Issue 1483 – His Voice – June 26, 2024
I’m a little stiff and achy. Kathy and I were at Aqua-Fit yesterday. I usually go four times a week (it used to be five, but there is an instructor shortage). No, that’s not the class we attend; it’s a stock photo of an Aquafit class.
Between fighting a cold and pneumonia for the better part of two months and the pool being closed for annual maintenance for almost a month, I simply didn’t get there. During that two-month stretch, I managed to get to class only one time other than yesterday.
Although it’s complaining a little, my body missed the regular workouts. I’m looking forward to this morning’s class.
It isn’t just our physical bodies that require regular use; our spiritual lives need them as well. When we don’t maintain our spiritual discipline by regularly attending worship, Bible reading and study, prayer, fellowship, and the like, we can grow distant from God.
If you skip a Sunday at church, it’s easier to skip the next one. If you don’t do your daily Bible reading for a couple of days, then it’s “Why bother? I’m too far behind on my plan to catch up.”
Jesus says,
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30
Jesus calls us. We may not hear an audible voice, but He has given us His spirit and ways to make His voice known to us.
How do we differentiate between Jesus and the voice of false shepherds?
We spend time with Him.
We know His voice because we hear Him when we read the Word, worship, and keep other practices that draw us closer to Him.
We know His voice because we have heard it repeatedly. We know a deceiver because his words don’t align with Scripture.
I am not trying to make you feel bad for neglecting the spiritual disciplines. Please don’t walk away from them; simply come back. He loves and forgives His sheep.
Spend some time with Him today. It might require some effort, but it will pay huge dividends in your relationship with Jesus and others.
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)