ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Sunday February 5, 2017

“and He calls His own”

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” - John 10:2-5

Called by God

The Call of God – cont.

That unmistakable voice! “M E L E … H A ‘ U!” Island kids growing up in the islands are very familiar with this ritual. After changing from school clothes, you quickly throw on your play clothes and head to the neighbor…marbles, hop-scotch, rugby etc. As the sun descends over the horizon, the chickens make their way to their tree perches and you’re still playing…then the VOICE ring out – echoing and vibrating throughout the village ... Calling your name for God and satan to hear… If you value your life, you drop everything and dart home, going through your “plea” for forgiveness and mentally preparing for the wrath to come…

Those who heard Jesus on that occasion did not understand what he meant. But his meaning should not be difficult to grasp. He is describing a picture language what it means to become a Christian. Few things are more awe-inspiring than the first occasions when we become conscious that Another is addressing us. For many people the first sense of it is when they hear a sermon, or read a book or some portion of the Bible, and discover that it seems to speak directly to their personal circumstances. Preachers are occasionally accused of exposing the lives of their hearers when they have known nothing about the person who has been so disturbed. The sharp, personal edge of God’s word has touched them. Slowly it dawns, as the speaker emerged from the voice of the messenger, that the voice we heard was the voice of the Shepherd; he has been calling us by name, and now we recognize his accent as he draws us into his flock and we become his lambs. Thereafter we look to hear his unmistakable commands throughout the whole of our lives (John 10:27).

Have you heard His call? Or are there too many voices or distractions competing for your attention? Maybe you’re not sure who is calling you. Take a moment to quiet your soul and answer His call today. Tomorrow may too late.

Challenge:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me;

See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,

Watching for you and for me

This Day in Christian History:

February 5, 1864 – the date Fanny Crosby wrote her first hymn at the age of 44. When wrote 8,000 more before her death.

Memory Verse:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9

Ka ko kimoutolu ko e ha‘a fili, ko e tu‘unga taula‘eiki fakatu‘i, ko e kakai tapu, ko e fa‘ahinga ‘oku ma‘ane me‘a tonu, koe‘uhi ā ke mou ongoongoa atu ‘a e ngaahi lelei ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a ia na‘a ne ui mai kimoutolu mei he po‘uli ki he maama fakaofo ‘a‘ana: - 1 Pita 2:9

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 6 – Exodus 16-18; Eph 4