December 1 The Good Shepherd

Have you heard about a Jesus tree? 

Last year while viewing Pinterest I stumbled upon this idea. These ornaments have a greater purpose than just decorating the tree and conjuring up memories of Christmas past. They are selected on purpose and are there to represent one of the more than 200 names of Jesus. Some people have a special tree just for this.  I decided to begin building my tree one ornament at a time. My very first ornament was Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

He is the good shepherd

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10:14

During this time shepherds were of great value because the area was agricultural. Usually shepherds would care for their own flock but at times several flocks were together in a large pen and then cared for by a watchman.  When the shepherd returned, the sheep would listen for their shepherds voice and follow them out of the pen to pasture. 

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, He calls us by name, beckoning us to follow Him. Today when you hear His voice will you follow?

He will stand and shepherd his flock

in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they will live securely, for then his greatness

will reach to the ends of the earth. Micah 5:4

Like the ornaments, we have a greater purpose than to just be a beautiful decoration. We are here to glorify the name of Jesus and point others to him.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I praise you for being the Good Shepherd. Help me to hear and listen to Your voice today. Speak to me clearly and in ways that help me know you more as the Good Shepherd. Would you Shepherd me in your strength and love. May I glorify your name.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

My vaulted heart

A bank vault stores valuable possessions and protects the contents from robbers.


The Egyptians made the earliest known locks. Later the Romans created a more sophisticated locking system. They made a system that had special notches and grooves that made picking the locks more difficult. 


According to Wikipedia, "Vault technology developed in a type of arms race with bank robbers. As burglars came up with new ways to break into vaults, vault makers found innovative ways to foil them. Modern vaults may be armed with a wide array of alarms and anti-theft devices. Some nineteenth and early twentieth century vaults were built so well that today they are almost impossible to destroy. These older vaults were typically made with steel-reinforced concrete. The walls were usually at least 1 ft (0.31 m) thick, and the door itself was typically 3.5 ft (1.1 m) thick". 


You and I have created our own vaults around our hearts, possessions and lives.  

Sometimes we lock ourselves in to protect us from harm and hurt. Other times we are locked in by our fears and have stayed there for years.

Jesus came to set us free from this life of over protection. He knows that this is not an abundant life!

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 10:10

I came that they may have life, Jesus boldly declared.  I wonder if we are truly living that life or if we have just hidden our fears and pains behind a vaulted door that keeps us ever so protected from venturing out to the places where we might once again experience hurt?

God is the one who can set us permanently free!  He alone has the key not me. If I want to be free i must go to the one who holds the key to freedom.

Father, help me to venture to where you want me to be. Thank you for reminding me that you are the one who is guarding my heart. I trust you to lead and guide me.