Hey, it's time for a word of encouragement from your friends at Our Daily Bread.

The devotional writer for today is Marvin Williams, and he's titled Today's Reading,

He fills the empty.

Psychologist Madeline Levine noticed the 15-year-old girl's cutter disguise,

a long-sleeve t-shirt pulled halfway over her hand, commonly used by people who engage in

self-harm. When the young girl pulled back her sleeve, Levine was startled to find that the

girl had used a razor to carve the word empty on her forearm.

She was saddened, but also grateful the teen was open to receiving the serious help she desperately needed.

The teen in some ways represents many people who've carved the word empty on their hearts.

John wrote that Jesus came to fill the empty and to offer life to the full.

God placed the desire for a full life in every human being, and he longs for people to

experience a loving relationship with him.

But he also warned them that the thief would use people, things, and circumstances,

to attempt to ravage their lives. The claims each made to give life would be counterfeit and an imitation.

In contrast, Jesus offers what's true, eternal life, and the promise that no one will snatch us out of his hand.

Only Jesus can fill the empty spaces in our hearts with life. If you're feeling empty,

call out to him today, and if you're experiencing serious struggles, seek out godly counsel.

Christ alone provides life that's abundant and full, life full of meaning found in Him.

Now let's hear about the full life of Jesus Christ in today's Our Daily Bread devotional

scripture reading. It's from John, chapter 10, verses 1 through 10.

Very truly, I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but

climbs in by some other way, is a thief

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