God as our Shepherd - Psalm/Tehillim 23 - April 2, 2017

An expression of confidence in God's protection (a song of trust). The LORD is compared to a shepherd. Soul means vitality, life. Path of righteousness, or "of rightness," that is, right paths which suits the context better. Shadow of death is the reading of the scribes, but "deep darkness" is the better rendering; where the same Hebrew expression occurs. The LORD is compared to a gracious host. Dwell in house of the LORD means to worship in the temple. For ever, Hebrew "for length of days," meaning as long as I live.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. At night, sheep were often gathered into a sheepfold to protect them from thieves, weather, or wild animals. The sheepfolds were caves, sheds, or open areas surrounded by walls made of stones or branches. The sheepfold often slept in the fold to protect the sheep. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, Jesus the Good Shepherd, cares for his flock (those who follow him). The prophet Ezekiel, in predicting the coming of the Messiah, called him a Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23).

The life that Jesus gives is abundantly richer & fuller. It is eternal, yet is begins immediately. Life in him is lived on a higher plain because of his overflowing forgiveness, love, & guidance.

A hired man tends the sheep for money, while the shepherd does it for love. The shepherd owns the sheep & is committed to them. Jesus is not merely doing a job, he is committed to love us & even lay down his life for us. False teachers & false prophets do not have this commitment.

The "other sheep" were non-Jews. Jesus came to save Gentiles as well as Jews. This is an insight into his worldwide mission-to die for the sins of the whole world.

Reference summary used from The New Oxford Annotated Bible with The Apocrypha Expanded Edition RSV & The Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL

Saturday - A Young Woman Will Bear a Son - Isaiah 7:10-14 - 12/3/16

Verse 10 ... (And the LORD added to speak) Moreover the LORD spake again unto A'haz, saying,


Verse 11 ... Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ...

Matthew 12:38 ... (The scribes & Pharises seek a sign) Then certain of the scribes & of the Phar'i-sees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.


Isaiah 7:11 ... (make thy petition deep)ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.


Isaiah 7:12 ... But A'haz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.


Isaiah 7:13 ... And he said, Hear ye now, O house of Da'vid; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?


Isaiah 7:14 ... Therefore the LORD himself shall give you a sign; ... Behold, a virgin shall conceive, & ...

Luke 1:31 ... And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, & bring forth a son, & shalt call his name JESUS.


Isaiah 7:14 ... bear a ... son, & called (virgin shall call) shall call his name ...

Isaiah 9:6 ... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: & the government shall be upon his shoulder: & his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.


Isaiah 7:14 ... Im-man'u-el.

Isaiah 8:8 ... And he shall pass through Ju'dah; he shall overflow & go over, he shall reach even to the neck; & (the fullness of the breadth of thy land shall be the stretching out of his wings) the stretching out of his wings fill the breadth of thy land, O Im-man'u-el.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Saturday - The Paralytic Walks Again - Matthew 9:2-8 - 11/19/16

Jesus healeth one sick of the palsy.

Verse 2 ... And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: ...

Mark 2:3 ... And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.


Matthew 9:2 ... & Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 8:10 ... When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, & said to them that followed, verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Is'ra-el.


Matthew 9:3 ... And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.


Matthew 9:4 ... And Jesus ... knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Matthew 12:25 ... And Jesus know their thoughts, & said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; & every city or house or house divided against itself shall not stand:


Matthew 9:5 ... For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or say, Arise & walk?


Matthew 9:6 ... But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, & go unto thine house.


Matthew 9:7 ... And he arose, & departed to his house.


Matthew 9:8 ... But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled & glorified God, which had given such power unto men.


Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern So., Nashville, TN

Hot Chocolate For The Spirit: Book Review

I reviewed this book, I think before 2005.

There's nothing better than setting down with a hot cup of chocolate, especially on a cold, dreary night. It's soothing & warms the insides through & through.

May you also begin to experience the victorious life Jesus came to give you.

Remember the Israelites? It was a short journey from the Red Sea to Canaan, the Promised Land. God had delivered the Israelites from Slavery in Egypt, & in Canaan the Israelites would be free to serve & worship HIM.

Then they wandered for forty years.

Someone shared this Biblical Truth with the author, & she realized she was "wandering in the wilderness." Her book is a product of her decision to become unstuck.

Are you wandering in the wilderness?

Whatever you desire, it will take faith in God for changes in your life to happen.

Make a list of your goals & vision if you haven't already. Make a list of the tasks you do daily, weekly, monthly & yearly to reach your mission.

Keep this list handy & pray over it each day. Find a scripture that aligns with each of your goals & pray those verses daily.

John 8 reveals two sides of God's LOVE.

The chapter begins with a woman caught in the act of adultery. The Scribes & Pharisees bring her to Jesus & tell him about her sin. According to the law of Moses, she deserves death by stoning.

Jesus said ... He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7). One by one they walked away.

Jesus asked the woman, where are thine accusers? Jesus said unto her, go, & sin no more (John 8:10-11).

Love is tender & it is sometimes tough. Love forgives & it also confronts.

Moving higher means growing up, & in order to grow up there must be a separation.

Abraham, Issac, & Jacob all went through a separation process & reaped great rewards.

Abraham left his family & caught the vision of a Promised Land & descendants who became innumerable as the stars.

Issac, Abraham's son, left familiar surroundings & traveled to Egypt. There God prospered him in the middle of a famine.

Jacob's greed & selfishness drove him to deceive. To help him escape the wrath of his brother, Jacob's parents sent him away.

The transformation in Jacob was so great that God changed his name from Jacob(trickster) to Israel(Prince of God).

Separation is challenging & painful, but let God have HIS way.

There is a parable in Luke 18 that reveals a key to getting our prayers answered. In verse one Jesus told this parable to encourage men to keep praying & never faint.

Jesus asks if - a man who had no reverence for God & no consideration for people - will help someone because of their persistence, how much more will God respond to you, HIS very own child whom HE loves dearly?

We should never beat ourselves up. God forgives when we ask, once we repent. We should learn from our mistakes.

Jesus said in John 15:5 that without HIM we can do nothing.

Pray Psalm 150 -- Praise ye the LORD, Praise God in HIS sanctuary ... Praise him for HIS mighty acts ... Praise HIM with the sound of the trumpet ... Let every thing that hath breath praise th LORD.

The author shared she's had several opportunities to move past her comfort zone.

II Kings 7: The city of Samaria had been surrounded by the army of Syria. The prophet Elisha foretold that the city would have relief within one day.

Four lepers sat on the outskirts of the city talking among themselves.

So, they decided upon a bold plan. They would visit the Syrian camp.

When the lepers arrived at the camp no one was there! II Kings 7:6-7 tells us the LORD caused a great noise that sounded like a mighty army approaching. The Syrians had panicked & fled into the night, leaving behind their belongings.

Leaps of faith aren't easy.

Taking a leap of faith will mean different things to different people.

God has appointed you to reach out & touch the life of at least one person.

One night the author dreamed she was in prison along with several friends. Her friends decided to break out.

Terrified of the bulldogs that guarded the place, she wasn't in agreement with their plan. Her companions were not afraid.

But as they walked towards the gate that would take them beyond the prison walls, the bulldogs cleared the path for them. They walked through & were not harmed in any way.

The author feels God spoke to her through her dream -- if she responded to HIS guidance with faith & boldness, the "bulldogs" in her life would move aside.

Has a bad experience made you fearful?

Our good works should flow out from our communion with God.

Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to love others as you love yourself.

Take time to renew & refresh.

The Bible is our blueprint.

Living a Godly life is a fight, & we need every piece of information we can get our hands on.

We should strive to do a first-rate job in whatever we are involved with. Someone may be watching.

God is certainly watching. The Bible tells us to do everything as unto the LORD.

The author shares she's been through the ups & downs. And, boy have she shed a lot of tears. Through it all, she shares there has been one thing that sustained her: hope.

Karin Peavy is the author of Hot Chocolate For The Spirit. A rich, meaningful book. Shares on dealing with difficult transitions. Comfort for your heart throughout every season of your life.