Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 23
Sunday


HE KNOWS
MY NAME

READ:
John 10:1-4
_________________________

The sheep hear his
voice; and he calls his
own sheep by name
and leads them out.
__John 10:3
_________________________

When we attended a large church, we learned new things, joined a great small group, and enjoyed the worshipful music. But I didn't realize for a long time that I missed something--the pastor had no idea who I was. Because of the thousands in attendance, I understood that it would be impossible for him to know each person by name.

Then, when we began attending a much smaller church, I received a handwritten welcome note from the pastor. After a few more weeks, Pastor Josh was calling me by name and chatting with me about my recent surgery. It felt good to be personally acknowledged.

All of us have a desire to be known__especially by God. A song by Tommy Walker, "He Knows My Name," reminds us that God knows our every thought, sees each tear that falls, and hears us when we call. We read in the gospel of John, "The sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name.... I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep (John 10:3, 14).

For the One who made heaven and earth, knowing a few billion people is not a problem. God loves you immensely (John 3:16), He thinks about you all the time (Ps. 139:17-18 ), and He knows your name (John 10:3). __ Cindy Hess Kasper
____________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~God knows each winding way I take,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~And every sorrow, pain, and ache:~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~His children He will not forsake__~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~He knows and loves His own. __Bosch~~~~~~~~~~~
____________________________________________________________

No Christian is anonymous to God

****************Today's Bible Reading __ John 10:1-4*************

1 Most assuredly, I say to
you, he who does not enter
the sheepfold by the door,
but climbs up some other
way, the same is a thief and
a robber. 2 But he who
enters by the door is the
shepherd of the sheep. 3 To
him the doorkeeper opens,
and the sheep hear his
voice: and he calls his own
sheep by name and leads
them out. 4 And when he
brings out his own sheep,
he goes before them; and
the sheep follow him, for
they know his voice.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Jewish shepherds keep their sheep in two kinds of sheepfolds. In
the countryside, sheepfolds are low-walled enclosures made of
stones, with the shepherd sleeping across a narrow opening in
front. In the city, sheepfolds are much larger and communal, and
have gatekeepers who know all the shepherds who keep their sheep
there. Jesus was referring to the communal sheepfold in John 10. The
shepherd arrives at the gate, is recognized by the gatekeeper, and
is allowed to enter the sheepfold. As the shepherd walks and calls
among the mixed flocks, only his sheep respond to him. Hearing
and recognizing the shepherd's voice, his sheep come near him and
follow him out of the sheepfold to the pasture. __ SKT