John 10:27 - Making Decisions With Peace.
John 10:27: Making Decisions With Peace.
John 10:27 (KJV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me:
COMMENTARY PEARL
Resisting the Urge to Move Too Quickly
I am a person who makes quick decisions. That can be really
good much of the time, but it can also be a problem. Two times in the
past two days, I made quick decisions without taking time to pray and
see if the Lord had instructions for me, and both times I made
decisions that ended up causing stress for myself later.
One time, I confronted a situation too fast and my timing
wasn't good, and the other time I committed to do something that I had
to back out of later. God corrected me for those actions, and I am
glad that He did. When God corrects us, it is because He loves us and
wants us to have the best life possible. Don't shrink from the
chastening of the Lord, but welcome it as a sign of His care for you (see
Hebrews 12:5-7).
God always wants to guide us, but the only way we can know if
He approves or disapproves of an action we intend to take is if we
wait a little while and see if we have peace or not. He usually lets
us know within a short period of time, but He may be slower than we
would like. If you tend to move too fast, slow down just a little when
you have decisions to make and you will surely save yourself a lot
of stress and difficulty.
Father, please help me move in Your timing, not mine! Thank
You for loving me enough to correct me when I need it. [My Time with
God by Joyce Meyer]
COMMENTARY
There are lots of voices in the world. Some are easily
recognizable; others blend into the background noise. Some come from a
distance; others from within our own heads. Some are tender and
sympathetic; others strident and critical. And all compete for our attention.
Jesus knows how confused we can be. That's one of the reasons
He gave His followers an illustration about shepherds and sheep.
Sheep learn to recognize the voice of their shepherd so that when he
calls to them, even in the midst of a multitude of other voices, they
follow his distinctive sound. The other voices are just noise to the
sheep of the Good Shepherd; they are uniquely tuned to His voice
alone. When they hear it, they follow.
Our goal is to be tuned in to one voice only - to be so
sensitive to the one true voice that we can hear it above the din of a
multitude of rivals. To be so accustomed to the signature sound that
called us into existence that it becomes our constant homing signal for
every decision. In the depths of our spirit, we can learn to recognize
that voice and distinguish it from all others. According to the
desire and promise of Jesus Himself, we can hear His voice.
Don't make assumptions about what Christ's voice should sound
like. Be willing to step into a learning process. But know that it's
not only possible to hear His voice, it's assured. Somewhere within
your soul, you will hear His heart-to-heart words and know they are
His.
Jesus, my Shepherd, tune my heart to hear Your words. Let
them sink into my soul and become a part of who I am. Help me ignore
false voices and listen to Yours alone. [The One Year Hearing His
Voice Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
People who have a disability and can no longer use their
hands can still compose and edit text with a voice-activation
dictating program on their computer. You begin by saying, Listen to
me!" and the microphone comes alive. Then, when you speak naturally
and smoothly, your words flow across the screen. This program is
virtually mistake-proof and can be trained to recognize your voice - and
your voice only. To the limit of its abilities, it will obey all your
commands. Oh, that we Christians were more like this in listening to the
Lord. In today's Scripture, Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me." We must train ourselves in
godliness so we can quickly and decisively recognize our Shepherd's voice.
When He speaks, we move. When His Spirit nudges, we respond. With an
investment of time in prayer and the Word, you'll soon recognize every
nuance of the Shepherd's voice.
Lord Jesus, I do want to learn how to hear You better and
respond to Your direction more quickly. I know very well that this is
where freedom lies - and great peace of heart. Teach me to listen
today and obey, dear Shepherd. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson
Tada and Larry Libby]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. Heaven's bells
continually peal with that promise of My Presence. Some people never hear
those bells because their minds are earthbound and their hearts are
closed to Me. Others hear the bells only once or twice in their
lifetimes, in rare moments of seeking Me above all else. My desire is that
My "sheep" hear My voice continually, for I am the ever-present
Shepherd.
Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My voice.
Beginners need a quiet place in order to still their minds. As you advance
in this discipline, you gradually learn to carry the stillness with
you wherever you go. When you step back into the mainstream of life,
strain to hear those glorious bells: I am with you. I am with you. I am
with you. (Jer. 29:12, 13; John 10:14, 27, 28) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
As you listen to birds calling to one another, hear also My
Love-call to you. I speak to you continually: through sights, sounds,
thoughts, impressions, scriptures. There is no limit to the variety of
ways I can communicate with you. Your part is to be attentive to My
messages, in whatever form they come. When you set out to find Me in a
day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with My Presence.
You can find Me not only in beauty and birdcalls, but also in
tragedy and faces filled with grief. I can take the deepest sorrow and
weave it into a pattern for good.
Search for Me and My messages, as you go through this day.
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with your whole being.
(John 10:27; Rom. 8:28; Jer. 29:13) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Direct your thoughts to Me more and more. When you are
working on a challenging project, you tend to seek My Face and My help
frequently. This pleases Me - and it enhances the work you are doing. There
is a delightful rhythm about this: You look to Me in a listening
mode; then you act with the help of My Spirit. This is repeated over
and over as you and I collaborate on the project. Being attentive to
Me takes sustained effort, but this collaborative way of doing
things does not drain you.
I encourage you to live more and more of your life in this
way. When the task before you is less challenging, you tend to be
less attentive to Me. You may even forget about Me for a while as
your mind slips toward neutral. You forget that you live in a world
at war - with an enemy that never rests. This is why the apostle
Paul admonishes Christians to be alert and always keep on praying.
The more you direct your thoughts to Me, the more alive you
will feel. This prayer-privilege is not a chore. It's a joyous
lifeline! (Psa. 105:3; John 10:27, 28; Mark 9:7, 8; Eph. 6:18) [Jesus
Today by Sarah Young]
Rejoice and exult in hope. Raise a shout of Joy! You have
good reason to be joyful, because you're on your way to heaven. I
have paid the penalty for your sins and clothed you in My own
righteousness. This is the basis of hope - for you, for all who truly know Me
as Savior. No matter what is going on in your life at this time,
your hope in Me is secure. No one will be able to snatch you out of
My hand. In Me you have absolute, eternal security!
Be constant in prayer - at all times, but especially when you
are struggling. During trials, you need close communication with Me
more than ever. However, your ability to concentrate may be hampered
by stress and fatigue. So make full use of the amazing source of
strength within you - My Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to control your
mind: to think through you and pray through you. Your prayers need not
be pretty or proper. Just let them flow out of your current
situation. As you stay in communication with Me, I help you to be steadfast
and patient in suffering. (Rom. 12:12; Tit. 2:11, 13; John 10:28;
Rom. 8:6) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20080718-1724.html
http://www.aBible.com
LINK WORTH CHECKING OUT
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
[old, but one of the best]
