My Shepherd: The Good Shepherd
Monday, May 20, 2019
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11 NIV
Thoughts for Today
In the New Testament, Jesus describes himself as the "good shepherd." He loves us so much that he gave up the glory of heaven and came to earth that we may have "a rich and satisfying life." He sacrificed his life for us, his sheep. He died on the cross that we may have everlasting life with him.
Jesus gave up the splendor of heaven to live among us. "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish" John 1:14 MSG
Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. "All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all." Isaiah 53:6 NLT
And Jesus offers us a "rich and satisfying life."
Why? Because he loves us.
Consider this. . .
Perhaps you have never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. He loves you so much he died for your sins and he is offering you forgiveness as a gift. Are you ready to receive his gift? Talk to him. Tell him you believe and ask for his forgiveness. Follow your Shepherd.
Maybe you are a Christian but are not experiencing a "rich and satisfying life." Are you relying on yourself . . . or on Jesus? Are you insisting on your own way . . . or following God's perfect path for you? Are you trying to succeed or "fix" things on your own . . . or trusting God to help you? Are you being molded by the world's ways . . . or by the Word of God?
Whatever your situation, there is only one answer: Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Prayer
Father, thank you for loving me even though I am so undeserving. Forgiving me for every sin. Help me to rely on Jesus, not myself. Help me to follow your perfect path for my life instead of wandering off on my own. Help me to depend on you instead of myself. Help me to be molded by your Word, not the world. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from. . .Knowing God My Father: Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This curriculum is designed to help people strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father by applying His names to their personal life. Along with helping Christians know God better, it can serve as an evangelistic tool by giving a true picture of God to people who may have a distorted view of Him because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them. This group can also help men who want to be better fathers. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
©Living Free 2019. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
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©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
