This Sheep Was Born [Again] There
It was the the Lord Jesus, the good shepherd (cf. Psalm 23) who says in John 10 that the "sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name," (John 10:3). Jesus Christ is Yahweh -- the same God who spoke that he came for his sheep in Ezekiel 34:11-16 (cf. John 10:3-16).

It has been the consistent model of God's redemptive history that he would know each of his covenant people and that they would know him -- and know each other (Genesis 1-2; Numbers 1:1-2). The Exodus narrative shows the Lord appointing leaders to for his people (Exodus 18:21; Deut. 1:13-15). And in the New Testament, God has given under-shepherds to shepherd, tend, and lead his people (1 Peter 5:1-5; see 1 Timothy 3:1ff, Titus 1:5ff).

Do Not Love the World
It may sound confusing at first, but the Bible tells us to not love the world (1 John 2:15)...but doesn't John also write elsewhere that "God so loved the world" in John 3:16? The same author?

The Throne of Grace
In Hebrews 4:16, we are told to come to the sovereign Lord's throne with boldness and access in prayer. And in a similar manner, James 4 promises that if we "draw near to God," our God will "draw near to you," (James 4:8). What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

So, here are 10 quotes on prayer to ignite and encourage your prayer life:

1. D.A. Carson, "All of us would be wiser if we would resolve never to put people down, except on our prayer lists."
2. Charles Spurgeon, "Anything is a blessing which makes us pray."
3. Robert Murray McCheyne, "God will either give you what you ask, or something far better."
4. A.W. Pink, "The measure of our love for others can largely be determined by the frequency and earnestness of our prayers for them."
5. Thomas Brooks, "God’s hearing of our prayers doth not depend upon sanctification, but upon Christ’s intercession; not upon what we are in ourselves, but what we are in the Lord Jesus."
6. Jerry Bridges, "Prayer is the most tangible expression of trust in God."
7. John Piper, "Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. Prayer humbles us as needy, and exalts God as wealthy."
8. J.C. Ryle, "Fear not because your prayer is stammering, your words feeble, and your language poor. Jesus can understand you."
9. John Bunyan, "The truths that I know best I have learned on my knees. I never know a thing well, till it is burned into my heart by prayer."
10. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer."

As the word of the Lord commands us, "Pray without ceasing," (1 Thess. 5:17)

James 4:14b, "For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." 

Probably one of the most impactful sermon of my Christian life. I can still remember watching this recorded sermon over a decade ago and being gripped by these truths. Don't waste your life: