John 10:11

Saved from the Devil’s Blow

04/18/2024

Picture this. A mom is walking across the street with her child. Suddenly, a truck approaches at a high speed and swerves out of control toward them. Instinctively, the mom jumps in front of her child in order to take the brunt of the impact. Did anyone tell her to do that? No. She did it to save her child’s life because she loves her child. If there had been time for her to think about it, she would have done the same thing. Why? A mom lays down her life for her child.

Jesus, who identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11, laid down His life for us. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Why would Jesus take the blow of death for us? Something worse than an out-of-control truck barrels toward people.

The devil, with out-of-control malice and evil intentions aims to kill us – body, soul, and spirit. Jesus stepped between the devil and us, saving our lives from his evil intentions that would have robbed us of heaven’s glory.

What should be our response? Worship. Thanksgiving. Returning His love by serving His purposes.

Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who laid down Your life for me. I love You, give You eternal praise, and offer myself to serve You and Your purposes.

Would you like to learn more about Jesus being the Good Shepherd? Watch Debbie’s teaching on John 10 by clicking HERE or listen to it HERE.

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Christmas Candy Cane

12/13/2023

“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” Luke 2:8, 20

The candy cane is not only festive, it is also symbolic for Christians.  The shape reminds us of the shepherd’s staff and of the shepherds in the field who heard the angelic announcement of Jesus, the Good Shepherd’s birth. In addition, the colors of the candy cane are symbolic.  The red stripes remind us of the stripes Jesus took on His back for our sins.  The white stripes remind us of Christ’s purity. And the sweet taste? A reminder of the sweet Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. This Christmas let the candy cane be more than Christmas candy. Let it be a reminder of Jesus and the real reason for the season.

PS:  Friends, some of you may not be subscribed to my Faith Nugget blog and so didn’t get my devotional and Candy Cane Salvation Poem. I encourage you to read it. Most importantly, print the poem and follow the instructions. I took the candy canes and attached the poem with me today and handed them to a cashier and to a man I passed at the post office. We never know how God may use the salvation poem to plant a seed in someone’s heart. So put on your brave, carry the candy canes and poem with you when you’re running errands, and wish a stranger, “Merry Christmas” while handing them a candy cane. Let me hear how it’s going for you! Love you.

I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

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Saved from the Devil’s Intentions

04/09/2022
Picture this. A mom is walking across the street with her child to take him to the park. Suddenly, a truck approaches at a high speed and swerves out of control. Instinctively, the mom pushes her child behind her, taking the brunt of the impact. No one told her to do that. She did it to save her child’s life. If there had been time for her to think it through, she would have done the same thing. A mom lays down her life for her child. And, our Creator laid down His life for us. Something much worse than an out of control truck that kills the body was barreling toward us. An out of control devil with malice and evil intentions aims to mangle our body, soul, spirit. But, Jesus stepped between us and saved us. In the parable of the good shepherd in John 10:11, Jesus explained,
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
There you have it. In Christ’s own words He tells us that He laid down His life for us. He came between us and the devil’s evil intentions that would have robbed us of heaven’s glory and all that our Heavenly Father has waiting for us. Worship your Good Shepherd. Thank Him. Avoid anything evil since He has saved you for good and glory.

Christ Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who laid down Your life for us. We love You and praise You! 

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Christmas Candy Cane

12/14/2021

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:8, 20

The candy cane is not only festive, it is also symbolic for Christians.  The shape reminds us of the shepherd’s staff and of the shepherds in the field who heard the angelic announcement of Jesus, the Good Shepherd’s birth. In addition, the colors of the candy cane are symbolic.  The red stripes remind us of the stripes Jesus took on His back for our sins.  The white stripes remind us of Christ’s purity. And the sweet taste? A reminder of the sweet Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. This Christmas let the candy cane be more than Christmas candy. Let it be a reminder of Jesus and the real reason for the season.

PS:  Friends, some of you may not be subscribed to my Faith Nugget blog and so didn’t get my recently written devotional and Candy Cane Salvation Poem. I encourage you to read it. Most importantly, print the poem and follow the instructions. I took the candy canes and attached poem with me today and handed them to a cashier and to a man I passed at the post office. We never know how God may use the salvation poem to plant a seed in someone’s heart. So put on your brave, carry the candy canes and poem with you when you’re running errands, and wish a stranger, “Merry Christmas” while handing them a candy cane. Let me hear how it’s going for you! Love you.

I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

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Saved from the Devil’s Intentions

06/30/2021
Picture this. A mom is walking across the street with her child to take him to the park. Suddenly, a truck approaches at a high speed and swerves out of control. Instinctively, the mom pushes her child behind her, taking the brunt of the impact. No one told her to do that. She did it to save her child’s life. If there had been time for her to think it through, she would have done the same thing. A mom lays down her life for her child. And, our Creator laid down His life for us. Something much worse than an out of control truck that kills the body was barreling toward us. An out of control devil with malice and evil intentions aims to mangle our body, soul, spirit. But, Jesus stepped between us and saved us. In the parable of the good shepherd in John 10:11, Jesus explained,
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
There you have it. In Christ’s own words He tells us that He laid down His life for us. He came between us and the devil’s evil intentions that would have robbed us of heaven’s glory and all that our Heavenly Father has waiting for us. Worship your Good Shepherd. Thank Him. Avoid anything evil since He has saved you for good and glory.

Christ Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who laid down Your life for us. We love You and praise You! 

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Christmas Candy Cane

12/14/2020

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:8, 20

The candy cane is not only festive, it is also symbolic for Christians.  The shape reminds us of the shepherd’s staff and of the shepherds in the field who heard the angelic announcement of Jesus, the Good Shepherd’s birth. In addition, the colors of the cane cane are symbolic.  The red stripes remind us of the stripes Jesus took on His back for our sins.  The white stripes remind us of Christ’s purity. And the sweet taste? A reminder of the sweet Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. This Christmas let the candy cane be more than Christmas candy. Let it be a reminder of Jesus and the real reason for the season.

Blessings, sweet friends, as you think on the incredible gift of Jesus this Christmas.

I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11

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Thank You, GOOD SHEPHERD

04/29/2019
Friends, THANK YOU for your prayers for the P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conference at Monadnock Christian Ministries! It was such a blessing being with the ladies and a special blessing at the end of the conference to pray with a lady who accepted Christ as Lord!!!   Thank you for your prayers while I attend the Mothers of America ConventionSunday – Wednesday in Washington, D.C.; for God to open doors of ministry and service to Him.  

Are you worried about your future? Don’t be. Why? In John 10:11 Jesus describes Himself in this way,“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Jesus is the good shepherd. Study and follow what He says in the Bible and He will take care of you.

Christ Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who has laid down Your life for us. Thank You!  We love You.

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Thank You, GOOD SHEPHERD

04/20/2018

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

John 10:11

David describes God as the Good Shepherd. In other words, we don’t have to be afraid of Him. We can trust ourselves to His care. Are you worried about your future? God is good. Jesus is the good shepherd. Feast your eyes on what He says in the Bible. Follow Jesus, the good shepherd. “Good” awaits you.

Christ Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who has laid down Your life for us. Thank You!  We love You.

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GOOD SHEPHERD

07/17/2013

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” 

John 10:11

David describes God as good, as we saw in yesterday’s blog post of Psalm 34:8. Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd. He wasn’t bragging. Rather, He wanted us to know that He isn’t a tyrant or trickster. We don’t have to be afraid of Him. We can trust ourselves to His care. Are you worried about your future? God is good. Jesus is the good shepherd. Try God out for size. Feast your eyes on what He says in the Bible. Follow Jesus, the good shepherd. “Good” awaits you. 

Christ Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who has laid down Your life for me. Thank You! I love You.

Record the ways the GOOD SHEPHERD is leading you in the Meditations section of your Prayers of My Heart JOURNAL. It will remind you that God is GOOD and give you further reason to praise His holy name.  

 © Debbie Taylor Williams                                                                                                                                 Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams.  Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.

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