Full Life

I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.

John 10:10b (CEV)

We all want to be loved, cared for, and protected. We want someone powerful watching out for us. Someone who can see ahead, guiding us. Someone with resources taking care of us.

Jesus is that someone. In the Gospel according to John, after Jesus healed a man, the religious leaders questioned the man and threw him out of the assembly when they didn’t like his answers. It was a power struggle; Jesus’s power might make people question their authority.

When they confronted Jesus, he started talking about sheep. He said he loved his sheep, cared for them, protected them, guided them. He is the good shepherd who loves and cares for all the people who follow him. And, you guessed it, he’s happy when they’re healed and doesn’t kick them out of the flock. He gives them the good life, the eternal life.

Anyone can become one of Jesus’s sheep. Just start following him, like a sheep will follow its shepherd. Join his flock. Learn to know his voice and follow his instructions.

Life in this broken world is far from perfect for a Jesus-follower. Hard times still come, like injuries, deployments, demotions, moves, and loneliness. But to know you are loved, watched over, cared for by the great Protector—that is an amazing, full, abundant life. And the promise of eternal life means that this is only the beginning.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

How has Jesus, your good shepherd, already blessed your life? Thank him, today!

INSPIRATION

“It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what he is doing with us. He understands us perfectly.”

—W. Phillip Keller, Christian author in the late 1900s

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 23:1–4

Ezekiel 34:15–16a

John 15:9–10

Revelation 7:17

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This devotional was written by Tonia Gutting for the Hero Squad Program of the American Bible Society. Hero Squad provides complimentary faith-based resources to strengthen and encourage Military families through God’s Word. For more information or to enroll your Military family, check out our website.www.myherosquad.org.