Thoughts for Life: Called by Name

Dave Branon: When I first meet a new group of students in the college composition class I teach, I already know their names.

I take the time to familiarize myself with their names and photos on my student roster, so when they walk into my classroom I can say, "Hello, Jessica," or "Welcome, Trevor..."

I do this because I know how meaningful it is when someone knows and calls us by name. Yet to truly know someone, we need to know more than that person's name.

In John 10, we can sense the warmth and care Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has for us when we read that He "calls his own sheep by name" (v. 3).

He knows even more than our name. He knows our thoughts, longings, fears, wrongs, and deepest needs.

Because He knows our deepest needs, He has given us our very life—our eternal life—at the cost of His own. As He says in verse 11, He "lays down his life for the sheep."

You see, our sin separated us from God. So Jesus, the Good Shepherd, became the Lamb and sacrificed Himself, taking our sin on Himself.

When He gave His life for us and then was resurrected, He redeemed us. As a result, when we accept His gift of salvation through faith, we are no longer separated from God.

Give thanks to Jesus! He knows your name and your needs!"

"Dear Lord, thank You for knowing my name and for knowing exactly what I need. Thank You for dying for my sin and for rising from the grave to defeat death and give me eternal life with You.

God's knowledge of us knows no bounds."

ODB 6/30/16

Today's Bible verse-

(John 10:2, 3 NIV) "The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Today's quote-

"The blood of the cross is the basis of all prayer. Through it the relationship is established that underlies all prayer. Only as I come to God through Jesus to get the sin score straightened, and only as I keep in sympathy with Jesus in the purpose of my life can I practice prayer." (Taken from p. 90 of Quiet Talks on Prayer by S. D. Gordon by Spire Books)

Upcoming posts-

(I will be sharing two posts each week now, from Dr. Duewel's book, Mighty Prevailing Prayer, plus a special random message each Sunday).

#51 Importunity's Toil and Travail
9/6- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#52 Repetition in Importunity
8th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

There's Going to be Wind in Your Sails
11th- Sunday evening's post by Cindy Jacobs

#53 The Dynamic of Faith
13th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel