My Identity in Christ Part 2

We are continuing to look at scriptures on our identity in Christ. I came across this a while back and found it to be a great resource. Where my name is, put your name and make it personal.

Donna Is Loved.

John 3:15-16 Donna has eternal life in Christ.
Donna, believing in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved Donna , that He gave His one and only Son, that Donna, believing in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:18 Donna is not judged by God, because she is in Christ.
If Donna believes in Him, she is not judged. But if Donna doesn't believe, she has been judged already, because she has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God.

John 15:9 Donna remains in Christ's love.
Even as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved Donna. Donna must remain in My love. If Donna keeps My commandments, she will remain in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and remain in His love.

Rom. 8:14-15 Donna is a daughter of God.
For if Donna is led by the Spirit of God, she is a daughter of God. For Donna didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but Donna received the Spirit of adoption, by whom she cries, "Abba! Father!"

Rom. 8:35-37,39 Donna cannot be separated from the love of God.
Who shall separate Donna from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter." For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate Donna from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, Donna's Lord.

Eph. 3:12 Donna may approach God with boldness and confidence.
In whom Donna has boldness and confident access through her faith in Him.

Col. 1:13-14 Donna has been rescued from the domain of Satan's rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ.
The Father delivered Donna out of the power of darkness, and translated her into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

Heb. 4:16 Donna may come boldly before the throne of grace through Jesus Christ to receive mercy.
Let Donna therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that she may receive mercy, and may find grace in time of need.


Blessings,

The Lord is There!

Psalm 23:4 (NIV) …I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

My ladies and I are reading "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart" by Elizabeth George. This is a study of Psalm 23. In Chapter 8 Elizabeth George looks at Psalm 23:4 – “…I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

We begin Chapter 8 with the introduction of Jehovah-Shammah, “Jehovah is there” and is found in Ezekiel 48:35. “We have God’s promise of restoration, comfort and hope.”

“The uniqueness and glory of Israel’s religion had always been the presence of God dwelling in their midst.” The children of Israel had the presence of God with them by cloud in the day, pillar of fire at night, then the tabernacle and later the temple of God. Because of their sin, Israel had been taken into captivity and away from the presence of God as they had known. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God told Israel that He would return them to the land of Judah. Ezekiel also told them that Jehovah would also be there, thus we know Jehovah as Jehovah-Shammah.

Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there. The Lord is there when we are walking beside still waters or a raging sea. The Lord is there when all is well and when we have received bad news. The Lord is there in our ups and in our downs. We can proclaim that Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there! Isaiah 43:2 tells us:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Also in Psalm 23:4 David goes on to say “your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Wow! We have the promise of comfort in these tools as we walk the path set before us. God will take care of us!

Most animals were created with a way to defend themselves. Some animals have claws, or speed, or shells, or fangs, or even a smell. What do sheep have to protect themselves? They have a shepherd who has a rod. “…the shepherd leads his sheep through tall grass, swinging the club back and forth to prepare the way for his sheep. And with his rod of defense, the shepherd can beat off the enemies of the flock – eagles, snakes, wild animals, mountain lions, bears, wolves, coyotes and even rustlers.”

The second tool the shepherd has with him is a staff. He uses this to care for his flock by getting the sheep to follow. A tap on the staff on the leg or head brings the sheep into position or tells the sheep to lie down. We, like the sheep, sometimes need the staff of our Shepherd’s love tugging at our hearts.

Here are two thought provoking questions the author asks at the end of Chapter 8. Take a moment and ask yourself these questions:

1. How does the knowledge of the Shepherds weapons and His ability to use them on your behalf comfort you? And in what specific situations?

2. As you think about your day, your week, the year ahead, and the path of the future, how does the promise of God’s presence comfort you?

Isn’t it comforting to know that first God is there for us, no matter what, no matter when and secondly He has a rod and staff to comfort us!

Let’s pray. Father, we thank You that we can proclaim You as our Jehovah Shammah, our God is there! We thank You for the promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. We thank You for Your rod and staff that bring us comfort as well. I pray Father for those reading this today that need to know that You are there for them. May they take comfort in the words shared and experience You today as their Jehovah Shammah. May You encourage them and uplift them in a mighty way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

My Identity in Christ Part 1

Over the next several weeks, we will look at scriptures on our identity in Christ.  I came across this a while back and found it to be a great resource.  Where my name is, put your name and make it personal.

Donna Is Valuable.

John 1:12 Donna is God's daughter.
But Donna received Him, and to Donna He gave the right to become God's daughter, because Donna believes in His name.

John 15:5 Donna is a part of the true vine, and a channel of Christ's life.
I am the vine. Donna is a branch. If Donna remains in Me, and I in her, she will bear much fruit, for apart from Me, Donna can do nothing.

John 15:15 Donna is a friend of Christ.
No longer do I call Donna a servant, for a servant doesn't know what her lord does. But I have called Donna a friend, for everything that I heard from My Father, I have made known to Donna.

Rom. 8:17 Donna is a joint heir with Christ, she shares Christ's inheritance with Him.
And if a daughter, then an heir; an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; if indeed Donna suffers with Him, that Donna may also be glorified with Him.

I Cor. 3:9 Donna is God's co-worker.
For Donna is one of God's fellow workers. Donna is God's field, God's building.

I Cor. 3:16 Donna is God's temple.
Don't you know that Donna is a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in her?

Eph. 1:5-6 Donna has been adopted by God as His daughter.
Having predestined Donna for adoption as a daughter through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His desire, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He freely bestowed favor on Donna in the Beloved.

Eph. 1:11 Donna has an inheritance in Christ.
In Him also Donna was assigned an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His will.

Eph. 2:5-6 Donna has been made alive with Christ and she is seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
Even when Donna was dead in her trespasses, God made her alive together with Christ (by grace Donna has been saved), and raised Donna up with Him and made Donna to sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Eph. 2:10 Donna is God's workmanship, His handiwork.
For Donna is His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that Donna should walk in them.

Col. 1:27 Christ Himself is in Donna.
To whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in Donna, the hope of glory.

Col. 3:3 Donna 's life is hidden with Christ in God.
For Donna died, and her life is hidden with Christ in God.

 

Blessings,

Shadow of Death

Psalm 23:4a (NKJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) …and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Psalm 36:9 (The Message) You're a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.

My ladies and I are reading "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart" by Elizabeth George. This is a study of Psalm 23. In Chapter 7 Elizabeth George looks at Psalm 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me;”

“As we walk through life beside our faithful Shepherd, the path of righteousness stretches through the sunshiny green pastures and beside glistening still waters…but it also winds down through the dark valley of the shadow of death.”

The phrase, “shadow of death”, refers to all types of darkness – deep darkness, thick darkness and includes death shadow. It could be that you are facing a path of darkness or you are in the valley of the shadow of death right now. But take hope! “We can grasp the hand of God as we descend into the valley, into the devouring darkness. So walk. Never fail to keep walking! Don’t pause. Don’t falter. Don’t ponder. Just proceed. The Lord is beside you to help you make it through the difficult time. The Good Shepherd does not take His sheep into the valley of darkness to stay – but only to pass through it.”

Let’s remember that every shadow is produced by light! It is impossible to have a shadow without a light! Wow! Think about that for a moment. If you are walking through (remember don’t stop or tarry there, walk through) the valley of the shadow of death, then that shadow is caused by a light. Jesus is that light! He is the light of the world!

Elizabeth George listed four facts to remember about God and our relationship with Him. They are:

1. “Remember…we walk by divine appointment. The valleys we enter are never accidental or the result of a mistake on God’s part. No, we are led there…”

2. “Remember…we walk in divine presence. …David declares God is with us. We are never alone. God is always present and a constant source of strength and hope. He will never fail us.”

3. “Remember…we walk by divine grace. God promises that His grace is and will be sufficient for all our needs. (2 Corinthians 12:9)”

4. Remember…we walk by divine purpose. What is the purpose … of the dark valleys we traverse? It brings us into greater intimacy with the Shepherd as we turn to Him for strength, guidance, comfort, and protection. … Valleys are merely passageways that bring us closer to our Lord.”

In Verse 4, David goes on to say “I will fear no evil.” David learned to “face the tragedies and terrors of life with the Shepherd and, therefore, without fear. He boldly declared, ‘I will fear no evil.’ Why? Because of the presence of God. David declared to God, ‘You are with me.’”

God tells us more than 80 times in the Bible to “Fear not!” Thus whatever life brings, we can walk through it with our Shepherd and not fear!

As we were discussing this chapter in my book study with the ladies at church, several of them said that the point – shadow is produced by light – meant the most to them. Learning this or being reminded of it really encouraged them as they felt they were walking through that valley. I hope it has encouraged you as well! In addition, we discussed the fact that God is leading us through that valley. We are not to stop and get lost in that valley. We are not to linger in that valley. We are not to get bogged down with what is going on in that valley. No. We are only to pass through that valley! How comforting for us are these two thoughts!

Be encouraged today that you are only to pass through that valley and be reminded that God is the light that causes the shadow. He is with you!

Here are two thought provoking questions the author asks at the end of Chapter 7. Take a moment and ask yourself these questions:

1. Is there anything you dread in the future? Why? How can the promise of God’s presence dispel your fear?

2. How are you doing in the Trust Department? What can you do to increase your trusts in God and His promises?

Let’s pray. Father, we thank you for reminding us today that You are the light of the world. You are the light that causes the shadow in our valley. And thank You that we only have to pass through the valley, not stay there. We thank You that in our valley, we can find intimacy with You and draw closer to You. Father, I ask that You minister to those reading this that are in a valley of the shadow of death. Let these words encourage them and uplift them. Be ever real to them as they cling to You. I pray Your blessings on them today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

Miriam

Today's post is by Mary Davis, a woman in my church.  Mary is a gifted writer and a gifted woman!

"And Miriam the prophetess, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dance.  And Miriam answered them, sing to the LORD for He has triumphed gloriously.  He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea."  Exodus 15:20-21

Does it ever make you wonder why it took the world so long to wake up to the value of a woman's place in God's scheme of things?  Even further back than Miriam, God was placing women in various ministries.

Miriam's part in the history of Israel might seem minute compared to some of the other biblical women's ministries, but it really wasn't.  Jochebed's well executed plan to save Israel's future leader, included a major role for Miriam.  Her position, place, and timing was of signficant importance, and she played her part perfectly.  But this is not the only time she is mentioned.

Years later, after the Red Sea experience, she is seen in leadership leading the women in song and dance.

Shouldn't it be the same with each individual woman as well as the ladies who participate in Women's Ministries?  A well executed plan can accomplish powerful results for women in God's scheme of things, if she considers her place, part and timing.

Miriam followed the leadership of her mother, who followed the leadership of God.  Then the day came when Miriam became the leader...leading other women in worship and praise to God.  How exciting is that?

Heavenly Father, Miriam was a gifted woman.  Perhaps we don't realize just how gifted we are, or perhaps we fail to see the importance of our individual gifts.  Gifts that are not harbored inwardly, but to be used in us through You in our place of worship as well as to the world.  Each day guide us as to know how we should seek You for a greater understanding of our gifts, and when to use them.  Thank You Father, Amen.

Read Exodus 14:10-31 and 15:20-21.
Victory is the reason Miriam led the women in an attitude of praise and worship.  The cause was God's deliverance from Egyptian bondage, culminating in the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea.  Suppose God asked you to dance and verbally sing before Him in the presence of others after performing a miracle for you?  How would this affect you emotionally, and do you feel that you would comply?

Submitted by Mary Davis.

Blessings,

The Lord is...

Psalm 18:1-3,6 (The Message)

1-2 I love you, GOD— you make me strong.

GOD is bedrock under my feet,

the castle in which I live,

my rescuing knight.

My God—the high crag

where I run for dear life,

hiding behind the boulders,

safe in the granite hideout.

3 I sing to GOD, the Praise-Lofty,

and find myself safe and saved.

6 A hostile world! I call to GOD,

I cry to God to help me.

From his palace he hears my call;

my cry brings me right into his presence—

a private audience!

Psalm 18:1-3,6 (Amplified)

1I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength.

2The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer;

my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.

3I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised;

so shall I be saved from my enemies

6In my distress [when seemingly closed in]

I called upon the Lord and cried to my God;

He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place),

and my cry came before Him, into His [very] ears.

This passage is probably one of my favorites and one I can cling to. I read it again the other day and wanted to share it with all of you. I asked my husband to write something on this Psalm as I know it is one of his favorites as well. Here is what he said.

“One of my Favorite Psalms is Psalm 18. The reason for this fact is found in the opening lines of this great passage of Scripture. We find that David has come to experience and to know God in a very personal way. The words, “The Lord is,” the precursor to each of the descriptions of God. “The Lord is my rock.” The Lord is “my fortress.” The Lord is “my deliverer.” David goes on to say the Lord is my God, my strength, my buckler, the horn of my salvation and my high tower. David knew God personally in every description that he used to describe God’s work in his life.


The background of the psalm is when God delivered him from his enemies and from Saul. Saul sought to kill David time and time again but God was David’s rock, fortress and deliverer. David had learned that no matter what enemy comes his way the God that he serves is sufficient to take care of him.


It is the same for us God is big enough to deliverer, protect and strengthen you. Just put your trust in the Lord, call on the Lord and so shall you be saved from your enemies! Do you know God personally? Can you say the Lord is my...? Some talk about God from what they have learned and others talk of God from what they have experienced. What do you need the Lord to be for you today? No matter what it is He can and will be what you need Him to be.”

Be reminded today that no matter what you are going through, what you are facing, the thoughts racing through your head, the emotions you are feeling, the challenges you are facing that God is right there and He is all you need Him to be.


Let’s pray. Father, we thank You that You are our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our strength and so much more. We are thankful that we can call on You and we will be saved from our enemies. I pray today for the person reading this blog. No matter what they are going through that they can say with certainty that the Lord is my … Thank you Father for all that You are to us. We love You and praise You for You are worthy to be praised! In Jesus’ name, Amen.


p.s. My husband and I have been in full-time ministry for 19 years. It is so hard to believe it has been that long. I think he is the greatest husband, daddy and pastor!


Blessings,

Dorcas

Today's devotion is written by Mary Davis, a woman in my church.  Mary is a gifted writer and bible teacher.  Mary is a woman after God's own heart full of compassion for others!

"And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, weep not." 
Luke 7:13

If someone had asked her, "Dorcas, what is that in your hand?"  She could have said, compassion, for she was such a woman.  Full of good works, Dorcas saw a need and acted on that need.

Our Lord said, "I have compassion for the people."  Following her Lord's example, Dorcas was a 'doer,' a woman who exercised her faith by putting it into action ... action that reached out to the needy.  Jesus said in Matthew 25:35-40, "I was hungry and you fed me: Thirsty and you gave me something to drink: A stranger and you invited me into your home: Naked and you gave me clothes: Sick and you took care of me: In prison and you visited me."  This was Dorcas' mission - it was her heart.  Like Jesus "Who went about doing good", Dorcas followed suit.  Compassion was her crowing glory.

Heavenly Father, You always were and are a compassionate, loving Father.  Your compassion is evident in the crucifixion of your blessed Son Jesus.  David speaks of Your immense compassion in Psalm 103:3-14.  As we reflect on Dorcas and her compassionate acts of mercy, guide us as we pray corporately and individually for this kind of compassion.  As we pray, teach us how to minister to others through acts of compassion.

Thank you Father, Amen.

Blessings,

Paths of Righteousness

Psalm 23:3b (NKJV) He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.



Psalm 32:8 (NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.


Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NKJV) 5 “ Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “ That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

My ladies and I are reading "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart" by Elizabeth George. This is a study of Psalm 23. In Chapter 6 Elizabeth George looks at Psalm 23:3b - "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake".

Chapter 6 talks about paths of righteousness. Let’s look at the word “paths”. When I think of a path, I think of one that is well worn by constant use by foot or bicycle. The grass has been beaten down to just a dirt passage. As you are out, you will probably notice paths. In Chapter 1, we read that a characteristic of Shepherd is to lead. The paths in Psalm 23:3b are paths of righteousness. Paths of Righteousness mean they are stiff or straight paths.

Elizabeth George says “but we’re the righteous saints of a righteous God! And He makes sure we walk rightly following Him in integrity. And He is faithful to tell us in His Word exactly what those paths are. He clearly spells out what He considers right and wrong … what He’s determined is in and out … what He brands as good and evil … As the Shepherd whose responsibility is to lead us, He plainly defines the paths of righteousness and guides us there.”

Another name of God is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Jehovah our Righteousness. Jehovah-Tsidkinu first appears in Jeremiah 23:5-6. After God dealt with His sinning people, He would “produce a Righteous Branch (Jehovah-Tsidkenu), that Righteous Branch of David we now know as the Messiah, Jesus Christ.”

Are there areas in your life that you got off track where you are wandering off His paths of righteousness? Are you repeatedly making choices of disobedience? “Let’s leave the ruts of bad habits and the paths of sin and rush to the side (and safety!) of God’s guidance.”

The last part of verse 3 says “for His name’s sake”, to bring glory to Him “for His sake, He leads us to do what is right. Why? Because if we, His sheep, sin and stray, we tarnish His reputation. So for the sake of His own name, as well as for our good, He points us in the right direction.”

Knowing this, we must ask ourselves if our following Him is bringing glory to His name. Are we following in those paths of righteousness?

We are led by our Shepherd in those paths of righteousness by reading His Word and by praying.

Here are two thought provoking questions the author asks at the end of Chapter 6. Take a moment and ask yourself these questions:

1. Evaluate “the path” of your life. Are you walking in God’s stiff and straight path of righteousness?

2. Are there any areas where you strayed off the path of righteousness?

Let’s pray. Father, we thank You that as our Great Shepherd You lead us. You lead us in the paths of righteousness which are stiff and straight. Father, if anyone reading this is off Your path of righteousness or is making choices of disobedience, I ask that You will guide them out of those bad ruts and back on Your path of righteousness. We thank You for leading us on Your paths of righteousness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

I'm Thanking You God

The last couple of days I have been out of town working a conference for my job.  I have been on my own in the evenings and it has been so relaxing and refreshing.  My first day at the conference I was reading Psalm 9 and the first two verses leaped off the page.  As I have gone through the day and the quiet evenings, these verses have stayed with me.  My heart has been full with praise to God - just because.  I have felt His presence with me continuously. On my way to the conference I was talking to a dear friend, Rhonda.  She said she was going to pray that I would have some quiet time with God and that He would refresh me.  Well, Rhonda, your prayer was answered. 

Join me today in praying Psalm 9:1-2!  Our God is the Great King and is to be exalted!

Psalm 9:1-2 (The Message)

I'm (Donna is)thanking you, God, from a full heart,

I'm (She's) writing the book on your wonders.

I'm (She's) whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;

I'm (She's) singing your song, High God.

Blessings,

My Healer

Psalm 23:3a (NKJV) He restores my soul;

Psalm 1471,3 (NKJV) 1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Psalm 19:7 (NKJV) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.


My ladies and I are reading "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart" by Elizabeth George. This is a study of Psalm 23. In Chapter 5 Elizabeth George looks at Psalm 23:3 - "He restores my soul".

We have all experienced pain and sorrow. Psalm 23:3 tells us that God’s tender care goes into action with His promise to heal us, to restore our soul.

We meet “Jehovah-Rophe”, the LORD heals in Exodus 15. We find the children of Israel had no water to drink. They finally found some at Marah, but it was bitter and they could not drink it. Moses cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord showed Moses a tree which he threw into the bitter water and it was instantly made sweet. Exodus 15:26 “For I AM the LORD who heals you”.

Elizabeth George says of Exodus 15, “God’s people were dying of thirst with only bitter, poisonous water on hand. God took their physical need and turned it into a spiritual issue. Out of a bitter experience God revealed Himself in yet another sweet, comforting way, as Jehovah heals.”

To heal in the Old Testament often means to restore or to cure. Jehovah-Rophe “heals and restores those of His who are cast down.”

The author shares about “cast-down” which I found fascinating. I immediately thought of the verse that asks:

Psalm 42:5 (KJV) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Sheep who are cast-down have turned over on its back and can’t get up by itself. For instance, a sheep will lie down on its side in a little hollow in the ground. Being in a hollow, the sheep’s center may shift, putting it on its back so that its feet are straight up. Despite its efforts, the sheep cannot get up.

Elizabeth George says “many women are broken in spirit and crushed in heart and soul. Indeed, the prospects of becoming cast down are high as each new dawn and every new corner looms, fully loaded with trouble. … Armed with the promises of healing restoration and confident in the presence of the Shepherd, you can walk through life with home and certainty. With the help of the Lord, you can handle life’s challenges and heartaches … What comfort your fainting heart has, knowing that in those stumbling times of discouragement and despair, of deletion and seeming defeat, the Shepherd will find you … restore and “fix” you … and follow you … until you are well on your way again.”

Two ways for health and healing are:

1. Feed on God’s Word. The LORD restores our soul. Psalm 19:7
2. Commune with the Shepherd in prayer. Find time to be with the Shepherd every day.

Here are two thought provoking questions the author asks at the end of Chapter 5. Take a moment and ask yourself this question:

1. In general, how do you respond to physical or emotional testing?

2. As you think about God’s promise in Psalm 23:3 to heal and restore your broken heart and crushed spirit and to bind up your wounds (Psalm 147:3) what better response will you give to testing in the future?

When I first started reading Chapter 5 (God is Your Healer), I thought it was more about physical healing. But as I read more of the chapter, along with the verse “He restores my soul”, I realized the healing was more for our inner man than our outer man. It is encouraging to know that God not only cares about our physical health, but also our spiritual health. He promises in Psalm 23:3a to strengthen us spiritually for the physical ups and downs that will come our way.

Last year I wrote a post entitled “Be Whole” that goes right along with this chapter. You can find it here:

Let’s pray. Father, we again thank You that You are our Great Shepherd and that You are our Jehovah Rophe, the LORD our healer. We thank You that not only do You heal us physically, but You also heal us emotionally and mentally as well. I pray, Father, for those ladies who are reading this who are going through a rough time in whatever way. I ask that You bring healing to their inner man, to them emotionally and mentally, that You strengthen them in great ways. I also ask, Father, that You speak peace into their lives and help them in every area. Thank You Father that You are the Great I Am! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Blessings,

Death and Resurrection Day 5

Rejoice with me!  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is RISEN FROM THE DEAD!!!  He Lives!

Matthew 28:6-7 (KJV) 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.

Check out this video by New Life Worship:




Blessings,

Death and Resurrection Day 4

Today we will look at scriptures throughout three of the Gospels on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  What a glorious day it was! 

Matthew 28:1-4 (The Message) After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.



Matthew 28:6-7 (King James Version) 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.


Matthew 28:5-7 (The Message) 5-6The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. 7"Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."


Mark 16:6 (King James Version) 6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.


Mark 16:6 (The Message) 6-7He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You'll see him there, exactly as he said."


John 2:22 (King James Version) 22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.


Blessings,

Death and Resurrection Day 3

We are on Day 3 of looking at scriptures on the death and ressurection of Jesus Christ.  Today we will look at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as told in John 19.  Praise God!  Jesus does not stay on that cross!

John 19

The Crucifixion


They took Jesus away. Carrying his cross, Jesus went out to the place called Skull Hill (the name in Hebrew is Golgotha), where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote a sign and had it placed on the cross. It read:


Jesus the nazarene
the king of the jews.


20-21Many of the Jews read the sign because the place where Jesus was crucified was right next to the city. It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. The Jewish high priests objected. "Don't write," they said to Pilate, "'The King of the Jews.' Make it, 'This man said, "I am the King of the Jews."'"


22Pilate said, "What I've written, I've written."


23-24When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, "Let's not tear it up. Let's throw dice to see who gets it." This confirmed the Scripture that said, "They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat." (The soldiers validated the Scriptures!)


24-27While the soldiers were looking after themselves, Jesus' mother, his aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her. He said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother.


28Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, "I'm thirsty."


29-30A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done . . . complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.


31-34Then the Jews, since it was the day of Sabbath preparation, and so the bodies wouldn't stay on the crosses over the Sabbath (it was a high holy day that year), petitioned Pilate that their legs be broken to speed death, and the bodies taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man crucified with Jesus, and then the other. When they got to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn't break his legs. One of the soldiers stabbed him in the side with his spear. Blood and water gushed out.


35The eyewitness to these things has presented an accurate report. He saw it himself and is telling the truth so that you, also, will believe.


36-37These things that happened confirmed the Scripture, "Not a bone in his body was broken," and the other Scripture that reads, "They will stare at the one they pierced."

Blessings,

Death and Resurrection Day 2

We are continuing our look at scriptures on the death and ressurection of Jesus Christ.  As Christians, these scriptures mean so very much to us!  Several years ago, the Passion movie came out which depicted the scenes of the words below.  It was too much to take in.  Many people closed their eyes.  Jesus truly suffered greatly for us - because He loves us!

John 19

The Thorn Crown of the King


1-3 So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face.


4-5Pilate went back out again and said to them, "I present him to you, but I want you to know that I do not find him guilty of any crime." Just then Jesus came out wearing the thorn crown and purple robe.


Pilate announced, "Here he is: the Man."


6When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!"


Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."


7The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God."


8-9When Pilate heard this, he became even more scared. He went back into the palace and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?"


Jesus gave no answer.


10Pilate said, "You won't talk? Don't you know that I have the authority to pardon you, and the authority to—crucify you?"


11Jesus said, "You haven't a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven. That's why the one who betrayed me to you has committed a far greater fault."


12At this, Pilate tried his best to pardon him, but the Jews shouted him down: "If you pardon this man, you're no friend of Caesar's. Anyone setting himself up as 'king' defies Caesar."


13-14When Pilate heard those words, he led Jesus outside. He sat down at the judgment seat in the area designated Stone Court (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). It was the preparation day for Passover. The hour was noon. Pilate said to the Jews, "Here is your king."


15They shouted back, "Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!"


Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?"


The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar."


16-19Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified.


Blessings,