Open Heavens 22 December 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – He Knows His Sheep

Open Heavens 22 December 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – He Knows His Sheep

Topic: He Knows His Sheep [Thursday 22, December 2016]

Memorise: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. – John 14:6

Read: John 10:25-29 (KJV)

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 17-19, Psalms 129-130

MESSAGE:

The Bible in several passages referred to God as the good Shepherd, but in the book of John 10:14, Jesus boldly declared, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” Also in John 10:27, God says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”. The Lord is omniscient, He is all knowing, nothing is hidden from His sight, and He therefore has a very good knowledge of the identity of all human beings. Furthermore, 2 Timothy 2:19 says:

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Every Christian is hereby encouraged to depart from all forms of immorality in order to benefit from the heavenly package reserved for true children of God.

Because God paid for the salvation of humanity with His Son’s Blood, Christians in the world are precious to Him. Hence, the Lord will always keep His obedient children from partaking in the judgement of sinners. An example of this is recorded in 1 Kings 14:7-16. Jeroboam was a very wicked king. He did not only sin, but caused so many to sin with him. When God pronounced judgment on him, his entire family faced extinction. He had many sons who all perished with him, but Abijah was spared because he towed the path of righteousness. When judgment is determined against families, yours will be spared in Jesus’ name. When cities and communities are to face disasters and destruction, you will be spared.

If you love to do God’s will all the time and diligently obey His voice, He will keep you from judgment. When He brought plagues of Egypt, in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived, there was no trace of the plaques (Exodus 8:21-23). God separated His own from those who were not His. 2 Timothy 2:19 says no matter what people claim, God knows His people. Are you one of God’s sheep? It is not enough to claim to be a child of God; does God know you as His bona- fide son or daughter? If you are not sure, check your life and be reconciled to God today. If you are recognized by God, there is a hiding place reserved for you in Christ where you will not be a casualty in time of judgment. Like the psalmist, you shall only see and hear of those who are causalities but you shall never be touched (Psalms 91:7-8). Once again, are you among the faithful few?   
  
Prayer Point: Father, please, set my prayer life on fire today in Jesus’ name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.