John 10 - Growth Mindset Through the Gate

        Jesus says His purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life.  I’m in!

        Have you ever felt more than ready for a change and a reset?  I was by Christmas and I am now.  I’m gladly watching what I eat and exercising.  It’s shocking how much more energy you have when you cut out the junk for a few weeks.  By reaching your 50s, you ought to know well what your body, mind, and soul need.  That's true, but like a child, I still feel like I’m learning new things - and need to do so.

        I’m praying we all learn in this breakthrough year.  As Christians it is necessary to recalibrate weekly, nay, daily, to ensure we do not drift off course.  Shipwrecks are real.  No one can snatch you from God, but you can indeed for lack of fear of God and intentional neglect and disobedience take your own ship down.  I’ll admit it, I think we ought to participate in communion weekly.  We can debate that another time, but I’m finding the need for renewal, refocus, and consistency with God to be ever more important as I age.  And I'm finding ever more of God's mercy and patience and encouragement to meet me and guide me to growth as I ask and strive for it.

        I’ve been motivated this last year by my friends in their 60s who are getting serious about diet and exercise - not in a braggy or vain way.  They are just doing it and not talking much about it.  But you can see the impact.  That’s what I want to do too as I approach my mid-50s - consistency.  All-year-long training.  But not just with physical training, but with spiritual training too.

        As you read John 10 today I have a simple thought.  Think about who Jesus says He is.  (The Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Son of God, in the Father, and the Father in Him.)  Think about who Jesus is to us (God).  And what He’s done for us (given us new life).

        I’ll admit I had a tough week.  I was demoralized by difficult people.  But I get my head screwed on straight through Scripture.  This passage tells us that we have all we need.  We need not the applause of men.  I strive to get along with everyone and to lead in every area of my life by example.  But Jesus is our Judge.  Our mindset must be like His.  So aim to please God and care little about pleasing men - especially those who are hired hands.  Jesus describes hired hands.  We can picture them all too well: ungrateful and wicked men, lazy, fat, disloyal, and untrustworthy.  They work only for the money and don’t care about the sheep.  They are sneaky.  But they are not hard to spot.  They sacrifice little, expect much for themselves, and rarely if ever stick their necks out for the needy, the poor, or anyone who’s not in their family or their club.  Cowards.  Selfish and ambitious men.

        What we find in Scripture is that while it is good to hate evil and expose it and oppose it, it is also necessary to have the right mindset about the wicked.  Our fight is a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12).  We must balance what we say and do and think with a godly mindset letting the Spirit of God transform the way we think about these evil men.  They have no real power over us.  Yes oppose them, but don't let them get you down.  In fact, think little of them.  Pray for them and oppose them by doing good.

        Scripture tells us about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God wants us to know Him so well that we hear His voice, and unmistakably get our guidance from Him - undeterred by the evil men.  I’ll admit that God’s mercy is tough for me.  Even irritating.  God loves people so much that He came down and dialogued with wicked men, those who would crucify Him (as we read in John 10). 

        Jesus truly loves us - all people.  His mercy and compassion are beyond measure.  God is kind to the unthankful and wicked (Luke 6:35-36).  He does good to them, lends to them, and lets their earthly resources grow.  God is so patient.  I struggle with this, but I need to remember that He is the Gate and the Good Shepherd.  He loves even me, a sinner.  He knows just when to fight and kill the wolves.  And when to leave them to their devices in the wilderness.  Don’t fear the wicked and don’t let their mistreatment of you discourage you.  Let us be loving and merciful like our God.  For He expects us to fight His battles well, and to win (Ephesians 6).  Christian businessmen must be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.  Let's play to win this year.  In every area.

        God has already kept His end of the bargain.  We come and go freely.  We have everything we need.  We have beyond measure a rich and satisfying life.  We are members of God’s family, the children of God - the one flock.  New life.  Sins forgiven.  Transformed minds growing in sanctification.  We have the confidence of heaven and a coming crown of life that only Jesus can give to those who love and obey Him.

        Over the centuries the church has been scattered many times by the wolves.  When scattered, regroup.  Refocus faith on God and reset.  As the Vikings said, ‘Shields up!’.  We then put our faith into action - Jesus’ way.  "Advance!"  If you don’t know what to do this year for breakthrough spiritual growth, start by finding God’s flock.  God is growing His church.  He has good people and good shepherds.  Find them and serve alongside them.

        Jesus had the authority from the Father to lay His life down - and take it up again.  And He did!  We, made in God’s image have voluntary abilities.  We can choose to sit all day on the couch and scribble a blog like this or we can get up and get to work.  Organize.  Encourage, motivate, and lead by example.  Get on your knees in church alongside your friends today and pray.  Take initiative.  Take someone out to lunch.  Invite someone over to your house.  And that sort of thing.  Active faith.

        I’ll end with this.  Some things will never change.  2,000 years ago people were divided in opinion about Jesus claiming that He was the Messiah - the Son of God.  Today, same thing!  But much has changed.  Jesus rose from the dead after paying for our sins - just as he said He would.  He instituted His church and He reigns from Heaven.  He has grown His church and spread His light - ever advancing against the devilish forces worldwide.  Jesus continues to do so today.  The tides go in and out - but the church ever grows!

        God has done and is doing miraculous works in our lives and in our families.  He is Good!  Always!  He is the Gate.  Through Him, we have life, freedom, and hope.

        Lord Jesus, help us to hear your voice today.  Amen.

Icelandic girl.