- Scripture: John 10:11
- Broadcast Date: 01/11/2016
HAVE YOU MET THE GOOD SHEPHERD?
John 10:11
Well, we are on the way through this new year. And do you know what, the trip may be ghastly or glorious? If we are at the helm leading the way, making the decisions, calling the plays, quarterbacking our own life, well there can be some disastrous results. You know why? Because we do not know what the future holds, what is just around the corner, what we will face in the future.
To complicate matters, we are all fallible, like it or not, admit it or not. We are all prone to make mistakes. And therein lies the ghastly part of the life because some of our decisions may result in some very hard times. But the future can be glorious if we do not rely upon ourselves but instead, follow a Guide Who knows all the future, every turn in the road, everything we will ever face.
And not only will He know the future, but He will be able to provide for the future as well. Now if you have an ounce of sense, you will cry out, who is this guide? Can I possibly get Him to lead and guide me? Well friend, that is the good news of the Gospel!
The Guide, of course, is Jesus and not only is He available, He wants to enter our life and guide us through life. Listen to Jesus speak to all the world—the whole wide wicked world. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30). So the invitation is given by Jesus Himself. The question is, will you respond? Will you take Him into your life and heart; will you make Him the Lord of your life?
That’s the big question, and only you can answer it. You say, Yes, I definitely want Jesus in my life, but how do I talk to Him? What do I say? What must I do? Glad you asked; I was hoping you would. In the gospel of John, chapter one, verse twelve, God tells us, “But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
So there it is; you personally ask Jesus to come into your heart. Confess your sins to Him; tell Him that you are a sinner. Ask Him to cleanse you from your sins. Then promise you will follow Him as best you can, that you will make Him the Lord of your life. Turn from known sin—that is repentance. Then thank Jesus for saving your soul, and tell someone what you did. Sound hard?
Not at all. I was ten years old when I asked Jesus to come into my heart. That was 85 years ago, and it is the smartest thing I ever did.
So I pray to God that right now, you will make that prayer to Jesus. If you do, then you personally have that Guide to lead you to things glorious, not ghastly. IRA F. STANPHIL did that, and here is what he said about it:
“I don’t know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray. I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said; And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead. Every step is getting brighter as the golden stairs I climb; Every burden’s getting lighter; every cloud is silver lined. There the sun is always shining; There no tear will dim the eye; at the ending of the rainbow, where the mountains touch the sky. I don’t know about tomorrow, it may bring me poverty; but the One who feeds the sparrow is the One who stands by me. And the path that is my portion may be through the flame or flood; but His presence goes before me, and I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand; But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”
God bless you. Have a glorious time walking with the Savior.