Tag: God’s Word

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Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

The Gatekeeper

“So Jesus told `em straight out. ‘C’mon, y’all listen up; I’m shootin’ straight with ya. I am the gate to the sheep’”—John 10:7 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

My father and a couple of other guys were hauling some cattle to our home place that he had purchased in an auction from the local sale barn. His plan was to unload the cattle into the corral to examine them before letting them loose into the pasture. Because I was the youngest (about 10 at the time) I was selected to hold the gate open while they unloaded and pushed the cattle into the corral.

At first, it was working great and I might add that  I was doing a really good job. The cattle were stumbling off the back of the trailer and the men were Continue reading “Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style””

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Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel Of John Cowboy Style”

Casting the First Stone

“While He was a-wtittin’, they kept on pushin’ Him to give an answer. Jesus raised up then and spoke, ‘Okay, any of you fellas that has never broken the Law in any fashion, you throw the first stone.’ He stooped down again and started writin’ some more stuff in the dirt. I reckon their jaws dropped and they done saw what it was Jesus was a-writin’ in the dirt. Startin’ with the oldest one-by-one they hightailed it out of there until ever last one of `em was gone” John 8:7-9. (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

Have you ever wondered what it was that Jesus was writing in the dirt? The woman had been caught dead-to-rights. She was guilty of adultery, caught in the very act. Such a flagrant violation of the Jewish law demanded the death penalty. So, taking advantage of the opportunity to test Jesus these law abiding Pharisees brought this guilty woman and dropped her at His feet.

When confronted by the Pharisees that such a woman should be stoned to death, Jesus didn’t say a word. He just stooped down and with His finger started writing in the dirt. Isn’t that interesting? Have you ever wondered what it was that He was writing?

Some folks think that He was simply doodling in the dirt with His finger, waiting for these self-righteous men to perhaps come to some degree of mercy towards the woman. Others think He was writing some Scriptures in the dirt. Some Suppose that He may have been writing the men’s names; those who were standing there with the rocks in their hands.

I have another thought; can’t prove it, because the Bible doesn’t say what He was writing. I sort of figure that since Jesus asked that he who had not sinned be first to throw a stone, that it might just be that He was writing their sins in the dirt. Were they, the ones who brought this law-breaker to Jesus law-breakers themselves? Of course they were and He reminded them of that very fact. Not surprising then that upon seeing their trespasses so glaringly displayed before them, that they dropped those rocks like they were hot potatoes in their hands.

It might be that before we judge someone else for what we think is a flagrant sin, that we first may need to take a good long look at ourselves.

Jesus said . . .

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

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Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style

The Shepherd’s Voice

“And when he’s gathered up all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them and they follow him ‘cause they know his voice. The sheep won’t follow a stranger. No-sir-ee, they will all run off from him ‘cause they don’t know his voice” John 10:4-5 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

A number of years ago, I took a summer job with a dairy farmer to help pay some` expenses incurred while attending seminary. First day on the job, the dairy farmer introduced me, by name, to all 98-head of Holstein milk cows. They all looked remarkably the same to me. But after milking them for a while, not only did they start looking different, each, I discovered had her own unique personality.  Actually, I changed their names to match the personalities of the church members where I was serving as pastor.

Each evening at milking-time, the owner would call out to the grazing cows, and they would make their way to the milk barn. No problem! He would call and they would come. They knew his voice.

About mid-way through the summer, the dairy farmer and his family took a week-end vacation and left the milking operation to me. That first day, when it was time for the evening milking, I cupped my hands around my mouth and called out to the cattle just like Glen, the dairy farmer did. A few began to meander toward the barn, but most stood stock-still and just looked at me. I was a stranger and they did not recognize my voice!

I finally had to saddle a horse, ride down to the pasture and push the milk cows to the barn. I repeated the same procedure every day until their owner returned. He called; they came! Why? Because they knew his voice!!

You see, that is what Jesus is saying. Those who belong to Jesus know His voice and they will follow Him.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

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Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

The Resurrection and the Life

“Then Jesus did sure ‘nough proclaim to Miss Martha. He said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; anyone who believes in Me will live even when he dies’” (John 11:25).

I can tell you exactly where I was standing and what I was doing when the full meaning of that verse hit me: It just plain ol’ dawned on me that a genuine born-again Christian will never die! Listen to what Jesus is saying to Martha . . .

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

Lazarus, a personal friend of Jesus, has died and Jesus has come to visit Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters to console them. But, He has come to do more than comfort. He has come to show them His glory and authority over death.

He says it very plainly to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me . . . shall never die.” Then in order to demonstrate that to Martha and those standing by, He walks to the tomb of Lazarus and with His authoritative voice of power over death demands Lazarus to come out of the grave.

You see, the resurrection and life is not just a doctrine; it is a person. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Isn’t that incredible? When we believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as personal savior, we through His Divine power and authority overcome death and the grave. “He who believes in Jesus shall never die.”

So, dear Christian friend, when the day comes that you close your eyes in death, be assured that it is just your old decaying body that is buried; not your soul. Your soul is raised to be with Jesus in His heavenly home for time without end. (John 14:3)

“Think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven,

Think of taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s,

Think of breathing new air and finding it celestial,

Think of feeling invigorated and finding it immortality,

Think of passing through tempest to a new and unknown calm,

Think of waking up well and finding it home.”

                                         Don Wytzen

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Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

The Narrow Way

“But Thomas said, ‘Boss, we don’t know the trail You’re takin’ and no idea what direction You’re headed; so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; there is only one trail to the Father and it’s through Me’” John 14:5-6 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

A number of years ago I had the privilege of preaching in an evangelistic crusade in Seoul, South Korea. One day on a tour of the city, my host took me to what he described as one of the most historical places in South Korea, a place that was popularly known as “South Gate.”

South Gate was one of eight gates in an ancient wall that was built to serve as a protective fortress around the city. This one gate was significant in that when Seoul was under siege, it served as the only entrance into the city. I clarified with my Korean Interpreter, “this was the only way into the city?” He said, “It was the one and only way!”

That night I used John 14:6 as my sermon text. When I talked about Jesus being the only way to salvation, I said, “Jesus is South Gate!” Eyes of understanding were opened and many came to respond to Jesus as the one and only way to eternal salvation.

Folks through the centuries have tried to find other ways to heaven other than through the “One Way.” They have tried good works, religious rituals, church alliances; some have even tried to buy their way in. But all to no avail. It is as futile to try to be saved by our own way as it would to have tried to enter the City of Seoul when under attack by any other way than through “South Gate.”

The Bible says that the way to salvation is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). No one can come to the Father except through the shed blood of Jesus.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (sacrifice) for our sins” (1 John 4:10).