The Way, The Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

My dog looks and acts a lot like a lamb. Did you know that sheep will follow only their shepherd? My dog, Maggie, follows only me. When my grandkids or other friends walk with us, sometimes they want to hold her leash. But guess who she follows? Yep, it's me. She's always looking to see where I am. Did you know that sheep have to be led to water or food, and they will only eat or drink from their shepherd? Maggie is like that too. She eats what John, my husband, and I give her but not what strangers give her. Did you know that sheep will obey only their master? Maggie's like that. She comes only when I call her. Sometimes she will give a paw shake to my grandkids, but she saves most of her obedience for me.

One of my favorite pictures is of Jesus holding a lamb. Lambs like to be held. So does Maggie. She wants to be in my lab or in my arms all the time. She thinks that's what I'm here for.

I compared Maggie's relationship to me with my relationship to Jesus. Because I read His word, I learn His ways more and more. That is huge in today's world, because many people and things compete for my allegiance. Since Christ is my shepherd, I cannot be deceived. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," (John 14:6). So I will follow only Him, feed only on His word, obey only His commands, and experience His glorious presence every day.

Think About It
How about you? Will you find the truth in what Jesus says? Will you follow Him all the days of your life? Will you obey His commands and enjoy His presence? If your answers to these questions are "yes," you have great hope for your future, for eternity. Praise God!

Pray About It
Thank you, Father God, that you sent Jesus to teach me how to live and to die for me because I could never be perfect. Thank you that my perfection and strength are in Christ alone. Amen.

My Dog Got Skunked

My dog, Maggie, can hear things that I can't. Sometimes I think she is imagining things. Like the other night--she kept going outside barking and barking. I thought she was chasing cats. She hates cats! Well, then I heard her running and barking around the apple tree. Then I smelled that horrible scent of a skunk and I knew Maggie was in trouble.

Half asleep, I went to the family room where the doggie door is. Maggie ran in scared, really scared. I picked her up (big mistake). She had that smell on her and the smell got on me. In my slumber I dowsed her and myself with baby powder and went back to sleep. Frankly, the powder didn't work. It smelled good at first but when I woke up, I realized we both got skunked, and so did our bed.

Getting skunked made me think how sin works. When I know I've done something that doesn't please God, I am tempted to do some wonderful things (like using baby powder) so God won't think about my sin. It doesn't work that way. I found out that when I confess my sin, God is faithful to forgive me. Then I don't have to worry about balancing the scale of doing good for every time I sin. The most important thing is that I pray for God to help me live for Him.

If you or your pet get skunked, don't use baby powder. Here are some things you can do that will help:

1. Don't pick up your pet without first wrapping it in a towel and don't let him/her touch anything in your house, especially your bed.
2. Bathe your dog using some of these solutions: a peroxide/baking soda bath, orange bath, soda bath, fabric softener bath, or commercial skunk smell removers. Find prices and directions here: http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/odor-removal/how-to-get-rid-of-skunk-smell/.

Application
Do you try to balance good deeds against wrong things you do? Remember this verse: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your faithfulness and always being here to get the stink of my sin off of me. I love you. Amen.