A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead called “Emmanuel” which means God is with us and there is no better way to look forward to Christmas and the New Year than to know that our Creator is with us every step of the way. My hope is that this poem highlights the greatest gift ever … God among us! Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
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My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. – Job 16:20-21
Pointed out in “Help Along the Way” is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is here with you as a friend, who reveals himself, and brings out the best in you.
Jesus is your intercessor and friend. This day, feel His presence, listen to His voice, and take advantage of His instructions as you step ahead along the journey.
Be encouraged by the song Here With Me by MercyMe, and know you are not alone. Ask Jesus to meet you face to face right now in this place.
We need friends to help along the way. The enemy is constantly plotting to attack us, divide us, and create conflict. To put up road blocks in our way, but we can trust God to remove those road blocks and protect us. We have the good shepherd to follow and Holy Spirit to guide.
Reading today John 10:22-42, the enemies of Jesus wanted Him to tell them plainly if He was the Messiah. Jesus told them that He and the Father are one (v. 30). He said that the miracles had proven that He was the Son of God, but they did not believe.
Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd. The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd, listen to the instructions, and follow. Then they are protected and receive eternal life. Jesus tells the Jews questioning Him that they are not His sheep.
They were ready to stone Jesus but He escaped their grasp (v. 39). Jesus went across the Jordan were His friend John had been baptizing. Many understood that John was telling the truth about Jesus and were baptized.
Today, the Good Shepherd is here with us as a friend who reveals himself to us and brings out the best in us. Feel His presence, listen to His voice, take advantage of His instructions, and work together with friends to make it home.
This day, we may be under attack by the enemy, but we can be assured that God is with us. The Good Shepherd will show us the way to go. There may be division, jealousy, and conflict but our relationship with the Good Shepherd helps in our time of need. Holy Spirit inside will guide, and we will unify against the enemy. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
From “Following The Good Shepherd”, noted is that Jesus is the good shepherd or the Word in the flesh so you can listen, understand, and obey; be led to the green pastures, take in the principles taught by Jesus, and be able to apply these principles in how you live.
The study of how Jesus lived on earth can enter into your hearts and minds to ultimately be expressed in your character, so let’s start now to get ready for the challenges this day will bring with the song Build My Life by Pat Barrett. Like the songs says, live for Jesus in all you do by looking up above to receive God’s love and putting trust in Jesus alone because of what He has shown.
Reading today in John 10:1-21, Jesus used a figure of speech to help the Pharisees understand who He is, but many continued to be confused (v. 6). He told them that the sheep know the true shepherd because they recognize his voice. He calls them by name and leads them.
So the true shepherd enters through the gate, the sheep recognize his voice, and he leads them. He cares and protects them. But the false shepherd does not care for the sheep. They climb in some other way like a thief to steal, kill, and destroy. He is a stranger to the sheep and they don’t recognize his voice, so the sheep run away and do not follow.
Jesus identifies himself as the gate for the sheep so that the sheep can enter through him and be saved (v.7). He also identifies himself as the good shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for the sheep (v. 11).
This day, let us follow the good shepherd with scripture reading and prayer. Jesus is the Word in the flesh so let us listen, understand, and obey; be led to the green pastures, take in the principles taught by Jesus, and be able to apply these principles in how we live.
The study of how Jesus lived on earth can enter into our hearts and minds to ultimately be expressed in our character, so let’s start now to get ready for the challenges this day will bring by sacrificing a little time and being obedient. Let us begin with a prayer so we can listen to the good shepherd and follow.
This day with God, we are committed to the Way. The good shepherd shows us the Way, we know the steps to take, the discipline to follow, and the power to step ahead. From the Word, we take in the principles taught by Jesus. Because of our relationship with Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit to make things happen beyond human capacity. We have confidence that we are following the Truth and being led in the Way we should live. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 