Tag: Psalm 23:1

The Anchored Soul – Day 7 – Re-calibrating Your Ears

On By KateIn Devotionals, The Anchored SoulLeave a comment

Psalm 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In the rugged hills of Judea, a shepherd’s voice was everything. A flock of sheep could be mixed with others at a watering hole, but when their specific shepherd called, only his sheep would lift their heads and follow. They didn’t just recognize a voice; they recognized the voice that provided, protected, and loved them.

To say “The Lord is my shepherd” is an exclusive declaration of belonging only to one shepherd.

One Shepherd, One Voice

Jesus said in:

John 10:4-5, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

The world is filled with “stranger voices.” Modern culture, AI, social media, competing philosophies, and other religious teachings constantly call out, promising fulfillment, peace, or a different path to God. But as one of the sheep of the Good Shepherd, your ears are tuned to a specific voice, the voice of Truth.

Why We Refuse Other Voices

We don’t reject other “gods” or teachings out of narrow-mindedness, but out of recognition. When you have known the care of the one true Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, every other voice is empty.

  • Other gods cannot offer the “still waters” of true rest for our soul.
  • Other teachings cannot guide you through the “valley of the shadow of death” with actual authority over the grave.
  • Other paths lead to “want and emptiness,” but in Christ, you have everything you need.

The Commitment of the Sheep

To follow Christ as your Shepherd means making a conscious choice to become deaf to the temptations of the world. When a teaching contradicts His Word, or a “new” spirituality tries to lead you away from the cross, you respond like the sheep in the field: you do not recognize that voice. You do not respond. You stay close to the Shepherd who knows you personally – He knows your name!

Today, rest in the security that you belong to Him. He is leading you, and as long as you follow His voice alone, through the Word, you will never lose your way.

Are there any “stranger voices” you’ve been listening to lately? How can you recalibrate your ears to hear only the Shepherd’s voice?

What About Tomorrow?

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns for Today, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

Sometimes things happen in life that we have absolutely no control over, leaving us feeling helpless and overwhelmed by our circumstances. For instance, what happens when you are stricken with cancer, a disease that not only affects your physical health but also challenges your emotional and mental well-being? In such desperate situations, can you write a letter of complaint to express your frustrations and seek assistance? If so, who would you send it to—your healthcare provider, a hospital administrator, or perhaps a cancer support organization? Additionally, what do you do when you face family issues that seem insurmountable, leaving you at a loss for solutions? These conflicts can be deeply distressing, but where do you go to file a grievance?

There is a place that you can go that will produce answers to every issue in life. You don’t have to leave home. You don’t need an Internet connection. You don’t even need anyone else to go with you. In fact, you can go to this place at any time, in your bed or in your den; on your knees or sitting in your chair. There aren’t even any formal requirements! The only requirement is that you are a born-again, blood-bought child of God and you are coming to Him with a humble heart.

Isaiah 55:8-9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  (9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow – by Ira F. Stanphill

1 I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain:
Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

2 Every step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter;
Every cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky. [Refrain]

3 I don’t know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I’m covered with His blood. [Refrain]

Habakkuk 3:18-19  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Worrying is natural, but our Heavenly Father is a perfect Father. He invites us to share our troubles with Him. He knows what will happen tomorrow and can provide the strength needed for each day!

Here are a few more verses to encourage your heart:

Deuteronomy 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Psalm 73:26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If you do not have God’s peace in your heart, you can get it, no matter how troubled your life may seem. This peace is not simply the absence of turmoil; rather, it is a profound sense of calm and assurance that goes beyond all understanding. To receive this gift, you must be born again, accepting the love and grace that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through salvation in Jesus Christ that you are transformed and enabled to experience a relationship with God. Please follow this link so you, too, can find peace in the midst of trouble.

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus – Day 37

On By KateIn Devotionals, Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled By JesusLeave a comment

Prophecy of Messiah:
Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Good morning, Reader! What are you thankful for today? I’m so thankful for the roof over my head and a warm home! So many are homeless and destitute – we need to remember how blessed we are, amen? Don’t take any of your blessings for granted as you can quickly lose those blessings. My personality is such that I usually have a positive attitude – the “cup’s half full” type. But there are times when circumstances overwhelm me and I have to turn to my Shepherd for direction and comfort. It’s a very appropriate title for the Lord Jesus! Is He your Shepherd? Have you ever studied the role of a shepherd?

Today’s prophecy depicts our Lord as a Shepherd. A former pastor, who has now gone home to be with the Lord, grew up in Oregon helping his father to raise sheep on his farm. He gave such great insight on what his shepherd’s duties were and so many of his duties are reflected in Psalms 23:1-6. First off, he would lead the sheep to a fairly level pasture to graze. There were other pastures he could use. However, those pastures had holes or divots in the ground and the sheep could possibly break a leg. Secondly, the pasture had to have a source of water where the current wasn’t swift and it also had to be fairly shallow. Why? If the water source was deep and had a strong current, the sheep could slip and fall into the water. The wool would then become saturated with water, heavy and the sheep would not be able to stand and would eventually drown. Another beautiful depiction of that shepherd is that he would sleep in the pasture with his sheep to protect them against predators. The shepherd would literally put his own life at stake in order for the sheep to survive a predator’s attack.

Prophecy of Messiah Fulfilled:

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Jesus, our Shepherd, is not only Good, as depicted in the above verse, but He gave His life for His sheep. Each born-again believer is considered part of the Good Shepherd’s flock. To piggy back with the description of the shepherd’s job at the beginning of this post, Jesus also provides us with living water (John 14:10) and He leaves His sheep with peace (John 14:27). Our spiritual body will never thirst because Jesus provides that living water which gives us eternal life. His salvation will never cause us to thirst after what the world has to offer. His peace has been given to us so we will never have to worry about where we will spend eternity! It’s a shame that Israel has not experienced this yet. They could be enjoying fellowship with their Messiah but instead are blinded by the god of this world to believe that He has yet to come. They will miss the glorious Rapture when the saints are called up to meet our Messiah in the clouds!

Do you know Him personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!