Heart Choices: The Lord is my Shepherd -->

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The Lord is my Shepherd



I continue to study Ann Spangler's "Praying the Names of God" and linking up with Jill of Forever N Ever N Always.

This week our focus is on the Lord is my Shepherd.

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The job of a shepherd is to protect his sheep.  Sheep tend to stray.  They need to find pastures so they can eat.  They need protection from wild animals and theives who may try to steal them.

No wonder we humans are described as sheep!

Left to my own devices  ...I stray.
Left to my own devices ...I eat whatever I like.
Left to my own devices ...I am vulnerable.

How thankful I am that ...The Lord is my Shepherd.

Because I have a tendency towards fear, believing and trusting that He is my Shepherd provides me with such comfort.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
(Psalm 23: 1-3)

As I go through this very difficult season in my life, how thankful I am that He is my Shepherd.  He has His eye on me.  He knows all of the details of my struggles.  He knows my heart and my desire to abide in Him.  My flesh tries to gain control and at times I give in.  But my Shepherd gently guides me back.

As I read my Bible in the early morning, He restores my soul.  He quiets me with His love.  He rejoices over me with singing.

This morning I had the pleasure of listening to the birds sing and to see the quail and bunnies run.  I sat quietly  with my cup of coffee on the back patio ...meeting with the Lord.

What a joy!

My Shepherd knows just what I  need.  My part is to surrender and allow Him to work in me and through me.

How about you?  Are you learning to trust that the Lord is your Shepherd?

Blessings and love,


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Debbie Petras
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17 comments:

  1. Amen! Of all the names of God, the gentle and loving Shepherd is my favorite...the Good Shepherd...I am so thankful to be in His fold....

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  2. Debbie:

    Yes! I'm sitting here in Texas having a cup of coffee and just had my quiet time and a short walk!

    It's EVERYTHING to know that He is our shepherd,and that He knows His own.

    No bunnies or quail here this morning, but always lots of birds!!

    Love you!

    Sonja

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  3. Isn't it amazing & wonderful that we sheep can actually hear Him if we will?

    I also love it that a shepherd will break the leg of a sheep prone to wander, rendering that sheep totally dependent on Him during the healing process (and never inclined to wander again). I have many a broken place to testify to the value (and love) of such a breaking.

    Blessings!
    Kathleen

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  4. Love this name and will have my post up this afternoon.

    Praising God that He is our GOOD Shepherd. That He finds us and never leaves us and always has our best interest at hand.

    Love you,
    Jill

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  5. Amen!
    I love the promise that His sheep will know His voice!
    What a blessing to be in His flock!
    Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
    Kim

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  6. And I'm looking out on our zebras and camels.....3 new baby camels lately, one of them strayed into another pen away from his mother, we had to guide him back or he would die.....I'm no different...
    every single day I need my Shepherd to guide me, thankful with you Debbie that HE KNOWS just what we need. Drinking my coffee with/for you today! Love you!

    xxxxxxx
    Carol Joy

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  7. Another beautiful post, Debbie. I am SO grateful to have Jesus as my shepherd. I can't imagine life any other way. I want to grow more and more into trusting and following him because he is perfect.

    I don't want your book study to end. :-) I have been enjoying it vicariously.

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  8. Oh yes, Debbie - I am learing to trust Him more each day! I feel safe in His pasture. John 10 came to mind when reading your post and specifically, John 10:27-30: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” Those words bring such comfort. I am safe with Him.

    Living for Him, Joan

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  9. Thank you for sharing this. I am so glad the Lord is my Shepherd. I definitely need to be shepherded. Such a beautiful way to think of him. I just can't get over how much He loves us.

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  10. A beautiful post, Dear ~ I set Psalm 23 to music. There is a great book about shepherds- "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23." I read it long ago. Love you ~

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  11. I forgot to tell you I am praying for you.

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  12. God bless you for that i do know Word.
    Lord to be pastor to all
    Lead us to green pastures
    Drink of clear water, crystalline
    Take care of people.
    A excellent day full of relaxation you want!

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  13. Debbie, thanks for mentioning Psalm 23. I've been reading an excellent study on the spiritual benefits of painful criticism, and your mention of the 23rd Psalm reminded me of "He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies." No matter who other people say we are, God knows the truth, and cares for us and provides for us even when the human world curses us.

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  14. Excellent post Debbie, I am so thankful to have the Lord to lean on, I could never survive in this world without Him. There are so many times I give Him my cares and just have faith He will work things out according to His plans and timing. I love you my Christian sister, thank you for the great post.

    you are invited to check out my new blog and tell me what you think. You can get to it from my main blog.

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  15. Amen and Praise the LORD! This is beautiful Debbie! If I didn't know HIM as my LORD who is my Shepherd I'd be in a hot mess!

    I remember when I was a sheep but not his sheep because hearing and knowing HIM was so far from me because of my carnality back in those days but thanks be to GOD He was/is the Good Shepherd who never lost His grip on me!

    Thank you for sharing! Love you much Sis!

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