[John 10, Proverbs 26]

H – John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

E – A Sheep’s Life!

I can’t tell you how many sermons I have heard with sheep being referenced. Most of the sermons would use sheep as a dumb animal in reference to how ignorant we are at times. Although I agree to a certain point and have used the illustration myself, Jesus never talked about how dumb sheep where. Rather, Jesus’ talked about how valuable sheep were and their obedient response to “The Shepherd”. John 10 portrays this beautifully. 

The Sheep hears The Shepherds voice. It is distinct, noticeable, and understood. The sheep pay close attention to the voice of the Shepherd; to the point His voice is so distinct, noticeable, and understood if any other voice prompts for the sheep’s attention it would know “stranger danger” (10:5). The sheep of the Shepherd would know not to follow and would flee. 

The Shepherd knows The Sheep. The Shepherd knows each sheep. He has given them a name. He knows their characteristics, each trait. He knows each personality, flaws and all. He understands their strengths and weaknesses. He provides everything they need to grow healthy and mature. He ministers to them in their lowest moments to provide the healing that they need. He takes His time not to rush them through the pasture and own to the next thing. He understands them and through it all they are His.

The Sheep follows The Shepherd. And, why not? The sheep have witnessed the great detail into the Shepherds love for them. He has sacrificed so much just for the provisions and protection of the sheep. The sheep have never been abandoned. The Shepherd has always been within reach. The flock has even witnessed the Shepherd leaving the them in chase of only one that has wondered away. The Shepherd’s love is go great to the sheep that He has given them eternal life, protection, and hope for a future (10:28). Therefore, they’re going to follow their Shepherd. 

That is a sheep’s life: listening to, being loved on by, and obediently following the Shepherd. 

A – Be careful to listen as I read through His Word. Hold fast to the Hope I have in Him. Heed conviction through His Spirit, following Him.

R – Lord God, thank you for eternal life that comes through salvation provided by The Good Shepherd. Lord, give me ears to listen, a desire to obediently follow, and a heart to be consumed with you. I praise you for the way you know me and yet still care for me. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 8, Proverbs 22]

H – John 8:31–32, “[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

E – A Right Belief!

I hear it asked all the time. The question, how do you know if a person is really saved? The question is easier asked than it is responded to. There are things we don’t know about people and their relationship with God. However, there are also clear indications to if a person is genuinely saved. Such as the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), a desire to obey the Father (John 14:15), and the expression of love to God and others (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus addresses another one of those evidences in John 8. 

True belief in God leads to continual obedience to God through His Word. The sad reality in John 8:31 is that those who claimed to have believed did not have a true belief (read 8:33-37). True belief leads to abiding in Jesus and His Word. And, this is not a one time moment or when we feel like it. To abide in Jesus’ Word means to continue believing what Jesus has said and walking in obedience to Him.

Saving faith must center in Jesus himself, not just his miracles or some teaching about Him. Saving faith must center on Jesus himself, not what we believe about the teachings that other presented us. Saving faith must center on Jesus himself, not riding the coat tails of those from the yesteryears. Saving faith must center on Jesus himself, not anything that you could do to earn it. 

When Jesus is the center of my life, there is freedom. True freedom from truth itself, Jesus. 

A – Abide in Him through His Word and the leading of His Spirit. Walk in the Freedom that comes from Truth. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for Freedom. Thank you for the freedom that comes through salvation. Thank you for the freedom that comes through being changed by your Word. Thank you for the freedom of walking in grace. Lord, may I not use this freedom to continue in sin, but rather allow your freedom to bring continual God change to my life. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 6, Proverbs 20]

H – John 6:68–69, “[68] Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

E – Where Else Can I Go?

I’ve tried to find life in so many things. I’ve even sought what I thought at the time were right things to fill the voids of my life, like: church, Bible study, good friends, etc.. I’ve sought substances, social affirmations, relationships, sports, occupational vitality, etc. Again, not all of those things were bad. But, what I learned is that without Jesus at the center of it all, they could not fill the voids of my life. It could only be Jesus! 

Peter proclaimed this truth after he had seen, heard from, and witnessed ‘The One’ who would give His life to provide life to those who would believe upon Him for life. Peter, one of the disciples, left his life behind to follow after Jesus. He had heard the proclamation that Jesus was the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Surely this Jesus then would be the Messiah? The more Peter followed, the more he listened. Struggling to comprehend? Sure! (read 6:60) But, even in the struggle and watching many who followed Him for a season turn back and turn away, he knew there was something more; real life. 

Jesus had the words of eternal life. Peter had come to believe what Jesus proclaimed as truth. There was no other Rabbi or teacher that had these words. Peter no longer believed by what he saw, but now he believed from what he heard. It obviously took Peter some time for him to come to this belief. Yet, it lead him to a confession, “you are the Holy One of God.”

The one thing we know about Peter is that he was imperfect, made mistakes, said some dumb stuff, and had moments of denial. Yet, he also knew where to run, The Rock of his salvation, THE CHRIST, THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.

A – 2 Timothy 1:12 comes to mind, “I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].” Therefore, continue to turn to Him.

R – Lord, thank you for drawing me to yourself. Thank you for the words of salvation that I believed in, by faith. Thank you for your grace that redeemed and rescued my life. Thank you for your care and abundant life that you have given me. Thank you for being the God of countless second chances. Lord, when I have run to you, you have never let me down. Help me today to keep my focus on you, my Lord and my God. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Peter 5, Proverbs 7]

H – 1 Peter 5:8–9a, “[8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, ……”

E – Watchful!

Watching for the enemy’s (the devil) attack is nothing new. There is no doubt that he has a desire to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and has been from the beginning seeking to spoil God’s plan by causing harm to His people (Job 1:7). The earth is his playground and he’s roaming it to and fro looking for someone to devour. If we hear these alarms then shouldn’t that alarm and concern us to the point that we are being watchful?

C.S. Lewis once suggested that the two mistakes Christians make in talking about Satan are that we either joke about him or we ignore him. Yet, Satan and his demons are a real spiritual force that are seeking to wreck your life and the lives of those around you. There is a real spiritual battle going on over your very soul. This battle should not be ignored or jokingly pushed to the side. It’s time to “Wake Up” and “Pay Attention”.

According to this passage the greatest tactic that the enemy is using to devour does not begin with a major blow or an atomic bomb. It begins with simple deception. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, Peter writes for the elders to humble themselves and cast all their anxieties on the Lord, before he even brings up being sober-minded. Think about it. How many times has the deception from truth lead to pride, selfishness, fear, worry, anxiety, uncertainty, depression, hatred, anger, and the list goes on and on. It’s as if the allowance of deceptions away from the reality of truth leads one to fall into sin and self-destruct. That’s how he devours us. Wow!

There is only one way to overcome the devils deception; Jesus. The Christian response to satanic opposition is not panic or fear but firm resistance. Resist means “to withstand,” or “to stand up against.” However, I can not withstand or stand up against these forces with my own power or rebukes. I stand with the authority of God by faith in His Sons death, burial, and resurrection. I resist by the power of Christ that lives within me and stand firm by drawing strength in what I have believed, who I have believed in, and who has persuaded me (Romans 8). 

Even though it is a guarantee that I will face this battle, I don’t have to face it alone. Brothers and sisters all over the world have, are, and will experience suffering that is a direct influence of the devil and as a result of sinful humanity. Together, we clothe ourselves with humility (v.5), humble ourselves before God (v.6), cast all our concerns before Him (V.7), let Him serve us by demonstrating His love towards us (v.7), and clinging to the hope that one day suffering will be no more (v.10). 

I’m reminded of Ephesians 6 and putting on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:13, says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Let’s Wake Up, Pay Attention, and Stand!

A – Surrender each day to the Lord, dying to self, clothing myself in His righteousness, and discern God’s truth. After that, stand!

R – Lord God, thank you for your care towards me. You gave your Son for us; providing salvation, hope, warning, direction, promises, and a future to those who have put their faith in you. Lord, help me to heed your Word and pay attention. Lord, warn me of deception. Give me godly discernment. Help me to stand in Your truth. Bind the enemy from his attacks on me, my family, and our faith family. Lord, regardless what comes our way, I pray we experience your peace and rest in it (v.14). 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Peter 2, Proverbs 2]

H – 1 Peter 2:2–3, “[2] Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—[3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good…… [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

E – Under Construction!

How did you come to Jesus? That is a great question to ponder. 

Peter makes it clear, that those who come to Jesus must deny themselves (v.1) and become obedient to His word (v.8). The reason being is because you have tasted His goodness (v.3) and you don’t want to go back to the darkness that He has called you out of (v.9). 

If indeed we have tasted the goodness of His mercy and grace then everything changes. Life transformation happens. 1) We put away us (v.1). In other words we turn from our sin and selfishness (v.11). We repent. 2) We long to grow in and through Him (v.2). We’ve tasted and seen that He is good and we want more of Him, which comes from a relationship through His Word and Spirit. 3) We allow Him to build us into who and what He has purposed us to be (v.5, 9), His church (living stones) on mission to live and proclaim the excellencies of The One who rescues from darkness into His marvelous light (v.9). 

Yet, this life doesn’t come naturally and it doesn’t come quickly. It’s a life that has to be fostered. It’s a life that has to be intentional. It’s a life that has to be surrendered. Growing up (v.2) and Being Built Up (v.5) is a life long process. It never ends. However, notice this; spiritual growth is fueled by appreciation of God’s mercy and grace (v.2-3). It’s what gives us the desire to be built up in the first place. 

Which begs the question, how did you come to Jesus?

A – Simply die to sin and live to righteousness (v.24).

R – Lord God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for salvation. Thank you for your great mercy and grace. Thank you for healing that came from Calvary. I have tasted and seen that you are good. Lord, grow me and build me up into who you have created and purposed me to be. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Peter 1, Proverbs 1]

H – 1 Peter 1:14–16, “[14] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

E – The Calling of Obedience!

When Christ saves He sanctifies (v.2). When Christ sanctifies He leads (v.3, 13). When Christ leads we obey (v.14). 

When Christ is our living hope (v.3), our great salvation does not simply impact the future; it is to also mark the way we live today, even in the midst of trials (v.6). Not only that, but if Christ is our hope then we should have a clear realization of our former ignorance (sin) and should have a continual desire to flee the old me/we/us (v.14). 

Because of salvation, a hope for today and the future, and the presence of His Holy Spirit (v.12) I know that I’m His child (v.14, John 1:12). My response to Papa should be complete obedience. This obedience is to pursue His holiness and simply live in a state of overflow; His presence working in and through my life. It should be Him that leads and guides my life. It should be Him that convicts me of my ignorance. It should be Him that determines my attitude and conduct. 

A – My mind must be prepared for the action of obedience (v.13). I cannot willy nilly in my relationship with King Jesus. It’s all in fully convinced of His grace and clinging to His hope (v.13). 

R – Lord God, I love you. I praise you for salvation. Thank you for hope, both now and for eternity. Lord, I need you. I need help. I need your Spirit to lead and guide me. Lord, forgive me for the moments that I’ve failed, miserable. If it wasn’t for your great mercy and being born again into a living hope I would be nor have nothing. So, I praise you. Lord, sanctify me and lead me into obedience. 

In Jesus Name!