Daily Bible Readings for Home Devotions – April 22-27, 2024
Devotion – by P. Schaller
for Monday – April 22 – John 10:1-6 Jesus speaks with the Pharisees using an old illustration (Ezek.34) of a true shepherd and his flock. The sheep know his voice and follow, but will flee from thieves who sneak into the flock.
Bible reading – John 10:1-6
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
Devotion – by P. Schaller
for Tuesday – April 23 – John 10:7-11 When the Pharisees do not understand (v6), Jesus uses another picture. “I am the door.” Only through Him will the flock be saved. He is the Good Shepherd. He lays down His life for the sheep (v11).
Bible reading – John 10:7-11
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
Devotion – by P. Schaller
for Wednesday – April 24 – Revelation 3:1-6 Even in a congregation that has a reputation for being alive, the Lord knows those who are just going through the motions. He also knows those who are following Him from the heart.
Bible reading – Revelation 3:1-6
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Devotion – by P. Schaller
for Thursday – April 25 – Isaiah 61:10, 11 The believer rejoices in the Lord, clothed in righteousness and adorned like a bridegroom or a bride adorned for their spouse (v10). The believer’s source of joy is the Lord’s doing, for He caused the righteousness to sprout up like a seed in the garden (v11).
Bible reading – Isaiah 61:10, 11
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
​
Devotion – by P. Schaller
for Friday – April 26 – Matthew 9:36-38 Jesus’ has compassion for the troubled and downcast people. He tells His disciples to pray to the only One who can really do something for them: the Lord of the harvest.
Bible reading – Matthew 9:36-38
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
​
Devotion – by P. Schaller
for Saturday – April 27 – Psalm 23 The Lord our shepherd provides refreshment and rest, protects from evil and death, and lays a heavenly banquet before the sheep of His flock. There is nothing lacking!
Bible reading – Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.