I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 

SCRIPTURE John 10:9-11,14-15,27-30 I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. . . . I AM the good shepherd; and I know My sheep and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

OBSERVATION Jesus-I AM the Door to salvation . . . I AM the Door to abundant life . . . I AM the Good Shepherd Who gives His life for the sheep, Who gives them eternal life . . . I AM the Resurrection and the Life.

APPLICATION Salvation is mine . . . abundant life is mine . . . eternal life is mine all because of Jesus, my Good Shepherd.

PRAYER Thank You Jesus for opening the door to salvation, abundant and eternal life.

ADVENT-The Journey to Christmas

 

God isn’t in the business of meeting expectations. He’s in the business of blowing them out of the water. Jesus is an incredible example of God’s exceeding goodness. Through Jesus, God met needs the Jewish people didn’t even realize they had. He provided much more than the fleeting prosperity of an earthly kingdom. He established His eternal kingdom, provided salvation, reconciled humans to right relationship with God, and brought hope to a broken world.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence things not seen. Romans 8:24; (2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7)

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

GOOD NEWS-From a Full Cradle to an Empty Tomb

 

Just as there was an angel of the Lord who announced to the shepherds that their Savior Jesus Christ was born, so, too, there was an angel of the Lord that descended from heaven and appeared to the Mary’s, rolling the stone away from the empty tomb and announced the good news that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead. Both at His birth and resurrection, the announcement was the same, “Fear not . . . do not be afraid.” GOOD NEWS the Savior of the world is a baby, born unto you, and lying in a manger . . . GOOD NEWS the crucified Savior is no longer lying in a tomb, He Is Risen . . . GOOD NEWS the gift of God, eternal life is ours! This Christmas let us celebrate the greatest gift and the greatest gift giver!

Luke  2:8-12 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Matthew 28:1-3, 5-6 As the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb . . . behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow . . . the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ”

Jesus, my Savior

 Scripture Luke 23:35b He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God. 23:37b If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.

Observation People wanted Jesus to prove He was Christ The King by saving Himself.
Application Jesus came to save us by sacrificing Himself.
Prayer Thank You Jesus, my Savior, for sacrificing Yourself to pay the penalty/price for my sin.

Salvation for All

 

Scripture Luke 3:6 And all people will see God’s salvation.

Observation John came proclaiming and preparing the way for Jesus, The Son of God bringing salvation for ALL people.

Application Jesus came to bring and make available the gift of God’s salvation for all people.

Prayer Thank You Father for sending Your Son Jesus to pay the price so the gift of salvation would be available to all people including me.

REMEMBER and Remember No More

 

Scripture Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Psalms 62:1-2 Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation,  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my  defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Psalms 62:5-8 My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Observation/Application/Prayer My Defense, my Rock, my Glory, my Refuge, my Strength, my God, my Salvation, my Jesus, my LORD, my Savior. Whatever comes my way I know You are with me, that I can pour out my heart before You, You listen, You love. My Creator, Creator of all that is and will no longer be or be remembered or brought to mind in that New Heaven and New Earth beyond my comprehension where there will be no more sin, sickness, pain, sorrow, or tears. The old things passed away and everything forever new. Thank You Jesus, my All, here, now, and for All eternity.

Sacrifice for Salvation

 

Scripture Isaiah 52:10 The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

 Isaiah 52:14 Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.

Observation Jesus spread out His arms, His body was torn, that I might receive the salvation of God.

Application May I look to and be thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice for my salvation.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for stretching our Your arms on the cross and sacrificing Your body so that I might receive the gift of eternal life.

An Eternal Inheritance

 

  Scripture   I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Day Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,   to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Observation God, my gracious and merciful Father has purchased for me the gift of salvation and eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a gift that is imperishable, undefiled reserved in heaven and protected by His power through my faith in Him.

Application My faith and trust are in Christ alone for the gift of salvation and eternal life.

Prayer Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to do what only He could do in purchasing for me and all who would believe, the imperishable gift of salvation and eternal life. Thank You for making heaven my home.

God's Gracious Gift

 

 Scripture Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Observation/Application  Through God’s loving kindness and mercy I have salvation. He poured out His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ my Savior. By His grace I have the gift of eternal life.

Prayer Thank You, Father, for the gracious gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ my Savior.

Only One

 Scripture Psalms 83:18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are The Most High over all the earth.

I Timothy 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Observation There is only One Lord God Most High, One Mediator between God and man, and One Savior, Jesus Christ, Who desires all to be saved.

Application May I be thankful each day for my salvation and be prayerful that all may know, hear of, and receive such a great salvation.

Prayer Thank You, Father, thank You, Jesus, for loving me, for being my Savior, may I too desire all to be saved.

Salvation of the Lord

 

Scripture Psalms 98:1-2 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.

Observation He is victorious Lord of salvation.

Application I would receive the salvation of God.

Prayer Thank You,  Father Your gift of salvation.

Deliverance

 

Scripture Psalms 56:13  For You have delivered my soul from death. have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalm 116:8-9 For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Observation/ Application  You have saved my soul, given me the gift of eternal life, put my feet on solid ground, one forever/eternal day I’ll walk in the Light with You in a land where there’s no more sorrows  or tears.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of eternal life.

Wisdom, Truth, and Joy

 

Scripture Psalms 51:6, 8, 12 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom . . . Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice . . . Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Observation  Inward Truth, wisdom , joy, gladness, and in my brokenness, rejoicing are mine from You and Your Spirit abiding in me.

Application I will seek Truth and Wisdom which come from the LORD and joy and gladness even amid brokenness.

Prayer Thank You, Father, for Your wisdom and Truth that You give me access to, and joy and gladness even amid my brokenness and pain.

Mercy and Salvation

 

Scripture Psalm 69:13-But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

Observation The Lord is abounding in mercy. He only is my salvation.

Application My faith and trust is in a merciful God, He alone is my salvation.

Prayer Thank You Lord for being merciful to me. You alone are the God of my salvation.

My Constant Helper

 Scripture Psalms 38:9-Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.

Psalms 38:15-For in You, O Lord, (Ps. 39:7)I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.

Psalms 38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Observation The Lord, my helper, my salvation, my hope, will hear when I call  out to Him.

Application I will cry out to the Lord; my Helper, Hope, Salvation and He will hear me.

Prayer Dear Lord, thank You for my salvation, thank for being my Hope and Helper, for always being there when I cry out to You.

The LORD is my Light and Salvation

 

Scripture Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Observation The Lord is my light, salvation, and strength.

Application All I need is found in You, Lord.

Prayer Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. Thank You for being my Light and strength. Teach me, lead me, give me strength and courage, I pray.

Loving Merciful Savior

 

Scripture Leviticus 19:18b . . . you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I AM the LORD.

Leviticus 19:2b-You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God AM holy.

Psalms 13:5 I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

Observation THE LORD OUR GOD is a loving, holy, merciful Savior.

Application I would be holy, loving, trusting, merciful . . . rejoicing in Your salvation.

Prayer LORD, today, I trust in Your mercy and rejoice in Your salvation. Today I would be holy and loving like You.

 

GREAT JOY

 

Scripture Acts 15:3b they caused great joy to all the brethren . . . we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.- Acts 15:11

When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.- Acts 15:31-32

Observation The disciples caused great joy and brought encouragement through God’s Word. They exhorted and strengthened  the brethren.

Application Spending time in, and sharing God’s Word, and His gracious  gift of salvation brings  great joy, encouragement, strength, and exhortation.

Prayer Father, thank You for Your grace, through Jesus. I, too, would rejoice and be encouraged through Your Word and be one who causes great joy, encouragement and exhorts and strengthens others.

I BELIEVE

 Scripture Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Observation Salvation originates in the heart, believing with all your heart that Jesus is the risen Son of God.

Application There is no other Name given under heaven by which we may receive salvation.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for my salvation.

Week Twenty Two-Twenty Four Status 2011

 Father, may Your Holy Spirit enable/help me to speak The Truth in love to build up others in faith and minister Your grace. 6/5 10;34am

Father, may I always be found with praise on my lips and gratefulness in my heart. I love You and thank You for saving my soul! 6/12 9;44am

 I'm in a Rainforest Treehouse! Well, sorta! I'm at VBS teaching Kindergarten. Excited! Love VBS! Pray! 6/13 8;26am

 VBS Day Two in The Rainforest-for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.-John 3:16 6/14 8;33am

VBS Day 3- Monkeying around in the Rainforest. Verse of the day-Love the Lord...Love your neighbor.-Matthew 22:37-39 6/15 8;27am

VBS-Day 4 in the Rainforest. Verse for the day is Philippians 4:6-by prayer...present your requests to God. 6/16 8;34am

VBS-Last day in the Rainforest. Verse of the day- whatever you do, work...for the Lord.-Colossians 3:23 6/17 10;29am