I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Saturday, March 13, 2004
My Prayer Today
Jesus, I thank you for giving me fullness of life! You have saved me from my sins and now have set upon a rock. No longer do I have to fear the devils desire to steal, kill, and destroy me. I ask that your purposes in me would come about, and every plan that the devil has to destroy both me and my family would be defeated in your name. I want to live in the fullness of your Spirit. Help me today to live in the abundant life that you have provided through the cross. I ask this in your name, Amen.
God's Word Today
John 10:1-10
"I assure you, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! For a shepherd enters through the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice." They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't recognize his voice." Those who head Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. 'I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep,' he said. 'All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."
Reflecting on God's Word
According to John 10:10, what is the thief's (the devil's) purpose for humankind?
What is the purpose that Jesus has for us?
According to verse 10, what kind of life does Jesus bring?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Read John 10:1-10 and make a list of all the things that Jesus' contrasts between the "shepherd" and the "thief."
Understanding God's Purpose
Whether you are a Christian or not, does the devil's purpose towards you change?
Why does Jesus want to give us fullness of life?
What is fullness of life?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Write a list of your family members and close friends on a piece of paper. After doing this, spend several minutes praying that the "plans of the devil will be thwarted" and the "plans of Jesus would come to full fruition" in their lives. Rebuke anything that is set to steal, kill, and destroy them -- in the NAME of Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is our authority.
Thoughts
I have heard some people say that they don't really want to get "too serious" about following Jesus because they don't want to make the devil mad at them. They don't want to rock the boat, nor stir any water. So they decide that they want to be a Christian, but just sort of be casual about it. But the reality is, the devil hates all of us no matter if we are a Christian or not. Whether or not we are series about following Jesus, his plan has always been to "steal, kill, and destroy us." That has not changed, nor will it change. Do not seek mercy from the devil, because you will never find it. The only mercy that is available is through Jesus Christ and his blood.
Jesus is the doorway to salvation. His plan, as evidenced in John 10:10, is to give us "fullness of life" or "abundant life." In other words, he wants us to have the life that God originally intended when he made humankind. He wants us to be free from the bondage of sin and live in the fullness of his Holy Spirit. This fullness of life can only come from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If it were not for the mercy of God, the devil would have destroyed us before we were even born. The contrast is huge -- the devil wants us dead in every way, but Jesus wants to give us the fullness of life eternal. Make no deals with the devil, your answer is found in seeking Jesus with all of your heart.
Back to the I AM Bible studies