As I was reading this Scripture out of today’s study, the Holy Spirit really impressed on my heart to go back and read the context of this Scripture. It became very clear to me that we experience abundant life when we listen to the Shepherd’s voice. When we listen to His voice, we come to Him and find salvation (John 10:9). Salvation literally means wholeness, peace, health, happiness, and life. The Lexical aids defines it as “inclusive of all of God’s blessings.”
The thief is anyone or any voice that tries to deceive the sheep to go through a different door (besides Jesus) to find wholeness and salvation for their soul (John 10:1, 5-8). We all know that the devil is behind every deception because he is a liar and the author of all lies (John 8:44). He comes in many forms, but always for the same purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy the people that God loves.
I am aware that there is a fight going on for my heart. I hear my Shepherd’s voice drawing me to Himself. He knows if I’ll listen to and receive His love, I'll live free and my heart will be made whole-filled with love, joy and peace, but there is another voice of deception attempting to draw me away, tempting me to look somewhere else to meet the needs of my heart so that I remain broken-full of insecurity, fear and disappointment.
That’s why our Heavenly Father admonishes us so strongly with His words of love in Proverbs 4:20-23: “My child, Pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
The voice I choose to listen to determines the course of my life. The abundant life that Jesus came to give you and me is found in listening to the One Who loves us and letting His words of life penetrate deep into our hearts. Today He is saying, “My child, listen to me when I say, “You are approved! You are favored! You are blessed! You are qualified! I’ll take care of you! I’ll work all things together for your good! I’ll perfect that which concerns you! Trust Me, I am able to do beyond what you could hope or dream. I love you, dearly!”
What peace and wholeness fills our soul, when we listen to the One Who loves us and think deeply upon His words of love. As His word penetrates deep into our hearts, we truly experience the abundant life that our Savior came to give us.
The Shepherd's voice is calling me unto himself and giving me a new land that only can be found in Him and by trusting Him.He said the time is now.It is in Him alone I can truely experience and live the abundant life that He has planned for me from the beginning.He said my land shall be like the garden of eden.I trust the Lord in all His goodness.I thank you for your studies which has brought me to find out who I am in Christ Jesus and to start living loved and living free!Praise You Jesus for speaking truth into my life,opening doors to your revelation for me and closing the old doors that do not belong in my life.I love you Jesus!
ReplyDeleteI choose an abundant and happy life with Jesus! I will guard my heart and listen and dwell on what the Lord says about me because I know that what He says is true.
ReplyDeleteI have no greater joy than this, to see my children living their lives in the truth (III John 4)
ReplyDeleteIt delights our Heavenly Father's heart when we listen to His words of love and let them penetrate into the depths of our hearts.
I love this! It's so encouraging to me heart to remember that He is working everything out for my good, He does perfect everything that concerns me, I am blessed, approved of, qualified and favored. He is able and willing to do more than I can ever dare ask or dream. Jer. 32:17(amp) Alas, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! There is nothing too hard or too wonderful for You--
ReplyDeleteI had an opportunity this weekend to choose the course of my life! That is such a powerful way to look at whether or not I want to continue dwelling on a situation that is bothering me, (bringing death to my soul) or whether or not I want to listen to what my Father says (bringing me peace and joy!)
ReplyDeleteI have a situation in my life that seems to be a never-ending source of discouragement to me. As I thought about how these circumstances never change and I can't see how they ever could, blah, blah, blah, blah, I could feel all peace and joy being sucked right out of me and I realized that right at this moment I determine the course of my life. I can guard my thoughts by turning my heart to Jesus and asking Him what His opinion of my situation is, or I can continue down my road of self-pity and disappointment. Seems to be an easy choice: would you prefer perpetual pity and disappointment Sherry? or abundant life where nothing is too wonderful for God? (Thanks Marsha! See comment above.)
Duh! But how often we choose to stay in the negative emotions and thoughts. Be aware! Self-controlled and alert for your enemy is prowling around seeking who will let themselves be devoured! Not me! I choose life! My Father says the desire of the righteous shall be granted and I am righteous because of my Savior Jesus! Help me Lord to continue to agree with you. I am who God says I am!
So encouraging!
ReplyDelete(Thanks for that admonishment Sherry.) (And Marsha, the scripture you quoted brings gladness to my heart.)
I like what Connie said, "When we listen to His voice, we come to Him and find salvation (John 10:9). Salvation literally means wholeness, peace, health, happiness, and life. The Lexical aids defines it as inclusive of all of God’s blessings."
Nearly every time the word Salvation in the Old Testament original text, is 'Yeshua'. Just looked it up in the Greek and one of the meanings is, "he who emodies this salvation, or through whom God is about to achieve it."
Either way, "wholeness, peace, health, happiness, and life" are found in Jesus. And, we're in Him! Woo-hoo!