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.
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”- Romans 1:17
This day with God, read the Word, believe, and worship. As discussed in “Live by Faith”, the evidence to know Jesus is God comes from the witnesses of His life as documented in the Gospel, from sermons, from Sunday school lessons, from those that talk or sing about Him, and experiences in your own life.
Receive the evidence, live by faith, and worship today with the song Jesus I Believe by Big Daddy Weave. Like the song says, believe and feel the presence of Jesus. Once spiritually blind but now able to see, listen to the voice of Truth continuing to direct you to this new and improved reality.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). Jesus is the living Word of God so every time we read the Word, God is with us to illuminate all we need to know about holiness and guidance as we step ahead along the path. This day with God, we read the Word, believe, and worship.
From reading earlier in this chapter, we know that Jesus gave sight to a man that had been blind from birth. Many Pharisees were blind to the Truth and didn’t believe. They said Jesus had worked and healed on the Sabbath, therefore could not be from God because He did not keep the Sabbath.
The Pharisees were spiritually blind because they didn’t accept the evidence that Jesus is from God. To disprove that Jesus was from God, the Pharisees went to the parents of the former blind man to see if he had actually been blind from birth. In John 9:18-41, we note that the parents of the former blind man refused to give much information about their son because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.
The Jewish leaders would censor anyone who spoke about the Truth, but the former blind man and beggar continued to tell the truth. The truth that Jesus had opened his eyes and gave him sight (v. 30). He explains that Jesus must be from God because of the miracle of giving him sight. The Pharisees didn’t want to hear the truth so they threw the former blind man out of the synagogue (v. 34).
When the former blind man found out who Jesus is, he believed and worshiped the Lord as explained in verse 38. This should inspire us to do the same. The evidence to know Jesus is God comes from the witnesses of His life as documented in the Gospel, from sermons, from Bible study groups, from those that talk or sing about Him, and from the experiences of our own life.
This day with You God, we are thankful that You have gone to extreme measures to help us believe. Yet, there are times when we still have doubt. We have all the evidence but still have anxiety. At this moment, let us believe and receive so we can step ahead with faith. Each step giving more assurance, purpose, and courage until we live by faith in each moment throughout each day. Holy Spirit is now directing us and we are prepared for the challenges of this day because we have received the power in the name of Jesus, amen.
