#JESUS2019 - Daily DevotionalsSample

The gate Jesus describes in John 10 is the gate of a sheepfold. The sheepfolds of those days were different than those of nowadays. They were a walled-in area of the pasture. The sheep were locked up there at night. If there was no gate, the shepherd himself sat in front of the fold to protect the sheep from intruders and to make sure that they did not run away at night. Every morning the sheep went out to the pasture through the gate.

God does not want us to spend our lives inside the sheepfold. He wants us to go out every day to make a positive impact on the people in our environment. But we do not have to do this alone. Like the sheep, we have the opportunity of beginning every day by walking “through the gate”. We can start every day with Jesus. In everyday life we often face challenges: with our family, with friends, at work, even in church. Even in the “normal seasons” of life we can all use some divine support. Peace, wisdom, forgiveness, rest, love, acceptance, strength, patience, self-control, the sense of having arrived, and so much more.

Paul writes the letter to the Philippians during his time in prison in Rome. He encourages the community in Philippi to bring their concerns to God with a grateful heart. And in return God promises to give us his supernatural peace, every day.

What would change in your life, if you started every day with Jesus? Are you aware of the strength, wisdom, joy and peace that Jesus has readily available for you? Jesus is not only the door to God on one single occasion. Rather he continues to give you exactly what you need to make this life the best life you can live, even with all its ups and downs. Jesus does not take away all the difficulties and hardships from your life, but with Jesus life becomes doable. Because through Jesus we ourselves are not better, but things are better for us.

ACTION STEPS: 

1. Try this in the morning: Before you walk out the front door to start your day, spend ten minutes with Jesus. Take a seat in a cozy corner of your house and let him equip you for the day ahead of you.

2. Try this in the evening: What are you grateful for today? Write down 10 things that God has blessed you with today.

René Wagner - ICF Leipzig