Vs 1. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Speaking is Jesus. Thief is Satan.

Vs. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The shepherd uses the door and a thief does not.

Vs. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Shepherd knows our name. The shepherd is Jesus. A little known fact is that shepherds have certain calling sounds that only their sheep knows. So, when someone tries to steal their sheep the sheep don’t respond. It’s a distinct calling.

Same with Jesus only those who know and hear His voice.

Vs. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. Vs. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

By knowing Jesus’ voice we will respond by any other vocie we would flee from it.

Vs. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

For when Jesus spoke the Pharisees didn’t understand. So, he goes on to repeat himself.

Vs. 7. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the  door of the sheep. Vs. 8. All that enter came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Remember He said this in vs. 4 and vs. 5 previously and had to restate it. When you don’t know the Lord you will not understand. Once you are a child of God you will understand His word and know His voice.

Vs. 9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Jesus is saying He is the door and through Him we are saved.

The next verse I went into more in depth study. It was my focus point for this chapter.

Vs. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Let’s begin by the word thief. Who is the thief? The thief is Satan. If we back up to John 10: 1 & 10:8 He (Satan) comes for his own selfish purposes and to ruin the flock.

I am come that they might have life the one speaking is God. As oppose to the thief who comes to steal, kill, & destroy.

In vs. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Do you see the vast differences between the thief and the shepherd? One comes to kill the other to save.

See Luke 19 vs. 9 & 10 and John 6 vs 50 & 51

That they may have life eternal. The word eternal speaks of forever. See John 10: 28.

Last line in vs. 10 And that they may have life more abundantly. The abundance of life which results in Chirst’s coming is contrusted with the spiritual wants and death which He came to remove. Reminds us of Psalm 23. This is through Him given to men abundantly, overflowingly.

Vs. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. Vs. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The word hireling is a lower position than the household servant. Thought follows that of the good shepherd who in time of danger will give his own life for the sheep. The hireling has no interest in the sheep and care only as far as to the secure his own hire.

Vs 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Vs. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. Vs 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Vs 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. Vs 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

I lay down my life, that I might take it up again. This speaks of Jesus going to the cross and then rising three days later. Death has no hold on Him as He gave His life freely for us. God gave Jesus the power to lay down His life and take it up again scriptures foretold of this and while He said these things they didn’t understand nor believe.

Vs 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. Vs 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Vs 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? Vs 22 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? Vs. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Vs 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. Vs 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. Vs 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Vs 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Vs 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. Vs 30 I and my Father are one.

He told them and they didn’t believe. Why could they not believe? They were not His sheep.

Their response was vs 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Took up stones to stone Him. Why? Jesus spoke truth. They could not understand nor believe.

Jesus reply in verse 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

The Jews respondses back calling it blasphemy in verse 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

They were told of His coming and yet still did not believe. They have seenwhat He has done and still not getting it.

Vs 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? Vs 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; vs 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? Vs 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. Vs 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

He reminds them of the scriptures and to believe the works done by that of the Father. The Father is in me and I in him.

Vs 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, vs 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. Vs 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. Vs 42 And many believed on him there.

The Jews would not believe and sought to capture and stone him. He left to go to those who would believe in him.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalms 32:8 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.32.8.KJV

Examine me, O Lord , and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Psalms 26:2 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.26.2.KJV

Day 4: Discerning the Vlice of God by: Priscilla Shirer

Ultimately, submission centers us directly in the will of God and gives us the opportunity to experience the best we could ever imagine.

Surrender. That’s the key. Orient yourself toward a posture of obedience—up front!—that’s how the door flings open for His voice to be heard and His will to be accomplished. The Lord says to those of His children who freely submit their wills to His: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Ps. 32:8).

So hold it in your hands today. The key, I mean. Right now, in your mind’s eye, picture God’s guidance and directives to you as a large, ornate, silver key. It runs the full length of your palm, extending beyond your fingertips on one end and beyond your wrist on the other. It’s unlike any other key you’ve ever seen or used before—that’s how you know it must be able to unlock something you’ve never experienced before. It’s worth it. This key. It’s as unique as your own fingerprints. And it’s yours. It is God’s specific assignment and calling for you.

Now, right here, right now, make the commitment to use this key. I promise He will give you opportunity for it throughout this study and in the days beyond. Choose right now, before you do anything else, to receive this key and take seriously the privilege of using it.

I know it’ll require courage and tenacity. Yet even without full clarity as to what He may ask you to do or where He may instruct you to use it, either now or in the future, make the choice in advance to say “Yes, Lord,” sure that this key of obedience will unlock every good and perfect gift your Father intends for you.

Think back to the things that are keeping you from surrendering to God in every aspect of your life. Offer each of them to Him.

Then, be brave enough to let God search you further. Ask Him to reveal any calloused places that may be blocking you from clearly hearing His voice. Yield to Him any area where you sense resistance and doubt.

You’re making a “key” decision here, crucial to being able to experience what walking confidently in His will is all about.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.12.2.KJV

John 1:12-13 King James Version

 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Day Three: Discerning The Voice of God by: Priscilla Shirer.

I want you to know, I’m well aware of how difficult surrender can often be. Take it from me—a girl with a heart that, apart from the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, can be so steely and apathetic. So when I reached out to my Twitter family, asking them to name the usual suspects that often keep them from surrendering to the Lord, I recognized many of their responses. Things such as fear, pride, laziness, impatience with God’s timing, busyness with personal ambitions, or concern that we might be hearing God wrong.

As we dive headfirst into this study and plunge fully into the freedom of hearing the voice of God again (or maybe for the first time), we’re leaving these robbers behind. They’ve distracted and disoriented us long enough. We want to hear God clearly now.

Look at Jesus’ sentiments in John 5:30; note what He did not seek and what He did seek.

Clearly Jesus was not ignoring the fact that He possessed a will of His own. Yet He was committed to honoring His Father’s will above it. He heard the voice of the Father more clearly than anyone to ever walk the earth. The defining characteristic of His life was that He was always postured to obey. He was steeped in humility and available to do His Father’s bidding over His own sentiments and ambitions as a man.

You and I have our own will too. And that’s fine. We don’t need to pretend otherwise. Our problem comes from not surrendering that will to the Father’s superior will. His perfect will. His all-wise will. His all-good will. His “if you only knew what I could do in you, you’d never doubt Me for a moment” will.

Most of us fear the loss of our hopes, dreams, and ambitions should we ever submit ourselves entirely to the Father’s will. We imagine them being crushed and discarded, never to be fulfilled. Honoring God’s directives will indeed require adjustments on our part, but it will never leave us lacking. The will that is submitted to Him is not extinguished; it is simply surrendered. It becomes like clay in the Potter’s hand—pliant and moldable—the raw material for His most stunning masterpieces.

We don’t lose. We win.

In what ways, if any, have you been concerned about “losing yourself” if you surrender completely to God?

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:30 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.5.30.KJV

Lead me Lord, I’ll follow. Anywhere you open up the door
Let your word speak to me, show me what I’ve never seen before
Lord I want to be your witness, you can take what’s wrong and make it right
Daystar shine down on me, let your love shine through me in the night https://youtu.be/mvIN7v9A-GY

It’s crucial to understand whom you are following. Are you following Jesus or the world?
1 John 2:15-17 King James Version (KJV)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

John 17:16-26 King James Version
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Let His word speak to you. If you are in His word daily you will be able to tell the difference between His voice and that of the devil.

John 10:27-29 King James Version
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Show me what I have never seen before. If you allow Him to lead you then He will show you things you have never seen before.

To be His witness you have to be born again. To let Him fix what is wrong and make it right. You have to believe in Jesus admit you are a sinner anc confess to Him. You have to have a chamge of heart that only God can bring about. Without it you won’t fully grasp the concept of what is wrong in God’s eyes and change to make things right in His eyes. Your life will do a 360 if you allow Him into your heart. He will give you life more abundant. God will give you the desires of your heart. You must decide you want Jesus.

Let your love shine through me in the night. No matter how dark the night or how dark the days seem God’s light still shines in those who are His children. We are His light in the world in times of darkness. We are to shine so brightly with His light that others see the chage and the difference between us that they themselves want that in their lives. Who doesn’t want peace and love as only the Father can bring. In this world filled with pain and sorrow they are seeking some kind of release and freedom and we can show them what God has done for us and let God break the chains that hold them captive. If we go out and spread the good news. We are called upon to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth not to except Jesus and do nothing with it. We are His people and we are meant to share with others so that they might know the Lord. If we don’t share the good news to others how will they coms to know Him. We must be about His business of reaching out to others and to not sit idle. We have good news, wouldn’t you want to share good news with others?