The Shepherd's Voice

[The Rev]

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. - John 10:16

A friend of mine told me a story about an experience he had in Israel. They were in the country visiting some of the famous biblical sites when they saw a group of sheepherders. A shepherd brought his flock of sheep into a round pen for the night. Then, a few minutes later, another shepherd brought his flock into the pen. Then, a few minutes later, yet another shepherd brought his sheep into the pen. There were three groups of sheep in the pen with no identifying marks among any of them. My friend wondered how in the world they would separate their sheep the next day.

The next morning, a shepherd came over to the pen and made a comment to his sheep. One by one, the sheep filed out to follow him. Only his sheep followed his voice. My friend said it was an amazing scene to see only that shepherd's sheep follow him and the others remain in the pen. What a picture of Jesus' words spoken centuries earlier.

Hearing and responding to Jesus' voice is the key to having a two-way relationship with God. It is the difference between having religion and a relationship. Can you recognize God's voice in your life? Are you listening to the Shepherd's voice? Do you respond when He calls? Ask Jesus to help you increase your ability to hear. Give more time to spending quiet moments in His presence to hear His voice. He wants to be your Good Shepherd.

[Snooky]

Great message Rev. Can I point out that the sheep must be accustom to being in the presence of the Shepard and must be summitted unto his will.
Just a little talk with Jesus--everyday!!

[mudhead1s wife]

Great Post Rev, thanks and Amen!

[dabowhunter]

[blockquote]
John 1:13
Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
It was not because of our nationality, nor of our own will, nor of any man's will, but only by the will of God that we were born anew. That is grace.
John 10:26
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Notice in vs. 26 that Jesus did not say ye are not my sheep because you don't believe. But they don't believe because they are not his sheep. Notice also in vs. 29 how the sheep are a giftto Jesus by the Father.
[/blockquote]