The Good Shepherd Seeks You Out

Ezekiel 34:11-16 KJV; Psalm 23: You cannot hide in the darkness from the Good Shepherd. He will seek you out and save you.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Saved For A Good Purpose

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

                                                                 (Gen 45:3-8 KJV)

Joseph was favored by his father and that made his brothers jealous enough to sell him into slavery. If we went no further with this story than the betrayal by his brothers it would seem like a very bad thing. But, God did not intend for Joseph to be a slave. His purpose was for Joseph to become a leader. He intended to use Joseph to save the people, including the same brothers who sold him, from death by starvation. Joseph forgave his brothers who betrayed him. He forgave and saved them.

Jesus was also sold by Judas. He was betrayed by many. His followers; his disciples deserted him. His suffering was great. Yet, there was a good purpose. His suffering was for our good. That purpose was so that we might be saved from the power of death. 

When his friend, Lazarus, died, Jesus had reassured Lazarus' sister, Martha, that Lazarus would live.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (John 11:25-27)

No matter how bad things may seem at any given time, know that God has a good plan for those who love him. (Rom 8:28) In the years to come those who love him will look back to today and see that God led you them these rough times to a better place even a marvelous place.

Be comforted with the knowledge that God is with you and he has a good plan for your life. He will lead you to a better place through valleys of the shadow of death, through green pastures, beside still waters. His goodness and mercy will be with you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  (Psalm 23)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Beside Still Waters

Fish in Bulow Creek

PSALM 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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There are few things in this world that restores me better than sitting beside or on still water. The water whether it is still or rough reminds me of the awesomeness of God. It can be very rough at times reminding me of the troubled times that come to us all and then peace makes its entrance with the calming of the waves.

Water is a reminder of our baptisms into Christ; into his death and into his resurrection. Our old selves are drowned in the waters of baptism and come out totally new; totally cleansed. Water is not only a spiritual life-giving gift from God; but, a precious gift that is essential to our life and physical well-being here on earth. We would well to protect it.

We may walk through proverbial shadows of death as day after day we encounter obstacles that would turn us away from God; but, we should not fear. God is with us and he leads us through those dark valleys on a path of righteousness beside still waters and will give us rest in luscious green pastures of his making and his choosing.

God bless you with goodness and mercy all the days of your life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Even In The Shadow Of Death

Manatee in Bulow Creek

 PSALM 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

+++

The LORD is our shepherd! Thanks be to God that He is with us now and always, guiding us even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 

As long as we live in this world, death looms large in front of us. But, God is larger. Thanks be to God, Christ has overcome the power of death for us. On this side of physical death there will always be trials and challenges to overcome. We will endure persecution for the sake of the Gospel (that is the good news of the Kingdom in Jesus the Christ). We will suffer even while rejoicing for we know that even as these days might present themselves as a shadowy darkness, God is with us and for us. He restores and keeps our souls no matter what darkness we might encounter.

His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. We are confident that the LORD, our Shepherd, will be present with us even as we dwell in His presence, in His House, in His Kingdom, forever! Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hinds' Feet; High Places

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights." 

(Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." 

(Hab 3:19 KJV)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. It is the story of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd who takes them through many dangers to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet. It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God.

This is a familiar story to many of us as even daily we journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers we encounter as we journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine.

God's Peace - Pr. J NIV)

A Good Shepherd; A Great King

He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters

Psalm 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

+++

What's so good about having a king that knows how to lead their flock? Everything! The ability to lead others even through the darkest shadows of the valley of death is a very important trait for someone who would be king, a president, or anyone who holds a public office. The ability to protect and comfort the people rather than instill further fear in them when times are troubling is an awesome trait for a ruler. 

David, the author of the Psalms, was a good shepherd and a great king. But, we have one who is even greater. Jesus is the King of Kings. He looks after us as only a good shepherd can. He will reign forever over us.

What's so good about a king who is also an experienced shepherd? Everything!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Dry Bones Wake Up!

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

                                                                                       (Ezek 37:1-10 KJV)

Live life! 

Are you going through life like you have no life? Are you walking around like the walking dead; putting one foot in front of the other simply because you must?

Christ came that we might have life and have it abundantly. God's will is not for us to go around walking as though we are dead. We are to live in the light of Christ so that we might have life. By the very breath of God we have been given life. 

Hear the word of the Lord. Listen to him! 

"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph 5:14)

It is time to wake up and rise from the dead! Be filled with the Spirit of Christ! Rise up and live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Does Great Things

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy. 

                                                                                (Psalm 99:7-9 KJV)

The misdeeds of Israel did not go unpunished. Their sins did not go unpunished. Yet, they continued to call on and exalt His name and the LORD continued to speak to them. He led them through the wilderness. They called on His name and He led them through the wilderness to the promised land.

We are all guilty of misdeeds. We are all sinners. That does not mean the LORD has turned His back on us. Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide us on our way. Pray to Him and He will answer. Bow down and worship the one true God. God will forgive us our sins against Him. He will lead us on our journey through every wilderness, every dark valley. 

Take a lesson from the Israelites who wandered in the desert for so many years because they were afraid to take the land the LORD had promised them. Do not fear to follow in the way He would have you go. Listen to Him. For He is just and merciful. Do not turn away from Him, but follow wherever He may lead. 

How many times have we found ourselves in an anxious place, a dark place, where we cannot see to find our way out? There is a way. Speak to the LORD, ask Him to show you the way out. The LORD our God will lead you out of bondage. It may take a little time in the wilderness, but you will enter the promised land. God will do what He has promised and He has promised justice and equity. In Jesus Christ, He has promised you peace that surpasses all understanding. Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide you on your way. 

Great is the LORD our God. He is exalted over all the nations. Worship Him and only Him for the Lord our God is holy.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Shepherd Is Near

He leadeth me beside the still waters

Psalm 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Amen!

The Shepherd's Psalm is a favorite among many. Over the years it has become a prayer of affirmation for me. Praying it daily I am reminded that I am living in the presence of God and that, for me, is most comforting and reassuring. The very thought of being in God's presence brings me peace.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" because God is with me. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters." I know with this affirmation that He does it because He is present in my life. God does all of these things as affirmed in the Shepherd's Psalm because He is present in our lives. He is not a God far off. He is very near.  

We get to live in His presence today. We get to dwell in His presence, in His house, in His Kingdom for ever. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus who gave His life that we might live in His presence now and forever!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

He Leads Me

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
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 mercy shall follow me
  all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
 my whole life long.

Psalm 23 NRSV

 

May your day be richly blessed with God's peace.  Pr. J

 

Hinds' Feet

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." (Hab 3:19 KJV)

I remember a book I read years ago. "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard, gets its' name from Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV). The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers.  It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God. 

I can't remember too many of the details of the book, as it has been quite a few years since I read it. But, I can look around me daily and watch (and even join) others as they journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; I, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patient as I ought) for the LORD to deliver His people, who I also love, from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as they journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Troll Has Received His Promise

Troll with one of the classes he prepared for their first Communion

as they receive their first Communion.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
    he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   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 mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

                                      Psalm 23 NRSV

No matter how dark the valleys may get, those who believe in Jesus the Christ know that Jesus is with them guiding us; comforting us. My dear friend Troll (Michael) died last night. Troll joined Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee a number of years ago. He quickly became very active; teaching our children in Sunday School and preparing them for their first Communion. The children loved him. We all loved him. I do not recall ever seeing him at the church without his Bible in hand and when I visited him after he fell ill; there was the Bible and the church directory beside his bed. He never left home without them.

Troll's journey through life was not always easy. He suffered even before the strokes with PTSD. He had served as a medic stateside during Vietnam, trying to minister to those who had come back wounded. His retirement came after years of service as a police officer in Detroit, MI for 27 years, which also lends itself to having to experience major traumatic incidents on an ongoing basis. But, through the darkest of valleys, his faith did not leave him. Sometimes, he felt as though his faith was buried too deep within him. After he retired he searched hard for more faith. That more faith came to him as a gift from God. Today, even as I remember him and grieve our loss, I am confident that goodness and mercy has followed his life on earth and he dwells in the house of the Lord for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Through The Valley Of The Shadow of Death

"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."

Psalm 23:4 NIV

My favorite Psalm, as it is for many, is Psalm 23. I pray it daily; sometimes a few times a day. There is so much chaos in the world that it can be most unsettling to wonder which path loved ones are following. Have they gotten themselves lost? Will they end up on the wrong path? Will they follow in the footsteps of Jesus into the Kingdom of God where they will know peace of heart and mind? Will they walk with God? One can never tell for sure.

The only sure thing I can do about these unsettling feelings is to pray this prayer of affirmation, trusting God to be with them and for them as He has promised even as He is with me. As I pray for my loved ones, I am sometimes reminded of Job who rose up early every morning to make offerings for every one of his children. Instead of burnt offerings, I lift up all whom I love to the Lord in prayer.

I do not fear for myself; for God is with me. But, I pray often that all whom I love will trust God to walk with them, guiding and comforting them.

May the Lord, the Good Shepherd, be with you always to guide you through the valley of the shadow of death.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is Your Shepherd

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    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 mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

What a comfort this Psalm has been to me. It is not a prayer only for times when we lost a loved one. This prayer, I pray daily and not just for me; but, for all of you, as well. No matter what day it is we will meet challenges of some sort. Whether those challenges be enemies or temptations to stray from the path we can know that Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd, is with us always, leading us on right paths.

May God grant each of you comfort and peace in the knowledge of the Lord's presence with you today and always.

Pr. J