“Hey, Patti! So glad you’re here.”
I’ll never forget how Sue, my high-school ministry leader, greeted me the first time we met. Even though I had heard a lot about her from my friends, I still felt shy as we walked up her driveway and they swung open the back door without even knocking. My friends made themselves right at home, searching Sue’s refrigerator (that she always kept well stocked) for soda and plopping down on her kitchen stools. In walked Sue, laughing at our unannounced arrival and welcoming us all. Before I could awkwardly introduce myself, she greeted me by name.
Hearing Sue call me by name spoke to my longing to be known and stirred my hope for belonging. It meant the world to my insecure, 15-year-old self, and it means the world to me now. Little did I know that we would spend hours together, that she would share her life stories with me, and that she would explain the meaning of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection to me. Little did I know that Sue and I would become friends for life.
Hearing Jesus describe Himself as the “good shepherd” also stirs my hope for belonging. His shepherd metaphor stops me in my hustling tracks and tugs at my solitary heart. “I am the good shepherd,” Jesus says. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). This shepherd doesn’t merely offer the bare minimum; He offers His life. He is ready and willing to die in order to protect His sheep from attack. Jesus also says that the good shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (v.3). He doesn’t casually regard the flock as a random collection of animals. He leads them out to pasture where He satisfies their hunger and thirst. Not only that, but He knows each one intimately, and He calls them by name.
Do we hear Jesus’s voice? Do we hear His promises? Jesus promises the ultimate belonging: to be fully known and fully loved by Him forever. He says to every one of His followers, “I see you. I know you intimately. I know your deepest hunger and thirst. I love you. I will provide for you and protect you, even if it means laying down my life.” And, it did—it cost Him everything—Jesus died to divinely and decisively deal with the sin that separates us from God. He died once and for all so that we can be united with Him forever.
Even though it is hard for us to imagine life without end, this is His promise: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand” (v.28). Jesus protects His flock and seals the deal for those who hear Him and follow. “Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8). He calls each by name to be with Him and to become friends for life—both now and for eternity.
I love the reassurance the readings today gave. Jesus knows us and He calls us by name! I just loved from the devotional that “Jesus says to us, ‘I see you. I know you intimately. I know your deepest hunger and thirst. I love you. I will provide for you and protect you, even if it means laying down my life.’” Jesus knows us so deeply that He knows what we want and what we need and He will provide for us! I needed to hear this today as I have been struggling with having patience in my life and remembering to give control to God because in the end He will provide for me. I hope you all had a wonderful week! @ Lynne from Alabama, I am praying that God gives you strength during this time in you and Jack’s lives. I pray He provides you with peace when you feel like you may be overwhelmed with your situation. I pray that God not let Jack suffer but instead keeps him comfortable during this time. @ Mercy I pray that God protects you and your family as you travel and calms your nerves during the journey. @ Rhonda J I am praying God continues to guide Stacy. For anyone else I missed, know I pray for you wonderful women everyday ❤️❤️ Have a great weekend!
Amen @Julia C
prayers to you @Lynne from Al
Praying today that we all (sinners) have the heart of the criminal on the cross “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom” happy Friday she’s! ☮️❤️ as you go through your weekend!
Happy Friday shes, what a lovely reminder we have (thank you JULIA C- I really enjoyed your comments, especially the CS Lewis one from yesterday or so). I have been quite busy so I was not able to comment daily. Thank you so much she’s for thinking of me. We are preparing for a long travel trip, we are flying out next week so I have been trying to finish up my work, and packing (my least favorite). It is a long haul international flight. I feel so nervous flying with three young kids who can’t sit still (it’s 25 hour total with 3 legs of flights). I would appreciate your prayers for a safe and a lovely experience for them, and peace for my mind. We are flying to visit my parents, and I just feel so nervous. Please pray that God would heal my mom’s narcissistic traits that has caused a lot of damage, may God bring reconciliation for us through this trip, and no more drama. Thank you so much shes. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I am praying along your prayer requests. I hold you dearly in my hearts, my lovely fellow sojourners in this narrow road journey. Be blessed dear sisters.
It’s a beautiful day in Arizona and I’m on the patio listening to the little girls next door playing, and so grateful for my quiet little neighborhood and sweet back yard full of flowering plants and happy birds. Praying for loving comfort over Searching’s friend Shannon and family during such a hard time, Lynne’s Jack and his suffering, and all of our well-being and for peace in our homes. As always I am praying for the saving of our dear loved ones who don’t know you and our protocols (Aleida’s son Victor, Laura’s daughter, and others).
PATTI SAULS – Thank you for this beautiful and final devo in this study. May we all strive to be Sue to someone in our lives!
“This shepherd doesn’t merely offer the bare minimum; He offers His life. He is ready and willing to die in order to protect His sheep from attack. Jesus also says that the good shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (v.3).”
16 But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. Joh 10:16
A few of you have already shared my other chosen quotes so I only have this to add –
Mic drop moment:
:… and so we will always be with the Lord.”
Thinking of the contrast of Him being HERE with us and us being with Him in HEAVEN!
SEARCHING – I haven’t heard that song in years but I am listening to it now! My heart goes out to Shannon and her family and friends, including you, sister! Continued prayers for wisdom, guidance, and compassionate cooperation with those in power to help your elderly relative. Praying that one right person steps forward to intervene!
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA – Praying for strength of heart and endurance for you and comfort and peace for Jack. Praying for protection from pain and fear for him and for God’s peace to flood your soul. Continued prayers for you both!
I am on my laptop so no heart emojis today, but you all know where I would put them if I could!
Yesterday I shared a song by Mandisa with lyrics that fit so well. Sadly, she passed away last week, but her music will live on.
HE IS WITH YOU LYRICS:
There’s a time to live
And a time to die
There’s a time to laugh
And a time to cry
There’s a time for war
And a time for peace
There’s a hand to hold
In the worst of these
He is with you when your faith is dead
And you can’t even get out of bed
Or your husband doesn’t kiss you anymore
He is with you when your baby’s gone
And your house is still, and your heart’s a stone
Cryin’ God, what’d You do that for
He is with you
There’s a time for yes
And a time for no
There’s a time to be angry
And a time to let it go
There is a time to run
And a time to face it
There is love to see you
Through all of this
He is with you in the conference room
When the world is coming down on you
And your wife and kids don’t know you anymore
He is with you in the ICU
When the doctors don’t know what to do
And it scares you to the core
He is with you
We may weep for a time
But joy will come in the morning
The morning light
He is with you when your kids are grown
When there’s too much space and you feel alone
And you’re worried if you got it right or wrong
Yes He is with you when you’ve given up
On ever finding your true love
Someone who feels like home
He is with you
When nothing else is left
And you take your final breath
He is with you
Love and prayers to all!
Dear Lynn, prayers for you and Jack in this difficult period. May you find some moments of rest and may the doctors keep Jack comfortable in this transition. Praying as I read, praising in the joys and for comfort in the trials.
Julia, thank you for your beautiful daily prayers.
Have a blessed weekend sisters!
“He calls each by name to be with Him and to become friends for life—both now and for eternity.” In a world where we long to be seen and known – and so often we are unseen, unknown, lonely and sad – it is refreshing and heart warming to be reminded that God not only knows me by name, He calls me by name and leads me. He goes ahead of me chasing away danger, protecting me from the stranger. This account of the Shepherd and His sheep is such a picture of the tenderness and love of our caring compassionate God. I am blessed and honored to belong to Him. Forever and ever. To Him be the glory.
@Searching – I am so sorry to hear that Shannon’s mom passed away. Prayers of peace and comfort for her and her family.
@Lynn from Alabama – I am also sorry to hear that Jack’s condition is worsening. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you to have to stand by, helpless, and watch it happen. Praying God gives you the strength each day – step by step and that He will extend His mercy and grace to Jack in that he not suffer. Hugs. ❤️
@Rhonda J. -praying for Stacey as she begins life anew. She is blessed to have you in her life – praying that you will bond well and be able to mentor her. Prayers for your back pain, I know what that’s like… and that you will be pain free by Sunday so you can fully enjoy the worship with Brandon Lake – as you might recall, I saw him and Phil in August this past year – it was the BEST concert I have ever attended, SO Spirit filled! Enjoy!!!
Ladies have a wonderful Friday – may we all be a blessing to someone today! ❤️❤️
I don’t need to worry about the future because I have his voice to follow and he will never forget me. He knows me by name and knows all I need.