“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
Last time we were together in John’s Gospel, we talked about hearing the voice of Jesus speaking through His word. There aren’t many things I can think of that matter more to the Christian life than the daily practice of learning to listen to Christ speak, believing what He says, and training the heart to take joy in doing all He commands. According to Jesus, that’s what sheep do. They hear His voice and follow Him (Jn 10:27). Hearing and following Him is key to the Christian life. It is central to our discipleship. It is the mark of a true Christian as it brings us daily into deeper intimacy with Christ. So how are you cultivating the regular practice of hearing and following Jesus?
That practice begins each week as we gather to hear His word. Don’t forget that sheep exist in flocks. The Bible knows nothing of the “lone sheep” out there roaming the pastures alone. Sheep belong in flocks. And the flock stays close to the shepherd. So first, make it your priority to feed with Christ’s flock. Second, every sheep needs to eat every chance it gets. The Good Shepherd leads us to green pastures for our good (Ps 23:2). But once we are there, we must eat. By that I mean “feed daily on God’s Word.” What has God provided to help you be nourished and strengthened in your faith daily? Clearly, he’s given you His word to read. How are you doing this? Thirty minutes a day reading and thinking about God’s word (even 15 minutes) can have a profound impact on your life. It orients you to Him. It reminds you of His truth and grounds you in His promises. Beyond that we can share His word together in our families, use it to encourage fellow believers, share it’s hope with the lost, and meditate on it throughout the day. What are you doing to prioritize a life of feeding on God’s Word daily?
May you and your family be nourished and growing in His grace!
Pastor Scott