Seeking Him devotional

Dedicated To You

March 17, 2015 by Ahmee Bronaugh

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I AM the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. As I pondered this verse, I continued to read all the way to verse 21. We all know that Jesus died for us on the Cross to save us from our own sin. I know we are all very thankful for this selfless act, because we have come to accept this act as our saving grace. However, the fact still remains that Jesus is many things to us—not just our Savior. This week we are looking at how Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Shepherds lead their sheep. They watch them, guide them, make sure they have a place to eat, a place to sleep, and safely exist in the world. The sheeps very being is dependent on the shepherd—and so our very being is dependent on Jesus.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
Proverbs 21:31

This verse has reminded me, time and time again, that there is only so much that is MY part. I can only make so much happen. I can only do so much. The real success comes when I allow God to do His part. This verse also reminds me that the Lord is my Shepherd; He is the one who orchestrates the comings and goings of my life.

Another verse that reminds me that Lord is the One who is control of my well being is Proverbs 20:21.

A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand his own way?

God cares for us. He sent us Jesus. Jesus cares for us, and because He does, He has chosen to be our everything.

Are you hungry…physically or spiritually? He will lead you to the food you need.
Are you tired? He will give you a safe place to rest.
Are you lost? He will guide you.
Are you scared? He will shelter you.

He is our EVERYthing. There is nothing in this world that you can experience that He Himself cannot help you with. The real question is…

Will you let Him be your Good Shepherd?

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Lord, thank You for being such an amazing Provider and making my life simple. I know I am the one who complicates things. Help me to live in You and follow Your lead. Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: ahmee bronaugh, daily devotions, Dedicated To You, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, IAM the Good Shepherd, Jesus IS the Good Shepherd, john 10:11, john 10:11-21, Lent, proverbs 20:21, proverbs 21:31, Seeking Him devotional, Sheep

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep

March 16, 2015 by Ann Mwafulirwa

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In this passage, Jesus declares Himself to be the promised Good Shepherd. This is also illuminated in a number of Scriptures. It was spoken of in the Old Testament prophesying of His coming as well as in the New Testament where He Himself now is confirming the prophecies spoken of in the past.

Here are things the Shepherd would do:

Psalm 23:1 He ensures we lack nothing.
Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart, He gently leads those that have young.
Ezekiel 34:23 God was saying I will place one shepherd—my shepherd, David. This shepherd being talked of here is Jesus the Messiah who came from David’s line and who laid down His life for the sheep.
Ezekiel 37:24 We see the Messiah cleansing the people who would receive forgiveness.

These examples illustrate Jesus’ tender and devoted care for His people. It is as if He is saying “As a good shepherd is toward his sheep, I am toward all who believe in Me—caring, watchful, and loving.” He was willing to die for His sheep. This emphasizes the uniqueness of Christ the Shepherd…His death on the Cross saves His sheep.

Christ was mentioned as Good Shepherd in John 10:11-14; Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20; and the Chief Shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4.

We also, as His followers and believers, are shepherds. We win souls, we are shepherds of His sheep also. Others (pastors/evangelists) also shepherd the flock. Do we sacrifice ourselves for our sheep or we leave them to die of thirst? We are to take our sheep to the river banks where they can get water (the Word of God). As true believers we are to care for the sheep, and are to think about the sheep first and then ourselves.

Let us truly take care of the sheep, pray with them, feed them with the Word every day, and follow up with them, so that they should not be in any want.

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Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your lovingkindness, thank You for who You are. Indeed we are the sheep of Your pasture and so we are to exercise our calling. We pray, Lord, that You help us take care of Your sheep You have given us. May we also help grow the sheep and die to ourselves for them in Jesus’ name. We pray for Your leading in all we do as we win souls to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name we have prayed. Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: ann mwafulirwa, daily devotions, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM the Good Shepherd, Jesus IS the Good Shepherd, john 10:11-14, john 10:11-18, Seeking Him devotional

Lay Down My Life

March 15, 2015 by coleen hayden

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I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep.
So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.
Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I AM the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—
and I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.
I must bring them also.
They too will listen to My voice and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.
The reason My Father loves Me
is that I lay down My life—only to 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 authority to take it up again.
This command I received from My Father.

All your pain will be made mine
All your troubles, the tears you cry
Give it up…all that binds
I will place it on My shoulders
And up this hill I’ll climb

Father, give Me strength
I know there is no other way

I lay down My life for you
This is the moment when all will be made new
I know that you don’t understand
But this is part of a greater plan
So I lay down My life for you

This is Love that had to bleed
To bring you mercy, to set you free
You are Mine, I am yours
And I will wear your burdens
Just like this crown of thorns
I will take your place
I know there is no other way

Give me all your pride
Give me all your fears
Give me all your secrets
Give me all your tears
Give me all you doubt
Give me all your shame
Watch them wash away
Watch them wash away
In Jesus’ name

Though I know that you don’t understand
These scars are part of a greater plan
And I lay down My life for you

Arms stretched out upon this tree
To show true love, to set you free

Sidewalk Prophetssongwriters: Dave Frey and Ben MacDonald

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: coleen hayden, daily devotions, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM the Good Shepherd, Jesus IS the Good Shepherd, Jesus laid down His life, john 10:11-18, lay down my life, Lent, Seeking Him devotional, Sidewalk Prophets

This Week…I AM the Door (John 10:1-10)

March 14, 2015 by coleen hayden

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So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you,
that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.
All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers,
but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.
I AM the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live).
He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have and enjoy life,
and have it in abundance (to the full, till itoverflows).

John 10:7-10 AMP

Another incredible promise that Jesus gave…how grateful and thankful are we?!!? This past week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, our sisters have shared some insight on these words spoken by our Lord. Here are a few highlights from the devotionals that Tina, Laura, Cynda, Ann, and Ahmee wrote to encourage us.

In The Door Is Our Protection, Cynda shared a bit of the enlightenment she received…

“…as I was studying commentaries on this passage, I came across a statement that made me pause. Had I perhaps missed an additional meaning in this Scripture? Had I stopped short without completely understanding the depth of this Scripture?

I totally get the symbolism that Christ laid down His life for our salvation. But I missed the part about Him being our protection. Christ is there to protect us from the evil one.”

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In The Gate for the Sheep, Ahmee helped us to see the value of each of our differing journeys to salvation.

“Our stories are so different. True, but there is something in common with all our stories—we all said ‘yes!’ to Jesus. There is no other way. So, before the yes, our stories are very different. After the yes, our stories are very different. It is even possible that during the yes, our stories are very different.

The point is, Jesus said that He is the Gate for the sheep. Well, sisters (and brothers) we all walked through that same Gate! Saying this makes me want to high-five each and every one of you. We are ‘in’ because of our Savior. Yay for us! What an awesome feeling it is to have walked through the Gate. Why not bring someone along?”

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In The Door To a New Life, Tina also wrote about salvation….

“As verse 9 states, Jesus wants to give us salvation. All we have to do is ask. Then believe we are forgiven of all of our sins. Change our lives and begin living for God. This changes everything. Believing and developing a trust in God will empower you in every area of your life. You will believe you can speak before a crowd to share your testimony with others. You will be able to tell your story with such conviction and self confidence. You will be proud. ”

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In Re-Entering The Door, Laura encouraged us to recognize that the Door—Jesus—rescues us from distractions of this world.

“However, we can easily reenter that Door when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Christ opened the door to redemption when He died on the Cross for our sins. He reconciled us to God, so we may have eternal life. A s the children of God, we should pay attention to Jesus and being faithful to Him. We should not listen to a world that has turned away from God. If we turn away from God then we will die a certain death when Judgment Day arrives. All we have to do is see Jesus’ open Door, give up the worldly distractions, and accept Jesus as our Savior. When we cross over the threshold of that Door, we are no longer of this world. ”

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In The Door Gives Access, Ann reminded us of the abundant life available to those who accept Jesus as Lord. (Check out the list of Scriptures she provided for us!)

“Jesus said, ‘I AM The Door’ …what does this imply? He is giving us access to use Him because those who enter through Jesus will be saved—they will have abundant life (verse 10); they will have all they need to be delivered from sin, guilt, condemnation. He is the ONLY Door; none other exists. [These}…verses help us to understand what this Door can do and how it is going to help us. Let us therefore choose deliberately to use this Door which will take us to the highest places. ”

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Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: access, coleen hayden, daily devotions, DISTRACTIONS, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM, I AM the Door, Jesus is the door, john 10:`-`0, john 10:7-10, Lent, Salvation, Seeking Him devotional, weekly recap

The Door Is Our Protection

March 13, 2015 by cynda cottrill

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So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you,
that I Myself AM the Door for the sheep.
John 10:7 AMP

I AM the Door.
If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
John 10:9 HCSB

As I read this passage, my first thought was of Christ as the Door to eternal life. In one of my digital media classes I created a photo depicting the Cross with a door in it and a highway sign that said ‘Heaven’ and pointed to the door in the Cross. I used John 14:6 (HCSB) as my focal point for the image.

Jesus told him, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.

There is no other way to God but through the Door—Jesus.

Yet as I was studying commentaries on this passage, I came across a statement that made me pause. Had I perhaps missed an additional meaning in this Scripture? Had I stopped short without completely understanding the depth of this Scripture?

I totally get the symbolism that Christ laid down His life for our salvation. But I missed the part about Him being our protection. Christ is there to protect us from the evil one. Further down in John 10 we read these verses:

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever!
No one will snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all.
No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.
verses 28-30 HCSB

Psalm 121:8 (HCSB) tells us:

The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

I love that! Not only has Jesus provided us with the only way to reach God, He makes sure no one can snatch us out of His protection. Amazing grace! Such love is unfathomable.

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Jesus, thank You for not only providing me with a way to have fellowship with God and eternal life but for protecting me from the enemy as well. Thank you for never letting go of me or giving up on me. In Your Precious name I pray – Amen, It Is So!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: cynda cottrill, daily devotions, david guzik, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM the Door, Jesus is the door, john 10:28-30, john 10:7-10, John 14:6, psalm 121:8, Seeking Him devotional, the Door is our protection

The Gate for the Sheep

March 12, 2015 by Ahmee Bronaugh

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Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I AM the Gate for the sheep.”
John 10:7

Sometimes I sit and wonder why a God as awesome as we serve would want to be in a relationship with me…. What did I do that I should I should be so privileged to have a relationship with the Lord? Why me? Why us?

The truth of it is that He chose us. So, how then did we enter into our relationship with the Lord? Well, if you want to be picky, we all have different stories. I myself came defeated, reluctant, and skeptical. I was all out of options. You may have experienced the same, or your story may be different. However, with that being said…really…we all came to relationship with the Lord the same way.

How could this be?!?! Our stories are so different. True, but there is something in common with all our stories—we all said ‘yes!’ to Jesus.

There is no other way. So, before the yes, our stories are very different. After the yes, our stories are very different. It is even possible that during the yes, our stories are very different. I, myself, experienced the most calming and thought-cleansing moment of my life! Light shined into my world. I did not know what would happen next, or what my life would look like, but somehow I knew I’d be okay.

Oh, and be careful though! Jesus said in John 10:10, that “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

That which is of our Father gives life.
That which is of Satan brings destruction.

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Lord, thank You for bring me to You. I am so grateful for Your provisions. Help us to be mindful of all that is around us and diligently be on the lookout for those that You would have us touch. Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: ahmee bronaugh, daily devotions, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM the Gate, Jesus IS the Gate, john 10:1-10, john 10:7, Lent, Seeking Him devotional

The Door to a New Life

March 11, 2015 by Tina Marin

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So Jesus said again, Truly I say to you, I AM the Door of the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and outlaws:
but the sheep did not give ear to them.
I AM the Door: if any man goes in through Me
he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food.
The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death:
he comes for their destruction:
I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure.
John 10:7-10 BBE

Thief – a person who steals, especially secretly or without open force; one guilty of theft or larceny. Doesn’t that sound like Satan? Think about it…he steals our joy when we relive the lies people have spoken to us from our past or are currently speaking. Satan secretly tells us we are not worthy of God’s love and forgiveness, when it is there for us to embrace and make our own.

When we accept Jesus into our hearts, He makes us new from the inside out. He lifts us up out of the pit and builds us up. Just like a loving father, God wants to show us the easier way through life. A life without fear. A life without sadness from the things we did or said. A life of blessing and for us to bless others. He wants to show us the freedom of living His way.

As verse 9 states, Jesus wants to give us salvation. All we have to do is ask. Then believe we are forgiven of all of our sins. Change our lives and begin living for God. This changes everything. Believing and developing a trust in God will empower you in every area of your life. You will believe you can speak before a crowd to share your testimony with others. You will be able to tell your story with such conviction and self confidence. You will be proud.

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Father, we want the salvation Jesus spoke of in Your Word. We want to be lights in this world. We want others to look at our lives and see You and Your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: daily devotions, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM the Door, Jesus is the door, john 10:7-10, Seeking Him devotional, Tina Marin

Re-entering The Door

March 10, 2015 by laurapattillo

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So Jesus said to them again,“Truly, truly, I say to you,
I AM the Door of the sheep.
All who came before Me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not hear them.
I AM the Door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved,
and will go in and out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:7-10

For Lent this year, I gave up my tablet and the games on my phone. I couldn’t give up the phone because I do have to stay connected for emergencies, and we don’t have a land-line phone. I have found that I spend so much time playing on my tablet or phone that I have started neglecting various areas of my life. I was neglecting my kids, my husband, and my time with God. It was stealing my time. I was letting the distractions become the thief in my life.

When distractions become too much, they become the thief of our attention in major ways. Distractions take us away from work, family, and (most important of all) God. We wander away from what should keep us whole and grounded into a world of chaos and discontentment. We walk out of the open Door back into what was keeping us from it in the first place when we let distractions overrun our lives.

However, we can easily reenter that Door when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Christ opened the door to redemption when He died on the Cross for our sins. He reconciled us to God, so we may have eternal life. A s the children of God, we should pay attention to Jesus and being faithful to Him. We should not listen to a world that has turned away from God. If we turn away from God then we will die a certain death when Judgment Day arrives. All we have to do is see Jesus’ open Door, give up the worldly distractions, and accept Jesus as our Savior. When we cross over the threshold of that Door, we are no longer of this world.

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Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for opening the Door for us to enter Your presence. Jesus, Your wonderful sacrifice shows how much You love us. We give our worldly distractions and walk through Your open door. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: daily devotions, GCH, girlfriends cofee hour, I AM the Door, Jesus is the door, john 10:1-10, john 10:7-10, laura pattillo, Re-entering The Door, Seeking Him devotional

The Door Gives Access

March 9, 2015 by Ann Mwafulirwa

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So Jesus said to them again,“Truly, truly, I say to you,
I AM the Door of the sheep.
All who came before Me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not hear them.
I AM the Door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved,
and will go in and out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:7-10

A door gives access to someone to go in and come out of any building, vehicle, etc. This access helps you to benefit of what is inside the building or outside the building, for example.

Jesus said, “I AM The Door“…what does this imply? He is giving us access to use Him because those who enter through Jesus will be saved—they will have abundant life (verse 10); they will have all they need to be delivered from sin, guilt, condemnation. He is the ONLY Door; none other exists.

Jesus answered, I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6

…through Whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
Romans 5:2

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:18

In Him through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence…
Ephesians 3:12

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence
to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…
Hebrews:10:19

I know your deeds.
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.
I know you have little strength
yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name…
Revelation 3:8

The above verses help us to understand what this Door can do and how it is going to help us. Let us therefore choose deliberately to use this Door which will take us to the highest places.

The Israelites had much more limited access to God than we have today. Christ, by giving His life as a perfect Sacrifice, has opened a way into God’s very presence and the throne of grace. Therefore we, as believers, should gratefully and constantly draw near to God in prayer using this Door of access.

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Dear Lord, how wonderful and precious You are in all the earth. There is no one who is like unto You. Thank You, Lord, for giving us Christ the Savior to be our Door to salvation so that we can have life in abundance which means no more tears and sorrows. Cause us, Lord, to continually and constantly draw near to You using this Door given to us. We give You all the praise and honor in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: ann mwafulirwa, daily devotions, Ephesians 3:12, ephesians 3:18, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, hebrews 10:19, I AM the Door, Jesus is the door, john 10:1-10, john 10:7-10, John 14:6, revelation 3:8, Romans 5:2, Seeking Him devotional, The Door Gives access

Savior, Like A Shepherd, Lead Us

March 8, 2015 by coleen hayden

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John 10:7-10 AMP

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are

We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray

Thou hast promised to receive us
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Poor and sinful though we be
Thy grace will cleanse and set us free
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still

O won’t You love us still
O we need You
Won’t you hear us when we pray
To lead and guide us
Won’t You lead us on, Lord
You have promised to receive us
And mercy to relieve us

Composed by Dorothy Thrupp
Performed here by Janna Potter

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: coleen hayden, daily devotions, GCH, Girlfriends Coffee Hour, I AM the Door, janna potter, Jesus is the door, john 10:1-10, john 10:7-10, Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us, Seeking Him devotional

Dedicated To You

Will you let Him be your Good Shepherd?

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep

Lay Down My Life

This Week…I AM the Door (John 10:1-10)

John 10:7-10 AMP

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The Door Is Our Protection

There is no other way to God but through the Door—Jesus.

The Gate for the Sheep

That which is of our Father gives life.
That which is of Satan brings destruction.

The Door to a New Life

Re-entering The Door

The Door Gives Access

Savior, Like A Shepherd, Lead Us

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Will you let Him be your Good Shepherd?

John 10:7-10 AMP

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There is no other way to God but through the Door—Jesus.

That which is of our Father gives life. That which is of Satan brings destruction.

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That which is of our Father gives life.
That which is of Satan brings destruction.