[Membersandfriends] Saturday, November 06, 2004

Fri Nov 5 22:01:41 PST 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Saturday, November 06, 2004

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Spiritual Growth for All Ages ...

The Upper Room offers a resource for family members at every age or stage of their journey with God. Learn more: 
http://www.upperroom.org/store/category_search.asp?category=169&ep_id=220
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SECURITY GATES
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John 10:1-10 (NRSV)

[Jesus said,] "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 

So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

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The psalmist wrote, "This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.  I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation."
- Psalm 118:20-21 (NRSV)
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I volunteer with "Meals On Wheels," delivering food to handicapped and elderly people living in the city.  Because of crime, security is a priority, and the places where these people live have locked security gates to control entry into the buildings.  The only route to reach the needy to deliver their meals is through a solid, iron gate.  To open these gates we need a secret code, special key, or word of identity.  Although often considered a nuisance, security gates increase our sense of protection and safety.

One morning as I stood facing a locked, iron gate, I remembered these words of Jesus: "I am the gate.  Whoever enters by me will be saved."  What a revelation of Christ's presence!  Even in a busy city street, Christ is there, bringing a message of salvation.  He is our security gate, and his name is the only password we need to enter into God's kingdom.

Now as I make my regular food deliveries, I am blessed because every security gate has become for me a sign to turn my mind to Christ.

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for meeting us in unexpected places and for the assurance of your constant presence and guidance.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Christ is the gate to true freedom.

-- Penny Wellington (Gauteng, South Africa)

PRAYER FOCUS: Volunteers who serve the elderly

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RELATED READING ...

Are you yearning to make a difference in the world today, but don't know where to start? YOURS ARE THE HANDS OF CHRIST helps you find ways to actively express your faith in daily life and make your commitment to Christ evident in today's world.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12642

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.