The Lord is my Shepherd.....

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.     -- Psalm 23:1-3
   
This verse gives me great comfort.   He restores my soul.  That sounds so good. But it is more than talk.  When we've reached that point where we can't go on, God blesses us with strength to just keep on walking. When we're in a struggle and things are tough, his power upholds us and we run to victory. When we're winning victories in his name, we can soar on wings like eagles. He is a shepherd and more. He is the Rock and Sustainer of our lives!  I've found this to be so true this past year!   I have a permanent vision of a winding road in my mind.   It has beautiful fall leaves on the trees on either side.  The road is rocky.   The Lord is at the end of the road encouraging me to keep walking, keep trusting, telling me to keep my focus on Him, not to look to the left or the right.   As long as I do that, I can keep walking by faith.   It's when I look to the left or the right that my circumstances overtake me and I get anxious.

Lord, help me rest tonight in your grace and in the confidence that you are nearby. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6:36

Thank God that his mercies are new every morning!   One of the things I learned early on after my diagnosis is that the Lord LOVES US SO MUCH that we can barely fathom His love.   I am SO thankful that He loves me unconditionally.   He knows when I'm going to mess up and yet, He still loves me.   Praise God for his mercy!


He wants to draw us closer to Him and it is truly through the valleys that we learn to draw close to Him, not when life is smooth sailing.   Cancer is a message to change.   I'm so thankful the Lord is doing "spring cleaning" and rebuilding me to be more like Him.


Here is a devotion that I received this morning that I wanted to share with you.   Even if you haven't been diagnosed with an illness, these are still wonderful words of wisdom.  I pray this ministers to your spirit.


When we judge and react harshly to ourselves and others we place burdens on our hearts and souls that we don’t need.  When we hold onto and keep mental lists of weaknesses, slights and faults we diminish ourselves and others.  It takes entirely too much energy to focus on imperfections and failings.  It weakens our spirits and inhibits our healing.  God gave us the command to forgive and show mercy because God knows it is best for us.  We are strongest when we can release tension and pain, when regret and disappointment can be lifted and when we can move on forever from bitterness and hostility.  Cancer is a message to change.  The most significant of the changes can occur when we clear ourselves of everything that eats at our souls.  We need that energy instead to focus on getting well and being whole again.


Merciful God, I know I need to learn so much from you.  Your gracious and forgiving nature toward me shows me how I need to live my life with others.  I pray that I will have the strength of conviction and purpose to do what I know is best.  Amen.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,

...who forgives all your iniquities..."v.3

"Who redeems your life from destruction..."v.4

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger,

and abounding in mercy..."v.8

"He has not dealt with us

according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities...."v.10

"As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions

from us..." v.12 ~Psalm 103

To Shine Like Gold

"He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside." -  Job 23:10-11
  
How we long for this to be our true confession. God wants us to shine like gold.   We are not yet gold, but long to be.  The refining process is a work in progress.    We are not yet fully following his steps, but we are trying.    We try to not turn aside, but we sometimes falter.  I am thankful for God's grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled in our walk with Him!

O Lord, I confess my sin and my inadequacy in following your paths. Forgive me as I recommit my life to serve you in holiness and joy. Thank you for your grace which covers my sin and perfects in me the character of Jesus.  Amen.

"The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

In ancient times, when this psalm was written, those who heard these words would have instinctively known how significant the image of a shepherd was.  A shepherd would protect and guide his sheep.  A shepherd would lift them from dangerous places and carry them when they could not walk themselves.  A shepherd would literally put himself between a dangerous predator and his sheep, placing himself in harm’s way for them.  A shepherd’s job was to make certain that no sheep would be lost and that every one would make it back home safely.  God is like a shepherd.  God will do anything for us to help and save us.  God wants none of us to be harmed or lost.  With this kind of God we will not lack anything we need, no matter how hard the journey.

With you as my shepherd, caring God, I am reminded that I need never be lost.  When I find myself confused and feeling alone, not certain which way to go, not sure if there is any hope, you come to carry and protect me.  I am much better for that.  Amen.