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?

Purity Love Happy Homes Confidence Lust Shame Fear Broken Homes Loneliness Purity of mind, conscience, and body is a tremendous personal asset, a Christian virtue, and a blessing to mankind. Declining moral values of today cause men and women to accept and indulge in behavior that the Bible clearly defines as sin. This behavior has become an accepted way of life for many people. That which God calls sin is often accepted as permissible. What will be the result of this departure from the beautiful plan of God?

“Peace, where is peace—for our nations, our homes, and most of all for our hearts and minds?” This desperate cry has been heard through the ages. Is it also the cry of your heart? People are weary and worried. Without a doubt there is a need for direction and counsel, security and confidence. We need, and want, peace of mind. Peace of mind—what a treasure! Can this treasure be found in a world of so much conflict and despair, turmoil and trouble?

Have you ever thought, “If I could be perfectly free, I would be happy; I would have peace”? Many people have sought complete freedom in order to have happiness and peace. People desire to be free of all restraints, somehow believing that if they could do just as they please, this would bring happiness. Does it?

The Bible says: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).

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.

The security of all Christians is in Christ. He died for us, forgave us, and promised a home in heaven to those who are faithful. There we will be eternally secure in his radiant presence. Even today Christians can have a calm assurance of salvation as long as they are faithful, for while they live, they have the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and when they die, they have the promise of a future home in heaven.

Constructing a proper and reliable building is possible using a tool called a plumb line. Without such a tool, the builder, however well-meaning and sincere, is likely to make serious errors. Likewise, our lives and beliefs need to be guided by the plumb line of God’s Word. Read Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Amos 7:8. A popular concept is, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.” However, one must be sincere in believing and doing the right thing.