"....The sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." (John 10)
Have you embraced the, "Follow Me,"? life style. It is so easy for all of us to take the lead, even the most timid and bashful among us. The so-called "control freaks" are not the only ones who want to control life.
Someone once noted that I use the phrases, Followers of Jesus, and Surrender our lives to Jesus, which most others do not use. I guess my response is that any who claim, "born again," status in the Godhead need to understand that when we receive Jesus "into our hearts," when we are, "born again/of the Spirit," it is nothing less than an act of surrender. Surrender and Follower are not very popular among us, especially those, "Don't Tread On Me," Americans.
I have heard people talking of shepherds who "lead from behind." Maybe it's an attempt to portray humility. Our text tells us, however, that Jesus, "....goes before them; and the sheep follow Him...." I thought of the military formation which speaks of a "point man." He is the first one to "see" where the unit is heading. Percentage wise, he is also the first one to get killed in an ambush. Enter a later statement of Jesus in verse 11: "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
I think it's right to say today that Following our, "Good Shepherd," Jesus, is not only the smart decision, it is the safe decision. Too many people follow men, though they would hotly deny this. Here is one way to indicate whether one has been following, "the Good Shepherd," or a not-so-good shepherd. "....A hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them." I can think of many people who are "disillusioned," or have given up on "the church," are no longer "walking with the Lord" because of a "shepherd" who "hurt" them, abandoned them.
No chance this ever happening to those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," the Very One who, "....calls His Own Sheep by name," the One Who, "lay[s] down [His] life for the Sheep." What is there left to do, but to, "follow," Him?
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You, "....call[ me] by name."
******************************
Please pray for us as we go to Israel
Have you embraced the, "Follow Me,"? life style. It is so easy for all of us to take the lead, even the most timid and bashful among us. The so-called "control freaks" are not the only ones who want to control life.
Someone once noted that I use the phrases, Followers of Jesus, and Surrender our lives to Jesus, which most others do not use. I guess my response is that any who claim, "born again," status in the Godhead need to understand that when we receive Jesus "into our hearts," when we are, "born again/of the Spirit," it is nothing less than an act of surrender. Surrender and Follower are not very popular among us, especially those, "Don't Tread On Me," Americans.
I have heard people talking of shepherds who "lead from behind." Maybe it's an attempt to portray humility. Our text tells us, however, that Jesus, "....goes before them; and the sheep follow Him...." I thought of the military formation which speaks of a "point man." He is the first one to "see" where the unit is heading. Percentage wise, he is also the first one to get killed in an ambush. Enter a later statement of Jesus in verse 11: "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
I think it's right to say today that Following our, "Good Shepherd," Jesus, is not only the smart decision, it is the safe decision. Too many people follow men, though they would hotly deny this. Here is one way to indicate whether one has been following, "the Good Shepherd," or a not-so-good shepherd. "....A hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them." I can think of many people who are "disillusioned," or have given up on "the church," are no longer "walking with the Lord" because of a "shepherd" who "hurt" them, abandoned them.
No chance this ever happening to those who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," the Very One who, "....calls His Own Sheep by name," the One Who, "lay[s] down [His] life for the Sheep." What is there left to do, but to, "follow," Him?
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You, "....call[ me] by name."
******************************
Please pray for us as we go to Israel
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
