god’s peace

DEAR GOD: You Are My Shepherd – Forever~

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Psalm 23, often called “The Lord is My Shepherd,” is one of the most cherished passages in the Bible, offering comfort and hope to believers throughout the ages. Its verses paint a serene picture of God’s guidance, provision, and protection, akin to a shepherd’s care for his sheep.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) This opening line establishes a profound trust in God’s provision. Christians see this as a declaration of God’s sufficiency in all aspects of life. Just as a shepherd meets the needs of his flock, so does God meet the needs of His people.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” (Psalm 23:2) Here, the psalmist describes a place of rest and refreshment, symbolizing the spiritual peace and rejuvenation that God provides. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, echoing the sentiment of this verse.

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) God’s restoration is likened to a renewal of strength and spirit. The “paths of righteousness” reflect a life lived in accordance with God’s will, guided by His truth as revealed in the Bible.

“Even 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) Christians find solace in this verse, especially in times of trouble or grief. It speaks of God’s presence and protection in life’s darkest moments. The “rod and staff” are symbols of a shepherd’s tools, representing discipline and support.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5) This imagery suggests honor and abundance, even amidst adversity. The anointing oil signifies blessing and being chosen by God, as kings were anointed in the Old Testament.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6) The psalm concludes with a confident expectation of God’s continual blessings and the ultimate hope of eternal life with Him, as promised in John 14:2-3, where Jesus speaks of preparing a place for His followers.

For Christians, Psalm 23 encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith: trust in God’s care, the peace that comes from His presence, guidance in living a righteous life, comfort in times of fear, the assurance of God’s blessings, and the hope of eternal life.

“Dear Heavenly Father, You are our Shepherd, and in Your care, we lack nothing. Lead us to the green pastures of Your grace and the still waters of Your peace. Restore our souls and guide us in righteousness. Even as we walk through challenging times, let us feel Your presence and find comfort in Your protection.  Bless us, Lord, and let Your goodness and mercy accompany us every day of our lives, until we dwell in Your house forever. Amen. ”

The Lord’s my Shepherd – Stuart Townend [with lyrics] (youtube.com)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

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 paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

Even 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 overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

DEAR GOD: You Heal Our Broken Hearts~

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Healing for a broken heart – Rejoice in Him

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” –Matthew 5:41

 Grief is a journey that winds through the valley of despair, climbs the mountains of sorrow, and sometimes finds rest in the meadows of memory. It is a deeply personal and profound experience, unique to each individual, yet universally understood. The act of grieving, of allowing tears to flow for a loved one lost, is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the depth of our love.

In the sacred texts, we find solace and understanding. The scriptures speak to the heart of our pain, offering both comfort and permission to grieve. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes. This assurance is a gentle reminder that our sorrow is seen, our tears are known, and our pain is acknowledged by a compassionate God.

The Psalms, too, are rich with the language of lament. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit,” the Psalmist writes, giving voice to our inner turmoil. In these ancient songs, we find a God who is not distant or disinterested but intimately acquainted with our grief.

As we navigate the tumultuous seas of loss, we may find ourselves questioning the purpose of our pain. Yet, even here, the scriptures offer wisdom. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” we read in Revelation. This vision of a future without suffering gives us hope that our grief is not in vain, that it leads us somewhere—a place of healing and wholeness.

In the midst of our grief, we are not alone. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, both seen and unseen, who have walked this path before us. They remind us that to grieve is human, to cry is to honor the love we carry, and to mourn is to move towards healing.

Let us not rush through our grief, nor demand of ourselves a premature composure. Instead, let us grieve fully and deeply, as deeply as we loved. For in our tears, we find a sacred space where the heart can begin to heal, and the soul can start to mend.

 “Heavenly Father, In the quiet sanctuaries of our hearts, we come before You with tears that speak more eloquently than words. You, who collect all our tears in Your bottle, understand the language of our weeping. In our grief, grant us the grace to mourn, the strength to endure, and the hope of Your eternal comfort. May we feel Your presence in our sorrow and find peace in Your promises. Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Are My Umbrella & More~

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~Psalm 3:3~
 But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

So, the rain poured down from the Heavens and I reach for my umbrella – and it shields me from harsh elements- and I am protected!

LORD – You are my umbrella of fortune and blessings and I know You are with me in all kinds of weather. In fact, You control the weather patterns, and it “listens” to You!

When we are aligned in God’s word and pull away from the insignificance of the World, and all its ugly enticements – we are assured of rewards to come here and most especially in the eternity.

Some may say, “why can’t I indulge in some pleasurable things – if I’m good and do good things, what’s the big deal?”  Well, it is a big deal if you’re not adhering to His Word and are doing ungodly things that are not favorable in His sight. God doesn’t want His children to partake in insignificant things or indulge in idolatry. Idolatry is anything that takes you away from the LORD and His Word. No matter how small you may think it is, if it’s an abomination in God’s eyes, and not godly – then it isn’t as “small” as you think it is.

Idolatry is not acceptable in His eyes. This can run the gamut from addictions, possessions, materialistic items, anything that leads to the eviction of God in your life.

We need to concentrate on “living” but staying within the confines and parameters of being C child of Christ and living a life that suits Christians.

He is the provider for all our needs and His provisions are never ending, and His love is free flowing. Nothing and no one can compare to His magnificence, and His Omnipotence.

Do you feel God is your umbrella? Can you recall any time in your life where God protected you fully? Do you have idols in your life you need to be rid of?

“Father, thank You for Your continuous Presence in my life, may I always be in obedience to You and Your Word, may I never stray, and if I do – as I am human- please gently guide me back onto Your path of righteousness, as that is the only path I wish to walk upon, in Jesus’ name I thank You, Amen.”