The Parable of the Good Shepherd

Jesus loved to use stories to illustrate profound, life-transforming concepts. 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. This week we’re going to spend time allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly to our situations, mindsets, and core beliefs about who God is. Open your heart and mind to be transformed by the powerful and captivating stories of Jesus.   Our Scripture for today comes from John 10:14-15, and today's worship is Shepherd by Influence Music.   --   Thanks for listening to today’s First15 Podcast. My name is Ryn, and I’m a part of the First15 Team. If you haven’t downloaded our brand new First15 app, make sure to click the link in today’s show notes to check it out! One of the new features that you can enjoy when you download the app is our Guided Prayers. We are adding new prayers to our library every month, so if you need a moment of peace with God, let these prayers be your guide!    In today’s First15 Podcast we wanted to give you a preview of a new Guided Prayer that our friend Nigel Wallace wrote titled, “A Prayer: Over Time … & The Times.” There’s a prayer from the early Church called “Oh Heavenly King” that reads, “O Heavenly King and Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present, and fillest all things, the Treasury of all blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, and purify us from every stain, and of Thy Goodness save our souls.” It’s hard sometimes to remember to look for God in everything. I think that’s oftentimes because our spirits aren’t at rest enough to lift our eyes and see where our help comes from … and to then see the very One who goes before us into everyplace that we walk. Nigel does a beautiful job of pointing us to scripture as he prays this prayer that reminds us not only of his promises, but of his presence. I pray that this prayer of truth and gratitude gives you both peace and courage in whatever you are facing today.