Iron Sharpens Iron, Men Strengthen Men

I heard a story this past weekend of a Palestinian woman who had recently lost her husband in a conflict. And it was during that conflict, that she also lost her family’s small flock of 25 sheep. Moreover, as it turned out, many of the local sheep farmers also lost their flocks during the same conflict, and eventually, all of the lost sheep were rounded up by the Israeli soldiers into one big herd and kept in a single holding area in the region. At this holding area, the Palestinian woman pleaded with the Israeli guard standing at his post at the gate of the sheep pen. She explained that she could easily separate her sheep from the others without any effort from the soldier. After a while, he was tired of listening to her so he relented and allowed her to enter the pen with her son.

After they entered, the boy lifted a small flute to his lips and played 5 notes very loudly. Immediately, some of the sheep, out of the hundreds, lifted their heads and peered in their direction. The boy played the notes again and sheep began to move in his direction and in less than 5 minutes, the woman, her son, and 25 sheep marched off down the road towards home.

Sheep are followers by nature and learn to listen to the voice of their shepherd and in this case, the sound of a flute. No matter who tries to call them, they will only come when they hear the shepherd’s voice. Jesus said it this way, “ they (sheep) will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice”. John 10:5

So why is it essential for you and me to know about sheep? Because you and I, literally every day, are being hammered by what everyone out there is calling “truth”…or their version of the truth. News media, friends, the internet, social media, and even pastors or Church leadership. Everything and everyone is overwhelming you with so MUCH information and all is being presented as TRUTH. 

With so many voices coming at you simultaneously…How do you separate all the “words” into what you should believe versus what you shouldn’t? Honestly, it isn’t easy. It takes real discernment to understand the right voice that is calling you. Not to your death, but to life, and guys I am not being melodramatic. This is the fight of our lives because it is a fight for our lives.

We MUST be able to separate the right words from the wrong ones not just for you, but for your family as well. Remember Christ’s words to the Pharisees, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…” John 10:14. If you are connected with Him, and have a relationship with Him, you WILL be able to discern through the mayhem and hear the words He is speaking to you. This does require a relationship with Him which means time spent reading and praying…and you can do this-

Here is the REAL truth. The reason there are alternative options to Christ’s message is that the enemy also has a message for you. It is very simple; Follow me for your pleasure and you’ll have the time of your life.

My message back to you; Don’t listen to him. EVERYTHING he offers you is temporary and will lead you to a place that trust me… you don’t want to go.

Instead, listen to the voice of our Shepherd with the message of Good News-

Until next time guys-