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Cat part 1

By j jones

 A few years ago, God spoke to me through our cat. Now, just to make it clear, the cat didn't talk! Narnia is one of my favourite films but ...! God "speaking" was more of a nudge to take notice. A "What do you see?" prompt, or in this case, a "What do you hear?". So, now that that's cleared up, back to the story. Sam (the cat) was being neutered, and the vet explained that it was typical for cats to become lazy after neutering and become content with being indoor cats, putting on weight, so watch how we feed him. "What do you hear?" "Umm, if he can't reproduce, he might just sit inside eating?" God answered (still in my spirit, not by a cat). Yes! That's what happens to my people. When they stop reproducing (making disciples), they stop inside, eating my word but doing nothing with it. They come fat cats." 

This is going back around 10 years or so now. I didn't know what to do with it, but it has stopped with me. Recently, I read John 10 about the good shepherd and the sheep knowing His voice. Something struck me: "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." He leads them out! They need to recognise his voice because they're leaving the gathering pen. The pen is where shepherds give sheep a health check, sorting out which ones are lame or sick and need more care, which can go to pasture and which are ready for the market. The pen is not the destination. It sorts. To put it back in a church context, the gathering place is where we collectively come into the presence of Jesus to meet Him as master, provider, protector, and comforter. It's a place of healing (physical, spiritual and emotional). It's a place to access extra teaching, resting and equipping (pastures) and where those who have been equipped, are sent out to the market. The pen remains. The gathering isn't a one-off event, but its purpose is always the same.

The time of the neutered, penned church has come to an end. It's time to listen to His voice and step OUT where He calls.

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