Psalms 23:1 <> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Lets pause for just a moment. David used the analogy of a "shepherd" to describe attributes of his Lord. I have heard this analogy many times. Even Christ himself used it. Here is one example:

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

David states that the Lord is his shepherd and "I shall not want". He goes on to describe the job qualifications so to speak of a "good sheperd".

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

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

I read somewhere a ministers description of a shepherd and his sheep. A good shepherd will find the greenest pastures for his sheep to graze. A beautiful field of tender new grass; short and sweet like a bountiful table set before his flock. A good shepherd will find a clear and very slow moving stream for his flock. Sheep are peculiar. They will not drink from moving water. It has to be calm. Jesus said: John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

How could a shepherd restore a "soul"? Did you know that if a sheep gets onto its back, it cannot upright itself. While on its back it becomes extemely vulnerable to attack and not only that; if a sheep isn't uprighted it will die. So the good shepherd is always on the lookout for a fallen sheep on its back and hurries to get it back on it's feet again. The paths the good shepherd leads his sheep are the well known, tried and true, leading to the best places to watch over his sheep. Did you know that sheep will not follow a shepherd if they do not recognize his voice? If a sheep were to hear another voice on that path it would flee. John 10:4-5 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

4 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.

The valley of the shadow of death eludes to wolves or other dangers that seek to destroy the heard. The sheep have no fear with a good shepherd, because he would use the rod and staff to keep danger at bay. The good shepherd would lay down his own life for his herd. Jesus again using the analogy of the shepherd and his sheep:
John 10:10-11 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

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

The good shepherd finds the greenest pastures. He watches diligently over his sheep knowing the enemies are at bay. He places oil on their heads to protect them from pests. How much more could a sheep need or want?

6 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.

When a sheep has a "good shepherd" it seems all is well in his watchful presence. All a sheep has to recogize is the voice of his master. A sheep can be restful and at peace in a herd like that and will stay with that herd all its life and run from a strangers voice.

Jesus said: John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

David knew his Father's voice and was a faithful servant. Jesus came and made it all possible. He was our "Good Shepherd" that loved us so much that He willingly gave His live so that through Him we would have eternal life. Jesus the perfect shepherd who wants all of us to be at peace and restful within His eternal presence.

I thank God for His Son. I am so thankful I recognized His voice. I am in His fold and I will follow Him all of the days of my life. Won't you let Jesus be your "Good and Perfect Shepherd" today? He is calling, waiting, and does not want even ONE to be lost.

May the Lord bless you and keep you today. Come home dear ones, shhhhh...I think I hear my masters voice...do you?

Today I was thinking about my husband and of course the tears began to roll down my cheeks. It is so hard in this life to let go of the ones we love so much. Then of course as I always do, I reach for my Bible and read God's word. Once again I am reminded, the redeemed will never see death again; they will never themselves die.

A peak into heaven: Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I am in no hurry mind you. I am here to continue to be a servant of God. Yet I long for my heavenly home. It is such a comfort to know I will be there with my Lord...not for just a short while, but eternally. Praise Him for His grace and mercy. Praise Him for His wonderful love. For all that I am and all that I'll be, comes from my God above.

Shout your praises today. No matter what you may be going through or even the wonderful things in life...God deserves your praise. Have a wonderful day. May God's blessings be upon you...if you don't know Him...I hope you will open your heart and mind to Him. There is no life without Him.

I woke up to a fine morning. I was thinking about trusting God and all that He has done for me. David wrote in Psalms so many words of praise and trust. It is easier for me just to leave it at these verses:

Psalms 56:10-13 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

I pray that God will allow others to see His wonderful love and grace in me. I want to do His will in my life. I feel at peace. God is with me. He will not forsake me. One day, by the grace of Jesus Christ, I will be able to come before the throne of God and praise Him throughout eternity.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May the "peace that passes all understanding" be in your hearts and minds today. Jesus loves you and so do I.

Even in darkest of times, when life sends trouble or sorrow:

Psalms 23:6 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 a wonderful verse to ponder. God is so good and gracious. I know all is well with my soul. My heavenly home is waiting and today and always the Lord is the master of my house.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.