If We’re in Need, (Not Want), Is the Lord Truly our Shepherd?

David writes in Psalm 23 that all of his needs are met when the Lord is his shepherd. By definition, a shepherd is one who tends to his flock, ensuring they reside in good pastureland where they can properly graze in safety.

The problem of provision doesn’t come from the shepherd’s poor lead, but the sheep’s lack of following.

I heard a phrase the other day on a show I was watching. A mom was talking to her daughter, saying, “I just don’t want to get in your way…”, but the daughter quickly replied, “Mom, you’re not IN my way, you ARE my way.”

Profound, right?

I think that’s often the problem when it comes to letting Jesus be Lord. Instead of remembering that one of His literal names is, “The Way”, we see Him as getting in OUR way.😳

If you read through Psalm 23, you see all of the ways Jesus, as our Shepherd, makes a way when we let Him lead.

When we strip ourselves of logic & lust of the heart (I-want-what-I-want-when-I-want heartstance), choosing instead to let HIM lead, something extraordinary happens…we may not have all of our WANTS met, but suddenly they begin to fade in importance & the things we NEED are met in miraculous ways…

✨We find ourselves able to rest in green pastures (representing everything we need to survive & thrive!)

✨Our strength is renewed.

✨We travel right paths.

✨We bring honor to his name.

✨Even when we’re in a scary valley, we won’t be afraid!

✨We see His correction as protection!

✨We enjoy a feast of peace & joy even amidst our enemies!

✨Our life begins to overflow with blessings, and His very goodness & unfailing love PURSUE us every single day we have remaining in our lives!

✨And lastly? We will land in the house of the Lord for eternity!

Y’all, when you consider the (gisted) promises  above from Psalm 23, are any of them lacking in your life?

If your answer is yes. It just might be a matter of  Lordship - full & complete surrender of leading your life, yielding to His will & His oh-so-perfect Way!

Here’s the bottomline:

If the Lord is our Shepherd, we will have all we need.

So it begs the question:

If we are in need (not want), is the Lord truly our Shepherd? 

#OneYearBible #July

July 30th One Year Bible Readings

2 CHRONICLES 26:1-28:27

ROMANS 13:1-14

PSALM 23:1-6

PROVERBS 20:11

Don’t Know What to do? Little Miss How To

Yesterday my son told me about a new social media trend called, “Little Miss”. They are funny graphics of a big smiley head with titles like, “Little Miss Loves Scalding Hot Showers” or “Little Miss Cries When She’s Happy”.

It’s a clever campaign that gets people engaged as they tag people that come to mind.

As I read Romans 12 today, the tangible how to’s made my heart soar, & then I chuckled, thinking, I must be a, “Little Miss How To”!😂

Y’all, the Word of God is not some antiquated, dusty document that’s irrelevant to our current times!

Quite the contrary, it’s alive & active, sharper than a double-edged sword cutting through cultural distraction so that Truth & freedom may follow! In fact, it’s THEE GREATEST how-to book on the planet! Every tidbit of wisdom we will ever need may be found therein!

Here are some highlights:

BODY | Give your bodies to God. Don’t copy the behavior & customs of this world.

MIND | Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

HUMILITY | Don’t think you’re better than you are, be honest in your evaluation of yourself. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

LOVE | Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love with genuine affection.

HONOR | Take delight in honoring each other. Do things in such a way that ALL can see you’re honorable.

LEADERSHIP | If God’s given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.

PROPHESY | If you have the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

HURT | Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them, pray that God will bless them.

REVENGE | Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.

EVIL | Never pay back evil with more evil. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

If you made it through the list, I’m confident that Little Miss How To has shared something from God’s Word that impacted your heart!🤗

His Word NEVER returns void, it’s why we can open it on the daily with GREAT expectation that the Holy Spirit will whisper some tangible how to’s! The only way we can truly worship God is by staying anchored to His word! Give it a try!👊🏽

#OneYearBible #July

July 29th One Year Bible Readings

2 CHRONICLES 24:1-25:28

ROMANS 12:1-21

PSALM 22:19-31

PROVERBS 20:8-10

A Reminder When You Feel Like Your Life Is on Recall

My son recently received notice that his car is on recall due to some reported problems. In this age of technology, I’m a bit surprised, but I’m sure there’re a cazillion factors to consider when making a car so I’m grateful for the free fix with the recall!

As I read 11:29 today, I smiled because it reminded me that, unlike my son’s car, God’s Word will never be recalled. Paul gives a bold & unwavering promise that brings great comfort when various parts of life feel like they’re on recall 😉

He writes, “For God’s gifts & His call can never be withdrawn.”

There are 3 words worth considering:

Gifts - this is the free gift of God’s grace that one receives without any effort of his own

Call - God has invited all people of all time to receive his gift of salvation & the blessings that accompany it

Withdrawn - This is something irrevocable, done without regret because it was done with deep conviction & true concern

God’s gift & calling on YOUR life is immutable & unalterable. He made the decision to call you, out of deep conviction of His love for you, just the way you are, in the very state you’re in…There’s nothing you can do in your life that would alter your timeline in such a way that would negate His gift & call!

There is an irrevocable nature of God, an unchangeableness that brings great comfort when we simply take Him at His Word.

What He promises, He WILL fulfill!

What He purposes to do, He WILL do!

He will not change from or repent of His Word!

It shall be fulfilled regardless of the variables we face!

Numbers 23:19 promises that:

“God is not a man, so He does not lie.

He is not human, so He does not change his mind.

Has He ever spoken and failed to act?

Has He ever promised and not carried it through?”

I’m not sure what variables are fluctuating in your life right now, but I sense that God is calling each of us to come to Him, our unchangeable, rock-like foundation who never waivers on His Word!

Father, we praise You that You don’t change Your mind. We may not understand all of the “whys” behind the varying “whats” we face, but we take great comfort knowing that even though circumstances may change, Your irrevocable Word will not!

#OneYearBible #July

July 28th One Year Bible Readings

2 CHRONICLES 21:1-23:21

ROMANS 11:13-36

PSALM 22:1-18

PROVERBS 20:7