Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.  ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’  “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours…

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.…

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” – John 10:11-15 Recently I found myself thinking about the success of others, financial security, retirement plans,…

 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:7-10 For many shepherds, the sheepfold (where sheep slept overnight) was attached to their home. So, to enter the sheepfold was to come home. As “the Gate” Jesus made it perfectly clear that He is the only means…

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 To follow Jesus means to belive in and trust Him, which leads to, as Jesus himself said, light and life. The light shows us what we could not see and guides our every step. Our part is to follow Him, to submit ourselves to His guidance, and respond to His direction. As the seasons are changing we are starting to see that it stays lighter longer with each passing day. What a joy and hopeful reminder that spring is…

“Arise, get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” – 1 Kings 19:7′ Today’s passage was a message that an angel of the Lord gave to Elijah after he had outrun Ahab’s chariot, a distance of almost 6 miles, and then fled for his life. He was exhausted, discouraged and physically could go no further. But the Lord was preparing him for a much longer journey, 40 days to the mountain of God. No doubt you have at one time or another experienced complete exhaustion and frustration at the events of life. There are days that you simply cannot give one more ounce of anything…

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35 In the Old Testament God provided manna for the children of Israel one day at a time. Each day as they trusted in God’s provision, they would gather what was required and if they gathered more than needed, it would rot. Every day we have the opportunity to see our tasks, our to-do-lists, our relationships and our schedules as daily bread from God. Whatever the day brings we can know with assurance that He has already provided all that we will need to see it…

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” – Exodus 3:14 The phrase “I Am” in the passage above reflect on when God introduced Himself to Moses with the expression, “I Am who I Am.” This statement became a way to connect with God personally and was used throughout Israel’s history to convey that God always was, always is and always will be. In the New Testament Jesus gave seven “I Am” statements which help to teach us about His character and give us visual ways to understand His purpose, power, mercy and…