John 10:25 says my sheep hear my voice and I know them that follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.. My Father is greater than all and has given them to me and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
John 10:1 He who does not enter the sheep fold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the door keeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him. For they know his voice. They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Jesus said again, I am the door of the sheep. All whoever come before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. I have come that they will have life.
The thieves and robbers were the Pharisees. The stranger is anyone whom the sheep do not know. Not always a thief or a robber. The sheep wouldn't follow a strangers voice even if he used the shepherd's call and imitated his tone.
A hireling is a hired shepherd, a mercenary who tends the flock for his own interest. When a hired shepherd sees a wolf coming he flees, not caring for the sheep.
Jesus had the power to voluntarily lay down his life for the sheep, but also to take it up again. No one but God can do that.
The characteristics of the sheep are: 1) they hear his voice, 2) they follow him (faith), 3)shall never perish: their eternal life can never be taken away. The Father's hand is more powerful than the enemy. For the Lord says I and my Father are one.
The Lord said, " I love you so much! You are mine and I have special gifts for you. And I have set you aside for my own. You can only go where I send you and do what I want you to do. You have no idea what I have in store for you.
It's a long road you've traveled but you'd not want it any other way. Be settled in your spirit and situated where you are. I'll move you as I see fit. And you'll go places and do things for me. You have much favor with me. Nothing lacking! Be there for me as you never have and let me love you."
This is Lisa Patterson with the Good News that God Loves You and wants you to come to Him today.
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