Did Ewe Know? (NIV)

Did you know the Bible talks about sheep?In Isaiah 53:6, we see that “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Without a shepherd, a sheep can easily get lost and get into all sorts of trouble. This trouble often leads to death for the sheep. Just like the sheep, we will lose our way in life without the help of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Our sinful lives will cause us to be separated from the Good Shepherd and His flock. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, the Lamb of God, to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He died on the Cross of Calvary for the sins of the world. Three days later, He rose from the grave. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). If you want to be one of the Good Shepherd’s flock, it is quite easy. First, you must admit you are a sinner and ask the Good Shepherd to forgive those sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Second, tell Him that you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He paid for your sins on Calvary. “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household’” (Acts 16:31); “To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Third, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your life and be your Savior. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). When you repent (turn to God) and believe (put your trust in Jesus Christ), your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27) and you will have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven (1 John 5:11-13). Don’t put off this important decision! ASSURANCE AS A BELIEVER“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13). To deepen your relationship with the Shepherd you should: • Read your Bible every day. • Talk to the Shepherd in prayer. • Tell others about the Shepherd. • Attend a Bible-believing church. • Show the love of the Shepherd to others. —Sharon Larimore