“The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything that I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures.
He leads me to calm water”
Psalm 23:1,2

Looking out for number one. Be in control. Make yourself look good. Be at the top, or least near the top. This attitude seems to be a plague with which we are all afflicted.

We see it early with children in the playgrounds and sand boxes. We see it in homes, in schools, churches, organizations, at our work place and in the corporate world. Even in senior’s homes. When my husband’s father was bedridden in a hospital or in a wheelchair, we would notice how these older people would jockey for a position at the dinner table and in front of the television, pushing the wheelchairs of others. Pecking order until the day you die.

Phillip Keller, in his book, A Layman’s Look at the Twenty Third Psalm , writes about sheep and their “butting order.” One of the ewes is number one and she attains that position by butting the others into submission. The second in control ruthlessly butts the others into submission and so it goes right down the line to the last sheep. They all become fearful of each other and they can’t graze or lie down to rest because they are afraid.

Phillip Keller was a shepherd for years and knowingly explains that when the shepherd enters the field, the sheep instantly stop butting each other, calm down and relax. They know He is in control and will take care of them.

I reflected on the fact that the Bible often likens His people to sheep, and Christ the good shepherd. If Christ’s presence brings peace to a situation or place can we then conversely conclude that when there is friction, fighting, criticism and striving that Christ’s presence is not there? Or at the very least, we are not yielding to His control?

Think about it. Are you at rest today?

Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd. We pray for Your people today. There is so much competition, gossip, criticism and division in your flock. We pray for Your Presence to be in control. We pray for unity in your flock. In your precious name, amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Real Rest  by John Grant

•  He Lets Me Rest

• Take Rest Oh My Weary Soul 

The post He Lets Me Rest appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

When our feet hit the floor in the morning and the day rushes in, it can be easy to forget that the very presence of God is with us!

The presence of the Lord is with each believer in Jesus. His presence is also IN each believer by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we embrace His presence it will change our day.

As I’ve pondered just what it looks like, on a busy morning, to embrace the presence of the Lord in me and with me, the familiar words of Psalm 23 took on a fresh depth. God is so practical. His presence with us is so real and so powerful in us.  As we embrace His presence we will begin to engage in His presence and enjoy our walk with Him in a fresh way.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
In His presence I am supplied with all I need for today.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
In His presence I am quieted from the turmoil in and around me.

He restores my soul.
In His presence I am built up, forgiven, refreshed.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
In His presence I am guided along the right paths for me, paths that will honor His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
In His presence I can be fearless in trusting Him even with destruction and death are all around me.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
In His presence I am comforted because I know He is equipped to watch over for me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies.
In His presence I am nourished and protected even when I’m in unfriendly territory.

You anoint my head with oil;
In His presence He anoints me with healing and with love.

My cup overflows.
In His presence I am filled to overflowing regardless of outer circumstances.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
I am pursued by His mercy and His goodness every day.
His presence calls me.

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In His presence I am secure for today and forever.

What treasures await you today in His presence!

Lord God, Before my feet hit the floor in the morning please wake me up a few minutes early to ponder Your presence with me and in me. Please help me to embrace Your presence for the day. Please help me to engage in Your presence and lean into all You have for me as I go. Help me to enjoy Your presence as I go through my day. Remind me of Your wonderful Psalm of complete care and may I rest in You. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Jesus is Always There!

•  God’s Sufficiency Exceeds Our Need 

•  Salvation Explained

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“The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Amidst the details and lists clamoring for my attention, I found Psalm 23 running through my mind. So, I pushed aside the lists for a few minutes and wrote myself a prayer for my day based on Psalm 23. It made a difference in my attitude and in my sense of peace as I focused on God’s impact on my day.

Life is full and good. Even so, I need to be aware of choosing my focus or I can get bogged down with details and concerns and end up being unproductive and unfruitful. Writing helps me keep my focus.

What is it that draws your focus back to the Lord in the midst of busy days? Is it a walk in the calm of nature? A visit with a friend who shares your faith? Playing music that washes the dust off your soul? Listening to an inspiring podcast?

Where we focus, we follow. Keep heading toward the Lord in your focus today and you won’t find yourself in the ditch of worry or unfruitfulness. Follow Him as your Guide!

Oh Lord, You are my constant guide; my spirit receives from You all I need. You remind me to rest so I can find spiritual nourishment from You. You lead me to drink the refreshing water of Your Spirit by reading Your Word and letting it sink into my heart and mind. When I do, my thoughts and emotions are quieted. I am lifted above the fray of countless details and concerns to find renewed strength and joy as I re-focus on You.

You lead me along the path that is right, the path that draws praise to You and Your name. Even as the enemies of fear and worry, distraction and dread skirt around my path, You prepare a feast for me; You invite me to sit and be refreshed as You watch defensively over me. My heart overflows as You tend to me.

With You as my constant guide, I can count on Your goodness and mercy to be at my heels, every step of the way. Thank You for Your strength and Your refreshing presence that anchors me both today and forever! Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  From Victim to Victory
•  Does God Only Love Christians?
•  Salvation Explained

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The post Draw Your Focus Back appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Is there a more beautiful passage in the Bible than the 23rdPsalm?  It is definitely in a category all its own and has always been a favorite of mine.

The riches of each phrase wrap around my heart like a cool fresh breeze after a long hot afternoon.

Stepping into the depths of its treasure is a gift to the soul every time we read these six intricate verses.

The weary find solace. The wounded find healing. The hungry are filled. The thirsty are quenched. The fearful find comfort. The tired are refreshed. The worshiper finds intimacy with the Lord.

We will all find God’s immeasurable goodness and mercy.

What do you need this coming week? I pray you will find it in the words of this beloved Psalm.

PSALM 23

A Psalm of David

The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads 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 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 runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   God is Sufficient
•   Jesus is Always There!
•  Salvation Explained

The post Psalm 23 Reflection appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“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. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1–3

It is not an easy thing to do….. taking the time in our busy schedules to lie down in green pastures of peace. We need to learn to unwind whenever possible, resting in the Presence of the Shepherd. This electronic age keeps His children “wired” much of the time, too tense to find Him in the midst of their moments.

He built into our very being the need for rest. How twisted the world has become when people feel guilty about meeting this basic need! How much time and energy they waste by being always on the go, rather than taking time to seek God’s direction for their lives.

I once heard a riddle about two men splitting logs. Each worked for the same total time, but one never stopped and the other stopped for ten minutes each hour. Which one split the most logs? It was the one who periodically stopped, because whenever he stopped, he sharpened his axe.

God calls on us rest our body, mind and spirit. Then, refreshed we can proceed down the paths of life with renewed strength.

He calls us to walk with Him down paths of peace. He wants us to blaze a trail for others who desire to live in His peaceful presence. He has chosen us less for our strengths than for your weaknesses, which amplify our need for Him. When we depend on Him more and more, He will shower peace on all our paths.

Try to work some green pasture time into your schedule each day. Pull apart from the hurry and scurry of the world and spend time with God. Listen to His voice. Hear His Spirit and remember that when we lie down, we look up and when we look up, we see the face of God.

By John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
Used by Permission

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The post Green Pasture Time appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The Lord is my Shepherd = that’s Relationship!

I shall not want = that’s Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = that’s  Rest !

He leads me beside the still waters = that’s Refreshment!

He restores my soul = that’s Healing!

He leads me in the paths of righteousness = that’s Guidance!

For His name sake = that’s Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = that’s Testing!

I will fear no evil = that’s Protection!

For You are with me = that’s Faithfulness!

Your rod and your staff they comfort me = that’s Discipline!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies = that’s Hope!

You anoint my head with oil = that’s Consecration!

My cup runs over = that’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = that’s Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = that’s Security!

Forever = that’s Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you!

What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to move your Feet at His Pace.

Author – Unknown

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