministries

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

10/24/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:26 AM (6 hours ago)
to me

When I was in training for Missionary work with OM the director George Verwer made this statement, " You have to backslide, to get into fellowship with most churches."
Back then I was a bit offended by this statement. But as I traveled and worked under this great man of God and his ministry, as I grew as a minister myself, I realize the truth in what he said.
I am amazed at what I see and read. People who are not only believers, but those who are called to ministry are walking in such darkness. The question in scripture," For what fellowship does light have with darkness?" never seems to pe*****te.
Are you His? Do you bare His name? Why do you continue to walk in darkness. I'm not speaking of sinning here and there. We ALL sin and we all ask forgiveness and the Lord is faithful to forgive. I am speaking of planning to engage in dark things. Watching and being entertained by dark things. Listening to conversation that is not healthy for a believer's spirit. Or have you forgotten whose Spirit lives in you?
I know this sounds pretty critical. Sorry. I do not have it all together. I have to ask forgiveness daily for sin myself. But, I am determined to set my heart and mind on things above not things of this earth or worse things of dark hell.
If you believe you are called to any work for the Lord (all believers are) you better start focusing on things of God. Stop entertaining and being entertained by darkness. If you continue, your prayers will be powerless. How can a person holding on to dark things cast them out? Some believers might be clueless but the spiritual realm is not.
Who am I to say these things? Someone who has seen the devastating work of the demonic realm. It is not entertaining at ALL. It destroys lives.
I pray there is such a shacking in the churches, that the dark will be trembling. And believers will be on their knees repenting, not comfortable with any fellowship other than the fellowship of Light, being directed by the Holy Spirit.
Sorry, this is harsh but we as believers need to wake up, time is too short to be playing church.

10/22/2026

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

" Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; if he repents forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times, a day and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him. The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." Luke 17:3-5
" Be on your guard!" Why should you and I be on our guard if someone is in sin? Because if our brother or sister sins, its our responsibility as the family of God to help them come out of that sin. Also, everything which happens in the Body of Christ effects us all. And more specifically, if someone sins against us, we must be "On guard" because the way we react to that sin can make or break us.
Jesus said, that if your brother sins against you. Rebuke (correct) him. Some are new to the faith and do not yet realize they are still sinning. We who have walked with the Lord longer and realize more, have a responsibility to look out for our younger brothers and sisters. Sin can cause so much damage and will prevent them from receiving all the Lord has for them.
"If he repents, forgive him" This can often be difficult especially if the person has sinned against you over and over. Does this mean you need to stay in close fellowship with someone who has sinned against you over and over again? No. This can get to be abusive and dangerous.
The Lord is concerned here more with the condition of our hearts when sinned against. Are we going to hold all the bitterness in and allow it to steal our joy?
The scripture says, that those who do not forgive others will not be forgiven. Yet we are forgiven and saved by grace, so what could this mean? If you are holding things against your brother or sister, although you are saved by grace, you yourself will struggle with receiving the peace and assurance which comes from forgiveness. Its like loving people. To really receive love and feel loved, we often have to step out in faith and love first.
After Jesus, told the apostles to forgive seventy times seven they responded, "Increase our faith." LOL! I have to laugh at this because it is so spot on. We need the Lord to continually increase our faith in order to walk as He asks us to. We cannot do it without the leading of His Holy Spirit.
So, my brothers and sisters, walk in the love and forgiveness of the Lord. Reach out to that brother or sister who has sinned against you. And if you have sinned against anyone, ask forgiveness, you will free yourself and that person.
Years ago, in childhood, someone hurt me deeply. I had nightmares about it. I developed an eating disorder. When I came to Christ, in my adult life, the Lord brought me to a place of forgiveness. I knew in my spirit until I forgave this person and actually prayed for his salvation, I would be a slave to the memory of this pain. I began praying. The nightmares stopped, along with the fears connected to that situation. God is awesome in His doing.
"Father, increase our faith, so that we may walk as you have called us to walk. Thank you for sending Jesus as our example in forgiveness and our way of forgiveness. Holy Spirit guide us and guard us."

10/16/2026

Laurie Ferris
7:30 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

"Jesus said unto him, thou shall love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. 22:37-40 This was Jesus's answer to a Pharisee who asked what is the greatest commandment. You see this man was a lawyer and was trying to tempt Jesus to go against the Law (God's Word).

Can I share the heart of Christ here? You can follow all the law (or today, rules and tradition of your denomination) but where is the Holy Spirit's manifestation in your life? Yes, we obey the Lord's Holy Scriptures absolutely! Yet, this is impossible without the Spirit empowering you. How do you know you are being led by the Spirit of the Living God? Here's how: You will be following these two commandments before any others. Meaning, you will be absolutely consumed with loving God!!! Your whole being will be passionately seeking Him and desiring His presence. This will so embrace you that you will overflow with love and compassion for everyone He puts in your path. Hmmm...sounds like we would in fact be imitating the very nature of Christ. He stopped and touched those in His path. He had compassion.... that was and still is His very essence. "Lord, help us to manifest the very nature of Christ to everyone you place before us. So many need a touch today, forgive us Lord for getting distracted by the world's ways"

10/13/2026

Laurie Ferris
5:56 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

" Your adornment must not be merely- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3-4
Years back I worked in a Christian Bookstore. It was the main supplier of the community. Churches of all denominations ordered their materials there. So, as you can imagine I had some interesting conversations there. Most of the people I met were very pleasant but then ....
This woman walked up to my counter. She was very heavily made up. Her clothes were anything but modest. Bling was all over her. She inquired about her order. I don't remember what the problem with her order was, but I do remember her reaction. She went into a rage!! She was offensive, rude, loud and just downright nasty! I looked at her and said" Excuse me Miss, but you seem troubled. Do you know Jesus? He can bring you much peace." At that, she went ballistic " I am a Pastor!!" Wow! Who knew??
Let me say this, there is nothing wrong or sinful about a woman looking attractive. Wearing make-up and jewelry is fine. The scripture says...but don't let your adornment be this "merely". Meaning: When people see you, this shouldn't be the first thing they see or the only thing they see. Rather, let your countenance speak louder than your out-word appearance.
I have experienced many different personalities while in my years of church leadership. I have to be honest, when a "Christian" woman comes in and she resembles a pr******te, I cannot hear a word she is speaking to me. I immediately go into prayer mode.
If we are truly His and are walking close to Him....we will no longer have to prove ourselves to others. We do not have to show off.... I am not speaking of new believers who are just learning how to walk. I am speaking of those who have been under the Word. Those who claim to know Him and say they are called to ministry.
This also goes for male ministers. If a man is in the pulpit and all I see and hear is his personality....I receive nothing he is saying. When we are sharing the Gospel whether in Word (preaching) or deed (our daily actions) people should see the hidden person of the heart. They should come in contact with a person who is gentle and quiet. Not a person who is brash, bold and ready to bite someone's head off.
Years back when I was preparing for foreign missions an elderly lady in the church said something very bizarre to me. She was upset and bewildered that I would go to Africa without a husband first. She said," Perhaps if you dressed a little sexy you would get a man." have we gotten so far from the truth???? Sensuality has No Place in the church. I don't care if you are 15 or 95....the Word of God is sacred, and those sharing it should not be given to sensuality.
"Hidden person of the heart".... What is hidden in your heart? David said he hid God's Word in his heart so that he would not sin against Him. If the Word is hidden in your heart, it will spring forth and your countenance will be as His. People will see Jesus's countenance shining all over you.

10/11/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:27 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

“Lord, May I only share my thoughts after I’ve passed them by You. May I only share my heart after You have held it and healed it. May I only walk where You have directed. Let my eyes only look on what gives You glory. May I listen to words and music which gives Your Holy Spirit Who lives inside me pleasure. Yes, Lord, in all I encounter this new day, may You be first. I want to be mindful above all, of Your holy presence before me.”

10/11/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:17 AM (4 hours ago)
to me

"May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts; May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel." Psalm 69:6
This should be the prayer of every believer's heart. The world around us says they do not believe in an absolute truth or God Who is absolute. However, when one of the flock of believers falls into sin, that same world looks on carefully. The world judges us believers so much more harshly. Because deep inside the recesses of their souls they are looking and hoping that what we proclaim is true. They are hoping that all we speak will line up with our actions. The soul struggles with wanting justice here on earth. Yet, does not want to bow down to the One True Judge, Jesus Christ.
You and I dear believers have an enormous responsibility. We are accountable before the Lord we proclaim to live up to our claims about His deliverance and Holiness.
Last night as I was entering my place a neighbor approached me. He watches the news and struggles with so many issues. He always asks my bent on things as I am a believer. I know deep down he struggles with the hurt of losing a child to cancer years back. So, as much as he desires to believe God is good, he deep down struggles with allowing the Lord to take control. So, he watches, and asks. He's stuck.
He wanted to go on and on about the latest preacher caught in a horrible sin. It is so difficult when we believers fall. Our testimony is damaged.
God is God, no matter how horribly we fail Him and others. However, please be mindful that the world is looking on to see if He is really Who you say He is. You and I are Jesus with skin on to a lost world.
Lord, as the Psalmist prayed: May those who wait for You not be ashamed. May those who seek You not be ashamed through me." This should be our heart's desire. We will NOT always get it right. However, may we be people who are quick to admit our humanity and therefore ask forgiveness to anyone we have hurt, dishonored, let down. No matter what we do, Jesus remains Who He is.... Holy....
Yet the average person watching us will not understand this. They are eagerly waiting for you to prove the Lord you serve. Jesus manifested all the attributes of His father to the world around Him. We have the same responsibility. We must live and walk humbly before God and man therefore manifesting His attributes to others.
Go shine......the world is waiting.

10/10/2026

Laurie Ferris
6:07 AM (3 hours ago)
to me, Brenda

"And a l***r came to Jesus, beseeching him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Mark 1:40-41
Compassion: This is a word seen several times in connection to the miraculous healings of Jesus. Its not a light word. Compassion has two words together which cause a dynamic effect. Compel....moving in a direction forcefully. One sees a picture of someone having an inner drawing toward something or someone. Passion: Intense, fervent in love, driven, outburst......
Here Jesus sees a l***r who falls at His feet begging for the Master to cleanse him. Let me repeat this....he was a l***r. Lepers were usually seen or heard from a distance. They would never approach someone and come into their personal space. They were highly contagious and considered very dirty....they would yell when others drew near, "Unclean, Unclean!" warning everyone to stay away from them.
Can you even imagine the feeling of isolation this man would have been feeling up until this point? And what of his self-image? Can you imagine having to yell, "Unclean! unclean!" Every time another person was present? And yet this l***r felt safe coming close to the Master? Doesn't this amaze you? He fell at Jesus' feet.
Jesus was not alarmed. He wasn't abiding with the laws on l***rs that day.....He touched Him. And the man was made clean.
Jesus was a man of compassion.... the love of God filled Him so that He couldn't help but run in the direction of each and every one who called on His mercy. The blind men experienced this, the woman who lost her son experienced this. There is an extensive list.... All had been touched by the compassion of the Savior.
Scripture states that Jesus wasn't so handsome that you would take notice of Him. He was an average looking man by physical means. However, He had something so real shining through Him that even a l***r felt He could approach Him. That same love and "compassion" which caused Jesus to move toward hurting mankind------ drew many to Him.
Compassion: It goes both ways....when we are moving in the Spirit of the living God, we are fervent in our love for others and we have an inner force which moves toward the hurting. When others see and experience this compassion....they are drawn to us as well.
"Lord, fill us to overflowing with your compassion for the hurting today....so that we have outbursts of love. Let them be drawn to You, Who lives in us." 🙂

10/09/2026

Laurie Ferris
5:35 AM (5 hours ago)
to me

(Don't know if it's just me? Or someone else really needs this)
Got Light?
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
David says here, The Lord is, "My Light" he makes it personal. He doesn't say "a Light" he says, "my Light" Light meaning He's the source of my understanding, joy and life. He directs my steps.
David says also, The Lord is, "My salvation" He alone saves ME. Salvation is personal. Through the finished work of Christ on the cross "I" or "You" become saved. He saves of each individually from eternity in hell. Yet salvation means more than that, He saves each of us from personal trials in this life.
Finally, David says...He is the strength or stronghold of "my" life. Meaning He is my defense from all harm. He is the place I go to hide and rest. He alone is a sure protection from life’s arrows. "The name of The Lord is a strong tower the righteous run into it and they are safe.”
Imagine, all these horrible attacks coming at you. Sickness, rejection, financial troubles, betrayal, fear and defeat. These are real "arrows" and you lift up the Mighty Name of Jesus....and a wall of defense comes up all around you. All that He is comes to your defense...healing, love, provision, faithfulness, confidence and victory.
Here's the key, it has to be personal! "When you said seek my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." If it is personal, this will be the cry of all our hearts. In earthly, relationships the one draws close and the other (if it is truly love) tries to draw even closer. It is so much more with our relationship to God. He asks us to draw close and He WILL draw close…. He has no limits to His demonstration of love, because His love is without fault. Nothing holds Him back from loving us fully.
So today, draw near to "your" Light, Salvation and stronghold .... Draw close to the lover of your soul .... Jesus. And He promises to draw close to you.

10/09/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:55 AM (6 hours ago)
to me

Just as the wages of sin is death....
So the wages of righteous obedience is life....
We chose one or the other....
If choosing obedience to God's Holy Word seems a huge challenge....
Be encouraged dear one.... You aren't meant to walk this out alone. Choose to believe Christ and His finished work on the cross. He will clothe you with His righteousness, and you will therefore walk in obedience receiving life and blessings.
Choose to believe Christ, stop trying to do it all alone.
His yoke is light, hasn't yours's been too heavy?

10/08/2026

Laurie Ferris
4:29 AM (6 hours ago)
to me

Love Breaks
“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” 1 Peter 4:9
"In a different world, we would get together, have coffee and just visit." Found myself writing this to someone recently. The person had just apologized for waiting to reply to me as she was so busy. I wasn't at all upset, but stating a fact. We are all so busy. And many of us are busy with all good things.
We live in such a fast paced world. Let's be careful to find time for relationships. In our texting, taxing world...let's still pick up the phone and talk.
Times are getting more and more stressful on so many fronts. The believer must find time to fellowship with one another. I am not speaking of having more programs in church where we all meet in numbers. I am speaking of actually connecting with one another, sharing our hearts and praying.
There was a time not too long ago when I never left the presence of another believer without hearing their heart and praying. Let's be careful to encourage one another and lift one another up.
If we ever needed to be one in heart, mind and spirit ....it is surly now. We need to bond together.
Call someone and pray with them today, you have no idea how big a blessing this would be.

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P. O. Box 430
New Hartford, NY
13413

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+13157242434

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