Sweeter Than Honey: The Good Shepherd

From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed: 

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12). 

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). 

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

​Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!

How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group.

JOIN THE PRIVATE SWEETER THAN HONEY FACEBOOK GROUP

Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!

​John 10-12: The Good Shepherd

In John chapter 10, the Apostle John writes of the Good Shepherd. Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” (10:11), and then He tells us what a good shepherd does for his flock of sheep.

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:10-11)

"I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)

"For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28)

A shepherd's primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. The shepherd will feed the animals, herding them to areas of good forage, while keeping a watchful eye out for their protection. A good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for the sheep. But a hired hand, who is not a shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, when he sees a wolf coming, will leave the sheep and flee. This is not our Good Shepherd. Our Good Shepherd "...has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” (Heb. 13:5)

The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is a close one. The Bible tells us that the sheep, that’s us, recognize the Shepherd’s voice and that they follow the Good Shepherd. It is a well-known fact that animals instinctively recognize the voice of a familiar, trusted person. Is the Good Shepherd familiar and trusted to you? Do you recognize His voice today?

A funny thing about sheep is that just about any other domesticated animal can be returned to the wild and will stand a fighting chance of survival, but not sheep. If you put a sheep in the wild, you've pretty much just given it a death sentence and given nature a snack. Sheep are helpless creatures! Sheep without a shepherd are sheep in deep trouble. In fact, sheep without a shepherd are hopeless!
The Good Shepherd is good. He protects, He guides, He nurtures, and He lays down His life for us! These five characteristics of our Good Shepherd are proof to me that Jesus is a Shepherd that can be trusted. Jesus loves you. He is the Good Shepherd. He will never leave you. Live like you know that today!

What character traits do you think of when you think of a good shepherd?

​About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can.

Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!

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