John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. KJV
John 10:7 "I am the Gate for the sheep," he said. 8 "All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the Gate. Those who come in by way of the Gate will be saved and will go in and out and find green pastures. 10 The thief 's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. TLB
The door to 2009 has opened and we all have stepped through. It is amazing how many years we can live, but as January 1 comes around we usually have no idea what the next 364 days will hold for us. In the verses above Jesus said that He was the "Gate or Door" for the sheep. We are the sheep and Jesus is our door or gate. This is not speaking just about Heaven or His Church. If we notice carefully He stated that His purpose is to give life in all its fullness. It also mentions green pastures also probably referring to our life on earth too.
If we enter this new year through Jesus Christ and continue to keep Him in the center of our life throughout its duration we will be able to experience life in "all its fullness". There are no promises that the year will be rosy and smooth. We do have the assurance that our Shepherd is with us. He is guarding our families and every aspect of life that we are willing to submit to Him. It is said that in ancient times that the shepherd would place his body in the opening to the sheepfold. He was there to protect the sheep from all predators and harm which would threaten. We know that Jesus gave His life that we might be saved. He continues to keep and guard us as we look to Him and exercise faith on a daily basis.
How about it? You have stepped into 2009. How do you view this new year? Are you watching the news often and listening to the dire reports of the stock market and world affairs? It is good to be informed as to our surroundings. It is much more important that we balance that "bad" news with the "good" news of God's Word. I consciously choose to believe the "Report of the Lord" over the news reports that bombard me daily.
Go ahead open the door wide open. Have the courage to believe God. Take a chance and be encouraged and move forward with your life by faith. Like we wrote in the last blog, "Hope does not disappoint". I would rather take the chance to believe and be encouraged rather than live in fear and doubt going no where and doing nothing in God's Kingdom.
May God bless you as you step out in faith!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
