Jesus Knows His Sheep

 

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.” (John 10:27)

Jesus knows those who are his. What is this knowledge?

John 10:3 is a close parallel to John 10:27. It says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

So, when Jesus says, “I know them,” this means at least that he knows them by name; that is, he knows them individually and intimately. They are not anonymous, lost in the flock.

John 10:14–15 provides another insight: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.”

There is a real similarity between the way Jesus knows his Father in heaven and the way he knows his sheep. Jesus sees himself in the Father, and he sees himself in his disciples.

To some degree Jesus recognizes his own character in his disciples. He sees his own brand mark on the sheep. This endears them to him.

He is like a husband waiting for his wife at the airport, watching as each person disembarks from the plane. When she appears, he knows her, he recognizes her features, he sees in her eyes a happy reflection of his own love. He delights in her. She is the only one he embraces.

The apostle Paul puts it like this: “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’” (2 Timothy 2:19).

It is hard to overemphasize what a tremendous privilege it is to be known personally, intimately, lovingly by the Son of God. It is a precious gift to all his sheep, and it contains within it profound, personal fellowship and affection and the promise of eternal life.

THE HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEART!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 22, 2022. 

SUBJECT: THE HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEART!

Memory verse: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, these O God, You will not despise." (Psalms 51 vs 17.)

READ: Isaiah 57 vs 15:

57:15: For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

INTIMATION:

The heart is the seat of the affections or sensibilities, collectively or separately, as love, hate, joy, grief, courage, and the like; It is the spring of all our actions and purposes; the seat of moral life and character. it is rarely, the seat of the understanding or will; usually in a good sense, the spring of all our actions and purposes; It is the seat of moral life and character; the individual disposition and character; as, a good, tender, loving, bad, hard, or selfish heart.

Though God is exalted above the heavens, at the same time the omnipresent God dwells in the hearts of the humble and contrite. In our relationship with God, He demands a humble and contrite (grieving and penitent for sin) heart. Humility means proper respect for God, and only in such manner can one fellowship and hear Him. You can never please God by outward actions—no matter how good—if your heart attitude is not right. The heart attitude is what God is mindful of.

God’s demand for a humble and contrite heart is because with such heart, one recognizes his humanity, his spiritual poverty and destitution. One must empty himself of self-reliance and learn to humble himself before God. Those with such attitude of mind will submit to the kingdom reign of God. Such people recognize their spiritual poverty and, therefore, humbly grieve over their sinfulness—their inadequacies before God.

When one mourns over his sin, his relationship with others change. He becomes mild, gentle, lowly and unselfish in character. He is not arrogant or self-seeking. Those who realize their sinful condition and mourn or contrite over their sin, hunger and thirst after justification (righteousness) that can come only from God by His grace. They seek the knowledge of God through His word. It is the word of God that will supply the knowledge of how to be justified of one’s sin. God is the source of all righteousness. 

Those who recognize their own spiritual poverty are merciful to others. They sympathize and have pity on others. They, therefore, seek to relieve the suffering of others because God has had mercy on them in relation to their sin. And the mercy will reap mercy from God. Those who recognize their own sinfulness will seek peace of mind with others. Such are sons of God for they portray the spirit of God in their relationship with others. They are not contentious, nor do they have a spirit to argue with others.

One’s honest recognition of his spiritual dilemma leads him to frustration. The morally conscious person who seeks to do right realizes the law of his own natural fallibility to live flawlessly in reference to law. Every man must come to the point of self-recognition. Each person must recognize that his life is a “body of death” because we cannot obey law in a manner to justify ourselves before God. Therefore, we must humble ourselves before God for justification by His grace.

Christians have been chosen by God as Christ’s representatives on earth. They, therefore, should conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the calling they have received—the awesome privilege of being called Christ’s very own. This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as His representative?

Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves. It does not mean we should put ourselves down. Before God, we are sinners, saved only by God’s grace, but we are saved and therefore, have great worth in God’s kingdom. We are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy, God desires a broken spirit that was manifested through repentance, and this is what a humble and contrite heart offer.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the excellent spirit of humility, and create in me a clean heart contrite for my sins always, that I may please You and have fellowship with You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

God Works for You

 

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. (Psalm 121:1–3)

Do you need help? I do. Where do you look for help?

When the psalmist lifted up his eyes to the hills and asked, “From where does my help come?” he answered, “My help comes from the Lord” — not from the hills, but from the God who made the hills. “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

So, he reminded himself of two great truths: One is that God is a mighty Creator over all the problems of life; the other is that God never sleeps. “He who keeps you will not slumber.”

God is a tireless worker. He never wearies. Think of God as a worker in your life. Yes, it is amazing. We are prone to think of ourselves as workers in God’s life. But the Bible wants us first to be amazed that God is a worker in our lives: “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who works for those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).

God is working for us around the clock. He does not take days off and he does not sleep. In fact he is so eager to work for us that he goes around looking for more work to do for people who will trust him: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

God loves to show his tireless power and wisdom and goodness by working for people who trust him. The sending of his Son, Jesus, was the main way the Father showed this: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Jesus works for his followers. He serves them. The gospel is not a “help wanted” sign. It is a “help available” sign.

This is what we must believe — really believe — in order to “rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and “[give] thanks always and for everything” (Ephesians 5:20) and have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), and “not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), and hate our lives “in this world” (John 12:25), and “love [our] neighbor as [ourselves]” (Matthew 22:39).

What a truth! What a reality! God is up all night and all day to work for those who wait for him.

THE FRUIT OF A CHRISTLIKE LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MAY 21, 2022. 

SUBJECT: THE FRUIT OF A CHRISTLIKE LIFE!

Memory verse: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thornbushes, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7 vs 16.)

READ: Matthew 7 vs 15 - 20:

7:15: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

7:16: You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thornbrushes, or figs of thistles?

7:17: Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

7:18: A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

7:19: Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.

7:20: Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

INTIMATION:

Fruit is edible growth of plants, it also signifies the result or product of an endeavor; the consequence of some effort or action. Our actions and their consequences reveal who we are. For instance, in God’s kingdom, our faith in Christ is demonstrated by actions that depict such faith. If we say we follow Christ we must strive to be like Him; doing things in accordance with His ways. And it is by our actions (fruit) that people, and even God, will know our sincerity in following Him. 

The “Christian life” is a “faith life.” Faith must be more than belief in certain facts; it must result in action, growth in Christian character, and the practice of moral discipline, or it will die away. Some of the faith actions are: soul winning, learning to know God better, developing perseverance, doing God’s will, and loving others. These character traits are found in the nature of Christ, they do not come automatically, but require hard work. 

In Galatians 5 vs 22 - 23, and Second Peter 1 vs 5 - 8, the Scriptures list additional fruit qualities of Christian character: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5 vs 22 - 23.) 

“And also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; to virtue knowledge; to knowledge self-control; to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Second Peter 1 vs 5 - 8.) 

They are not optional; all of them must be a continual part of the Christian life. We don’t finish one and start the next, but we work on them all together. God empowers and enables us, but He also gives us the responsibility to learn and grow.

For the genuine followers of Christ, the fruit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in them. They are the by-product of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit to grow in us, we must join our life to His (John 15 vs 4 - 5.) We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbor. 

God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death. God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth. Be sure that your values are in line with God’s values, and decide today to produce fruit that lasts forever. The Scripture says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors; and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14 vs 13.)

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with Your excellent Spirit that I may bear fruit after the nature of Christ, that lasts to eternity, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

How to Hate Your Life

 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24–25)

“Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” What does that mean?

It means, at least, that you don’t take much thought for your life in this world. In other words, it just doesn’t matter much what happens to your life in this world.

If men speak well of you, it doesn’t matter much.
If they hate you, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have a lot of things, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have little, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are persecuted or lied about, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are famous or unheard of, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have died with Christ, these things just don’t matter much.

But Jesus’s words are even more radical. Jesus is calling us not just to endure experiences we don’t choose, but to make a choice to follow him. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me” (John 12:26). Where to? He is moving into Gethsemane and toward the cross.

Jesus is not just saying: If things go bad, don’t fret, since you have died with me anyway. He is saying: Choose to die with me. Choose to hate your life in this world the way I have chosen the cross.

This is what Jesus meant when he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). He calls us to choose the cross. People only did one thing on a cross. They died on it. “Take up your cross,” means, “Like a grain of wheat, fall into the ground and die.” Choose it.

But why? For the sake of radical commitment to ministry: “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). I think I hear Paul saying, “It doesn’t matter what happens to me — if I can just live to the glory of God’s grace.”

FEED YOUR MIND WITH GOOD THINGS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 20, 2022.

SUBJECT : FEED YOUR MIND WITH GOOD THINGS!

Memory verse: "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

READ: Philippians 2 vs 5 - 8:

2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

2:6: who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 

2:7: but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 

2:8: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross.

INTIMATION:

The mind is the seat of reflection, consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception, understanding, feeling, judging and determining. The activities of the mind, therefore, is usually expressed outwardly, and determines our attitudes. Our attitudes color our whole personality. Essentially, what we feed our minds is absolutely very important, just as important as what we feed our bodies to be good and healthy. The secret to a happy heart is filling our minds with thoughts that are true, lovely, and pure; thoughts that dwell on the good things of life. And the secret of a spiritually healthy life—the Christlike life—is to be spiritually minded; filling our minds with things that heavenly and eternal.

What we put into our mind determines what comes out in our words and actions. The apostle Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Always examine what you are putting into your mind through television, Internet, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to, and the films we watch are all part of our mental diet. 

Be discerning because what you feed your mind influences your total health and spiritual well-being. Be careful to replace harmful inputs with wholesome materials. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice to effect perfection, and know it can be done. 

Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? The Bible gives an antidote to this problem—renewal of your mind: “And do not be conformed to this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12 vs 2.) God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. 

We live in a corrupt world with behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. The worldly behavior should be off-limits for ever child of God. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must be even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: 

It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, re-educates, and redirects  our mind are we truly transformed. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. The transformed mind helps us face the struggles of daily living, being completely focused on God. It is noteworthy that we cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. 

Prayer: Abba Father, renew my mind to be in union with the mind of Christ, and not in conformity with the world’s standards, that I may do Your will at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

HOW TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022.

SUBJECT: HOW TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Memory verse: "Not with eyeservice as men pleasers, but as bondservant of Christ, doing the will of God.” (Ephesians 6 vs 6.)

READ: Ephesians 5 vs 15 - 18:

5:15: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

5:16: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

5:17: Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

5:18: And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

INTIMATION:

God’s Will is expressed in His Word (His laws, and His ways). Walking in the will of God is being obedient to His Word, and strictly doing them. God has a specific plans for our individual lives, predetermined before the foundation of the earth, and His greatest desire is that we operate in them daily. 

How do we walk in the will of God? The foremost thing to do is to ensure that your will agrees with God's. How? By spending time in His presence and by reading and meditating on His Word. The Scripture says, “Can two work together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3 vs 3.) Agreement with God is in obeying His Word, and when you are in agreement with God, He can also reveal things to you through your spirit. It is important to listen to what God’s Word says, but it’s much more important to obey it and do what it says. 

Your obedience to Him, is a demonstration of your willingness to fulfill His plan for your life. He promises that if you will hear Him and obey His commandments, His blessings will overtake you (Deuteronomy 28 vs 2). It’s for this reason that the apostle Paul tells us to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, and “understand what is the will of the Lord." 

We are to walk circumspectly, or "cautiously, carefully, and prudently." In other words, we should be cautious of the things we do and the choices we make, and ensure we comprehend the will of God for us. And the only way to do that is by developing a relationship with the Father—working together with Him. The cautious and careful followership with the Lord guarantees our enjoying the blessings of God and avoid the pitfalls that come from disobedience. 

Jesus is interested in people who wants a personal relationship with Him. On the day of judgement only our relationship with Christ—our acceptance of Him as Savior and our obedience to Him—will matter. Many people think that if they are “good” people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgement.

Ask yourself this question: "Am I in God's will right now?" Judge yourself. Are you following the lead of your self-will, or God's will? God has a plan for you; however, if you begin to make excuses and fail to do your part, you will miss out on the blessings He longs to give you. However, you cannot do this without the help of our Helper—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and knows the things of God. He helps us work in consonance with the things that God has willed for us..

Now, don't think that life will become a bed of roses once you begin walking in God's will. There will be a few thorns here and there. You may think, "Will this really work?" or "Things were easier before."  That may be true. But the benefits of being in His perfect will far outweigh any rewards you've ever received by doing things your way or any other way than His. No matter what happens, don't give in. Just stay focused.

To walk in the Will of God, it's also Important to renew your mind. The best way to do this is by spending time in God's Word. The Scripture in Romans 12 vs 2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The more time you spend in His presence, the more He will reveal things to you through the Holy Spirit, and the better you will recognize His voice. 

As you spend time in the Word, also be in constant communication with God in prayer (Prayer is having a conversation with God). In your communication, take God’s Word back to Him—use God's Word in your prayers (First John 5 vs 14 - 15), and expect Him to respond. Prayer is a two way communication, therefore, It’s very important to listen and hear from God; You talk and He talks. So often, God is ready to reveal answers to us right away, but as soon as we're finished talking, we whisk off to carry out our plans. Then you wonder, "Is He really listening?" The better question is, "Are my really paying attention to hear Him?" He may not speak to you audibly; He can speak to you in your inner man, or through His Word.

When God reveals His plan to you, (and He will) write it down. Writing the vision down assures you that there is a plan for your life (Habakkuk 2 vs 2). Keeping it before your eyes serves as a constant reminder that you should be doing something daily toward accomplishing the task. God will never leave you alone if you are walking in His will. God will send laborers to help you accomplish the goal, and they must have a clear understanding of how they may assist you in getting the job done.

If you already know God's will for your life and are walking in it, praise God! If you know His will and are not actively working toward fulfilling your calling, I encourage you to begin. And finally, if you don't know God's will for your life, ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full (John 16 vs 24).

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to do Your will. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I may walk in Your will all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!