April 12, 2025

TIME SPENT WITH JESUS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

John 10:27-30 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

There are a lot of voices in our world today. It seems that anyone with a keyboard is suddenly an expert on life. Hiding behind computer screens people pump out their “wisdom” on how to live and be successful. 

How do you know which voice is worth following?

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice.” This is a powerful statement. How do we know it is the voice of Jesus?

I know my wife’s voice. I can be in a crowded, loud room and she can call my name, and I know it is her. I can’t explain what it sounds like, but I know her voice. I even know from the tone in her calling my name whether things are good are bad. In fact, after 41 years of marriage she doesn’t always have to speak, just a look and I know it’s time to leave. 

The key to knowing Cindy’s voice is that I’ve spent a lot of time with her. Time is the only way to really get to know someone and to know their voice.

How much time do you spend with Jesus? Time in His word. Time in prayer. Time with His family. The more time we spend with Jesus the easier to recognize His voice. 

Jesus says He knows us. Because we are following Him and listening to His voice He knows us. Jesus knows me better than I know myself. He knows the good, bad, and ugly. He knows me.

Because we follow Him, we have received eternal. This is more than a place in heaven where we go when we die. I believe the eternal life that Jesus gives to us starts the moment we confess our sins and turn away from sin. At that moment there is eternal life living inside of us. That is the life of God. God’s eternal life is now living in me. His life in me changes my desires, dreams, and priorities. 

Jesus concludes this passage by declaring that He is one with Father God. That was a powerful declaration. Jesus was leaving out the possibility of being a good man, a good teacher, or just a miracle worker. He was claiming to be God. This stirred the people because they struggled to see this carpenter as God. 

The big choice of life is what do we believe about Jesus. If He is the Son of God, then that changes everything.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit help me learn to hear the voice of God. Remind me today that You know me and are working in me. I declare again that Jesus is my risen Lord, the Son of God.  

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”