DAY 10 - To be with a Shepherd or a Thief

Today’s Reading: John 10

(Please read John 10: 1 – 42 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)


Please click the links below to John 10:


NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010&version=NIV
Message: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010&version=NIV

Jesus gave me a vision when I was reading John 10 this morning: I see myself wake up in the morning and go to the sheep pen. Jesus stands there and He is the gate. I see myself going through Him for He is the gate into the sheep pen waiting in expectation for His lead that day.

In fact, I have not been going through Him each day but through other gates like: works, computer, entertainments… Many times, many days I allow myself to be stolen by various thieves like entering into other gates but not Jesus. Listening to others voices but not Jesus. That’s why Daily Devotion is so important, especially early in the morning. Only by this daily relationship with Jesus can we experience the love of our Good Shepherd, to be protected by Him, can be able to listen to Him and follow Him that whole day.

Jesus also told me His sheep won't listen to my voice if I don't go through Him daily. It is only through the daily relationship with him that I can get the daily relationship with His people - his sheep.

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his won, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger..." John 10: 3 - 5

Jesus told me that the key words in John 10: 3 - 5 of "opens the gate for him", "listen to his(the appointed and annointed shepherd)voice", "He calls his own sheep by name and lead them out", "he goes on ahead of them", "his sheep follow him because they know his voice" and "they will never follow a stranger" need relationship. And relationship needs time and willingness to build.

The Lord also draw me to three important passages in the Bible concerning with the similar role of being an appointed and annointed shepherd of God: Numbers 27: 15-23, Isaiah 63: 11 and Ezekiel 34: 1-24.

It is impossible for me to know all the names of the people of the 16 churches that He entrusts me to lead. As a matter of fact I am not able to call each of my parishioners' name since we have grown beyond 400 Sunday attendance now. I feel that the Lord asks me to do a new thing that I can pray for each one of those who would like me to pray for them daily. I am inviting you to give me your photo(or e-mail - bishopsilasng@gmail.com ), write your name and the name of your church at the back of the photo or somewhere in your e-mail. I will also have an invitation to the brothers and sisters of my parish - Richmond Emmanuel Church tomorrow inviting all of them to do the same thing. By doing so I can begin a new phase of relationship building and can be able to know and pray for each one of those who would like me to pray for.

Please mail your photo to:

Bishop-Elect Silas Ng

Richmond Emmanuel Church

7451 Elmbridge Way

Richmond, BC V6X 1B8

Canada

Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me to go through you daily as the Gate that I can have a more intimate relationship with you and others and that I can be a faithful shepherd appointed and anointed by you. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.