The Shepherd Calls Each by Name

~~~ Acts 11: 1-18 ~~~ Psalm 42; 43 ~~~ John 10: 1-10 ~~~

The Gentiles are welcomed through Peter’s dream. Up until this dream legal barriers existed between the Jews and the Gentiles. But now God was enlarging his welcoming mat to include those considered outside the salvation circle. God often speaks in our dreams, would you believe even today.

The Holy Spirit blows where it wills. It knows no boundaries.

Nothing can contain it.

The Holy Spirit inspires, that is what the spirit does. God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. The Holy Spirit is God’s way of being present with us today in much the same way as it was in the time after the Resurrection.

The Spirit is living in our midst...the spirit makes itself known through various means. I have personally experienced the influence of the spirit on several occasions when preparing days of prayer for different groups. Sometimes something I may say or do touches a person in a profound way allowing the spirit to enter their heart.

Prayers answered can also be a sign of the presence of the spirit. During intense prayer times a person may be slain in the spirit, this is another sign.

Do you ever pray to the Holy Spirit?

A Good Shepherd opens the gate for the sheep to enter. He enters through the gate ahead of the sheep. He calls each one by name and leads them out of the gate. Jesus is our Shepherd. He called the disciples by name and many times he even changed their name to something more fitting to their calling. Jesus calls each of us by name too. He knows your name. Knowing someone’s name is very personal. I used to try and know my student’s names before the first day of school.

If you listen for the voice of the Shepherd you will not go astray. Others may claim to be the shepherd but you will recognize the voice of the true shepherd.