Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Apostles Creed, Third Article, pt. 1

Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20; John 10:1-21

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. (Small Catechism: Apostles Creed, Third Article)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our focus today is this section from the Small Catechism which teaches you about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who drew you to faith through the Gospel and He is the One who keeps you in the true faith all your life.

In John 10:16 Jesus says, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

You are one of those sheep. Jesus is talking about you. He brought you into His flock, the Church, through faith. The Holy Spirit worked this faith in you through the Word of Christ.

The Holy Spirit inspired the apostle John to write the Gospel named after him. The Spirit caused these words of Jesus to survive through the centuries until you could hear and read them. The Spirit guarded this message as it was preached from generation to generation. The Spirit made sure that this Word was written, translated, printed, and proclaimed to all nations, keeping the Gospel alive in the Church. And now the Holy Spirit brings this message to you.

Jesus is not just a Good Shepherd a long time ago. He is not just a Good Shepherd to other people. Jesus is your Good Shepherd. The Spirit causes you to know and believe that when Jesus says He loves you and forgives you, this is the truth.

The Spirit brings you into the fold and makes you listen to your Good Shepherd's voice--so that you trust that your Savior who died for you and rose from the dead for you will also lead you through this world and bring you all the way home to heaven. Thanks be to God! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

"Come, holy Light, guide divine, now cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright, and call Him Father with delight. From every error keep us free; Let none but Christ our master be

That we in living faith abide, in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia! (Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord LSB 497, st.2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch