Today's Scripture
"THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place." - Psalm 23 AMP
Thoughts for Today
God, our heavenly Father, watches over us, feeds us and is our personal friend. He is Jehovah-Rohi, our Shepherd, as described in the familiar 23rd Psalm. Even the best of earthly fathers cannot provide the gentleness, consistency or personal friendship our heavenly Father brings.
This Psalm is a wonderful description of God as our Shepherd. Spend some time today meditating on its comforting words. We learn in these verses that we can have a personal relationship with God. That he leads us with peace. He understands our need for rest. In every situation, he restores and guides us.
When we go through valleys of depression or trauma or need, he is with us, helping us every step of the way. He prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies. He blesses us with his goodness and love. And Jesus, the Good Shepherd, paid the price for our sins that we might be in his presence forever.
Consider this …
How wonderful that Almighty God, our Creator, cares so much for us. No matter what our daily circumstances, we can always have the hope, the comfort and the security of knowing that our heavenly Father, who loves us more than we can imagine, is in control. He will work all things out for good. He is Jehovah-Rohi, our Shepherd.
Prayer
Lord, I thank you that you are my Shepherd. Thank you for protecting me, guiding me, loving me unconditionally and blessing me in so many ways. Help me to follow you more faithfully. Remind me to focus more on the blessings in my life. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …The Ten Commandments: Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct and ethical decisions is essential for believers surrounded by relativistic values. This guide helps us understand God's boundaries. It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today. It also discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based. This guide is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today's problems.
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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