MY SHEPHERD---A BESTOWER OF BLESSINGS!

"Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:" (Psalm 23: 6a)

That's BLESSING!

For me, blessings of goodness and mercy are unending, always available  from My Shepherd's hand! 

It all comes from Him. I've done nothing to deserve it. As Scotty Smith reminded readers in his 6/7/25 blog......

 You + nothing is the mathematics of mercy and grace. You (Jesus) lived for us and died for us, and you are now 100% of “our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”

God, like a shepherd, leads us to beneficial actions with a mercy that encourages us to go the second mile!

A dual blessing of goodness and mercy  will last God's people all the days of their lives is the BEST BLESSING!

A SHEPHERD OF ABUNDANCE!

"My cup runneth over...."(Psalm 23:5c, KJV)

My cup over-floweth with blessings as I rest in Your love and trust in your grace. From hard times of suffering that you bring me to cause my trust in You to flourish to the other times when pain and sufferings diminish. You my Shepherd use both!

That's ABUNDANCE!

When one's own cup runneth over with blessings from his/her Shepherd, it's time to serve others! Pass it on!

Provision. Time. A relational variety.

• heart to heart talks
• listening and lingering
• lots of laughter 
• sharing secrets

Abundance at its best--decreed by the Shepherd!

MY SHEPHERD --ANNOINTER & SANCTIFER

One's shepherd whether for a sheep in the field or as God's sheep, His own people, need to be used for the purpose the Shepherd intends. Annnointing is often used. 

"Thy (the Shepherd) anointest my head with oil;"  (Psalm 23:5b, KJV)

That's CONSECRATION!

This anointing releases the aggravation, frenzy, irritability & restlessness and replaces those tendencies with quiet feeding and peaceful 

contentment. Shepherds in the field smear the oily solution.

Similar to sanctification, maybe? Living for a holy purpose allowing growth in divine grace according to God's intentions through the Holy Spirit.

Such a change allows someone in need to live in comfort. (Haddon Robinson)

MY SHEPHERD----A GOD OF HOPE,

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...(Psalm 23:5a) 

That's HOPE!! 

A symbol of a shepherd's abundant generosity, food each day, even in the midst of adversity. Weather and wolves come to mind but trust in the shepherd reigns regardless!

Put your hope in God! Think succinct.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (Psalm 62:5, emphasis mine)

Lord, my Shepherd, is the God of hope!

This designation continues in the NT as an analogy for God's people who now have the Holy Spirit via the triune God. Think Father God, Son of God and Holy Spirit.

Note Scripture citation above the word HOPE...(Romans 15:13) 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Romans 15:13 NT, the Greek word for "hope" is  ἐλπίς (elpis)

implying assurance of something in the future. The passage uses the genitive form ἐλπίδος (elpidos),referring to the "God of Hope". 

A SHEPHERD OF COMFORT!

Both the rod and staff have a place in the requisite tools of the Shepherd. 

The rod has had a training purpose to aid protection and the "staff is the symbol of care." (Laniak. p. 95)

These two wooden tools are both educational in training the sheep.

That's DISCIPLINE!

From a shepherd who comforts!

 Today's "biggie" neuro doc meeting---would appreciate the comfort of prayers 

THE LORD OUR EVER PRESENT SHEPHERD!

Our ever Present Shepherd = ALWAYS WITH!

For Thou art with me.....

That's FAITHFULNESS!

We are never alone spiritually even if we are alone physically.

Think constancy. Faithful and dependable. 

Walking by faith not sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Our Shepherd is faithful even when it hurts. During life's unstable seasons, God's faithfulness is consistent and steadfast.

An ever present One! WITH ME!

TRINITY SUNDAY!

FATHER GOD!

SON JESUS!

HOLY SPIRIT!

ENOUGH SAID!!!

THE LORD OUR PROTECTING SHEPHERD!

I will fear no evil.

That's PROTECTION!

Fear itself can have a devastating effect on the sheep in GOD'S household. In today's evil times, protection is needed even in one's thought life. Be vigilant to guard your thoughts. Don't let the voice of today's culture lead you.

Time in His Presence is key.....from care in the day to watch in the night. (Laniak p. 112)

Courage comes from the shepherd's role of protector. It's part of the Good Shepherd's ID. (John 10:11) His sheep know him as he calls them by name. Aloneness disappears, displaced by an abundant life given freely by the "Protecting Shepherd".

THE LORD A TESTNG SHEPHERD!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.... 

(Psalm 23:4a)

That's TESTING..........

Many threats to a herd with newborns requires Nate, at Darnell Farms, to house newborns in barn to provide security as the elements of weather test them. 

The only reliable source of security comes from the shepherd's presence. A flock cannot be left alone. (Laniak.While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks' p. 109)

Times of testing require the Divine Shepherd's Presence!

*A big thanks to Cathy C. for Laniak's devotional book!

THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE!

For His Name's Sake. 

That's Purpose! 

Regardless of what Bible version you choose....the purpose is to freely honor because we cannot earn, to honour most, to glorify for the sake of His name!

He makes His sheep lie down....He leads....He restores....He guides....for his name's' sake. (Laniak, p.103)

What a great purpose!

THE LORD---MY GUIDING SHEPHERD!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. Think right paths!

That's GUIDANCE!

Seek the Lord's Guidance from His Word. Open your Bible.....

.....walk through a labyrinth to meditate on His Word.....

.....look up; focus on a cross.....

...... walk down an aisle to kneel at an altar with both your head and heart bowed! 

"God also gives His sheep guidance ib the proper path of life, so that we do not wander aimlessly. He does so in part for the sake of His own reputation, as One who has promised to direct His people." (Thomas Constable)

He, our Shepherd and Spirit of Truth, guides into all Truth, from OT to NT. (Isaiah 30:21 & John 16:13) 

THE LORD----MY SHEPHERD PHYSICIAN

The Lord, my Shepherd, is my Physician---

He restoreth my soul!!!

That's HEALING!

Healing comes from the inside out! 

True healing always start's with Him!

THE LORD----MY SHEPHERD LEADER!!

The Lord is my leader.....

    He leadeth me beside the still waters---

THAT'S  REFRESHMENT!

ROSE WALK @ LAKE JUNALUSKA

He leadeth me to relaxing  times, NOT times riddled with worry. 

When we lean into Him with faith it's like stepping right into the still, calm waters where our souls can be rejuvinated!

Truly refreshing!

THE LORD--MY REST

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures---(even with a sleeping bag and blanket)

That's REST!!!

The shepherd's presence seems to make all the difference in the behavior of His tired sheep! Turning back fear before it can get a foothold. Sitting in His "Love-Light."

Think revitalizing!

Thou has formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee. -Augustine

MESSY MONDAY!

LIFE IS MESSY!

Especially on Mondays. For Sundays to be serene, I must be still, quit striving and let go of emails and texts. Then when I awaken to a new day, portals need to be finished for tomorow's doc appointment, text and emails answered but my internet* is missing & that's messy!

Think, non-existent atop this mountain ridge. 

Unraveling comes to mind.

Before I had a complete "come apart",  I needed to have a cuppa sani-TEA and get back into the Psalms. All that's necessary is a Bible. 

Grateful I found notes I had taken yesterday---from Psalms 104 (BC FUMC) and Psalm 1 (FEC Memphis) 

Praises for reminders ---Reading aloud Psalm 104 3x and noting words/verses that "jumped off page" and into my heart! 

MEDITATION kept jumping!

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.(Psalm 104:34)

Psalm 1 notes---Blessed (intensely happy and "gets it right"-- Pace)

is the man (a regular person, not  a king or scholar or man of note)

embracing these negatives of actions....

walks not in counsel of wicked...

stands not in the way of sinners....

sits not in the seat of scoffers ie scorners.... 

Yet, the positive stood out to me. 

but he delights in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Think exercising your mind to dwell on a passage. Think deeply. Ponder. 

Meditation turned my "Messy Monday" into Meditation Monday."

*Internet back @ 1:03 pm EST