Tag: Sermon Preparation

Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”

Forever Kept in the Father’s Hand

“Those who belong to Me hear My voice, and I know ‘em, and they come along with Me; and I give them life everlastin’ so they will never die. And for sure, nobody’s gonna take ‘em from My hand, no-sir-ee! See, My Father has done given ‘em to Me. He’s greater than all; nobody can snatch His own from His hand” John 10:27-29 (“The Gospel of John Cowboy Style”).

One day, I playfully reached out and grabbed my 12-year-old daughter when she was walking by, pulled her up close to me and said, “I got you!” “Now what do you want me to do?” She said, “Don’t ever let me go!” I choked out the words, “I never will! I promise!”

That is very much what we hear our Lord saying. In our text, John describes  Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” who knows His sheep, those who belong to Him. And as the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus promises to watch over and keep His sheep safe now and throughout eternity, never to let go of those who belong to Him.

And to further emphasize His keeping strength, He tells us that it is His Continue reading “Fence Post Devotionals “The Gospel of John Cowboy Style””

Is there a Difference Between Praise & Worship?

Is there a difference between worship and praise?  Yes! Understanding the difference between  worship and praise can bring a new depth to the way we honor and worship the Lord.

All through the Bible, we see commands to “praise the Lord” . . .

Praise has to with the joyful recollection of all God has done for us. Closely intertwined with thanksgiving, when we praise God, we offer back to Him Continue reading “Is there a Difference Between Praise & Worship?”

They Know His Voice

“They know His voice . . . A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:4b-5

One summer when still a student in seminary, I was serving as pastor of  a little country church in Central Texas. To help pay off some bills and upcoming tuition for the fall semester, I hired out to a dairy farmer. I knew something about beef cattle, but very little about dairy cattle. So the summer became quite a learning experience.

One of those lessons came early on. The first time I attempted on my own to ‘call’ up the cattle, they just stood and looked at me. On the other hand,when Glen, the cows owner ‘called’ there was no hesitation. They Continue reading “They Know His Voice”

It is Finished!

It is Finished

Cross
“When Jesus had done tasted the sour vinegar He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and died.” John 19:30 (The Gospel of John Cowboy Style)

On our little ranch, there was always work to be done, so my father would assign chores for me to do, like feed the cattle, repair a broken fence, dig up prickly pears, clean the barn, and whatever else he could think of. Later he would ask me, “Son, did you get it all done?” And I’d usually say, “yep, I finished the work you gave me to do.”

Jesus came to earth, sent by His Father to perform an assignment He had given Him. That assignment involved being nailed to a cross to die as our perfect substitute in order that Continue reading “It is Finished!”

Turning Water into Wine ~ Beginning of Miracles

“This was the beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11

John records turning of water into wine as Jesus’ first miracle or sign. Jesus performed lots of miracles when He was on earth. The gospel of John records seven . . .

“By believin’ you can have everlastin’ life in His Name”

  1. Turning water into wine—John 2:1-11
  2. Healing of a boy—John 4:46-54
  3. Healing of a man by a pool—John 5:1-9
  4. Feeding of the 5000—John 6:5-13
  5. Jesus walking on water—John 6:19
  6. Healing of a blind man—John 9:1-7
  7. Raising Lazarus from the dead—John 11:38-44

John picked out these miracles as proof that Jesus is truly God, the very Son of God. He states this in John 20:30-31 “Now there’s a whole lot more signs and miracles Jesus did when He was with His disciples that ain’t wrote down in this book, but these here are a Continue reading “Turning Water into Wine ~ Beginning of Miracles”