S3: Presence and Comfort - Psalm 23

 Scripture:  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Thought Conveyed:  Protection.  Care.  Feeding.  Love.  Discipline.  Guidance.  Blessings.  Hope.

Application Made:  This is not a shepherd who puts me up for the night.  He is with me always; focused on my care and well-being.  His presence brings with him the blessings of comfort, safety, calm, and guidance.  Knowing He is always with me, and that he is eternal, I know these blessings are not temporary but eternal.

Response:  Lord, I am overwhelmed.  Thank you for being my Shepherd.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sea Trials

God, I've been out on the sea of life now for over 58 years.  Sitting here on this calm clear night, I reflect upon your majesty and creation.  I can see nothing for miles, but I don't feel lost.  I don't feel anxious.  I feel calm and at ease.  Although I know I am upon the water, the clarity of the stars reflected in the calm waters around make me feel as if I'm afloat in the heavens. But it's a misleading sensation. When I view over the edge of my small boat, I see the stars and I see me.  I know that if I took one step off the side, I would be in a world of unseen dangers.  Or, I may just be wet. Still, a life upon the sea is not for everyone.  Once you leave sight of shore, your sea trials begin.  On the sea of life your craft is tested for how fast it can go, and paradoxically, how fast it can stop.  Is it sturdy?  Can it endure?  Or will spend too much in port?  How well does it maneuver?   My life is like...
Read more

S6: W1: Romans 12: 1-8

 Scripture Read. Romans 12: 1-8   Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.   2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Humble Service in the Body of Christ  3  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.   4  For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,   5  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.   6 ...
Read more

S3: The Fruit of Abiding Part 2 W2

 "Fruit" is a metaphor for a successful, productive life. John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go bear fruit - fruit that will last."  When we say "last", what are we saying?  Not perishing?  Outlast you?  Perhaps.  But something that at least has the potential to last a lifetime.  Nothing I can build or create can last.  Everything rusts and falls apart.  Moths eat, etc...  But helping someone determine their destiny - especially a destiny with Christ - that is a fruit that will last.
Read more