WEBVTT 00:04.908 --> 00:11.154 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus loved to use stories to illustrate profound life-transforming concepts. 00:11.914 --> 00:22.524 [SPEAKER_00]: He loved to use real and genuine settings, characters, and ideas that apply to all of us to reveal God's heart of pursuit and love. 00:23.565 --> 00:34.915 [SPEAKER_00]: This week, we're going to spend time allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly 00:34.895 --> 00:42.400 [SPEAKER_00]: Open your heart and mind to be transformed by the powerful and captivating stories of Jesus. 00:43.282 --> 00:45.630 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:07.835 --> 01:13.342 [SPEAKER_00]: Scripture for today comes from John 10 verses 14 and 15. 01:14.363 --> 01:17.687 [SPEAKER_00]: Scripture says, I am the good shepherd. 01:18.828 --> 01:30.282 [SPEAKER_00]: I know my own and my own, know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. 01:34.919 --> 01:44.672 [SPEAKER_00]: Have you ever experienced a sense of grand perspective where you realize your smallness in comparison to the Earth's grandeur? 01:46.133 --> 01:52.842 [SPEAKER_00]: Have you ever contemplated your small stature in the light of how colossal the universe is? 01:54.344 --> 02:01.433 [SPEAKER_00]: Every now and then, when I get a sense of my smallness, I'm overcome by the fear of being lost. 02:02.425 --> 02:08.094 [SPEAKER_00]: I think who will show me my path in this seemingly increasing world? 02:09.215 --> 02:15.385 [SPEAKER_00]: Who will guide me through the various trials and changes that will undoubtedly come my way? 02:16.487 --> 02:17.208 [SPEAKER_00]: Who will help me? 02:17.248 --> 02:23.978 [SPEAKER_00]: One of my favorite metaphors in Scripture is God as the good shepherd. 02:25.580 --> 02:29.867 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus is the most equipped guide we could ever have. 02:30.708 --> 02:34.374 [SPEAKER_00]: He holds all of creation in the palm of his hand. 02:35.416 --> 02:39.042 [SPEAKER_00]: And yet, he knows the number of hairs on our head. 02:41.066 --> 02:47.677 [SPEAKER_00]: He is the god of the gigantic and a lover of every little detail about us. 02:49.020 --> 02:52.125 [SPEAKER_00]: And he longs to lead us to safe pasture. 02:53.489 --> 03:07.591 [SPEAKER_00]: As we look at the parable of God as the good shepherd today, allow your faith and affections to be stirred by God's promise to guide you into the matchless life he has in store for you. 03:10.516 --> 03:16.105 [SPEAKER_00]: John 10 verses 14 and 15 says, I am the good shepherd. 03:16.912 --> 03:28.466 [SPEAKER_00]: I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. 03:31.369 --> 03:40.540 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus paved the way for us to enter into the most amazing pasture of all, the very presence of the living God. 03:41.515 --> 03:48.846 [SPEAKER_00]: He laid down his life as our good shepherd, that we might eat of the fruit of his death and resurrection. 03:50.389 --> 03:59.302 [SPEAKER_00]: But God didn't only lead us to heaven, he continually leads us as our good shepherd, day in and day out. 04:00.785 --> 04:08.316 [SPEAKER_00]: In the famous Psalm 23, David writes, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 04:08.583 --> 04:11.407 [SPEAKER_00]: He makes me lie down in green pastures. 04:12.409 --> 04:14.953 [SPEAKER_00]: He leads me besides still waters. 04:15.994 --> 04:17.437 [SPEAKER_00]: He restores my soul. 04:18.799 --> 04:22.625 [SPEAKER_00]: He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 04:24.047 --> 04:36.025 [SPEAKER_00]: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 04:36.511 --> 04:40.978 [SPEAKER_00]: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 04:42.180 --> 04:46.166 [SPEAKER_00]: You annoying my head with oil, my cup, overflows. 04:50.312 --> 04:52.856 [SPEAKER_00]: God's staff is meant to comfort us. 04:54.439 --> 05:00.308 [SPEAKER_00]: As our good shepherd, He promises to lead us daily to the plans He has for us. 05:01.790 --> 05:06.537 [SPEAKER_00]: That doesn't always mean that we will be led out of the valley of the shadow of death. 05:07.398 --> 05:12.947 [SPEAKER_00]: But that in he will prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 05:14.629 --> 05:20.558 [SPEAKER_00]: Our great comfort is the fact that God will never leave us or forsake us. 05:22.040 --> 05:36.804 [SPEAKER_00]: as Psalm 139 verses 9 through 10 says, if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 05:38.968 --> 05:41.492 [SPEAKER_00]: God is with us in times of trouble. 05:42.674 --> 05:48.283 [SPEAKER_00]: He will protect us, provide for us, and lead us to still water. 05:50.525 --> 05:52.347 [SPEAKER_00]: God longs to guide you today. 05:52.387 --> 05:55.871 [SPEAKER_00]: What trouble is before you? 05:57.412 --> 05:58.553 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need guidance? 06:00.075 --> 06:00.976 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need help? 06:02.658 --> 06:05.601 [SPEAKER_00]: God promises to be your good shepherd. 06:06.962 --> 06:09.845 [SPEAKER_00]: You have the most high God on your side. 06:11.027 --> 06:12.788 [SPEAKER_00]: You can trust in His leadership. 06:14.190 --> 06:20.076 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus was faithful to come and die so that you might have eternal life 06:21.153 --> 06:28.821 [SPEAKER_00]: If He was faithful to lead you to heaven, He will certainly lead you through whatever trial you're going through now. 06:30.703 --> 06:39.952 [SPEAKER_00]: Proverbs 3 verses 5 through 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 06:41.173 --> 06:45.878 [SPEAKER_00]: In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path. 06:48.338 --> 06:50.862 [SPEAKER_00]: Your God is a trustworthy shepherd. 06:52.225 --> 06:59.176 [SPEAKER_00]: Enter into prayer with expectancy that He will guide you perfectly and in His perfect timing. 07:00.519 --> 07:03.003 [SPEAKER_00]: Cast your cares on Him and trust Him. 07:04.265 --> 07:14.262 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow Him to make straight your paths as you follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. 07:17.465 --> 07:45.767 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, 07:46.017 --> 07:55.726 [SPEAKER_00]: Meditate on the idea of God as your good shepherd, receive the truth of His promise to lead you and protect you. 07:57.287 --> 07:59.349 [SPEAKER_00]: John 10 verses 14 and 15. 08:00.690 --> 08:01.991 [SPEAKER_00]: I am the good shepherd. 08:03.112 --> 08:13.662 [SPEAKER_00]: I know my own and my own, know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. 08:16.308 --> 08:20.918 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you very much. 08:46.008 --> 08:59.301 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, where do you need his leadership today? 09:01.043 --> 09:02.544 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you need his protection? 09:04.506 --> 09:11.593 [SPEAKER_00]: Cast your cares on his shoulders and receive the peace that comes from trusting in him. 09:12.738 --> 09:20.723 [SPEAKER_00]: First Peter 5-7 says, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 10:03.835 --> 10:04.536 [SPEAKER_00]: and last. 10:05.837 --> 10:07.740 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Holy Spirit for leadership. 10:09.121 --> 10:12.365 [SPEAKER_00]: Your God will directly guide you through trials. 10:14.067 --> 10:19.274 [SPEAKER_00]: Trust in His leadership and follow whatever it is He tells you to do. 10:20.916 --> 10:25.541 [SPEAKER_00]: If His Word speaks directly to your situation, commit to obeying it. 10:27.123 --> 10:30.467 [SPEAKER_00]: God promises to guide you 10:31.898 --> 10:43.096 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 42 16 says, and I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known, I will guide them. 10:44.358 --> 10:50.969 [SPEAKER_00]: I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places, into level ground. 10:51.990 --> 10:56.117 [SPEAKER_00]: These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 11:00.451 --> 11:22.105 [UNKNOWN]: Thank you for watching. 11:37.930 --> 11:40.768 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 13, verses 20 and 21. 11:41.947 --> 12:09.861 [SPEAKER_00]: Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead are Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, 12:23.645 --> 12:29.493 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's devotional, the first and our week-long series on the parables. 12:30.514 --> 12:35.000 [SPEAKER_00]: As you head out into your day-to-day, try and notice the value of stories. 12:35.901 --> 12:41.849 [SPEAKER_00]: Think about the things happening in your life, and what narrative God might be weaving through your story. 12:42.850 --> 12:51.542 [SPEAKER_00]: Even take a moment or two, if you can, to journal the story of your day, taking time to process what God is doing and in through you. 12:51.522 --> 12:57.191 [SPEAKER_00]: And at the end of the day, consider taking a few moments to share your story with someone you love. 12:58.092 --> 13:03.240 [SPEAKER_00]: You never know how your story could truly impact the life of another. 13:04.462 --> 13:08.788 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek him.