“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Questions for Reflection:

How significant is it for you and your sense of identity and worth that Jesus knows your name?

In what way have you noticed the enemy (satan) steals, kills and destroys?

How does “identity in Christ” help battle the enemy’s attacks?

Prayer of the Week:

Consecration Prayer for 2022

Father in heaven, we come to You to be restored and renewed in You. We are Your amazingly loved children and You are our Father in heaven. We are Your church in 2022. We now consecrate this year of life as individuals, as families and as Your church to You and You alone! We surrender every aspect of our lives totally and completely to You. We yield ourselves to the leading of Your Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit, fill us afresh every day this new year. We want to follow Your lead!

Jesus, we receive all the work and triumph of Your life, death, resurrection, ascension and current reign over our lives and church. We are not our own we have been bought with a price. Thank you for giving us salvation identity. We pray, “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done” in our lives, families and church in 2022!

Jesus, I am Yours totally and completely in 2022 - bought in and sold out for You and Your purposes for me.

- My time, ability, possessions and money,

- my sexuality, influence, personality and imagination,

- my work, plans, pleasures and ambitions

- my brokenness, imperfections, disappointments and failures

- my loves, losses, worries and dreams

- my everyday all day living

… is now set apart, surrendered and consecrated to You, Jesus!

I give everyone and everything to You, Jesus!

I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over all aspects of my life and over all my arenas of influence this new year.

We now bring the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over our church, mission and purpose this year. Lead us Jesus lead us! We come in Jesus name against Satan and His kingdom binding and banishing him and all forces of evil from our lives, our families and our church this year in the powerful and victorious name of Jesus! Amen!