THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Today’s Reading: John 10
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
It was a joy to observe the care and interaction between this shepherd and his sheep and goats in the recreation of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, as it may have been in the first century.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
A relationship is obvious in the picture above. Gather around our Good Shepherd and enjoy His company. Jesus is our Friend, our Provider, our Comforter, and He calls Himself, “the Door.” Shepherds literally became the door every night. The sheep slept in a cave, and the shepherd would lie down across the opening as their protector. We are His sheep. No enemy will be able to destroy us. He bears the attack. He is our Protector and Deliverer. Our Shepherd has already given His life for us and is alive forevermore. We need fear no evil. He has already overcome the evil one and won victory over death and hell. He promises that we will know His voice. We should take time right now to listen. We’ll hear that still small Voice of our loving Shepherd. He has a message of love, peace, and hope. Psalm 27 ends with the words, “Wait on the Lord.” We may want to read this entire Psalm (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Slow me down so that the pace of modern life won’t get in the way of my relationship with You. Because of Your Presence, I am filled with courage and my heart is strengthened. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Several readers responded to my blog the other day with a request for the rest of the story. Avedis from Armenia was one who asked me to do this. Check back to October 23rd for the first part of the story in my “100 Personal Words” portion.
I was told this story when I was in the Armenian Socialist Soviet Republic delivering equipment for a children’s hospital following the devastating earthquake there in 1988. There was disunity amongst the churches in the region. The Pastors of the Baptist and Pentecostal churches had been arrested following their Sunday night services. As they sat in the cell, the warden arrived with another prisoner. It was the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church. They sat in silence for a time when the Patriarch spoke. He said, “I was the leader of the young communists when I was in my thirties. I had an encounter with Jesus Christ and He transformed my life. I arranged your arrest with the authorities. It was the only way I could get your attention. I beg you to stop attacking me. I want to win people to Jesus just as much as you do. We’ve got to work together to win Armenians to Jesus.” They’ve been helping each other ever since. The two Armenian priests, who were sent by the Patriarch to study with us here in Canada, graduated with the highest marks in the history of our School of Broadcasting. We have graduates in over 80 countries who help share the Good News of Jesus on TV and radio. Therefore, what the Patriarch said includes you and me; “We’ve got to work together.”
Yours for the call to “work together” to reach the world with the best News ever heard,
David
Yes, we wait on You Lord. Amen! We are Your sheep and You, our Master. Amen that You are the open Door, our Protector, our Shield, our hope and confidence, Lord. We are everything with You but nothing without You. We work to spread the message of the Gospel to the whole world. Thank you fellow saints in the Lord for your prayers of protection over me; the move went well. I have yet to look back at the days I missed (but could feel your prayers); internet is not set up yet. Be blessed, this morning. May all your needs be met. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:7 ESV
The Good Shepherd – Fernando Ortega (plays on to other lovely songs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lpMma_eHHQ
Happy to see you back, Beverlee. Wonderful song. Thanks. No one can take us away. Amen
How true, the lyrics…’no one can take you away’. Blessings on all bloggers
Amen Doreen
Yes happy to have you back and everything went well.
Thank you God.
Missed You!!!
Amazing story. When we support Crossroads, 100 Huntley Street, we are supporting the great works such as the children’s medical needs mentioned! Praying for strength & blessings for all during these tumultuous times. Praying for God’s choice in the sale of our beloved Crossroads building & it’s future. Amen
Thank You, Lord God, for guiding us, for forgiving us, for protecting us. Help us all to go out on Your mission, Lord, to reach others for You, in Jesus’s name, amen
My prayer as well as yours, Rob.
yes, Amen, Rob
Amen Rob.
Amen Rob
Does anyone know of a place in scripture that mentions “a new name” when we get to Heaven? I know of Revelation 2: 17 but I think there may be some other places eluding to that subject. Trying to encourage a family member who had a stillborn. Thanks folks.
click on this link Doreen and it will take you to many scripture verses to choose from
https://www.openbible.info/topics/loss_of_a_child
You might try Isaiah 56:5
To them I will give in My house and with My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off.
There is also Isaiah 62 :2, or Isaiah 65:15
and there another one in Revelation 3:12
I don’t know who said this, but there is a quote I have used that goes
There is no footprint too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.
Thanks you Donna very much & Beverlee. Great help. Blessings
Is the course mentioned still Available through Crossroads Ministry?
Good to see you back Beverlee and all went well for you. Joining in prayer for the future of 100 Huntley St building. Also with your prayer Rob. The first bit of snow has just fallen here for the season.