THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

PSALM OF THE DIVINE SHEPHERD

___________________________________________

PSALM 23

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3     He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord forever.

Key Lessons in Faith

1-6 Expect Jesus’ shepherding care.  Know that He will keep us from want, protect us, and restore our lives.

Comfort

23:4 originally may have meant "to breathe intensely because of deep emotion." In some references, the word is translated "repent," the idea being that regret causes deep sighing.  In its sense of comfort, nacham does not describe casual sympathy, but rather deep empathy.  It is like "weeping with those who weep." Or actually "sighing with those who sigh."  From nacham are derived the names "Nahum" ("Comforting") and "Nehemiah" ("Comfort of Yahweh")

23:1-6 This refreshing pastoral psalm reflects absolute trust and peaceful confidence in God.  It is divided into two metaphors: the Shepherd (vv.1-4) and the Host (vv.5, 6). 

  23.1 Jesus is the good shepherd who went one step beyond David’s list of provisions-He gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

  23.3 Daily restoration of the anxious, weary soul is a major human need (2 Cor. 4:16). 

  23:4 The key to provision is the presence of God. (Jos. 1:5-9).  This awesome thought causes the psalmist to change from mere statements (He…) to spontaneous heavenward praise (Thou art with me.)

  23:5 Of the two kinds of oil, the priestly anointing oil and 

the Oriental perfumed oil, this is the latter.  This act shows favor and excellent hospitality.

  23:6 Mercy (Hebrew chesed) is the unfailing, steadfast covenant love of God.  This loving-kindness is similar to the NT word "grace" (John 1:16, 17).

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Producer/Published Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

HOLD ON

ALTHOUGH THINGS ARE NOT PERFECT__

 Because of trial or pain

 Continue in thanksgiving

 Do not begin to blame

 Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold on to what you know

 Imagine life without His love

 Joy would cease to be

 Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts to thee

 Move out of "Camp Complaining"

 No weapon that is known

 On earth can yield the power

 Praise can do alone

 Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

 Start every day with worship

 To "thank" is a command

Until we see Him coming

 Victorious in the sky

 We'll run the race with gratitude

 X alting God most high

 Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

 Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas 

Playwright/Screen Writer/Novelist/

Gospel Lyricist/Producer

ON THE OTHER SIDE

For therein is the righteousness of  God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.                   Romans 1: 17 NIV

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

      Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

    "You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the
            other side?"

 The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough".

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist

DANGER OF DRIFTING

Before reaching an unwanted destination,let’s be sure we’re going in the right direction.

         

CHANGE THAT OCCURS SLOWLY is difficult to detect. For instance, the earth’s crust moves an estimated 1-10 centimeters per year, but we don’t notice until two tectonic plates push so hard against each other that they suddenly shift, causing an earthquake. A similar process can happen spiritually as well.

The further we go on the detour, the duller our spiritual ears become. At this point we can’t hear god calling out, "You’re going the wrong way! Come back to me!" That’s why He sometimes has to send an "earthquake" to grab our attention.

We think we’re doing fine until God shakes us awake with a situation so big it makes us stop and wonder what’s happening. We ought stay in God’s Word

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

/Producer/Gospel Lyricist

JUDGMENT AND SALVATION

Romans 11:11-12

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall?

Certainly not!

(Rom. 11:11a)

In this verse that lie ahead, Paul probes deeply into the purposes and ways of God. As he unveils the mystery (v.25) of God’s plan of redemption, he breaks forth in praise for God at the end of the chapter. As we study this portion of God’s Word, pray that your vision of the Father would be enlarged and your heart moved to praise Him.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

/Producer/Gospel Lyricist

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Since the Pledge of Allegiance 

and
The Lord's Prayer
are not allowed in most
public schools anymore
because the word "God" is mentioned....
a kid in Arizona wrote the following
NEW School prayer

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen 

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES!

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch.  At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.  

The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." 

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.  

A child had written a note, 

 "Take all you want God is 

watching the apples".

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Producer/Screenwriter

Gospel Lyricist/Novelist