Aren’t Cows Funny?
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by Pastor Diana Gonzalez
sn’t it funny how some cows just line out and move when you are changing country with them, and then there are the other ones who fight you all the way. They try to stay in the same old driedup pasture instead of going through the gate that leads to the tender new grass. They will try and out-dodge your horse, brush up or just plain insist on going the wrong way. They are the ones that hang up in the corner with the gate two feet away, then try and jump the fence. Now the trail that leads to green grass might have some rocks and hills to climb, but you get your cattle there sure enough. The cows that lined out for you get there with ease; the ones that fought you got more tired and put sweat on your horse, but they all got to the new, tender grass just the same. Funny how the ones that fought so hard to stay where they were are now the most hungry and are eating with more relish than the calmer, wiser cows. I had a very deep and profound revelation one day. I figured out that God gave us cows so we would know what He has to put up with. However, God doesn’t handle His sheep quite the same way as we handle our cattle. He doesn’t rope us and drag us through the new gate. He doesn’t tie us down and beat on our heads with a rock so we look for new pasture (not saying I’ve ever done that). No, God is a gentleman. The Bible says He stands at the door and knocks. You have to open the door and let Him in. Revelation 3:20 -- Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine (eat) with him, and he with Me. NAS Praise God, the very One who bled and died for us is willing to abide with us. In John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep”. Isn’t that exactly what He did? John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know me.” NAS Now I don’t have much use for sheep, but if Jesus says I’m His sheep, then I’m His sheep -- end of story. John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” NAS Jesus doesn’t drive us, He leads, and if we’re His sheep (and smart) we’ll follow Him. But to get into the Jesus f lock, we have to come through the Jesus Gate (or door). In John 10:7-9 Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (Good pasture.) Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” There’s no other way to the truly good pasture. 8 March 2017
Acts 4:12 says – And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved. No other way. Jesus said, “I am the door.” You may say, well I know some folks who look like they are grazing in pretty tall grass, and they’re perfect heathens. In John 10:1 Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter by the door (Jesus is the door) into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.” He is a goat. Let’s read in Matthew 25:31-46 and see what happens to goats. Not pretty, is it? Folks, let’s make sure we get cut into the right pen. Let’s at least be as smart as a sheep or a cow. Let’s be like my good little spotted cow. She’s only a 2-year-old, but when she comes to the gate she’s supposed to go through, she throws her ears forward, looks down the trail she’s supposed to go on, then goes through the gate and the others follow her through to the good pasture. Spot has a good future with us; she’s a good leader. However, we have another 2-year-old that’s a goat cow. She doesn’t go through the right gate; she enters over the fence where she’s not supposed to be. Even though she gets to feed that looks good to her, her future isn’t so bright. She’s about to get cut into the goat pen. Happy trails. May God richly bless you. We love you and would love to hear from you. If you would like someone to pray with, or just have a question, please give us a call at (775) 867-3100. ‘Til next time….
The Progressive Rancher
www.progressiverancher.com