5 Day Devotional for September 17, 2025

Day 1: The Only True Entrance

Devotional

In a world of endless options and paths promising fulfillment, Jesus makes a bold, exclusive claim: "I am the gate." This isn't just one entrance among many—it's the only legitimate way into God's kingdom. Think about ancient sheep pens with their single opening. The shepherd would literally become the gate, lying across the entrance at night to protect the flock. Anyone trying to climb in another way clearly had harmful intentions.

How often do we try to reach God through alternative routes? Some attempt to earn their way through good works. Others compare themselves favorably to "worse" sinners. Many rely on religious rituals or family traditions. But Jesus gently redirects us, saying there is only one entrance to true life—through Him.

This might seem narrow-minded in our "all paths lead to the same place" culture. Yet Jesus doesn't make this claim to restrict us but to rescue us. He knows that all other entrances lead to disappointment, emptiness, and ultimately destruction. Only through Him can we find what our hearts truly seek: forgiveness, purpose, and relationship with our Creator.

Bible Verse

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture." - John 10:9

Reflection Question

What alternative "gates" have you been tempted to enter through in your spiritual journey instead of placing your complete trust in Jesus?

Quote

Jesus wanted people to have access to something even greater than their own houses. He wanted them to have access to the influence of Heavenly Father, of which he was that person in the flesh. He wanted them to know his security. He wanted them to know his riches.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for being the gate to abundant life. Forgive me for the times I've tried to reach God through my own efforts or other paths. Help me to trust that You alone are the way to the Father. I choose today to enter through You. Amen.

Day 2: Known by Name

Devotional

There's something deeply moving about being truly known. Not just recognized, but known—your strengths, weaknesses, hopes, and fears. In a world where we often feel like just another face in the crowd, Jesus offers something revolutionary: He knows you by name.

In the shepherd metaphor from John 10, Jesus describes how a true shepherd calls his sheep by name, and they recognize his voice. This wasn't just poetic language—Middle Eastern shepherds actually named their sheep and developed unique calls that only their flock would respond to.

Jesus isn't managing a cosmic database of souls. He knows you intimately and personally. The One who formed the stars knows your name. The Creator who designed DNA strands knows your struggles. The King of Kings recognizes your face in a crowd.

This personal knowledge isn't just a comforting thought—it's the foundation of authentic relationship with God. You aren't following a distant deity or an impersonal force. You're known and loved by the Good Shepherd who calls you by name.

Bible Verse

"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." - John 10:4

Reflection Question

How might your daily life change if you truly believed that Jesus knows you personally and calls you by name?

Quote

Jesus knows your name. And there was a day when I thought Jesus only knew the names of really strong Christian leaders. I thought I had blended into the woodwork, and certainly the people who sat with me in the pews had blended into the woodwork too. But we come to know Jesus personally. We know that he knows our name.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it's overwhelming to think that You know me completely yet love me unconditionally. Thank You for calling me by name. Help me to recognize Your voice more clearly and follow where You lead. May I never doubt my significance to You. Amen.

Day 3: Recognizing His Voice

Devotional

In our noisy world, countless voices compete for our attention. Social media, news outlets, friends, family, coworkers—all offering opinions on how we should live. Amid this cacophony, how do we distinguish the voice of Jesus?

Jesus said His sheep recognize His voice and follow Him. This wasn't mystical—it was practical. Shepherds developed distinct calls their sheep learned to recognize, even when multiple flocks mingled. Similarly, we learn to recognize Jesus' voice primarily through His Word.

When Scripture moves you—whether it inspires, challenges, comforts, or even disturbs you—that's Jesus speaking. His voice also comes through prayer, worship, and the counsel of mature believers. The more time we spend with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes.

Recognizing Jesus' voice isn't about hearing audible sounds. It's about developing spiritual discernment that aligns with His character and teaching. When a thought, idea, or direction resonates with biblical truth and produces the fruit of the Spirit, it likely comes from the Good Shepherd.

Bible Verse

"The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 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." - John 10:2-3

Reflection Question

What practices could you incorporate into your daily routine to become more familiar with Jesus' voice and better distinguish it from other influences?

Quote

The number one way he speaks to us is through this book. When something inspires you, when something strums your heartstrings, when something Piques your curiosity. When something challenges you, something makes you angry. In this book, guess what? God's speaking to you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, in a world of many voices, help me clearly recognize Yours. Open my ears to hear You through Your Word, in moments of prayer, and through godly counsel. Give me discernment to follow Your leading and ignore counterfeits. I want to follow only You. Amen.

Day 4: Abundant Life vs. Toxic Pastures

Devotional

Jesus didn't mince words about the contrast between what He offers and what the world provides. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy," He warned. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

This abundant life isn't about material prosperity or freedom from problems. It's about experiencing life as God intended—with purpose, peace, joy, and love, regardless of circumstances. It's qualitatively different from mere existence.

Meanwhile, our culture offers countless "pastures" promising fulfillment—career success, relationships, possessions, pleasures, influence. These aren't necessarily evil in themselves, but when pursued as ultimate sources of meaning, they become toxic. They promise nourishment but deliver emptiness.

Jesus invites us to discernment. The enemy's counterfeits always ultimately steal our peace, kill our joy, and destroy our relationships. Christ's pasture, by contrast, provides genuine nourishment for our souls. He doesn't just want us surviving—He wants us thriving in the life we were created for.

Bible Verse

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

Reflection Question

What "toxic pastures" in your life have promised fulfillment but ultimately left you feeling empty or harmed?

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I don't want you to have just survival. I don't want you to hit a bare minimum. I want you to have a thriving life. I want you to have full life. I want you to have abundant life. I want you to have eternal life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for offering abundant life instead of mere existence. Help me recognize and avoid the toxic pastures that promise fulfillment but deliver destruction. Lead me to Your green pastures where my soul finds true nourishment. I choose Your abundance over the world's counterfeits. Amen.

Day 5: Transformed from Within

Devotional

Our world is fractured. Political divisions, cultural toxicity, and social unrest surround us. Many seek solutions through external changes—new policies, different leaders, reformed systems. While these efforts have their place, Jesus offers something more fundamental: transformation from within.

When Jesus described Himself as the gate, He wasn't just offering an entrance to heaven after death. He was inviting us into a new way of living now—one that changes us from the inside out. This transformation doesn't necessarily alter our circumstances or even our political views, but it radically changes our hearts.

When we enter through Christ, we receive a new identity, new values, and new power to live differently. We begin to see others as God sees them. We find strength to love our enemies. We discover peace amid chaos.

This internal transformation ultimately affects our external world. As we're changed by Christ, we become agents of His redemption in our families, workplaces, and communities. The gate doesn't just lead to personal salvation—it leads to becoming part of God's restoration project in a broken world.

Bible Verse

"Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." - John 10:7

Reflection Question

How has entering through Jesus as the gate transformed your heart, and how might that internal change affect how you engage with the divisions in our world?

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That gatekeeper. We're going to encounter him and he's going to change us one and all. It might not change our politics, but he will change our hearts. He will redeem our souls. He will make us new.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the gate that leads not just to salvation but to transformation. Change me from within so I can be part of Your redemptive work in our broken world. Help me to respond to division with Your love, to hatred with Your compassion, and to fear with Your peace. Make me an instrument of Your healing. Amen.