Today, it is on my heart to expound a bit on a part of the Scripture found in John 10. The paradigm that Christ expounds on in this passage is the safety and security found in God as Christ, the Good Shepherd.

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." To receive the full meaning one has to back up to verse 7 and read through. Christ speaks of sheep and Him being the door. When I read this passage, I always picture a sheep pen. Christ is the door. "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved..." (vs 9) -- but He doesn't stop there --- He continues "..... and shall go in and out, and find pasture." So in Him -- I have the freedom to roam about under the safety of His watch. (ie: Even in the world, where Satan roams about to steal, kill, and destroy, I am safe because He owns me!)

Do you see the awesomeness of grasping this promise in FULL?

Too often I hear just the first part of verse 10 quoted - feeding dread and concern among my siblings -- when Christ's whole point was to say -- "I HAVE YOU! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FRET THE THIEF! IN ME, YOU HAVE FREEDOM AND PROTECTION."

Do trials come? Absolutely. But they are there not for harm, but for shaping and molding. Father places parameters on the enemy for what he can and cannot touch with regards to His child during seasons of testing. We see this in Job. Each one of God's children requires unique molding and shaping. Perhaps this is another reason He spoke, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. (Isa 55:8) But make no mistake, testing has very significant purpose!

When we gather His protection coupled to His purpose deep within our hearts, we are then able to make it through some of the hardest trials..... knowing, "If God be for us, who can be against us?!"(Romans 8:31) And the beauty is the Great Shepherd never leaves us, especially through the trials found during a season of testing. We are His and He is ours!

I pray this blesses you to great depths today, that you take a moment and meditate on the great revelation of Him as The Good Shepherd. We are no longer orphans. We are no longer prey to the "thief". Christ has us! Give Him praise!

Loving you today, sibling!
Deborah

I am first and foremost a daughter of the Most High. He has blessed me with three maturing children, ages 12 years old through 7 years old, and a Christian husband who is my best friend. I spend my days home schooling my children, tending the 'home front', exploring God's Word, and lifting up my fellow sisters in Christ. I have a tremendous appetite for the Lord's Word and a desire to know Him to deep depths. As for my fellow sisters in the Lord, I have a passion to see them walking out their destinies in Christ. In all things, Give Him Praise!

You can visit Deborah at www.joyinthemorning.com.