Moments with my First Love [UNDER REVISION]

MOMENT 9: Good Shepherd

Jesus said:
I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
A thief comes only to rob, kill and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it fully. I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. -John 10:7-11

Feeling lost?
Don't know how to find yourself back to God?

"Ang pinakamahirap na pagdaanan ng isang Kristyano ay yung sa paningin niya ay nawawala na siya. Yung kahit hanapin niya, hindi siya makabalik. Alam niya ang totoo pero hindi niya alam kung paano."

(The hardest battle that a Christian will face is when he see in his eyes that he is already lost. That even when he tries looking the way back, he cannot find it. He knew the truth but he just don't know how. I've experience this. This is so hard.)

But God said, "Many will look but never finds... Many would see or hear but never understands..." Because they are finding in the wrong way.

KNOW THAT JESUS IS THE WAY!
John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life..

The road is not in Jesus, because He, Himself is the way. That's why it is to Him that you should go.

Although Jesus is the gate to life, He doesn't promise that it would be easy... "But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that lead there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it." (Matthew 7:14) ... But He promise that He will always be with you.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." -Isaiah 43:2

There is life in Jesus, but there will always be an enemy who will always try its best to destroy us. He is the thief.

The thief we know is Satan, the father of all lies. He is the treacherous enemy of God with its followers.

But we must realize that the thief is not only Satan, it could also be you. Shocking revelation, right?

Most of the time, you think that it is the enemy that steals and destroys your life. Little did you know, it is you being unaware.

How?
❎ You rob
- robbing the life that must be sacrifies to God
- robbing your time that must be given to God
- robbing your tithes that should be offered to God
- robbing the praise that must be to God alone

Nothing is for you because nothing comes from you. Everything is from God and for God. Don't rob God. Everything you have is because of His blessing and grace, give Him all the credit.

❎ You kill
- You are not just killing your own soul but also, other souls. Because when you are dead in spirit, you could also pull others down to your level. When you are blinded by your own sin, you could be a stumbling block to others which could lead them to death (spiritually) as well.

❎ You destroy
- destroying the life and chance that God gives to you freely
- you are holding down your opportunities for better life with God

It is you who chose and made what could destroy you.

This is why the God of heaven and earth bore the calvary of the cross so that everyone would be saved and have everlasting life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have an eternal life.

What to do?
☑️ Accept Jesus as your Shepherd
Shepherd
- the One who leads your life (Lord)
- the One who saves you from dangerous animals that wanted to eat you (Savior)
- the One who cares for you (Father)

Accepting Jesus is not once and for all, it is an everyday lifestyle of surrender and humbleness before God.

As Jesus Christ laid His life for sinners,
you, sinner,
must lay your life for Jesus Christ.

Let's Pray? :)

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for dying for me on the cross. Thank You for the every lasting life that you prepare for me there in heaven. Lord, forgive me for all my shortcomings and sins. I'm sorry for the times that it is me that chooses to destroy this life that you freely gave me.
Lord, today, I am accepting you as my Shepherd, the Lord and my Savior. Help me to surrender to you everyday and trust your leading.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Congratulations! :)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd! You've done the best choice!

Shalom!
Glory be all to Jesus!