Open Heavens Daily Devotional For 6th September, 2018
THEME: GOAT OR SHEEP?
MEMORISE:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:33
READ: John 10:25-29
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
MESSAGE
The Bible makes several comparisons between goats and sheep. Those who are unrighteous are often referred to as goats, while the righteous are often referred to as sheep. The Bible compares the goat and the sheep because of their characteristics. The major difference between a goat and a sheep lies in how they take instructions. A goat is very stubborn, while a sheep is submissive. If you try to lead a herd of sheep in a particular direction, they will follow you effortlessly. Irrespective of their number, they will go in the direction they are led. It is usually a different story with goats. When you tell a goat “go this way”, it will refuse to go in that direction, and you will have to drag it by force or even flog it sometimes to get it moving the right way. A goat does not yield to instructions, and it always argues with its guide.
In addition, goats are violent. While it is very rear to find two sheep fighting, a goat can start for no discernible reason. You can see two goats grazing together peacefully in one moment and the next minute they would start a fight. Sometimes, a goat can even fight its keeper. When he insists on the goat going in the right direction, the goat can turn on him and start a fight. In fact, as far as it is concerned, it is its own shepherd. A goat considers itself to be under its own government and will do whatever it likes. In contrast, a sheep knows its shepherd’s voice and listens to it.
Are you a goat or a sheep? Do you obey God’s instructions in the Bible? Do you still steal and tell lies? When was the last time you paid your tithe and first fruit? Are you violent? The Bible says the righteous shall be harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16). Are you upset with your pastor because he told you the truth? do you refuse to stay under anyone’s tutelage? Do you always want to have things your own way or no other way? Note that when a goat proves stubborn, it usually gets flogged and sometimes gets injured. Refusing to live by God’s word will only bring you pain and sorrow. In contrast to goats, sheep enjoys several benefits from the shepherd. For example, the sheep’s life is secure because the shepherd will protect it, even with his own life (John 10:11). If the sheep loses its way, the shepherd will find it and bring it back on track (Luke 15:4-7). The sheep never goes hungry because the shepherd leads it to green pastures (Psalm 23:1-2, Psalm 37:25). Ultimately, the sheep will reign with God in His Kingdom (Matthew 25:33-34). The major difference between a goat and a sheep lies in their character, check your character today and determine which you are.
ACTION POINT:
The choice to be a goat or a sheep is in your hands; choose wisely.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 120-131
Mark 3:7-30
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 12: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.