Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."¹

I read about a tour group traveling in the Middle East where the tour guide was telling the tourists to keep a look out for flocks of sheep. He explained how the sheep-herders never drive their sheep. They lead them.

The first flock of sheep they saw were not being drawn or led, but driven relentlessly. They were being coerced with sticks and shouting. What made the difference? This herd of sheep was being driven by the butcher!

God never drives usâ€"his "sheep"â€"to do anything. As with the ancient Israelites, God draws or leads us "with cords of human kindness, with ties of love."² And we can choose either to follow his leading/ directions as found in his Word, the Bible, or to go our own way.

But for all who follow him, the reward is the gift of eternal life. As Jesus also said about his "sheep" who follow him: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."³ In the end if we fail to follow Jesus/God, we will be "driven" by the evil one, the consequences of which are unthinkable.

For help in receiving God's gift of eternal life (and becoming one of his "sheep"), click on: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be sure that I am one of Your 'sheep' and always hear and recognize Your 'voice'â€"and give me the wisdom always to choose to follow Your leading. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 10:27.
2. Hosea 11:4 (NIV).
3. John 10:28 (NIV).

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