The Good Shepherd

The following is encouragement for you as if Jesus Christ Himself was speaking.  These are meant to give you insight into His Heart, how He thinks, and how He feels about you.  Let this encouragement begin to dwell deep within you!

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full…

I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for his 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. 

JOHN 10: 3-4, 10-11, 14-16 (NIV)


I myself spoke these words to describe what I am like, what I do, and what I want to do.  They will help you to understand me better, and get to know me.

First point to realize is that I call my brothers and sisters, and you, by name.  By a personal, individual name, not a number.  And not only your name, but a nickname as well!  Just like a shepherd begins to know the characteristics, and personality, of each sheep he watches, so it is with me.  I know you.

Next, my sheep will know my voice.  That means that my followers, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, will more and more recognize in their spirit my leading and direction.  They will know my voice, which reflects my heart.  Uncertainty will be replaced by certainty.

Let’s take a look at the sentence above which says: “I must bring them also”.  This is one of the few references in Scripture to describe something I absolutely must do.  What this means to you is simple - I won’t and can’t rest until you, and others, really know me and follow me!  In short, I am on duty right now, looking forward to bringing you into the very center of my flock!  You!

Now go back to the sentence which reads, “…life, and have it to the full”.  I really want you to hear me on this.  Far too many people, including my followers, are dragging through life, just making it, rather than jumping and skipping knowing that I am with them.  By “dragging” I don’t necessarily mean financially or health-wise, I mean their spirit, their clouded view of what today might bring, and their pensive outlook on the future.  Listen, I want to live in your heart, and I will bring with me life, excitement, action, fulfillment, joy, and completeness.  No more living in shadows!  Let’s have color replace the gray!

Today, I want you to know me, to recognize my voice, to be led by me, and to become overflowing with such a spark and zest for life that your joyful spirit will be contagious to others.  No more shadows, just the bright sunshine of my strength living in you!  Ready?

I really like you, and I really love you!


PAUSE … Invite Him to be with you; let Him quiet you with His Love.


REFLECT… What is God saying to you?

1) Are you in or out of the flock, or along the edges?  Or might you wander off once in a while?

2) Do you feel you know Jesus as well as you might?  Do you hear him as well as you might?  Is your view of Him changing as you get to know Him better?

3) Grade your own life right now - are you living life to the full?  Looking for more?


RECEIVE … He calls His sheep and calls them by name!!!  Listen to Him calling you now; you can follow Him with trust!


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