Category Archives: The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Friday Tidbit??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #358

25 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Looking Unto Jesus, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Little Things., The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Mind Of Christ

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A Friday Tidbit???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #368

Are we just “calling Jesus Lord”; or are we truly bowing before Him as Lord of our heart, our soul and our life—how we walk—how we talk—how we respond to conflict—how we treat others!  Are we just “talking” the talk, or are we truly “walking” the walk that matches God’s transforming work of salvation?  Remember, sometimes, even often times these days, we will pay a price for “speaking the truth in love”; so be prepared to “withstand in the evil day…”! (Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25 also)

“Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you

falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:10-16

Also, don’t forget that we can only reflect light, The Light of the world—Jesus!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Like the moon, we have no light of our own, but when we come to Jesus and are born again, we are to be a reflection of this very “light of the world “!  I pray that we will seek the face of the Savior and Lord and be the truest reflection of His light that we can be!  Some lost soul may be depending on the light that you and I are to be shining!  May we be found faithful to our Lord!  May the world see Jesus in our lives as we heed the Word of God and yield to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Take note of the words of the Apostle Paul—shine my friends, let’s shine!!!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”   Philippians 2:13-15

Amen and Amen!!!

The Foolishness Of Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #356

15 Sunday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Signs of the times?, SIN, Sin IS the issue, SMILE!!! Jesus loves YOU!!, Someone is following you!, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Drought!, The Cross or the world?, The Crucified Life, The foolishness of preaching, The Gospel, The Greatest Evangelist, The greatest evangelist? Dead or alive?, The greatest gift!!!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Touch them while you can?, Transformation

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The Foolishness Of Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #356

“For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:21-24

My heart is grieved that we have, in many places and situations, abandoned this choice of God—”the foolishness of preaching” which is the way that GOD has chosen “to save them that believe”!  Oh dear friends, I have an evangelist that we know, whose family experienced a great loss this week, as they buried their first-born, and I could relate to their pain, but you see, much like me, they had the absolute confidence that their child left this world, and we know whose arms our children passed into!  But so many don’t know The Lord, and likewise their loss brings great remorse, uncertainty, and a grief that has little to no hope!  Yet Paul tells us that God chose preaching as the means to bring the true Good News “to save them that believe”!

Believe what?  Believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord for SIN!  It’s why we must share the gospel of Jesus—the only way! Jesus said it Himself—what?  That HE was/is/and ever shall be God in the flesh, the One who came to die for the sins of all who will believe.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

No man can come to God but by Jesus!  Why, because no human man, a sinful man, could pay the price to pay for sin, which only a spotless, sinless Lamb of God could pay!  And without His blood payment there is no salvation—for sin is the issue.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,      

23 Behold,

a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

And as Paul reminds us:

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Sin was the issue, is the issue and Jesus came to resolve the sin debt for all who would believe and receive of His abundant grace!  It’s the only way, and preaching is God’s means of getting out the news!  In the simplest terms, preaching is speaking forth God’s truth—not man’s words, but God’s Word!  What are you sharing with people? God’s Word or man’s?  Peter spoke God’s truth in Jerusalem shortly after the day of Pentecost.  It brought amazing results.  But to preach, so to speak, we must know what God says; we must know His Word and put it into our hearts that God can bring it out to others at the right time, and place, unashamedly and boldly but not meanly.  What are you “spouting” out?  God’s Word or the most popular terms that the world is using?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

 given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

No other name—but the name of Jesus!  No other man—but the God-man-Savior who died for our sin; it’s why He came.  Don’t die in your sin, but rather IN JESUS—the One whom the world calls insignificant, but we know HE IS the Son of God—the Lamb of God.  John the baptizer said it best.  I pray that you’ll come to Him in repentance (turning away from your own sin and turning to The Savior of the world) and faith in the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sin, He still saves and changes lives today.  How about you?

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,

and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.”  John 1:29

In closing, here is what I call, Paul’s Gospel in a nutshell (so to speak).  It’s what God calls us to preach; let’s go share!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 

I praise God for the gift that God imparted to me, many years ago when I trusted in Jesus.  I praise Him for the gift that He gave to my daughter before her death—salvation in a most unlikely spot (but salvation, none the less); I praise God for our evangelist friend and his family, for the same gift that their hope is in as well—a child who belongs to Jesus, both now and for eternity. And as David said so long ago!  May we depend upon God’s ways not man’s!

“And he said, While the child was yet alive,

I fasted and wept: for I said,

Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me,

that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead,

wherefore should I fast?

can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him,

but he shall not return to me.”  2 Samuel 12:22-23

Amen and Amen!!!

Knowing The Faithful Shepherd??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #183

09 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Are You Ready, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Assurance IN GOD!, Blessings from the Psalms, Born Again, Christ IN YOU, Green pastures, Peace, Peace of God, The fourth man in the FIRE!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Same Yesterday

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Knowing The Faithful Shepherd? A Word from THE WORD!!! #183

As I sit here writing this morning, my heart is full of God’s grace, but at the same time it aches for the pain of loss.  A good friend will be laid to rest today; another good friend is ministering to her family as they bid farewell to their father.  When you reach my age, seeing your friends and loved ones leave this world seems to be a “state of affairs”; the question is, have I told you about Jesus?  Do you know “The Shepherd”?  I’ve told my husband lately that I’m beginning to feel like I have the plague, as all my friends are seemingly dropping like flies, and I wonder, “Is it me?”  But we all know that as scripture says:

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

So I simply want to ask you, “Do you know Jesus, The Great Shepherd”?  Are you prepared to leave?  He is waiting for you if you don’t.  And if you have come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine, then you can boldly say “HE IS my shepherd”!  May you be encouraged, refreshed, and assured of His presence, power and protection as you walk today in this crazy world.

“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.”  Psalm 23:1-6

Oh, I pray that you know this precious Shepherd, and that if you don’t you will run to Him today!  Calvary was, is and ever shall be a place of salvation, redemption, and transformation, as well as a place of life, love, and peace.  May you find the restoration that He gives as your hope for the journey.  He has comforted me in sorrow, He has lifted me when I fell flat, He has made the way clear with the path was blocked by spiritual boulders, He has never failed, and He never will!  I praise Him and thank Him even right now for the comfort that heals the broken heart; even though its pain is often recurring, HE never fails to touch the pain and bring unexpressable relief for each moment of pain!  May you know the blessed peace of JESUS today!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

 and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

Rehearsal Is A Good Thing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #58

04 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Lord, The Little Things., The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Only Way

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Rehearsal Is A Good Thing???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #58

As we begin a new year, I thought it prudent to rehearse some of the things we need to remember about our God as we press on in this year of 2023.  I pray that our walk will be closer, our trust will be more complete, and our growth an honor to our Lord, and a blessing to the world and those around us!  I hope these reminders will be an encouragement to each of us today and each day through the coming year!

“Will the LORD be pleased

with thousands of rams,

or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

shall I give my firstborn

for my transgression,

the fruit of my body

for the sin of my soul?

8 He hath shewed thee,

O man,

what is good;

and what doth the LORD require of thee,

but to do justly,

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly

with thy God?”  Micah 6:7-8

Simply put, “to walk humbly with thy God”, is to continually remember, walk and act like I know that there is only ONE GOD, and I’m not HIM!  That I know that just like Jesus made it clear, there is only One Way, and JESUS is HIS name:

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Job made a bold statement of faith which brings me great comfort and assurance, and I pray that it will minister to you today (and note ‘maintain mine own ways’ is not an indication of going our own way, but walking in HIS ways, no matter the circumstances–or what others may think!!)!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

This reminds me of the old hymn, “Trust and Obey” (written by John Sammis), while it’s such a simple statement, it is a challenging life to walk consistently!  So how do we do it?  By following the shepherd!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:” John 10:27

Are you following Jesus or stealing the lead?  It’s a question that we each must face daily, and I’m so glad that the Psalmist David left us one of the greatest passages to remind us not only how to follow, but why!  Because “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”!  Is HE yours!

“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.” Psalm 23:1-6

May we commit to walking near to our shepherd each day in this new year.  He has promised to “never leave thee nor forsake thee” (See Hebrews 13:5-6)…but like the old joke about the married couple riding in the car, the wife asks, “Why don’t you sit close to me anymore?” and the husband driving down the road replies, “I haven’t moved!”!  How’s your ‘closeness to God’ quotient?  Have you moved?  God hasn’t!  Let’s determine to abide with “The Great Shepherd”, and follow HIS lead no matter the cost, joining with Job in knowing that HE is trustworthy!  Completely!!  Always!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

I Know Who’s Standing By Me!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #747

05 Thursday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Stand by ME!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #747  I Know Who’s Standing By Me!!!

 

As we’ve been busy with some important life changes, it has been a great comfort and encouragement to me to know “WHO” has us in HIS hands; and that HIS care is an ever-present help—always!

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth

be removed,

and though the mountains

be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof

roar and be troubled,

though the mountains

shake with the swelling thereof.

Selah.”  Psalm 46:1-3

What an awesome God we serve, and I must admit that I am so grateful to know that our God is ever with me, and there is another Psalm that brings me great strength and courage yet is so familiar that we often forget the depth of its import.  I simply want to share it with you today in a different format, may it encourage your heart as much as it does mine.  I also leave you with an amazing song by Charles Albert Tindley, if you’re not familiar with it type it in on your internet browser and there is a great rendition of this hymn by Tennessee Ernie Ford (and yes, I’m that old!)!

“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.”  Psalm 23:1-6

I pray that these words from God’s Word and this precious hymn will encourage you as much as they do me!

Stand By Me. By Charles Albert Tindley

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me. 
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
When I do the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
When my foes in battle array, undertake to stop my way,
thou who saved Paul and Silas, stand by me.

When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me. 

May God’s blessings abound in your heart no matter the trials that may circling around you!  Remember:

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.” Revelation 19:6 Amen and Amen!