John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
     Jesus is the Door and the good Shepherd in Jesus’ parable. He’s a good shepherd because He will do whatever it costs to save His sheep—even to laying down His life. He is prophesying what He will do to save us and give us abundant life. God’s love: the sustained direction of the will (He lays) toward the highest good (salvation) of others (the sheep) no matter what the cost (His life). What a good shepherd we have!  We are His sheep. We are saved!  We are loved! Jesus, You are good indeed!

Live to Love Scripture Encouragements

Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 10.11

1 John 2:11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
My guess is that most of us have tripped over something in the dark. That’s the scene John painted in this verse as he described those who have hatred in their hearts for a brother or sister. When someone walks in darkness, he can’t see where he’s going—namely, to Judgment Day when he will give an account of his life to Jesus. John said he’s not only walking in the darkness, he is in the darkness. 
Jesus described the person who walks in darkness as someone who also has the darkness in them. “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt. 6:23). When we live for self, we are consumed with the darkness of unbelief—the lack of faith in God. That inner darkness is revealed on the outside by a hatred for one’s brother or sister. Jesus taught that those who live in the inner darkness will eventually be thrown into the outer darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). 
Presently, we who live to love with Jesus as walking in the Light because we have the Light of His life dwelling within. With Jesus, we are the outer light to those who are in the darkness and therefore walk in darkness. As long as the darkness in them is the “light” or the guide to how they live, they cannot see His love revealed in Christ or in us. However, at any point, God can open the eyes of their hearts to see His light. There is still hope for them as long as the outer light shines. We pray for God to open their eyes to the Light of His love in Christ and in us as we live to love them with Jesus.

The one who hates is in darkness

Hebrews 13:1 Let love of the brethren continue.

Today we begin the last chapter and the practical ways we can offer acceptable service with reverence and awe. You’ll notice that all of the recommendations by the author fall under the category of showing brotherly love. We see what living to love with Jesus entails. The first verse of this chapter could be an overall introduction to the following verses because they all are expressions of love for brothers and sisters in Christ.

The author acknowledged back in 6:10 when he wrote, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do.” So it makes sense that at this point he would encourage them to continue loving one another. In 10:24 he had admonished them to consider how to stimulate one another to love and good works. In these verses, he made love practical. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s expressed in acts of service to everyone else who has received an unshakable kingdom. 

Today, this scripture encourages us to do the same. I will also assume that you consider loving those God puts in your path as a privilege and a satisfying purpose. Let that love continue today. Be on the lookout for ways you can express your gratitude to God for His love and grace by loving others. Receive well whoever and whatever He gives you. That’s serving Him with reverence. Also, be in awe that loving is something you love to do because He has loved you. Lean into the reality that you are His to consume for His glory. I pray and hope you’ll embrace His call to live to love with Jesus.

I invite you to join me in praying what I call the live to love prayer. If you haven’t already prayed this prayer today, then I hope you’ll make it a regular part of the beginning of your day. It will put your heart in a right relationship with God and with others. Let’s pray.

Father in heaven, thank You for another day of life to live to know and love You and to live to love with Jesus. Anoint and fill me with the Holy Spirit, the presence and power of Christ, so that I can love and trust You and love all those You put in my path today, for Your glory. Amen.


I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Show gratitude to God by loving

This is the monthly blog by Norm Wakefield from www.livetolovewithjesus.com. To love like Jesus loves, one must believe and think the way Jesus believed and thought. This month, Norm, unpacks the first of three foundational truths that Jesus believed that are the bedrock of loving with Him.

Show gratitude to God by loving

Norm Wakefield

Related tracks