So, I have been without a computer for the last week. It actually has been a very long time since I blogged. I feel horrible but God really spoke to me today. I NEED to get back on track and this is why... !
This morning as I was drinking my delicious vanilla chai and watching cartoons with my kids, God kept telling me to get my Psalms Devos and my bible. I finally listened and today's devos were on Psalm 23. I hope you enjoy.
First of all my devotions had a quote from Lawrence O. Richards that I really enjoyed.
"Sheep cannot survive alone in the world, but must always be in the company of a shepherd. The Middle Eastern shepherd loved his sheep, gave each one a name, and cared for each one tenderly. Many a shepherd interposed himself between wild beasts and his sheep, and at night the shepherd lay down and slept in the single doorway to his sheepfold. Any enemy would have to pass him to attack his flock."
David knew the Lord as his shepherd. He was David's nurturer, provider, guide, protector, and companion.
In Psalm 23, David tells us that the Lord leads, feeds, guides, and shields us. He causes us to lie down and rest, and He refreshes and restores our lives and our souls.
There are some means that the Good Shepherd uses to meet these basic spiritual needs in the lives of His sheep.
Nourishment and refreshment:
I Peter 2:2- "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation."
Jeremiah 15:16- "Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts."
Psalm 16:11- "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
These verses are saying to me: When our eyes are on Him (the Lord my Savior), eating His words, at His right hand, drinking His spiritual milk, we will be blessed (filled) by Him.
Restoration:
Revelation 3:19: "Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten (I discipline and instruct them). So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent (changing your mind and attitude)."
Hebrews 12:12-13: "So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees."
Galations 6:1: "Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual (who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit) should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also."
These verses are saying to me: Being intimate with God, asking for forgiveness restores us. He wants us to be intimate with Him and He wants to restore us. Sin keeps us from the ultimate relationship with God but when we come to Him with our yuckiness and vulnerability, He can restore us. This is so freeing but it sure is hard to do. He is so amazing! :)
Guidance:
Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Romans 8:14: "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
These verses are saying to me: The Holy Spirit and God's Word lead us to Him and give us guidance. So, when we ask God into our hearts, we receive the Holy Spirit, who in turn speaks to us. Sometimes it is hard to hear Him but when we listen closely, we will hear Him. When we are in God's Word and asking God to show us Himself and what we need to change about ourselves, He will NOT deny us. When we are in His word daily, it is much easier to hear Him. His Word is for this purpose.
Protection:
Psalm 119:11: "Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
Ephesians 6:10-18: "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord; draw your strength from Him. Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day, and having done all, to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, and having shod your feet in preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Lift up over all the shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
These verses are saying to me: Be prepared for battle at ALL times for this world is wicked! By putting on the armor of God (being prepared in His Word and Spirit with your eyes focused on Him), nothing is impossible!
Lord,
I started this blog to help me commit to spending time with You in Your Word. I started out good and then slowly stopped. It has been more than two weeks and I thank you God for showing me these things today. I need you and you promise nourishment, refreshment, restoration, guidance, and protection to me if I focus on You. When I am looking to You and when I let you wash my feet, you will be faithful and just. Thank you for all your promises. Help me to be in step with You.
Amen
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