The Lord is my Shepherd
- Heidi Eva Jones
- Nov 18, 2022
- 5 min read
Volume 11 Issue 5
Greeting in His Name,
I pray that this issue finds you well. It's been a minute since I've had an opportunity to sit down and write or re-write an issue. Once again at the close of the year I am playing catch up. With seminary and other activities I have to pace myself. But oh well with all that. Today's blog is a re-write from some years ago entitled The Lord is my Shepherd. Hope you find some inspiration, conviction, and queries.
shalom and love,
heidi
Time is passing so quickly. I reflected on the first issue released on June 24th, 2009, with the article Living Life to the Fullest. During that time, I was not living life to the fullest, but this publication, now a blog, was an affirmation that even though life didn't feel good at that time, life indeed was GOoD, and God meant for us to live a full, free, and fun life. I appreciate all the faithful readers and hope we grow in our walk with Christ month by month as we read this publication. I often refer to Romans 8:26-28 MSG; "And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans."
So, this publication was birthed out of pain, pains that have made it what it has come to be— fecund or, should I say, productive—pregnant with life. One thing I have learned in my walk with God is that as Christians, we can easily paint over our Pains, Problems, and Inner Debates with good God terminology and never really address the issue that causes us suffering. My scientific name for this is "PPID" if I can get some witnesses out there to shout with me, HELP! God promises that He will be a very present help in our trouble. God is more than a god, but also a Father, and His Son is more than just a son, but a Shepherd. I have come a long way, and nobody but the Lord, my Shepherd, brought me this far. Every issue has touched base with the "issues" of my life and others I have come in contact. If you were a part of the Live, Life is GOoD community in the beginning, you will remember the GatorAid scriptures on the back and the PowerAid scriptures on the front; they were all planned strategically by the Shepherd Himself. As we move into the later part of this year, I aim to pour into you God's wisdom concerning living truly. But we can't do this without the Shepherd. So as you go through life, recall this publication and apply these principles to your situation.
Life Principle #1—STOP HIDING! Let God find you out. Ezekiel 34:11 KJV For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. Did you know that God looks for you first? I have learned that God often 'acts' first and expects a response from us. So we may need to ask, "Are we listening or making ourselves aware of God's gentle leadings in life?" If you are not, please stop, breathe, and relax. Open your heart and mind to His presence. God is willing to restore if you realize and return to Him, as you will see.
Life Principle #2—REALIZE! Realize Jesus gave His life for you. John 10:11 KJV I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Giving His life gave you life. If God gave Jesus' life for you, then know that He gave it for you to be happy (blessed). God doesn't want us to mope around and be sad all the time. He does not want us to be frustrated and lacking all the time. God wants us to know that He is the supplier of all we need: joy, peace, happiness (blessedness), and money—if that's what you need.
Life Principle #3—RETURN! We stray from God for many reasons in life, but if you do, return. I Peter 2:25 KJV For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Going astray doesn't necessarily mean you have gone entirely out of the will of God. You could face challenging situations that may shake your faith and trust in God. Those are the situations where God wants you to come closer to the guide and protector of your soul, your life. At lunch, I thought about this. My soul always wants communion with God, but my flesh wants to have its way and neglect the life-giving power of connection with God. God is like a faithful friend waiting.
Life Principle #4—RESTORATION! Revelations 7:17 KJV For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Lord, dry my eyes. Ooooh, I need your guidance and spiritual food, but please dry my eyes. Restore my life to the original factory settings. As in the beginning, you created us and everything else and said, "It is good." Our settings are often out of whack and need restoration. When we get to that place, please help us to realize that and let you RESET us.
These principles are scaled around more than salvation alone. All these words (Stop Hiding, Realize, Return, Restoration) would make you think so. But look at any problem in your life, realize that you need Jesus—the author and finisher of your faith; return daily in repentance and prayer to Him and watch Him restore you. I don't mean He will give you what you asked for; I mean He will touch your heart in a way that you respond, "Not my will but Thine, O Lord."
By and by, I am truly learning to trust in (attach myself to) the Lord and lean not (commit suicide) to my understanding. The late Bishop Mildred B. Hines (AMEZ) shared this interpretation with us in our evangelistic retreat. Her Bible study taught me that my knowledge is unimportant, especially when my flesh is involved. Because I am in a season of blind obedience, what I don't see doesn't mean it's not there. My favorite scripture, second to Proverbs 16:24, is Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34) I have work to complete, and so do you. Let's not get to the heavenly gate of our mansion, and God says, "depart." But let us reach our hallowed portals, and God says, "well done, GOoD and faithful servant."
LIFE QUOTE
“Where God guides, God provides."
-Chuck Smith
Let Us Laugh!
Which nursery song would Jesus have heard the most? "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Hope to see you Next Month.... ; ) in a few days
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