I was feeling anxious, tempted by feelings of worthlessness last night. "Jerry, you are a failure," an inner voice whispered. Was it an evil spirit, the result of fatigue, or just an emotion? I don’t know. What I do know is that I have a choice in those moments. At one time I thought that I had no control over those thoughts, that the best I could do was endure them. That is wrong! I have learned that my mind can be re-directed, my thought patterns changed. If I choose to listen to the voice of the Lord, He will lead me out of my fears and away from sin, into joyful abundance.
Faith is both the gift of God and a choice I make. If I choose to listen to the clamor around me or the whispers that come in the darkness, I will grow fearful, or be tempted to run toward the allure of wealth, fame, or endless pleasure. But, if I choose to listen to the Shepherd’s voice, I will live in His promises. He says, "The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ... Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. ... My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:3, 9-10, NLT)
Sheep are not considered to be among the world’s more intelligent creatures! They need a shepherd to thrive. They are defenseless, dependent, and content to be led from pen to pasture. Generally, to be compared to a sheep, is an insult, isn’t it? But, I am in God’s flock, one of the sheep of His pasture, and I am glad to be identified in that way! I choose to make this Truth my paramount assurance. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
(John 10:27-28, NIV)
Disciple, are you listening to the Shepherd’s voice?
Are you letting Him lead you to abundant life of His choosing as one of His sheep, or are you more like that independent creature that resists all boundaries, the goat?
Ask the Spirit to sharpen your hearing and listen up! Pray that the desire to live in your ways, to avoid submission, will die so the Shepherd can lead you with His voice. He will lead you to abundant life!
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"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."
(Psalm 23:1-3, 6, NLT)
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