Gospel of John 10:1-18 Have you ever heard someone calling your name and you did not know where the voice was coming from? Or maybe you could hardly hear the voice, because there was too much noise all around. Listen, a voice is calling you. You! Who are you? What is your name? Where did you come from? Where do you live? Where are you going?

Love… a beautiful word in any language. What does it bring to mind: affection, care, warmth, kindness, understanding, security, and mother? But think for yourself, what does this beautiful word really mean? Do you want to be loved? Do you love?

Do you know that man has been found guilty of sin by a holy God, and sentenced to death? If he is to escape this eternal death and be eternally saved, he must receive God’s mercy. Mercy in this respect is God withholding from man the penalty which he deserves. But God does not bestow his mercy on people without condition, even though salvation is free, without price, and cannot be earned. The condition upon which God grants mercy is repentance.

“God, where are You?” “I need You.” “I want You.” “How can I find You?” Is this the sincere cry of your heart? Is your whole being reaching, searching, longing for God? But somehow you do not seem to find Him.

Some of the greatest battles in life are fought within the heart. Many leaders throughout history have been intent on conquering other nations. Some selfish rulers and leaders have even entertained thoughts of ruling the entire world. Those leaders have forced thousands of soldiers into battle because of their personal desire for power, wealth, and fame.

There are many people with troubled hearts in the world today. There are many reasons why these hearts are troubled. Whatever the reason, we can be assured that God knows and stands waiting to give peace to every troubled heart who will come to Him in faith. God loves you and wants to live in your heart. The heart of man as used in this account means the seat of man’s affections, or the “real you.” The things that you are doing spring from your heart.

What means this throbbing in my breast? This constant search for peace and rest? This loneliness I feel? Even when I mingle with the crowd This aching void is deep and loud; Its cry is real! So real! Vain World, can you appease this quest? Do your vast stores supply this rest? Then quell this longing cry! Lo! Riches, laughter, pride, and fame, When claimed, are merely but a name! They fail to satisfy! Ah, ‘tis my soul! It is thy cry! Thou seest eternal death is nigh, Unless God gives thee rest? Entombed, thou art a part of Him;

Many years ago the children of Israel were traveling from Egypt to Canaan. They had become a nation of about a million people. God led them out of Egypt in a miraculous way, with Moses as their leader. By night He gave them light from a pillar of fire, and by day He shaded them from the heat with a cloud.

The intent of the Holy Bible is not to focus on Satan and his work. However, we do find much in the Bible that exposes his character and works. Satan was at one time an angel, but he turned against God, his creator, and wanted to be like Him. The practices of the dark kingdom of Satan are not new. They are typical of his efforts through the ages to rival the kingdom of God. He is offering an alternative to what God, through the power of his Holy Spirit, is accomplishing.

Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, all people are born with a seed of sin. I have it. You have it. We all have it. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As a child, I am happy. I am free. The blood of Jesus covers my sins. As I grow older, I don’t feel so free anymore. This seed is producing sinful thoughts and actions in me. I begin to feel uneasy. Sometimes I am confused or afraid.