I'm a Sheep!

Sunday’s Monday

God knows my heart and last night was kind enough to please me by allowing me time with our children, grandchildren and great grandson. As well the gang visited a dear friend and neighbor Patricia Gibson and we received a big favor from our friend Sherry Burner. God placed everyone and everything in place to make the evening almost perfect. The only thing that would’ve made it better was for our granddaughter Haley Grooms to be in attendance. Our youngest grandson Adam Findley turns 17 today, what a blessing. Thank you, God, family and friends for making my day and life very special!

I used to have a serious problem with John 10:27 (NLT), My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I had been part of the flock for a long time and yet I was not hearing God’s voice. What was going on the more, I studied harder with no results, I did more in the church, nothing, changed my lifestyle even more, nada. Nothing helped! Yes, I was living for Christ and yes, I was going about doing good, but I couldn’t hear the voice of God. I assured myself that while I was doing the right thing, I was safe in my relationship with Jesus. Yet it still felt hollow, something was missing. However, being a faithful church goer, I convinced myself that this was the way a hungry for God’s word Christian is supposed to feel. That is until a bible study revealed the insight into Romans 10:17 (NLT), So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. I had heard the good news and I believed it, but I still could not hear God. Which led me to doubt my faith, question what I believed and consider just giving up on this whole Jesus thing. But God would have no part of that! He gave me the curiosity, desire and or pride to not want to fail. I attended a new church and for the first visit the pastor used John 6:63 (NLT), The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life, as his text. He taught try as I might, I will never have the strength or power, to hear and follow Jesus. The flesh is corrupt and has no understanding of spiritual things, although it realizes to fit into some circumstances it can pretend and often deceives itself. Now, that intrigued me and started me on a journey of which I could have never imagined. I felt like Pinocchio, (that toy puppet that was turned into a real boy) I could feel the change coming on. I would no longer be controlled as a puppet by me flesh, I would be a real child of God. My confusion would diminish more and more over time and my flesh would grow weak. I understood that I was no longer alone, John 14:16-17 (NLT), 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. It is through my cooperation with the Holy Spirit, my love for God and my belief in Jesus that allows me to hear the voice of God. Romans 8:16 (NLT), For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Hearing the voice of God is not based on the good works I’ve done or will do, neither is it about my church activity and It’s certainly not about people pleasing. The bible speaks against people pleasing in Matthew 6:1 (NLT), “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. God wants a loving father, son, relationship to where we visit and talk often. God desires me to rely on Him for my well being 24/7/365. God has but one reason for me to hear His voice and that is for me to love Him as He loves me. Acts 22:14 (NLT), “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. God personally chose me to hear and follow His voice. WHAT AN HONOR! I soon learned how to be part of God’s flock and live under His promise in John 10:3-4 (NLT), 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. Never look back in sorrow, look at today with praise and thanksgiving to Jesus!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

COMMENTS WELCOME…pal249@hotmail.com…12/16/2018