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You may listen to this message on my Anchor podcast Moving K.O.R.E. WORD by clicking on the link here:  Episode 4

In the previous message, Voice of the Shepherd, we learn that JESUS is the Good Shepherd of HIS sheep.  JESUS knows that there are leaders in the church who are thieves and robbers who do not tend HIS flock in caring for their needs.  HIS sheep listen to HIS voice and HE leads and guides them through the gate into green pasture to be provided for, protected, and goes ahead of them to prepare for their future in Heaven…

Todays message will focus on John 10:5-10.

But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. John 5:5-6

JESUS takes care of HIS sheep and HE states to the Pharisees that they are the strangers HIS sheep do not follow nor listen to.  When we are the LORD’s, we have been given the ability to discern spiritually in order that we may stay close to and follow JESUS…  We are to stay away from and even run from those strangers who do not care for our needs.  JESUS is the Good Shepherd and cares for our every need… You are able to know for sure that your best interest spiritually is not taken into account when a church leader or leaders do not read from and teach the Word (representing who JESUS is and pointing to HIM) nor do they speak of JESUS’ name at all or even pray in HIS name.  It’s as if they are afraid of speaking HIS name.  These are red flag warnings to stay far from and even run away.  If you are not being led to know and understand JESUS, not being taught to grow closer in a relationship with HIM, and not being encouraged to follow HIM and being reminded that HE’s coming again -then the way, the truth, and the life is not being proclaimed.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. John 10:7

Now JESUS lets us know that HE is the gate for the sheep!!!…  Previously, HE stated HE leads the sheep through the gate into green pasture which is still true…  However, JESUS is letting us know when we come to HIM, believe in HIM, and trust HIM as our Savior that we can enter into fellowship with GOD the FATHER in and through JESUS HIMSELF as the Gate spiritually not just physically…  There is profound security found in and through HIM who is the Gate for the sheep where the Gatekeeper who is GOD our FATHER accepts our passage through HIS SON JESUS into green pasture here on earth finding new life, but also for when we enter into eternity to live with HIM forevermore in Heaven…

All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.  John 10:8

No one before JESUS showed the sheep the way, the truth, and the life as HE has done…  JESUS is the One whom HIS sheep have waited for all along…  They have believed and followed HIM because HIS actions of healing, forgiving, feeding, and leading were of GOD’s supernatural ability…  They have trusted HIM because HE speaks profound truth that resonates within bringing freedom and peace…  They have been changed by HIS presence in their midst and HE gives them new life and a hope and a future to look forward to…

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  John 10:9

JESUS is the Gate and HE lets us know that anyone and everyone who enters through HIM will be saved (from sin, failures, mistakes, guilt, and shame). JESUS is inviting all who will believe, trust, and receive this free gift of salvation to come to HIM and enter by accepting HIS Presence into their hearts…  When you open your heart to HIM, HE opens HIS heart as the Gate to walk through into green pasture where there is HIS…

• life giving rations met spiritually
• refreshing Living Water to drink spiritually
• readily available Daily Bread to eat spiritually
• rest finding HIS peace and protection spiritually
• restoring your soul to wholeness supernaturally
• righteous paths HE leads you on spiritually
• responsibility to walk with you through the valleys spiritually
• remaining with you, when your enemies are near, steadfastly
• reapplying anointing oil, when stressing out, satisfactorily
• refilling you to overflowing sustenance
• replenishing you with goodness and mercy for savoring
• resulting promise in your living with HIM forevermore securely…

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

The thief who comes to steal and kill and destroy is satan -the enemy of our souls and the accuser of us who believe who brings up all the negative aspects of ourselves including the sin, failures, guilt, and shame that we’ve been forgiven of in JESUS to distract us, derail our faith walk, or even attempt to destroy us in order to keep us away from our relationship with GOD. The thief tries at all costs to keep us from close proximity to JESUS by leading us into temptation:

• to wander off to get lost in the stress of life
• to be led astray into a damaging relationship(s)
• to get stuck in a trap of wrong decisions that may include greed, addiction, or lust of the world
• to forget our need of our Savior and becoming prideful

However, do not get confused here with conviction of the Holy Spirit.  For an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin, failures, guilt, and shame with the goal of showing the need to turn to JESUS for salvation.  For a believer, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of any sin, failure, guilt, and shame for also showing our need to repent and ask for forgiveness not to drive us away from JESUS, but rather for us to turn away from the sin and back to HIM again…  The enemy drives us away from GOD with condemnation.  The Holy Spirit brings conviction for us to return to JESUS by confessing sin and being cleansed from all unrighteousness…

JESUS has come with the whole purpose of giving us life and for it to be fulfilling…  HE is not out to cramp our style, but rather enhance it…  HE provides only that which is life changing for our good and life giving to make us fruitful in our lives…  We need to:

• spend time with HIM
• find our rest in HIM
• listen to HIS voice through the WORD instructing us
• follow close to HIM by being doers of the WORD as we learn what GOD’s will is for our lives…

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11

If you want to connect and leave a comment or ask questions do so here:  Connect

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Remember:  JESUS loves you…