The Good Shepherd is for You www.monahodgson.com

The Good Shepherd is For You

Hi, friends!

In my Bible reading, I’m revisiting the book of John in the New Testament.

Some mornings when I read it feels like I’m walking side by side with Jesus on dusty roads or sitting on grassy hillsides listening to His teachings.

This was one of those mornings. As I read through chapter 10, I could hear the confusion and disbelief in the Pharisees’ voices (and in my own). And the confident, compassionate clarity in Jesus’ voice.

Jesus said so much in those 42 verses that can cast out fear, replace lies with truth, comfort us, ground us in courage, and fill us with hope.

Jesus said so much that can replace lies with truth and ground us in courage. Share on X

 

I’ve selected seven of those truths for us to consider and camp on.

 

  1. Jesus said, “I am The Good Shepherd.” (Isaiah 10:11 & 14) Jesus is my faithful and compassionate leader.
  2. The Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name. (Isaiah 10:3) Jesus knows my name and calls out to me.
  3. The Good Shepherd leads His sheep, goes ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His voice. (Isaiah 10:3) Jesus goes with me and knows the path ahead of me. I follow Him because I know Him and I recognize His voice as that of my Good Shepherd.
  4. The Good Shepherd is the gate; He provides the way into the pasture for the sheep that will follow Him and He saves them. (Isaiah 10:9) Jesus is the way to salvation. There is no other way by which I can be reconciled to God the Father. In John 14:6, Jesus said it this way, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
  5. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. (Isaiah 10:11) Jesus left heaven to walk this earth and die on the cross to make amends for my sin. He laid down His life for me.
  6.  The Good Shepherd came that His sheep may have life to the full. (Isaiah 10:10) The grace Jesus demonstrated on the cross and in the empty tomb is the same grace God provides for me to live in victory in the here and now. The grace Jesus demonstrated on the cross and in the empty tomb is the same grace God provides for you to live in victory in the here and now. Share on X
  7. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep. (Isaiah 10:14) I can take my next steps (into the known or unknown) in full confidence that my God sees me, hears me, knows me and is with me always. (Hebrews 13:5)
I can take my next steps (into the known or unknown) in full confidence that my God sees me, hears me, knows me and is with me always (Hebrews 13:5). Share on X

Those facts give you and I a platform to stand on and someone to rest in. Jesus–our Good Shepherd!

 

We live in a time of heightened stresses and hovering anxiety. Professionals and public figures preach the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Awareness. In Psalm 77, David writes, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord.” Nothing outweighs the benefits of soaking up God’s word. Remaining mindful of His presence. Reflecting on His promises. Remembering His faithfulness. Resting in His goodness. Meditating on the Truth and His messages to us in the Bible.

Here’s the big question: What are we allowing our thoughts to camp on, chew on, and send straight to our hearts?

What are you allowing your thoughts to camp on, chew on, and send straight to your heart? Share on X

Let’s choose right now, again, to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and set our minds (Colossians 3:2) on Jesus, our Good Shepherd!

 

 

Comments 3

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  2. Thanks for this, Mona. I absolutely love, “Here’s the big question: What are we allowing our thoughts to camp on, chew on, and send straight to our hearts?

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