Category: The Shepherd

John 10: 11,16 NIV
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Hebrew 12:1-2 NRSVUE
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Brothers and sisters, may we be encouraged today. Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down his life for us. He endured the cross for our good and the Father’s glory. What he began in us, he will carry it through to completion. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us and empowers us, we can persevere as we go through life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for laying your life down for us. Thank you for the hope that one day you will come again and we will be with you forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Turn Your Eyes” by Sovereign Grace Music (click here).

-MR

 

 

Luke 15.20-24 NIV
20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Once more we have language of the gospel reality. This ‘sinner’ was a lost soul and through repentance and the father’s forgiveness has found true life. The key phrase, ‘this son of mine,’ states the full restitution of sonship. The sinner was spiritually dead and lost in his sins but is now ’found’ and has been raised to new life.” (Osborne, Grant R., Luke Verse by Verse, 425)

Prayer: Father, we were lost and going our own way. Thank you for running towards us and showering us with your love. May we live in the Gospel reality today. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Let’s worship to the song “The God We Love(Nicene Creed)” by CityAlight (click here).

-MR

 

John 10:2-5 NIV
2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3  … the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

“You can tell the good shepherd from the false because he is the one who enters properly through the gate and knows each and every sheep. He maintains a deep relationship with his sheep. He calls them by name and they respond, following him out of the pen and coming to him in the field. They each both know his voice and the name he has given them. In Jesus’ time (and today), a shepherd would assign each sheep a name or call (for instance, a certain set of notes on a flute), and this would enable him to recall one that had started to wander off. With these distinctive calls the shepherd could keep the herd together and following him … They belong to the Shepherd, and there remains a special relationship.” (Osborne, Grant R. John Verse by Verse, 277)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you know me and that I can hear your voice. May my heart be soft and ready to follow you today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “He Will Be” by CityAlight (click here).

-MR

Psalm 23:4-6 NIV
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
    forever.

John 14:1-3 NRSVUE
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.

The Lord is our shepherd, and we belong to him.  How generous is his love towards us.  He is with us even in the most difficult times. May we turn to the Lord and trust in him, for he is good and he is sovereign. His promise is that we will dwell in his house forever.

Prayer: Lord, you are good and sovereign. I will not fear, for you are with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Sovereign Over Us” by Michael W. Smith (click here).

-MR

 

 

Let’s read aloud together the following passages and prayer:

Psalm 23:1-3 NRSVUE
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
 
Isaiah 42:5-8 NRSVUE
5 Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:
6  I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;  have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols.

Prayer: Lord, I praise you for giving me breath. You have opened my eyes and rescued me. I confess that in you, I have all that I need. You are the one who leads me in paths of righteousness and keeps me. May I be renewed and restored today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Ancient Gates” by Brooke Ligertwood (click here).

-MR