It’s Thankful Thursday everybody!  What are you thankful to Him for today?  Think on those things that you are blessed with … then praise and thank Him!  –If anyone is wanting to finish reading what Lura Langenback wrote on the remaining 3 verses of Psalm 23, I’ve posted verse 4 below, and will post the last two in the next two days.  

Our weather is beautiful here … I opened the door this morning, and wanted to run for my winter jacket!  I smell someone’s wood smoke right now, coming in through the window!  We need to call a chimney sweep and get ours cleaned out for the season!  I don’t think my trusted ’Double D Swivler’ could take on that monumental task!!  Ha, ha!!  Anyone know a good chimney sweep?!

I heard from Ian yesterday … do you mind if I cry a bit on your shoulders?!   He will be taking some college courses while in California, and will not be home to stay, now, until very possibly, March!  They have found an apartment to rent for 6 months, and will be moving out of the RV and into more comfortable quarters!  I told him, ’please don’t get too comfortable’!  He told me not to worry, he would be coming home … just not as soon as I had hoped!  He is excited about learning so much … he knows it’s hard for me, and he said, “yes, mom, I’m having fun, but do you realize how many times I wish I could get in the car and come be with you and dad?”  I cried, and repented for not seeing how he might be feeling too!!  I just didn’t realize how hard it is for him, from time to time, as well!  I so appreciate all your prayers for him … for his safety, for his spiritual growth, and that He is doing God’s will in all of this!  Also say a prayer for me … as I said, this isn’t easy … but I’m comforted knowing he’s in God’s hands, He has a plan for Ian, and that’s the safest place he could ever be!  I pray you all have a most blessed “Thankful Thursday’!  

 Hugs,
~ Deborah <><  

 You’ll find some nice photos in the contest @ iliveinmycamera  – 
and some great pictures of ‘Storms’ over at Betsaflygallery! 
If anyone wants to get involved … the directions are posted there! 
Think about joining in on the fun!! 


 THANKFULNESS ~

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness, come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people and the sheep of his pasture. 
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him and bless his name for the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations”! 
- Psalm 100 {KJV}

As believing Christians, we are blessed beyond measure.  God sent His only Son to die for our sins.  And, God has given us the priceless gifts of eternal love and eternal life.  We, in turn, are instructed to approach our Heavenly Father with reverence and thanksgiving.  But, we may sometimes fail to pause and thank our Creator for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us.  When we slow down and express our gratitude to the One who made us, we enrich our own lives and the lives of those around us.  Thanksgiving should become a habit, a regular part of our daily routines.  Yes, God has blessed us beyond measure, and we owe Him everything, including our eternal praise. 

God has promised that if we harvest well with the tools of thanksgiving,
there will be seeds for planting in the spring,
- Gloria Gaither

Why wait until the fourth Thursday in November? 
Why wait until the morning of December twenty-fifth? 
Thanksgiving to God should be an everyday affair. 
The time to be thankful is now!  
- Jim Gallery

“I will praise the name of God with a song,
and will magnify Him with thanksgiving”.
- Psalm 69:30 {KJV}

Dear Lord, Your gifts are greater than I can imagine.
May I live each day with thanksgiving in my heart and praise on my lips. 
Thank You for the gift of Your Son and for the promise of eternal life. 
Let me share the joyous news of Jesus Christ,
and let my life be a testimony to His love and His grace.  –Amen

 

PART IV ~ PSALM 23 ~
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
by Lura Langenback


 ~ PSALM 23 ~
IN THE VALLEY…IS IT DEATH OR LIFE?

Are you gripped with fear?  Now there is hope.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” vs. 4

If you have joined us for the other verses in Psalm 23, you have noticed that God wants us walking in His path, enjoying His peace and rest.  He is the Leader and provider of that rest and peace.  Did you also notice that He talks about that in the first three verses?  The Lord is the Shepherd.  Please take a moment to think about this before going on to the next verse because the theme has not changed at all.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death“.  It is important to notice that the words ‘yea, though’ mean ‘even though’, or you could say ‘despite the fact that’, and it would be accurate as well.  Then, ‘I walk through the valley of the shadow of death’.  Did you see the assurance right at the beginning of the verse?  It says ‘even though’.  No matter what I may be facing, I still have that peace that I saw in the first three verses.  ‘I really do need that assurance if I am going to walk through a valley of death, right?’  But it does NOT say that!  Most people think the verse reads ‘walk through the valley of death’.  No, it says ‘walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death.’  Did a shadow ever hurt anyone?  So many folks are running from shadows.  If only we could grasp what the Lord is trying to get across to us. Take another look at the verse.  We are walking THROUGH this valley, not setting up camp, not building a house, not even visiting a relative.

I am reminded of when I was a child, with a childlike imagination, trying so hard to go to sleep.  It was dark.  There were shadows everywhere, some even looked like monsters.  Under the bed lived the dragons and ghosts that might leap out to get me, if I relaxed for just a second.  When I was really scared, I called out to my parents.  They came in, turning on the light.  What happened?  The shadow monsters disappeared!!  There were no dragons, no ghosts.  The best part was that they reassured me that I was in no danger, that they were right in the next room if needed.  God is telling us that He is even closer, right here, right now watching out for you, taking care of you, turning on the Light for you!  When you seek God first {Matt. 6:33}, He gives you the assurance that you will find Him.

“I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.“  Now how in the world can the author say that they will fear NO evil?  He {David} had the assurance that God was with him, no matter what.  Again and again, God tells us ‘Fear not’ …

Some of those ‘fear not’ verses are:
Gen. 15:1, Gen. 21:17, Gen. 26:14,
Exodus 20:20,
Deut. 1:21,
Joshua 1:8,
I Kings 17:13,
Isa. 41:13,
Matt. 1:20,
Luke 1:30, Luke 2:10,
Acts 27:24. 

There are 63 verses in the bible using just the words ‘Fear not.’  I gave you a few.  See?  The Lord is with David and he knows it.  He says ‘for thou art with me.’  His comfort, rest, and peace is in God, that He is walking with him all the way THROUGH the valley of the shadows.  We have not been given THE spirit of fear …

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.“  -  2 Timothy 1:7

It is very important to see that God is not interested in having you in fear for any reason.  In fact, He is quite clear that He does not want fear to be part of your life at all.  What comfort!!!

…”thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.“  The rod is used for protection, or defense, and the staff is for guidance, for steadiness.  If we have God’s rod and staff, then it follows that we would be able to use those items.  How?  We seek God first.  He provides protection, peace, rest.  He has been saying this throughout the Psalm.  He has not let us down, has not run away from us.  He’s helping us THROUGH the situation, the shadow of death.  Or you could say that He is giving us the Light to go through the situation.  What an AWESOME God He is!!  What a wonderful Jesus Who is the Shepherd that leads us.

Throughout this Psalm, there is comfort, rest, and peace.  God is NOT giving us fear.  Tell Him if you are gripped with fear, and feel like you are living under a dark cloud!  Do not allow another day to go by without seeking Him.  He is your Shepherd!


PSALM 23: 1–4
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Tomorrow Part V
~Psalm 23:5 ~
THE TABLE IS FULL … YOU ARE INVITED TO EAT!