Prepared Sheep

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. (James 1:17)

Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. (Colossians 3:23-24) Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness and delight;

Come before His presence with joyful singing.

Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the LORD Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His].

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (Psalm 100:1-4) For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. (Matthew 25:23,29)

But when the Son of Man comes in His glory and majesty and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him [for judgment]; and He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right [the place of honor], and the goats on His left [the place of rejection].

Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:31-34)

The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28) Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart--those with moral integrity and godly character].

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

Sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings.

Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully [on the strings] with a loud and joyful sound.

For the word of the LORD is right;

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,

And all their host by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea together as in a wineskin;

He puts the deeps in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear and worship the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (Psalm 33:1-8)