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
Jesus had one tough row to hoe with those Pharisees. I think they were afraid He was who He said He was.
May we honour God on this sabbath.
Great pic of the shepherd/sheep.
Blessings.
I sense God pressing on my heart to pray for sah, one of our fellow bloggers. Sah if you’re reading this just know God does care and hasn’t forgotten you. You haven’t posted anything since Oct.15, which is fine, we don’t always have anything to say, but your posts before then spoke of going through a difficulty time. It would ease my mind greatly if you’re reading this if you could let us know how you are doing.
Just know I am praying for you, and I’m sure others on this site are as well. Sometimes when I think God isn’t paying attention I like to read Psalm 77 and when I do I realize there is no path of this earth I have walked that someone hasn’t walked before me and has felt what I have felt, but in the end has always found God faithful
Amen.
Father God
I ask you to light a fire in me and a hunger in my heart for your word and to spend
time with you for awhile as you know I have have drifted away and I need you.
in Jesus name
Lianne Hogg
Dear Lotd Jesus, light that fire in Liannre once again. She is really craving a closer walk with you and I know that is your desire for her as well. Dear Holy Spirit guide her and fill her with yourself that she will feel your presence within her. I pay this in Jesus’ name Amen.
David, you’re prayer was a great inspiration to me today, thank you.
How true, Pastor David that we need to work together and with the Good Shepherd as it is God’s Kingdom we are building. The Lord seems to be impressing us today about the need to pray; as preached by Pastor Charles Price that the church was born out of a prayer meeting not an evangelistic event. Then you have included Psalm 27 ending with the words, “Wait on the Lord.” David. Thinking of you Beverlee. God bless you friends.
I wish to affirm…John 10:10: Jesus said: “.the thief comes not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy:
And Jesus said ” I am come that they (we) might have life, and that they (we) might have it more abundantly.”
Lord, thank You Jesus for that abundant life that comes only from You!
THANKS DONNA M yes things are very difficult for me….the Lord has done some miraculous things in my life and even recently, showing me where I lost a swim ticket!!! and my hubcap! Unbelievable, only God could do this! I am so thankful, I just need a great financial increase to my income! I have a chemical imbalance and the Lord has provided funding for my swimming which I am so very thankful. once again thanks for posting your comments and all I an say is please continue to pray that the Lord will increase my financial situation, actually God told me to use the words “increase my income” any and all prayers much appreciated. blessings to every one. I am thankful that I was able to get to church on time and we had a big thanksgiving meal. Very delicious and again, very thankful