Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
One of the Bible’s most informative images of Jesus is as the Good Shepherd. Part of that image involves His leadership or lordship of the flock. Jesus expresses that role by saying, “My sheep hear My voice.” Only the Lord’s true sheep follow and obey Him because they know and recognize His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
In John 10:1–30, as Jesus faces growing opposition from His enemies, He draws His followers ever closer by introducing them to the kind and caring leader He embodies—the Good Shepherd. Jesus wants His disciples to recognize that He is not like the abusive religious leaders who were in constant conflict with Him and His ministry. He shows them that they must follow Him as sheep follow their shepherd.
In this illustration, the sheepfold represents a place of security, a protective shelter of the family of God. No one can enter the fold except through the Good Shepherd (John 10:7–9). He alone determines who may come in. He protects His sheep and leads them, and even lays down His life for them (verse 11). Only true sheep follow His leadership: “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:4, NLT). Christ leads by example. His life illustrates how we ought to live. He doesn’t have to push or prod us to follow Him but guides us by walking ahead of us. And His sheep hear His voice, that is, we know His voice and recognize Him as our leader.
The simple statement My sheep hear My voice is packed full of Christian doctrine. It expresses personal intimacy between the shepherd and his sheep. In the first century, a single sheep pen held multiple flocks, so it was essential for the sheep to know and recognize their own shepherd’s voice. There had to be an unmistakable familiarity between sheep and shepherd for the sheep to feel safe and know which voice to follow. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). Knowing the Lord’s voice indicates experiential knowledge through a relationship with Him.
My sheep hear My voice also highlights the call of Jesus Christ that brings believers into a new and abundant life of fellowship with Him (Romans 8:28–30). Jesus as the Good Shepherd calls us by name (John 10:3; Isaiah 45:3–4), and He knows us by name (Exodus 33:17).
My sheep hear My voice speaks of those who listen with obedient attention—this kind of listening results in faith. Paul taught the Romans, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). One primary way we hear the Lord’s voice is through the Word of God. By hearing His voice in Scripture, we get to know Him, and knowing Him produces faith, and that faith causes us to follow and obey.
First John 2:3–6 explains that to know God is to obey Him: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” True sheep know the Lord’s voice and prove it by obeying His commands. They live as Jesus did.
My sheep affirms that there are true sheep and false sheep. True sheep know, listen to, and obey the Good Shepherd’s voice; false sheep pay no mind. My sheep also communicates the reality of our union with Christ: “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). We belong to our Good Shepherd (John 17:6).
Of His sheep, Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:28–30). Those who belong to the Good Shepherd belong to God the Father. They are His forever. Jesus laid down His life on the cross to give His followers eternal life, and they are safe in His sheepfold for all eternity (John 6:37, 39; 17:2, 9; 18:9).
The Good Shepherd says, “My sheep hear My voice.” These sheep have heard the call of Christ to enter the sheepfold. By grace, the Good Shepherd has saved them through faith, and now they belong to the family of God forever (Ephesians 2:1–10).
Een van die Bybel se mees insiggewende beelde van Jesus is as die Goeie Herder. ‘n Deel van daardie beeld behels Sy leierskap of heerskappy van die kudde. Jesus druk daardie rol uit deur te sê: “My skape luister na my stem.” Slegs die Here se ware skape volg en gehoorsaam Hom omdat hulle Sy stem ken en herken. Jesus het gesê: “My skape luister na my stem; Ek ken hulle, en hulle volg My” (Johannes 10:27).
In Johannes 10:1–30, terwyl Jesus toenemende teenstand van Sy vyande in die gesig staar, bring Hy Sy volgelinge al hoe nader deur hulle voor te stel aan die vriendelike en sorgsame leier wat Hy beliggaam – die Goeie Herder. Jesus wil hê Sy dissipels moet erken dat Hy nie soos die mishandelende godsdienstige leiers is wat in voortdurende konflik met Hom en Sy bediening was nie. Hy wys hulle dat hulle Hom moet volg soos skape hul herder volg.
In hierdie illustrasie verteenwoordig die skaapkraal ‘n plek van veiligheid, ‘n beskermende skuiling van die familie van God. Niemand kan die kraal binnegaan behalwe deur die Goeie Herder nie (Johannes 10:7–9). Hy alleen bepaal wie mag inkom. Hy beskerm Sy skape en lei hulle, en lê selfs Sy lewe vir hulle af (vers 11). Slegs ware skape volg Sy leierskap: “Nadat Hy sy eie kudde bymekaargemaak het, loop Hy voor hulle uit, en hulle volg Hom omdat hulle sy stem ken” (Johannes 10:4). Christus lei deur voorbeeld. Sy lewe illustreer hoe ons behoort te leef. Hy hoef ons nie te stoot of aan te spoor om Hom te volg nie, maar lei ons deur voor ons uit te loop. En Sy skape hoor Sy stem, dit wil sê, ons ken Sy stem en herken Hom as ons leier.
Die eenvoudige stelling My skape hoor My stem is vol Christelike leerstellings. Dit druk persoonlike intimiteit tussen die herder en sy skape uit. In die eerste eeu het ‘n enkele skaapkraal verskeie kuddes gehou, dus was dit noodsaaklik vir die skape om hul eie herder se stem te ken en te herken. Daar moes ‘n onmiskenbare vertroudheid tussen skaap en herder wees sodat die skape veilig kon voel en weet watter stem om te volg. Jesus het gesê: “Ek is die goeie herder; Ek ken my skape en my skape ken My” (Johannes 10:14). Om die Here se stem te ken, dui op ervaringskennis deur ‘n verhouding met Hom.
My skape hoor My stem beklemtoon ook die roepstem van Jesus Christus wat gelowiges in ‘n nuwe en oorvloedige lewe van gemeenskap met Hom bring (Romeine 8:28–30). Jesus as die Goeie Herder roep ons by die naam (Johannes 10:3; Jesaja 45:3–4), en Hy ken ons by die naam (Eksodus 33:17).
My skape hoor My stem spreek van diegene wat met gehoorsame aandag luister – hierdie soort luister lei tot geloof. Paulus het die Romeine geleer: “Geloof kom uit die gehoor van die woord, en die woord word gehoor deur die woord van Christus” (Romeine 10:17). Een primêre manier waarop ons die Here se stem hoor, is deur die Woord van God. Deur Sy stem in die Skrif te hoor, leer ons Hom ken, en om Hom te ken, bring geloof voort, en daardie geloof veroorsaak dat ons volg en gehoorsaam.
1 Johannes 2:3–6 verduidelik dat om God te ken, beteken om Hom te gehoorsaam: “As ons sy gebooie gehoorsaam, weet ons dat ons Hom ken. Elkeen wat sê: ‘Ek ken Hom’, maar nie doen wat Hy beveel nie, is ’n leuenaar en die waarheid is nie in hom nie. Maar as iemand sy woord gehoorsaam, dan het die liefde vir God in hom sy volle betekenis. Hieraan weet ons dat ons in Hom is: elkeen wat beweer dat hy in Hom bly, moet soos Jesus leef.” Ware skape ken die Here se stem en bewys dit deur sy gebooie te gehoorsaam. Hulle leef soos Jesus.
My skape bevestig dat daar ware skape en valse skape is. Ware skape ken, luister na en gehoorsaam die Goeie Herder se stem; valse skape gee geen aandag daaraan nie. My skape kommunikeer ook die werklikheid van ons eenheid met Christus: “Maar elkeen wat met die Here verenig is, is in die gees met Hom een” (1 Korintiërs 6:17). Ons behoort aan ons Goeie Herder (Johannes 17:6).
Van Sy skape het Jesus gesê: “Ek gee hulle die ewige lewe, en hulle sal nooit verlore gaan tot in ewigheid nie; niemand sal hulle uit my hand ruk nie. My Vader wat hulle aan My gegee het, is groter as almal; niemand kan hulle uit die hand van my Vader ruk nie. Ek en die Vader is een” (Johannes 10:28–30). Diegene wat aan die Goeie Herder behoort, behoort aan God die Vader. Hulle is Syne vir ewig. Jesus het Sy lewe aan die kruis afgelê om Sy volgelinge die ewige lewe te gee, en hulle is veilig in Sy skaapkraal vir alle ewigheid (Johannes 6:37, 39; 17:2, 9; 18:9).
Die Goeie Herder sê: “My skape luister na My stem.” Hierdie skape het die roepstem van Christus gehoor om die skaapkraal binne te gaan. Deur genade het die Goeie Herder hulle deur geloof gered, en nou behoort hulle vir ewig aan die familie van God (Efesiërs 2:1–10).
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Prayer
Father, sometimes we struggle to believe too. When things don’t happen right away the way we want them to. When Lazarus died, it seemed like all hope was lost, but yet Martha and Mary saw Your glory. Let us also see Your glory, We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen.
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Jesus sê vir haar: Het Ek nie vir jou gesê, as jy glo, sal jy die heerlikheid van God sien nie? Johannes 11:40
Gebed
Vader, ons sukkel soms ook so om te glo. Wanneer dinge nie dadelik gebeur soos ons wil hê dit moet nie. Toe Lasarus gesterf het, het dit gelyk of alle hoop verlore was, maar tog het Marta en Maria U heerlikheid gesien. Laat ons ook U heerlikheid sien, Dit bid ons in Jesus naam, Amen en Amen
Bible Teaching of the Day
How can we recognize the voice of God?
This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1–10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17–22,36–40). When we are listening for God’s voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us contrary to what He has taught in His Word (Titus 1:2).
To hear God’s voice we must belong to God. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd. If we are to recognize God’s voice, we must belong to Him.
We hear His voice when we spend time in Bible study and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when someone speaks error to us, it is clear that it is not of God.
While God could speak audibly to people today, He speaks primarily through His written Word. Sometimes God’s leading can come through the Holy Spirit, through our consciences, through circumstances, and through the exhortations of other people. By comparing what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize God’s voice.
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Hoe kan ons die stem van God herken?
Hierdie vraag is deur tallose mense deur die eeue heen gevra. Samuel het die stem van God gehoor, maar dit nie herken totdat hy deur Eli onderrig is nie (1 Samuel 3:1–10). Gideon het ‘n fisiese openbaring van God gehad, en hy het steeds getwyfel aan wat hy gehoor het, tot die punt dat hy nie een keer nie, maar drie keer vir ‘n teken gevra het (Rigters 6:17–22, 36–40). Wanneer ons na God se stem luister, hoe kan ons weet dat Hy die een is wat praat? Eerstens het ons iets wat Gideon en Samuel nie gehad het nie. Ons het die volledige Bybel, die geïnspireerde Woord van God, om te lees, te bestudeer en oor te mediteer. “Die hele Skrif is deur God ingegee en is nuttig tot lering, tot weerlegging, tot teregwysing en tot onderwysing in die geregtigheid, sodat die mens van God volkome toegerus kan wees vir elke goeie werk” (2 Timoteus 3:16–17). Wanneer ons ‘n vraag oor ‘n sekere onderwerp of besluit in ons lewens het, moet ons kyk wat die Bybel daaroor te sê het. God sal ons nooit lei in stryd met wat Hy in Sy Woord geleer het nie (Titus 1:2).
Om God se stem te hoor, moet ons aan God behoort. Jesus het gesê: “My skape luister na my stem, en Ek ken hulle, en hulle volg My” (Johannes 10:27). Diegene wat God se stem hoor, is diegene wat aan Hom behoort – diegene wat deur Sy genade gered is deur geloof in die Here Jesus. Dit is die skape wat Sy stem hoor en herken, omdat hulle Hom as hul Herder ken. As ons God se stem wil herken, moet ons aan Hom behoort.
Ons hoor Sy stem wanneer ons tyd spandeer aan Bybelstudie en stille oordenking van Sy Woord. Hoe meer tyd ons intiem met God en Sy Woord spandeer, hoe makliker is dit om Sy stem en Sy leiding in ons lewens te herken. Werknemers by ‘n bank word opgelei om vervalsings te herken deur egte geld so noukeurig te bestudeer dat dit maklik is om ‘n vervalsing raak te sien. Ons moet so vertroud wees met God se Woord dat wanneer iemand ons ‘n fout vertel, dit duidelik is dat dit nie van God is nie.
Terwyl God vandag hoorbaar met mense kon praat, praat Hy hoofsaaklik deur Sy geskrewe Woord. Soms kan God se leiding deur die Heilige Gees kom, deur ons gewete, deur omstandighede en deur die vermanings van ander mense. Deur wat ons hoor te vergelyk met die waarheid van die Skrif, kan ons leer om God se stem te herken.
Today’s Devotional
The clause “the Lord is my shepherd” comes from one of the most beloved of all passages of Scripture, the 23rd Psalm. In this passage and throughout the New Testament we learn that the Lord is our Shepherd in two ways. First, as the Good Shepherd, He laid down His life for His sheep and, second, His sheep know His voice and follow Him (John 10:11, 14).
In Psalm 23, God is using the analogy of sheep and their nature to describe us. Sheep have a natural tendency to wander off and get lost. As believers, we tend to do the same thing. It’s as Isaiah has said: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). When sheep go astray, they are in danger of getting lost, being attacked, even killing themselves by drowning or falling off cliffs.
Likewise, within our own nature there is a strong tendency to go astray (Romans 7:5; 8:8), following the lusts of our flesh and eyes and pursuing the pride of life (1 John 2:16). As such, we are like sheep wandering away from the Shepherd through our own futile self-remedies and attempts at self-righteousness. It is our nature to drift away (Hebrews 2:1), to reject God, and to break His commandments. When we do this, we run the risk of getting lost, even forgetting the way back to God. Furthermore, when we turn away from the Lord, we soon find ourselves confronting one enemy after another who will attack us in numerous ways.
Sheep are basically helpless creatures who cannot survive long without a shepherd, upon whose care they are totally dependent. Likewise, like sheep, we are totally dependent upon the Lord to shepherd, protect, and care for us. Sheep are essentially dumb animals that do not learn well and are extremely difficult to train. They do not have good eyesight, nor do they hear well. They are very slow animals who cannot escape predators; they have no camouflage and no weapons for defense such as claws, sharp hooves, or powerful jaws.
Furthermore, sheep are easily frightened and become easily confused. In fact, they have been known to plunge blindly off a cliff following one after another. Shepherds in Bible times faced incredible dangers in caring for their sheep, putting their own lives at risk by battling wild animals such as wolves and lions who threatened the flock. David was just such a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:34–35). In order to be good shepherds, they had to be willing to lay down their lives for the sheep.
Jesus declared that He is our Shepherd and demonstrated it by giving His life for us. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Through His willing sacrifice, the Lord made salvation possible for all who come to Him in faith (John 3:16). In proclaiming that He is the good shepherd, Jesus speaks of “laying down” His life for His sheep (John 10:15, 17–18).
Like sheep, we, too, need a shepherd. Men are spiritually blind and lost in their sin. This is why Jesus spoke of the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4–6). He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. He searches for us when we’re lost, to save us and to show us the way to eternal life (Luke 19:10). We tend to be like sheep, consumed with worry and fear, following after one another. By not following or listening to the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27), we can be easily led astray by others to our own destruction. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, warns those who do not believe and listen to Him: “I did tell you, but you do not believe . . . you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:25–28).
Psalm 23:1–3 tells us that the shepherd meets the sheep’s every need: food, water, rest, safety, and direction. When we as believers follow our Shepherd, we, too, know that we will have all we need. We will not lack the necessities of life, for He knows exactly what we need (Luke 12:22–30).
Sheep will not lie down when they are hungry, nor will they drink from fast-flowing streams. Sometimes the shepherd will temporarily dam up a stream so the sheep can quench their thirst. Psalm 23:2 speaks of leading the sheep “beside the quiet [stilled] waters.” The shepherd must lead his sheep because they cannot be driven. Instead, the sheep hear the voice of their shepherd and follow him—just as we listen to our Shepherd, Jesus Christ—in His Word and follow Him (John 10:3–5, 16, 27). And if a sheep does wander off, the shepherd will leave the flock in charge of his helpers and search for the lost animal (Matthew 9:36; 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7).
In Psalm 23:3, the Hebrew word translated “paths” means “well-worn paths or ruts.” In other words, when sheep wander onto a new path, they start to explore it, which invariably leads them into trouble. This passage is closely akin to the warning in Hebrews 13:9: “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” The apostle Paul also alludes to this idea in Ephesians 4:14.
Finally, the shepherd cares for the sheep because he loves them and wants to maintain his own good reputation as a faithful shepherd. As we’ve seen in Psalm 23, the analogy of the Lord as the Good Shepherd was also applied by Jesus in John chapter 10. In declaring that He is the shepherd of the sheep, Jesus is confirming that He is God. The Eternal God is our Shepherd. And we would not want it any other way.
Vandag se Bemoediging
Die sinsdeel “die Here is my herder” kom uit een van die mees geliefde gedeeltes in die Skrif, die 23ste Psalm. In hierdie gedeelte en dwarsdeur die Nuwe Testament leer ons dat die Here ons Herder op twee maniere is. Eerstens, as die Goeie Herder, het Hy Sy lewe vir Sy skape afgelê, en tweedens, Sy skape ken Sy stem en volg Hom (Johannes 10:11, 14).
In Psalm 23 gebruik God die analogie van skape en hul natuur om ons te beskryf. Skape het ‘n natuurlike neiging om weg te dwaal en te verdwaal. As gelowiges is ons geneig om dieselfde te doen. Dis soos Jesaja gesê het: “Ons het almal gedwaal soos skape, elkeen van ons het sy eie pad geloop” (Jesaja 53:6). Wanneer skape verdwaal, loop hulle gevaar om verdwaal te raak, aangeval te word, selfs hulself dood te maak deur te verdrink of van kranse af te val.
Net so is daar binne ons eie natuur ‘n sterk neiging om te dwaal (Romeine 7:5; 8:8), die begeerlikhede van ons vlees en oë te volg en die trots van die lewe na te jaag (1 Johannes 2:16). As sodanig is ons soos skape wat van die Herder wegdwaal deur ons eie vergeefse selfremedies en pogings tot selfgeregtigheid. Dit is ons natuur om weg te dryf (Hebreërs 2:1), om God te verwerp en Sy gebooie te verbreek. Wanneer ons dit doen, loop ons die risiko om verlore te raak, selfs die pad terug na God te vergeet. Verder, wanneer ons van die Here af wegdraai, bevind ons ons gou voor die een vyand na die ander wat ons op talle maniere sal aanval.
Skape is basies hulpelose wesens wat nie lank sonder ‘n herder kan oorleef nie, van wie se sorg hulle heeltemal afhanklik is. Net so, soos skape, is ons heeltemal afhanklik van die Here om ons te herder, te beskerm en vir ons te sorg. Skape is in wese dom diere wat nie goed leer nie en uiters moeilik is om op te lei. Hulle het nie goeie sig nie, en hulle hoor ook nie goed nie. Hulle is baie stadige diere wat nie van roofdiere kan ontsnap nie; Hulle het geen kamoeflering en geen wapens vir verdediging soos kloue, skerp hoewe of kragtige kake nie.
Verder is skape maklik bang en word maklik verward. Trouens, hulle is bekend daarvoor dat hulle blindelings van ‘n krans afspring en een na die ander volg. Herders in Bybeltye het ongelooflike gevare in die gesig gestaar in die versorging van hul skape en hul eie lewens in gevaar gestel deur wilde diere soos wolwe en leeus wat die kudde bedreig het, te beveg. Dawid was net so ‘n herder (1 Samuel 17:34–35). Om goeie herders te wees, moes hulle bereid wees om hul lewens vir die skape af te lê.
Jesus het verklaar dat Hy ons Herder is en dit gedemonstreer deur Sy lewe vir ons te gee. “Die Seun van die mens het nie gekom om gedien te word nie, maar om te dien en sy lewe te gee as ‘n losprys vir baie” (Matteus 20:28). Deur Sy gewillige offer het die Here verlossing moontlik gemaak vir almal wat in geloof na Hom toe kom (Johannes 3:16). Wanneer Hy verkondig dat Hy die goeie herder is, praat Jesus daarvan om Sy lewe vir Sy skape “af te lê” (Johannes 10:15, 17–18).
Soos skape het ons ook ‘n herder nodig. Mense is geestelik blind en verlore in hul sonde. Dit is hoekom Jesus van die gelykenis van die verlore skaap gepraat het (Lukas 15:4–6). Hy is die Goeie Herder wat Sy lewe vir ons afgelê het. Hy soek ons wanneer ons verlore is, om ons te red en vir ons die weg na die ewige lewe te wys (Lukas 19:10). Ons is geneig om soos skape te wees, verteer deur bekommernis en vrees, wat mekaar volg. Deur nie die Herder se stem te volg of daarna te luister nie (Johannes 10:27), kan ons maklik deur ander tot ons eie vernietiging gelei word. Jesus, die Goeie Herder, waarsku diegene wat nie in Hom glo en na Hom luister nie: “Ek het dit vir julle gesê, maar julle glo nie … julle glo nie, omdat julle nie my skape is nie. My skape luister na my stem, en Ek ken hulle, en hulle volg My. Ek gee hulle die ewige lewe, en hulle sal nooit verlore gaan nie; niemand kan hulle uit my hand ruk nie” (Johannes 10:25–28).
Psalm 23:1–3 sê vir ons dat die herder in elke behoefte van die skape voorsien: kos, water, rus, veiligheid en leiding. Wanneer ons as gelowiges ons Herder volg, weet ons ook dat ons alles sal hê wat ons nodig het. Ons sal nie ‘n tekort aan die noodsaaklikhede van die lewe hê nie, want Hy weet presies wat ons nodig het (Lukas 12:22–30).
Skape sal nie gaan lê wanneer hulle honger is nie, en hulle sal ook nie uit vinnig vloeiende strome drink nie. Soms sal die herder tydelik ‘n stroom opdam sodat die skape hul dors kan les. Psalm 23:2 praat daarvan om die skape “langs die stil waters” te lei. Die herder moet sy skape lei, want hulle kan nie gedryf word nie. In plaas daarvan hoor die skape die stem van hulle herder en volg hom – net soos ons na ons Herder, Jesus Christus – in Sy Woord luister en Hom volg (Johannes 10:3–5, 16, 27). En as ‘n skaap wel wegdwaal, sal die herder die kudde in die sorg van sy helpers laat en na die verlore dier soek (Matteus 9:36; 18:12–14; Lukas 15:3–7).
In Psalm 23:3 beteken die Hebreeuse woord wat as “paaie” vertaal word “goed verslete paaie of groewe”. Met ander woorde, wanneer skape op ‘n nuwe pad dwaal, begin hulle dit verken, wat hulle altyd in die moeilikheid lei. Hierdie gedeelte is nou verwant aan die waarskuwing in Hebreërs 13:9: “Moenie meegesleur word deur allerhande vreemde leringe nie.” Die apostel Paulus verwys ook na hierdie idee in Efesiërs 4:14.
Laastens, die herder sorg vir die skape omdat hy hulle liefhet en sy eie goeie reputasie as ‘n getroue herder wil behou. Soos ons in Psalm 23 gesien het, is die analogie van die Here as die Goeie Herder ook deur Jesus in Johannes hoofstuk 10 toegepas. Deur te verklaar dat Hy die herder van die skape is, bevestig Jesus dat Hy God is. Die Ewige God is ons Herder. En ons sou dit nie anders wou hê nie.
The Collectors of Manna – Women of the Word // Gaarders van Manna – Vroue van die woord
Dilize Light has Managed a TruLight Ladies Group on Telegram for the Past 6 Years and from Today . she will be Sharing her Manna with the Ladies in The TruLight Daily Manna Platform . Dilize is the only Daughter of Pastor Dirk and has been part of the Ministry since the age of 11 . Dilize is also the Radio Host for the Popular TruLight Top 10 that airs on TruLight Radio XM saturdays at 17h00′
Dilize Light bestuur die afgelope 6 jaar ‘n TruLight Damesgroep op Telegram en van vandag af sal sy haar Manna met die Dames deel op die TruLight Daaglikse Manna-platform. Dilize is die enigste dogter van Pastoor Dirk en is deel van die bediening sedert die ouderdom van 11. Dilize is ook die radio-aanbieder vir die gewilde TruLight Top 10 wat Saterdae om 17:00 op TruLight Radio XM uitgesaai word.
Om Skuiling Te Soek:
In die destydse wêreld het die boere altyd oor hulle landery en saailande wag gehou en dit versorg, totdat vyande op die horison verskyn het. Dan het hulle met hulle gesinne op vlug geslaan, na die vestingstad toe gevlug, om daar beskerming teen die boosdoeners te soek.
Vir baie jare al is die stad Carcassone so ń vestingstad. Dis in die 5 de eeu voor Christus gebou, en hierdie vesting het deur die eeue skuiling vir Romeine, Galiliërs, Wes-Gote, Franke en die Franse gebied. Die uitgestrekte stad met al sy uitkykpunte en versterkings het aan die mense vertroue gebied en hulle het agter die beskermde mure geskuil.
As gelowiges kan ons skuiling in die teenwoordigheid van die lewende God vind. Ons lees in Spreuke: “Die Naam van die Here is ń sterk vesting; die regverdige vind daar skuiling ( Spr 18:10 ). Die Naam van die Here verwys na sy karakter van getrouheid krag en genade. Die term sterk vesting beteken dat ons teen gevaar beskerm kan word.
Ons word almal van tyd tot tyd met moeilike situasies gekonfronteer en dan soek ons desperaat na skuiling. Party soek dit in materiële dinge of in verhoudinge. Maar die volgeling van Christus het ń beter skuilplek as gevolg van wat God vir ons kan doen. Indien jy vandag ń krisis in die gesig staar, gaan na God toe, Hy wat ń sterk vesting is. Daar sal jy rus kan vind !
In goeie sowel as slegte tye, is die Here ons Beskermer en ons veilige rusplek.
To Seek Shelter:
In the ancient world, farmers always guarded their fields and crops and tended them until enemies appeared on the horizon. Then they fled with their families, fleeing to the fortified city, to seek protection from the evildoers.
For many years, the city of Carcassonne has been such a fortified city. It was built in the 5th century BC, and this fortress has provided shelter for Romans, Galileans, Visigoths, Franks and the French region throughout the centuries. The vast city with all its lookouts and fortifications offered people confidence and they hid behind the protected walls.
As believers, we can find shelter in the presence of the living God. We read in Proverbs: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous find refuge in it (Prov. 18:10). The name of the Lord refers to his character of faithfulness, power, and mercy. The term strong tower means that we can be protected from danger.
We all face difficult situations from time to time and then we desperately seek refuge. Some seek it in material things or in relationships. But the follower of Christ has a better refuge because of what God can do for us. If you are facing a crisis today, go to God, He who is a strong tower. There you will find rest!
In good times and bad, the Lord is our Protector and our safe resting place.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV – The Power of Praise
Today’s guest artist on Gospel Music USA, Five-time Grammy nominated, seven-time GMA Dove Award winning Karen Peck and New River has impacted the Gospel Music industry for almost 30 years. New River continues to deliver a progressive sound that is distinctive yet remains true to the traditional styling that has made them a fan favorite. and later a Testimony from Kabir’s and Anjali’s (Step of Faith) – When you’re in the most desperate of situations, you’re in a position to experience the maximum grace of Jesus. Kabir and Anjali lived this as they struggled to keep their ministry to girls in India open. When all seemed hopeless, they took a step of faith and obeyed God.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
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00:15 Words to Live By Testimonies
01.15 Science Scripture and Salvation
02.15 Ground Works
04.00 Gospel Concert of the Day
05.00 The Daren Streblow Comedy Show
5:55 It is Today devotional
6:00 Gaither Homecoming Morning Show
7:15 Discover the Word
8.15 Destined for Victory
8:55 Science Scripture and Salvation
9:00 Holy Spirit Hour – Normally Sermons
10:15 Hope of the Heart
11:15 Unshackled
11.45 Words to Live By
12:15 Truth for Life
13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:15 Focus on the Family
15:00 Kids Hour
16:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
16:30 Groundwork
17:15 Live in the Light
18:15 Renewing your Mind
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21:15 Adventures in Odyssey Radio Drama
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Bible Prophecy in the News
UN Schedules Gaza Meeting During Rosh Hashanah: An Unprecedented Case of Religious Exclusion
The timing appears designed to prevent Israeli officials and observant Jews from participating in discussions about Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
According to a report by the WFB the Security Council’s public calendar shows only that a “Middle East” briefing is slated for Tuesday, the first day of high-level debate at the U.N. General Assembly. However, sources familiar with the meeting revealed that it will focus specifically on the war in Gaza and was deliberately scheduled during Rosh Hashanah due to pressure from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The OIC, which describes itself as the “collective voice of the Muslim world,” maintains a permanent delegation to the U.N. and includes members such as Iran, Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan. Algeria, another OIC member, was reportedly “especially aggressive in pushing for the Gaza meeting to fall within Rosh Hashanah,” according to the Free Beacon’s reporting.
The Jewish holiday begins at sundown on Monday and concludes at nightfall on Wednesday. Notably, the U.N. General Assembly high-level debate continues for five days after Rosh Hashanah ends, providing ample opportunity to schedule the Gaza meeting at a time when all relevant parties could participate.
Rosh Hashanah holds profound meaning in Jewish tradition as the Jewish New Year and Day of Judgment. According to Jewish belief, this is the day when the entire world is judged by God, occurring seven days after the creation of the world. For religiously observant and even moderately observant Jews, participation in work activities or official meetings is prohibited during this sacred time, making the UN’s scheduling particularly exclusionary.
The timing has drawn sharp criticism from multiple quarters. One source familiar with the meeting described it as “yet another example of how the U.N. is a fundamentally unserious institution,” telling the Free Beacon: “It’s a farce for the Security Council to schedule this meeting on Rosh Hashanah, knowing Israel can’t participate or respond to the anti-Semitic dogpile that will take place.”
Signs of the Times
‘Israel will kneel’ to world pressure on Palestine: PA official
The Palestinian Authority’s ambassador to the United Nations hailed recent recognitions of an independent Palestinian state by major world powers, saying the momentum will increase international pressure on Israel.
PA Ambassador Riyad Mansour made the remarks in Arabic-language interviews and statements after the UK, Australia, Canada, and Portugal announced formal recognition of Palestine on Sunday.
Mansour said the move signaled that “soon, the entire world would recognize an independent Palestinian state.”
The recognitions are “historic, especially coming from Britain,” Mansour added, saying he believed that achieving “permanent status for Palestine at the UN” was on the horizon.
Mansour praised Colombia for ending diplomatic relations with Israel and Norway for divesting billions from investments tied to Israeli companies — actions he described as part of a growing list of measures that will “limit this illegal occupation.”
The ambassador added that “these are only examples of practical measures that will multiply and expand to limit this illegal occupation until Netanyahu and his government kneel and submit to the will of the world and the people.”
The diplomat added that “what is needed now are stronger practical steps that will suffocate this illegal occupation like those taken by Spain.”
He called for other countries to replicate Madrid’s steps, including bans on arms shipments to Israel and restrictions on ports or airports used as stopovers for shipments of weapons.
On Monday, the UN General Assembly in New York will hold a summit, called the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
During the meeting, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, most member states are expected to vote to support the official recognition of a Palestinian state by the UN.
Israel has expressed that it will take punitive measures against countries recognizing Palestine, with Israeli diplomats calling the move a “reward” for the October 7th massacres.
“The only beneficiary is Hamas… When terrorists are the ones cheering, you are not advancing peace; you are advancing terror,” Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in New York last week.
TruLight Ministry News
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At TruLight Ministries, we have developed a valuable online platform known as End Time Prayers, House of Prayer, exclusively for you. This resource website is designed to provide you with a comprehensive collection of prayers and spiritual guidance to navigate through the challenging times we are living in. 2. Discover the incredible resource website, End Time Prayers, House of Prayer, brought to you by TruLight Ministries. This platform has been meticulously crafted to offer you a wide range of prayers and spiritual support tailored specifically for the current era we find ourselves in.
Available in titles in both Afrikaans and English, such as Prescription Prayers for the End Times, Prayer Studies, The 2 Way Prayer, Prayer of Thanksgiving, Prayer for Healing, and Prayer for Deliverance. Whether you are looking to strengthen your faith, find comfort in times of need, or simply express gratitude, these titles provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you on your spiritual journey.
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Eish ; Jesus did not Rapture Us over Rosh Hashanah !!! Why Not???
If Jesus doesn’t come for a pre-tribulation rapture, various alternative views suggest His return is a single, public event at the end of the tribulation to defeat the Antichrist and end Sin forever, which aligns with many interpretations of biblical prophecy and the writings of early church figures. Some interpretations also suggest that the “rapture” described in 1 Thessalonians 4 refers to the gathering of all believers to Christ at the resurrection at the end of history, a singular, decisive coming rather than a secret, early departure.
Alternative Views on Christ’s Return
A Single, Public Event: Many Christians believe in one final, visible return of Jesus Christ to judge the world and defeat the Antichrist.
Post-Tribulation Return: This view posits that the gathering of believers and the resurrection of the dead will happen at the end of the Great Tribulation, not before it, and with a public display of Christ’s power.
Augustine and Aquinas: Early church scholars like St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas did not teach a secret rapture but rather a single event of resurrection and glorification for the faithful upon Christ’s return to judge the living and the dead, as a public culmination of history.
Why the Pre Trip Rapture View May Not Align with Scripture
Lack of Biblical Foundation: The idea of a secret, pre-tribulation rapture is seen by some scholars and theologians as a relatively modern interpretation, not a consistent teaching throughout early church history.
The “Falling Away”: Some biblical passages, such as 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, state that the gathering of believers to Christ will occur only after a “falling away” and the revelation of the “man of sin” (the Antichrist), which contradicts the idea of a rapture before the tribulation.
The “End of the Age” Interpretation: Some interpretations argue that verses about “the end” or “the coming of the Son of Man” refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, where some were “taken” (removed) and others left behind (preserved) by God, rather than a rapture.
What Happens If the Rapture Doesn’t Happen?
Continued Witness and Judgment: Believers who are not raptured will continue to witness and potentially endure the tribulation period, a time when God’s judgment is poured out.
Theological Implication: The absence of a pre-tribulation rapture does not negate the urgency of salvation but redirects the focus to enduring, rather than escaping, the challenges of the end times through faith in Christ.
a Clear and Law of Religion is That you need to be Born Again meaning Baptism in Water and Baptism in the Holy Spirit. the emphasis on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is Needed to be Raptured. Jesus and Paul confirms: That if you are NOT Baptized with the Holy Spirit you will NOT be part of the Rapture that will take place after the 2nd Coming of Jesus at the Battle of Armageddon. John 3 v 3-6 , Rom 8 v 11-16 . Rev 16 v 15-16.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
John confirms this by the 3 witnesses needed on Earth and Heaven to make part of the Rapture one day at the Battle of Armageddon after the 2nd coming of Jesus
You Need the Witness of Blood, Water and HOLY Spirit to enter Heaven via the Rapture. 1 John 5 v 6-8
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1Jn 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Eish; Jesus het ons nie oor Rosh Hashanah weggeraap nie!!! Hoekom nie???
As Jesus nie vir ‘n wegraping voor die verdrukking kom nie, dui verskeie alternatiewe sienings daarop dat Sy wederkoms ‘n enkele, openbare gebeurtenis aan die einde van die verdrukking is om die Antichris te verslaan en sonde vir ewig te beëindig, wat ooreenstem met baie interpretasies van Bybelse profesieë en die geskrifte van vroeë kerkfigure. Sommige interpretasies dui ook daarop dat die “wegraping” wat in 1 Tessalonisense 4 beskryf word, verwys na die versameling van alle gelowiges tot Christus met die opstanding aan die einde van die geskiedenis, ‘n enkele, beslissende koms eerder as ‘n geheime, vroeë vertrek.
Alternatiewe sienings oor Christus se wederkoms
‘n Enkele, openbare gebeurtenis: Baie Christene glo in een finale, sigbare wederkoms van Jesus Christus om die wêreld te oordeel en die Antichris te verslaan.
Weerkoms na die verdrukking: Hierdie siening beweer dat die versameling van gelowiges en die opstanding van die dooies aan die einde van die Groot Verdrukking sal plaasvind, nie daarvoor nie, en met ‘n openbare vertoon van Christus se mag.
Augustinus en Thomas van Aquino: Vroeë kerkgeleerdes soos St. Augustinus en Thomas van Aquino het nie ‘n geheime wegraping geleer nie, maar eerder ‘n enkele gebeurtenis van opstanding en verheerliking vir die gelowiges met Christus se wederkoms om die lewendes en die dooies te oordeel, as ‘n openbare hoogtepunt van die geskiedenis.
Waarom die Voor die Verdrukking Wegrapingsbeskouing dalk nie met die Skrif ooreenstem nie
Gebrek aan Bybelse fondament: Die idee van ‘n geheime wegraping voor die verdrukking word deur sommige geleerdes en teoloë as ‘n relatief moderne interpretasie beskou, nie ‘n konsekwente leerstelling dwarsdeur die vroeë kerkgeskiedenis nie.
Die “Afval”: Sommige Bybelse gedeeltes, soos 2 Tessalonisense 2:1-3, verklaar dat die vergadering van gelowiges tot Christus eers sal plaasvind na ‘n “afval” en die openbaring van die “mens van sonde” (die Antichris), wat die idee van ‘n wegraping voor die verdrukking weerspreek.
Die “Einde van die Tydperk” Interpretasie: Sommige interpretasies voer aan dat verse oor “die einde” of “die koms van die Seun van die Mens” verwys na die vernietiging van Jerusalem in 70 n.C., waar sommige “geneem” (verwyder) is en ander agtergelaat (bewaar) is deur God, eerder as ‘n wegraping.
Wat gebeur as die Wegraping nie plaasvind nie
Voortgesette Getuienis en Oordeel: Gelowiges wat nie weggeraap word nie, sal voortgaan om te getuig en moontlik die verdrukkingstydperk te verduur, ‘n tyd wanneer God se oordeel uitgestort word.
Teologiese Implikasie: Die afwesigheid van ‘n wegraping voor die verdrukking ontken nie die dringendheid van verlossing nie, maar herlei die fokus na die verduur van, eerder as om te ontsnap, die uitdagings van die eindtye deur geloof in Christus.
‘n Duidelike Wet van Godsdiens is Dat jy Wedergebore Moet Word, wat beteken Doop in Water en Doop in die Heilige Gees. Die empisas oor die Doop van die Heilige Gees is Nodig om Wegraap te Word. Jesus en Paulus bevestig: Dat as jy NIE met die Heilige Gees gedoop is nie, jy NIE deel sal wees van die Wegraping wat sal plaasvind na die 2de Koms van Jesus tydens die Slag van Armageddon nie. Johannes 3 v 3-6, Rom 8 v 11-16. Openb 16 v 15-16.
Joh 3:3 Jesus antwoord en sê vir hom: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir jou, as iemand nie weer gebore word nie, kan hy die koninkryk van God nie sien nie.
Joh 3:4 Nikodémus sê vir Hom: Hoe kan ‘n mens as hy oud is, gebore word? Hy kan tog nie ‘n tweede keer in die skoot van sy moeder ingaan en gebore word nie?
Joh 3:5 Jesus antwoord: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir jou, as iemand nie gebore word uit water en Gees nie, kan hy in die koninkryk van God nie ingaan nie.
Joh 3:6 Wat uit die vlees gebore is, is vlees; en wat uit die Gees gebore is, is gees.
Rom 8:11 En as die Gees van Hom wat Jesus uit die dode opgewek het, in julle woon, dan sal Hy wat Christus uit die dode opgewek het, ook julle sterflike liggame lewend maak deur sy Gees wat in julle woon.
Rom 8:12 Daarom dan, broeders, is ons skuldenaars, nie aan die vlees om na die vlees te lewe nie;
Rom 8:13 want as julle na die vlees lewe, sal julle sterwe, maar as julle deur die Gees die werke van die liggaam doodmaak, sal julle lewe.
Rom 8:14 Want almal wat deur die Gees van God gelei word, dié is kinders van God.
Rom 8:15 Want julle het nie ontvang ‘n gees van slawerny om weer te vrees nie, maar julle het ontvang die Gees van aanneming tot kinders, deur wie ons roep: Abba, Vader!
Rom 8:16 Die Gees self getuig saam met ons gees dat ons kinders van God is;
Openb 16:15 Kyk, Ek kom soos ‘n dief. Salig is hy wat waak en sy klere bewaar, sodat hy nie miskien naak rondloop en hulle sy skaamte sien nie.
Openb 16:16 En hulle het hul versamel op die plek wat in Hebreeus genoem word Armagéddon.
Johannes bevestig dit deur die 3 getuies wat op Aarde en in die Hemel nodig is om die wegraping te maak by die slag van Armageddon na die wederkoms van Jesus.
Jy benodig die Getuienis van Bloed, Water en HEILIGE Gees om die Hemel via die Wegraping binne te gaan. 1 Johannes 5 v 6-8
1Jn 5:6 Dit is Hy wat deur water en bloed gekom het, Jesus die Christus; nie deur die water alleen nie, maar deur die water en die bloed; en dit is die Gees wat getuig, want die Gees is die waarheid.
1Jn 5:7 Want daar is drie wat getuig in die hemel: die Vader, die Woord en die Heilige Gees, en hierdie drie is een;
1Jn 5:8 en daar is drie wat getuig op die aarde: die Gees en die water en die bloed, en die drie is eenstemmig.
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