Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 14, 2024
John 10:1-10
1 I assure you that whoever doesn’t enter into the sheep pen through the gate but climbs over the wall is a thief and an outlaw. 2 The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The guard at the gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger but will run away because they don’t know the stranger’s voice.” 6 Those who heard Jesus use this analogy didn’t understand what he was saying. 7 So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.
Good Morning! Emmanuel, God with Us!
Jesus came so that we may live life to the fullest. When I think of living life to the fullest, I think of love, happiness, and joy.
Over the years, I have been inspired by those who keep living life to the fullest to the very end of their earthly lives. No matter what hand they are dealt, they keep living. I have beautiful memories of a church member who was reaching the end of his earthly walk. He once asked me, if he was doing “it” (preparing to die) right.
I asked him three questions.
Do you wake each morning to praise, thank, and pray to God?
Do you cherish this time with your wife?
Do you enjoy God’s miracles that surround you?
He answered, “Yes,” to each question.
I responded, “Yes,” you are doing it right.
Despite his terminal illness, he was still living life to the fullest within the capacity of his current challenges. Some, given a similar circumstance, take the approach of bitterness and despair. Their last days are filled with regret and loneliness.
Those who follow Jesus are blessed with God’s love, mercy, and grace. Praise be to God for the gift of eternal life.
Loving Lord, We are your children! You bless us in ways we can’t imagine. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to save us. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus is the gateway to abundant life.
Live every day with joy! Pastor Liz
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