This is Namma for Christ with the 84th inspirational message dated Friday, June 24th, 2016. The title of this message is, "The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1-3", The scripture comes from the beloved and well-known passage, "The 23rd Psalm" as written by the Psalmist David. The focus scriptures will be the first three verses of The 23rd Psalm:
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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.
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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.
The scripture text chosen for this message is because of a recent incident that happened to me, personally. On Monday, June 20th, 2016, I had misplaced and lost my cell phone. As we all know, in this present "technologically-advanced world", our cell phones have literally become necessary tools for communication. Losing my cell phone resulted in my feeling "unplugged" from the "world" - including: those on my contact list, my internet access, my Facebook page and my ability to use GPS (Global Positioning System) . Unfortunately, (two days later) on Wednesday, June 22nd, I had to drive in my car (which doesn't have GPS capability) to a "required" destination (which was a 20-minute ride that I had only frequented once or twice). I didn't have my cell phone (nor the GPS - that had been on my cell phone) to guide me.
What did I do?
I PRAYED TO THE LORD TO HELP ME.
I asked God to allow His Holy Spirit to "lead and guide me" to get to my destination...and to "help" bring back to my memory the way I had traveled to get there before.
And...Thanks be to GOD, HE DID!
What did I do - when I didn't know which way to go?
I TURNED TO THE LORD - I HAD TO "TRUST" IN THE LORD!
I ASKED GOD TO BE MY "GPS"!
I realized and summarized - isn't that what "THE 23RD PSALM" is "spiritually" reminding us to do - in our spiritual and physical lives? We should let the LORD BE OUR GUIDE - "OUR SHEPHERD" IN OUR LIFE...
THE 23RD PSALM is reminding us that GOD should be "WHO" we are asking to DIRECT US WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO!"
WE SHOULD DAILY ASK GOD TO LEAD AND GUIDE US IN OUR LIVES!
God gave us Jesus - who is our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, our King of Kings, our Burden Bearer, our Provider, our Comforter, our Prince of Peace...HE IS ALL THAT WE NEED!
In verses 1-3 of The 23rd Psalm, the Psalmist David is stating that - "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD". Just like sheep, we need the Lord for our "very existence". We need OUR LORD to provide all that we need: food, water, rest, protection, provisions, healing, nurturing, care, guidance, restoration and love. WE NEED THE LORD TO GUIDE US - BECAUSE, "JUST LIKE SHEEP, "WE" OFTEN - GO ASTRAY"!
We need God to help us make right decisions and FOR GOD to "lead" us in the right way....
If we pray, seek Jesus and ask HIM to lead and guide our lives - HE WILL...because "our Lord" loves and cares for us!
LET JESUS BE THE "SHEPHERD" IN YOUR LIFE!
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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.
LET HIM LEAD AND GUIDE YOU IN THE WAY WHICH IS BEST "SPECIFICALLY" FOR YOU!
Psalm 100:3 reminds us -
Psalm 100:3
New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Know that the Lord,
He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
In John 10 - the below two verses remind us how Jesus "knows" and cares for His own:
John 10:14
New King James Version (NKJV)
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
John 10:27-30
New King James Version (NKJV)
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Please enjoy the below anointed song and video of "The Lord Is My Shepherd" by Cissy Houston and Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir.
(I do not own the rights to this song.)
BE BLESSED!
