Word of the Day
Beloved, you are the sheep of My hand and the apple of My eye. I am absolutely one-hundred percent in love with you. I gave My very own life and laid it down for My sheep…for you (John 10:19). My heart is a heart moved with compassion at the distresses and ignorance of the heart, for I long for all to know Me as the Good Shepherd…as the door (Mark 6:34).
I am the door plain and simple for all sheep. There is no other way no matter what a stranger might have to say…no matter what wiles and deceptions he might employ. There is no other way to the Father and there is no other door. I am the one and only Door. If you know My voice, and I have told you My sheep know My voice, you will never be deceived by anything from an imitation to flat out lies.
The best way to know My voice and what I say is to read the Word. The Word is full of My voice…My love…My instruction…My wisdom and revelation. When you delve into the heart of all I have said many things will develop for My Word is a living thing and has the power to renew the mind…to renew the way you think(Hebrews 4:12; Romans 12:2). The Word will develop a discerning spirit within you and the stranger…the enemy will be much easier to recognize.
Beloved, you contain the thoughts and intents of My heart within you and when you read the Word understanding will come for I am in You (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Therefore, I am sharpening your discernment…sharpening your early warning detection skills to see the enemy…to recognize the stranger who longs to lead you away if only just a little bit. A lot of little bits can lead to a subtle slow deviation from the path I have set before you…a path of life and not death…a path full of a future and a hope.
The stranger’s voice often calls out in such a way as to cause feelings of doubt about the direction I am leading you. He regularly challenges the path you are on by either telling you that you are not doing enough, that you have missed it, that you are not qualified or that your mistakes are too costly, by enticing you to engage in busyness, entertainment and so on. He will do anything to keep you from being focused on My voice…to keep you from listing to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit as He directs and points you in the right direction.
Even more so, the enemy hopes you will forget that you have the mind of Christ…hopes you will forget how Holy Spirit leads and guides you into all truth…hopes you will forget grace and embrace the law you can never fulfill (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7).
In this day and hour, it is even more important to be aware of the schemes of the enemy to impersonate Me by adding just enough truth to deceive many. Stick close and keep a watch over the gate of your heart. Be a diligent watchman who is only open to My voice and not susceptible to the accusations and lies of the enemy. When he accuses, go find out what I say. After all, I have already had the final word. Now, arise and follow Me more closely than you ever have before that you may be in place of safety and provision. The time and hour demand it.
They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call (John 10:5)
I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me (John 10:14 Amplified)
As Jesus landed, He saw a great crowd waiting, and He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things (Mark 6:34 Amplified)
Prayer
Lord, I am the sheep of Your hand and the apple of Your eye. I am loved more than can ever be expressed by human words. The compassion of the Lord is ever being released to me. He is acquainted with my grief and my joy. He surrounds me like the mountains surround Jerusalem and my face is ever before Him. Lord you are the way to the Father and have personified Him in the flesh. I know you and, because I do, I know the Father who is slow to anger and full of loving-kindness.
I declare I am one who knows the voice of the Good Shepherd and I will not follow the voice of another. I read the Word and I hear His voice. I read the Word and it is living inside of me to accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. My mind is being renewed day by day as I speak and mediate on the Word. Discernment is my portion and a result of hiding the Word in my heart. I am not deceived by the schemes and plans of the enemy for his tactics are exposed by the Word.
I declare I am aware of how the thoughts and intents of the Lord’s heart abide in me to give me discernment and wisdom in all things. I am not empty-handed, for all that the Lord is belongs to me. I have been given all things in Christ Jesus. I forsake the law and embrace a grace life as Christ in me the hope of glory flows forth with fountains of living water. I am a good gatekeeper and guard over my own heart for out of it flows springs of life. I am diligent to hear, listen and follow the Good Shepherd. He leads me to green pastures and I am fed. I arise and follow Him for the time and hour demand it and my heart longs to do so. Amen.
Reflect and Journal
- Do you have any distresses of the heart? He is here near you and in you with compassion. He is acquainted with your grief and your joy. Write out how you feel about your distress or your joy. If you are distressed, take some time to contemplate what you have to be thankful for and give Him praise. Drink joy from the well of salvation.
- Describe how knowing His voice can keep you from following a stranger in your own personal life. The stranger can be the voice in your head which tells you to believe the negative and not the Lord’s promises. A stranger does not have to be a person. A stranger can be a thought, an attitude, an idea, a lie, guilt or shameful feeling and so much more. You can combat the stranger with the Word. There is an answer to quell ever stranger.
- How does the stranger most often speak to you…with guilt…doubt…fear…you fill in the blank.
- What is the primary focus and goal of the stranger’s voice?
- What does it mean to you to have the mind of Christ…to have the thoughts and intents of His heart?
- Write a note to the Lord about how you will guard over the gate of your heart and only listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd