Devo from Sunday, January 18th:
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the transcription:
Day 1: Created for Dependence
Reading: Psalm 23:1-6
Devotional: "Sheep are not dumb. Sheep are dependent." This truth transforms how we view our relationship with God. Just as a nursing child builds an unshakable bond with their mother through dependence, our Heavenly Father designed us to find security in relying on Him. We were never created to bear life alone. The shepherd doesn't despise the sheep's need—he delights in meeting it. Today, stop viewing your need for God as weakness. Your longing for love, acceptance, and guidance isn't deficiency; it's divine design. The Good Shepherd leads you beside quiet waters not because you're incapable, but because He loves caring for you. Embrace your dependency on Christ as the beautiful relationship it was meant to be.
Day 2: Led to Living Water
Reading: John 4:7-14; Jeremiah 2:13
Devotional: Sheep cannot find water on their own—they must be led. They cannot distinguish between life-giving streams and toxic sources. How often do we wander, thirsting for fulfillment in relationships, success, or entertainment, only to find ourselves drinking from broken cisterns? Jesus offers living water that truly satisfies. Without our Shepherd's guidance, we walk past the very source of life, dying of thirst just feet away from refreshment. The world presents countless watering holes, but only Christ provides water that becomes a spring welling up to eternal life. Today, ask yourself: Where am I seeking satisfaction? Am I allowing the Good Shepherd to lead me to His quiet, pure waters, or am I drinking from polluted streams?
Day 3: Defenseless Without Him
Reading: Isaiah 53:6-7; Matthew 9:36
Devotional: Sheep are the most defenseless creatures—no claws, no fangs, no fight instinct. When predators approach, they simply freeze. This vulnerability mirrors our spiritual reality. We face an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion, and without our Shepherd, we have no defense. Jesus looked at the crowds and felt compassion because they were "like sheep without a shepherd"—distressed, downcast, vulnerable. He didn't despise their helplessness; it moved His heart. Your inability to protect yourself from sin's attacks, to heal your own wounds, or to fight spiritual battles isn't shameful—it reveals why you desperately need the Chief Shepherd. He doesn't stand at a distance critiquing your weakness. He lays down His life for you.
Day 4: Beware of Judas Sheep
Reading: Acts 20:28-31; 1 John 4:1
Devotional: In slaughterhouses, "Judas sheep" are trained to lead trusting sheep to their death. Today's world is filled with voices leading God's people astray—false teachers, deceptive philosophies, and distorted truths presented as clips and soundbites. Not every voice speaking spiritual language leads to life. Paul warned that savage wolves would come among the flock, not sparing the sheep. Your shepherd's responsibility includes warning you of danger and teaching you to discern truth from error. Don't follow voices you've never fully heard. Don't drink from sources you haven't tested against Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Stay close to shepherds who faithfully teach God's Word, not cultural trends. The stakes are eternally high.
Day 5: The Unfading Crown
Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Devotional: Peter reminds shepherds that their reward comes when the Chief Shepherd appears—an unfading crown of glory. This eternal perspective transforms how we serve and how we live. Whether you're called to shepherd others or to faithfully follow, live with the long view. Don't seek applause here; labor for eternal reward. The shepherd's work is messy—cleaning, feeding, protecting, correcting—often without earthly recognition. Yet every act of faithful service, every moment of willing obedience, every sacrifice made for the Kingdom is seen by the One who matters most. When Christ appears, all that seemed hidden will be revealed, all that seemed wasted will prove valuable. Serve today not for temporal gain, but for the unfading crown awaiting all who faithfully love His sheep.
Day 1: Created for Dependence
Reading: Psalm 23:1-6
Devotional: "Sheep are not dumb. Sheep are dependent." This truth transforms how we view our relationship with God. Just as a nursing child builds an unshakable bond with their mother through dependence, our Heavenly Father designed us to find security in relying on Him. We were never created to bear life alone. The shepherd doesn't despise the sheep's need—he delights in meeting it. Today, stop viewing your need for God as weakness. Your longing for love, acceptance, and guidance isn't deficiency; it's divine design. The Good Shepherd leads you beside quiet waters not because you're incapable, but because He loves caring for you. Embrace your dependency on Christ as the beautiful relationship it was meant to be.
Day 2: Led to Living Water
Reading: John 4:7-14; Jeremiah 2:13
Devotional: Sheep cannot find water on their own—they must be led. They cannot distinguish between life-giving streams and toxic sources. How often do we wander, thirsting for fulfillment in relationships, success, or entertainment, only to find ourselves drinking from broken cisterns? Jesus offers living water that truly satisfies. Without our Shepherd's guidance, we walk past the very source of life, dying of thirst just feet away from refreshment. The world presents countless watering holes, but only Christ provides water that becomes a spring welling up to eternal life. Today, ask yourself: Where am I seeking satisfaction? Am I allowing the Good Shepherd to lead me to His quiet, pure waters, or am I drinking from polluted streams?
Day 3: Defenseless Without Him
Reading: Isaiah 53:6-7; Matthew 9:36
Devotional: Sheep are the most defenseless creatures—no claws, no fangs, no fight instinct. When predators approach, they simply freeze. This vulnerability mirrors our spiritual reality. We face an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion, and without our Shepherd, we have no defense. Jesus looked at the crowds and felt compassion because they were "like sheep without a shepherd"—distressed, downcast, vulnerable. He didn't despise their helplessness; it moved His heart. Your inability to protect yourself from sin's attacks, to heal your own wounds, or to fight spiritual battles isn't shameful—it reveals why you desperately need the Chief Shepherd. He doesn't stand at a distance critiquing your weakness. He lays down His life for you.
Day 4: Beware of Judas Sheep
Reading: Acts 20:28-31; 1 John 4:1
Devotional: In slaughterhouses, "Judas sheep" are trained to lead trusting sheep to their death. Today's world is filled with voices leading God's people astray—false teachers, deceptive philosophies, and distorted truths presented as clips and soundbites. Not every voice speaking spiritual language leads to life. Paul warned that savage wolves would come among the flock, not sparing the sheep. Your shepherd's responsibility includes warning you of danger and teaching you to discern truth from error. Don't follow voices you've never fully heard. Don't drink from sources you haven't tested against Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Stay close to shepherds who faithfully teach God's Word, not cultural trends. The stakes are eternally high.
Day 5: The Unfading Crown
Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Devotional: Peter reminds shepherds that their reward comes when the Chief Shepherd appears—an unfading crown of glory. This eternal perspective transforms how we serve and how we live. Whether you're called to shepherd others or to faithfully follow, live with the long view. Don't seek applause here; labor for eternal reward. The shepherd's work is messy—cleaning, feeding, protecting, correcting—often without earthly recognition. Yet every act of faithful service, every moment of willing obedience, every sacrifice made for the Kingdom is seen by the One who matters most. When Christ appears, all that seemed hidden will be revealed, all that seemed wasted will prove valuable. Serve today not for temporal gain, but for the unfading crown awaiting all who faithfully love His sheep.