Daily Devotional

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

John 10:27

Many people dream of meeting famous people. Media stars, artists, singers, footballers, leaders and so on are at the top of many fans' lists all over the world. But much more notable than meeting a celebrity is being personally known by someone very important. Knowing that we are known by someone of high prestige gives us a certain relevance and satisfaction.

What can we say about being known by the God of all earth and heaven?

How wonderful! Discovering that we are known by the Lord Jesus Christ, the supreme and sovereign God, King of kings who governs the entire universe and sustains all creation, brings us confidence and security in Him... What a great joy to know and be known by our God! May this gracious knowledge motivate us to listen to His voice and follow Him always...

Live as a child known to God...

• Pray and thank God for knowing you and caring for you.
• Be genuine in your relationship with God. He knows when we are honest or hypocritical. If you know you haven't been sincere, truly repent and confess to Jesus.
• Try to please God more than men with your attitudes and words. Let everything you do be for the glory of the Lord.
• Rest in the Lord and trust in him. Remember: He knows you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.
• Seek to hear God through His Word, and dedicate yourself to getting to know the One who knows you completely.
• Share with others your faith in the God who saved us, knows us and loves us.

Pray:

Lord God, thank you because even though you are so big, you know me and look after me with love. Thank you for making me your child, a sheep of your flock. Help me to live to please You, listening to Your voice and always following You. May other people who don't know you personally yet, come to faith. In Jesus' name, amen!

When the wine had run out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine.

Jesus replied, "What do we have in common, woman? My hour has not yet come.

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you".

John 2:3-5

The hosts were facing a crisis: the party had started, the guests were present, the bride and groom and their families were celebrating, but they had run out of wine. Wine at wedding parties in those days was like cake at our birthday parties: it was essential. Wine symbolized joy, and not having any to offer your guests could appear incredibly disrespectful.

In this story, we read that Mary reacted to this dilemma by turning to Jesus. He responded to her with words of authority as someone might when they know they aren't subject to another person's instructions. He would act at the right time and only according to his Heavenly Father's will. Mary goes on to give the servants the best possible advice, advice that we too should follow: "Do whatever he tells you". The servants obeyed Jesus and witnessed a great miracle: water turned into the finest wine.

Navigate life's challenges by obeying Jesus

• Identify your problem. That's the first step you need to take to solve it.
• Pray to God! Whenever you face a problem, large or small, offer it up to Jesus.
• Trust and wait on him. Submit to God's will and timing. He wants to help you.
• Pursue the Word of the Lord (read it, meditate on it and apply it to your life).
• Obey! Do what He says and you will see Him act in your favour.

Pray:

Lord God, thank you for always helping me through my daily dilemmas... Help me to place all my problems in your hands, trusting that you will do your will in my life, in your own precious time. You are a God of miracles. Teach me to listen to and obey your word, so that I may follow every commandment and instruction that you give. In the name of Jesus, I ask you. Amen!