Open Heaven [6 September 2018] Goat or Sheep?

GOAT OR SHEEP? – Thursday September 6^th 2018

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 (KJV)

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.

Bible in one year: Psalm 120-131, Mark 3:7-30, Hymnal: Sing hymn 12

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 goats and sheep because of their characteristics.

Open Heaven 6 September 2018 Goat or 

Sheep?

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 all 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 rare to find two sheep fighting, a goat can start a fight for no discernible reasons. You can see two goats grazing peacefully together 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 suddenly turn on him and start a fight. In fact, as it concerned, it is its own Shepard. A goat considers itself to be under its own government and will do whatever its likes. In contrast, a sheep knows its shepherd’s voice and listens to it.

Open Heaven 6 September 2018: [Thursday] Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Goat or Sheep? 

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 fruits? 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 you 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 enjoy 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).

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 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). Unfortunately, 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.

Key Point

The choice to be either a goat or sheep is in your hands; choose wisely.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Sing hymn 12

TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET

IT BE

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

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.

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.

Take my sliver and my gold;

Not a mite would I withhold;

Take my intellect, and use

Every power as Thou shalt choose

Every power as Thou shalt choose.

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.

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