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You may listen to this message on my Anchor podcast Moving K.O.R.E. WORD by clicking on the link here: Episode 2

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23 is one of my favorite passages in all the Bible.  JESUS is referred to as the LORD and my Shepherd.  When we have relationship with HIM,  HE is the LORD over our lives and HE is the Shepherd overseeing us as HIS sheep.  HE takes care of our needs as we stay close to HIM…  Are you in HIS Presence for protection and provision ongoing or are you a long ways off lost from wandering or having fallen stuck in a pit?  I’ve been in all 3 positions.  If you need help, reach out to HIM…  If you don’t know how, reach out to me and I’ll help you too…

HE makes me lie down in green pastures, HE leads me beside still waters Psalm 23:2

As we walk along with JESUS in this life, HE is able to provide places for nourishment and rest physically, mentally, and emotionally.  HE is also our Daily Bread and our Living Water for sustenance within spiritually as we spend time with HIM, read HIS Word, and pray in HIS name.  HE is the source of everything we need…  The times I’ve just gotten away in nature to be alone with HIM especially near water such as a stream, a river, a lake, or an ocean causes me to be refreshed and find HIS peace HE gives freely and willingly.  I have had special times hearing HIS still small voice and writing poetry HE has brought inspiration to in the words chosen.  Are you drawing near to HIM, so that HE draws near to you as HE promises to do or are you distracted in going your own way and doing your own thing?

HE restores my soul.  HE leads me in paths of righteousness for HIS name sake.  Psalm 23:3

JESUS is the only ONE who is able to restore your soul…  Has the world and life choices left you broken apart or severely wounded?  HE is able to care for you in putting your life back together and bringing healing deep within where no one else sees the hurt or understands the pain.  When we allow for HIM to lead and guide us in simple faith and trust, the paths HE chooses for us to walk on are the right ones and for HIS renown bringing HIM honor, glory, and praise…  We will discover that HE leads us for our good and for triumphant outcomes that will cause us to be thankful to HIM…  HE is true and faithful to HIS Word and to HIS name and we will benefit greatly from following HIM… Are you letting HIM know about your brokenness and wounds?  Are you inviting HIM to tend to your needs and mend you within?

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me; YOUR rod and YOUR staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

We all walk through the valleys at different times in our lives.  Since JESUS walked through the valley of the shadow of death for us on the cross to Calvary (Golgotha -place of the skull), HE won the victory conquering over our sin, GOD’s wrath, satan, and death for HE arose again to life after the 3rd day.  HE made a straight and narrow way for us to win and make it through anything with HIM…  Our valleys are now shadows of death that we walk through if we believe and trust in HIM for we know that even when we die, we will awake with HIM to be alive again in Heaven where there will be no more sin, fear, pain, or suffering…  For those that don’t know and trust in HIM, death is not just a shadow that accompanies them.  Death and suffering become continuous with no hope of relief, ever.  Turning to HIM in trust, gives us ONE who will walk with us through the valleys and thus death becomes only shadows that we see and experience for a short time, not eternally.  The Shepherd uses HIS rod to protect the sheep from predators and staff to keep the sheep close or to aid in a rescue when fallen.  We, as sheep, can grow to trust in the LORD who is our Shepherd fighting for us and leading us through the valley of the shadow, never abandoning us to death.  HE will ultimately lead us home to Heaven where HE resides…  and there we will live forevermore with HIM…  Do you know HE is leading and guiding you through the valley?  Are you aware that it is only a shadow of death and that HE will bring you safely to the other side?  Are you aware that HE is present to protect and provide for your needs?

The Good Shepherd wants to help you through your valleys:  depression, mental illness, oppression, abandonment, rejection, grief, abuse, health problems…  Since HE will walk with you, HE will never leave nor forsake you…  HE is able to bring you safely through the shadows you fear…  Put your trust in HIM!!…  As you walk with HIM you’ll have overcome it all with HIS help, leading, and guiding beyond the shadow of death into Heaven with endless day…  For HE is and will be our LIGHT…

YOU prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  YOU anoint my head with oil; YOU fill my cup to overflowing.  Psalm 23:5

The Good Shepherd is able to feed and nourish us even despite enemies being present in our lives.  HE is always present and doesn’t leave us abandoned to face our enemies on our own.  HE is fearless and doesn’t run off or back down.  HE defends us.  When a sheep is bothered by flies around about it’s head and ears, the shepherd is able to anoint its head with oil to relieve the stress and suffering from their biting.  So too, the Good Shepherd is able to anoint our heads with oil spiritually when we are dealing with the stress that is antagonizing and suffering that becomes agonizing from daily life stresses walking through this world that is not our permanent home.  HE is able to refill our cups with water of HIS Word for encouragement and peace and refill our lives with HIS unfailing love for renewing our minds, reviving our hearts, restoring our souls, and refreshing our spirits…  Do you know HE is with you even when your enemies may be mocking or taunting you?  Are you asking HIM to help soothe you from the stresses of this life and for refilling you each day with HIS love?

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  Psalm 23:6

The Good Shepherd is willing and available to take care of us continually.  When we have believed and trusted in HIM, HE becomes the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.  HE will never leave nor forsake us.  HIS goodness as HE leads and guides us follows us wherever we may go for HE is with us.  HIS mercy is new every morning as HE protects us through each night.  We who believe and trust in HIM will dwell in the house of the LORD forever, because HE will be with us through every valley of the shadow of death and bring us new life again to live forever with HIM in Heaven for all eternity…  Are you certain that HE is your Savior and LORD and the Good Shepherd of your life who will lead and guide you even to the end?  If you need prayer and encouragement, let me know and I will help you with any decisions you need to make or be someone to come alongside you for support through the valley of the shadow you may be dealing with…

Remember:  JESUS loves you…