How you doin? So much going on, it's hard to believe some times. Home schooling is going great. Our connection to Jesus is increasing daily. Our internal ministry (marriage, kids, and home schooling) is getting better and better. Our external ministry (family, friends, church, ect.) seems to be taking a hit. The Holy Ghost leads us. The hit for me is when I try to walk next to Him instead of behind Him. When I read the Bible these days, I can't help but to see themes. I see themes so often that they are becoming truths more then themes. The themes/truths I've seen lately are identity, intimacy, compassion & care, Jesus' control over His own life, authority, people coming to Jesus, and Jesus' words demanding a response. John 10 today.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:3-10)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)
These verses give me such a sense of intimacy, care, and compassion that comes from Jesus. Hearing and recognizing Jesus' voice is HUGE to me these days. Following Him is HUGER. These truths make it possible for me to reconcile my ability to follow Him. COME ON!!!!!!! I love the scouting report on Satan and the comparison of Satan and Jesus in verse 10. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy... Jesus comes comes to give life and life abundant. It's actually not much of a comparison. SAY WORD!!!!!!! I also love the connection to us and Jesus and Jesus to the Father in verse 14 & 15. Jesus is our connection to Father God. DIG IT!!!!!!!
The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” (John 10:19-21)
Here are 2 responses. Believe Jesus or don't believe Jesus. It seems to me that there are only 2 responses we could have.
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:25-30)
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:25-30)
Here comes the authority. COME ON!!!!!!! I feel safe. It's not to say I won't face hardships and attack, but I feel safe in putting my trust in God. DIG IT!!!!!!!
Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” (John 10:31-32)
Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” (John 10:31-32)
Yet another really bad response by the Pharisees.
Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. (John 10:37-39)
Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. (John 10:37-39)
POWERFUL!!!!!!! Jesus challenges them to take a good hard look at him. He stands on His Father's truths. COME ON!!!!!!! Verse 39, again demonstrates Jesus' control over His own life. Keep in mind that Jesus was a man in these verses. I have the same control over my own life. Not on my own strength, but through Christ in me, I can "escape their grasp". COME ON!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!! That's a good word.
Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus. (John 10:40-42)
Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus. (John 10:40-42)
Believe it or not my intention was to keep this short today. The Holy Ghost had other plans. I want to respond with believe, obedience (the Biblical kind), worship, praise, and love for Him. I'm finding myself verbally and consciously accepting Jesus' words. I always hope that these emails encourage you to read the entire chapter that they talk about. Today I'll say, please read John 10 today. Be conscious of your response to Jesus today.
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