I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
Help us to hear your voice and follow you, Jesus. We want to be among your sheep because there is no better place to be. You know your sheep and love them. We want to be known to our depths and yet loved. Help us to turn to you and believe. Don't let us turn to impostors that pretend they have something to offer. They don't know us. If we reveal ourselves to them they exploit us. Instead, may your hand be with us. Reach out to us through your body here on earth. May your hand gather us to yourself. May we rest secure in your embrace. Only in this place do we find where we truly belong. Only in this place do we find our truest home.
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
Though our physical birth is in the land of exile we have a more true birth from water and Spirit. We have a home where we don't need to fear being exposed. We don't need to fear being exploited. You know all of your sheep and reject no one. You don't shepherd us because you want something from us. You don't exploit us. That is why this is home. This is the love of family at it's best and with you it is unchanging.
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
We are able to celebrate with our brothers and sisters. We can dance like no one is watching even though we dance in the presence of all of your people.
Now that we are known by you we don't have anything to prove. We can genuinely welcome everyone you call into this flock. Your hand is able to reach out to the world through us.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
May your hand reach broad and far. Let large numbers of people be added to you, LORD. Gather us all together. Unite us in love under the banner of love.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Amen, LORD Jesus. May it be so.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
This is the joy you want for the kingdom here below. It is the joy of being one flock and one shepherd. It is joy which we are invited to share and celebrate. And it should motivate us to help spread your kingdom far and wide. We want to remain faithful to you in firmness of heart because only in you do we find the place we truly belong. Only you can truly unite us, because the principle of that unity, selfless love is embodied perfectly in you. That is why you can say, "The Father and I are one." May we be one in you!
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