Read and Soap: John 10:11-18
John 10:11-18New International Version (NIV)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my 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. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Background to the Book of John (Click Below)
Memory Verse: John 10:11
Do you have a pet? Up until the ages of 38, I have never had a pet - not even a fish or a frog?
But in the summer of 2014, a little white ball of fluff, rocked our world when we got our first puppy named Snowball. At first, Snowball was a lot of work as she piddled in the house, needed to be let out and in - 10 times a day, barked a lot and dug in the mud. The period of adjustment was not easy for me as she added one more responsibility to my plate. But as time went on, I fell in love.
Snowball was meant to be my daughter's dog but early on she took a strong liking to me. Everywhere I went in the house she was under my fee - at my desk, on the couch in the kitchen, under the dinner table, and even on my bed.
And then there's the way she greets me when I have been away. She runs to me with her tail wagging swiftly and smothers me with kisses and love and then she does a victory lap, running around the house celebrating that I am home. Oh how I love Snowball!
Friends, John 10 tells us that God is our shepherd and we are his sheep.
We are Snowball.
We are deeply loved! Just like I love and care for Snowball, God loves and cards for you. And just like Snowball follows me around everywhere I go - we are to follow God everywhere we go and rejoice in God's presence. Let's rest in our Shepherd's good care and trust in His love for us.
(This post is an excerpt by Courtney,Women Living Well, from the Rest and Release Bible Study Guide.)
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