by Sandy Wyatt
The main premise of Beth Moore’s study A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place is God’s pursuit of a relationship with man. God’s desire was to dwell with man until man would dwell with Him.
In the beginning, 1st with Adam and Eve he enjoyed an intimate relationship- until the fall, then He instructed Moses to have his people, the Isrealites build him a tabernacle, which was a temporary structure in which his presence could dwell and later God’s presence dwelled in the temple which was built by King Solomon in the capital city of Jerusalem. God eventually moved himself out and it wasn’t until the time of Christ that God, this time through his son- Jesus Christ dwelled on the earth once again. Immanuel: God with us. See outline and supporting scripture.
In Jn 16 Jesus tells his disciples that after he is gone he will send “a Counselor” “the Spirit of Truth” to guide them and to convict them of sin. And before his ascension Lk 24:49 Jesus tells them “I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been CLOTHED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH”.
10 days later at Pentacost, God sends His Holy Spirit to a group of believers who had repented of their sin in the name of Jesus Christ. From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior his Holy Spirit takes up residency in us.
God’s new way of dwelling with man until man would dwell with him is through the power of his Holy Spirit taking up residence within every believer. Ladies, we have been clothed with power from on high- an unparalled treasure!
I was saved at age 32, I clearly remember what it was like being without the Holy Spirit. My young adult life was void of purpose or direction, I had no conviction of sin and minimal morals, I was totally self-reliant and by the age of 30 I was divorced with 2 young children (1 born outside of marriage) on welfare and haunted by a sin-filled past. I remember trying to read a Bible, but it made no sense to me. I was in spiritual darkness. Without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirt, I led an empty, confusing life. I was drowning in the consequences of my sin. I praise God that all along, He was in hot pursuit of a relationship with me.
Let’s turn to Psalm 51- this is King David’s prayer of forgiveness. It’s a Psalm I like to use as a prayer. Read vs. 10-12. In vs.11 David is concerned with loosing the Holy Spirit. “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
Now, put a marker there and turn to Eph 1:13&14
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.”
These verses are true for the NT believer. Let me demonstrate:
t.p. demo - marked, guaranteed, possession “you’re mine”
Flip a few pages ahead to Eph4:30 It says “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
God will not remove his Spirit from us, but we can choose to ignore Him, be unresponsive, be insensitive and “put out the spirit’s fire”.(1Thes5:19)
Now, for King David, his prayer is accurate. The old covenant was still intact and He had witnessed the Holy Spirit being taken away from King Saul. Throughout the OT we see instances of God’s Spirit being poured out on chosen individuals only for a particular time or task or purpose. He was earnestly pleading with God not to withdraw his Holy Spirit from him. I can relate to David’s fear of not having the Holy Spirit because I remember well what it was like.
Turn back to Ps 51:11 and put a notation in the margin to insert Eph 4:30 when you pray this Psalm. “Help me not to grieve the H.S.
When we make the choice to not grieve or ignore God’s spirit in us but instead to be in tune with Him – then we have the potential to live the abundant life that God desires for us. When we yield to the Holy Spirits guidance, His discernment, His conviction and His prompting, our mediocre lives can be transformed into extraordinary lives. Don’t settle for the natural, when you can have the supernatural. When we allow God to use us through the power of his Holy Spirit, we’ll be amazed at the results. As a Christian, you have been called to serve and to glorify God. This is not optional!
For the remainder of our time together, we’ll focus on becoming a vessel God can use.
Read Lk2:41-49- This passage stirred up my initial thought processes for my presentation. And so I ask you. Are you about your Father’s business?
In Donna Partow’s book, Becoming a Vessel God Can Use, she identifies 5 requirements for becoming a vessel God can use.
#1 Accept the way God made you
God first planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him and then he shaped you for those tasks. Your abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality and life experiences were all given to you to be used for His glory. Eph 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.” Our Father has specific business set apart just for you. The abilities we have are a strong indication of what God wants us to do with our lives. Our interests and passions can lead us to the appropriate ministry. Our personalities will affect how we can be used within that ministry. And our circumstances and season of life will affect when we can serve.
In addition to our natural abilities, every believer is given spiritual gifts. Let’s turn to Rom 12:4-8. God empowers every believer with different gifts that are to be used to benefit his body/church. We don’t all have the same gifts and one gift is not better than another. When all the members of one body are using their spiritual gifts, that church will function properly and be a healthy, spirit-filled church. If you’re not clear what your spiritual gift is, I have a tool called a Spiritual Gift Survey which everyone can pick one up on the way out. You just take the test and score it yourself. You may find that you’ll need to actually try on a ministry to see if it’s right for you. If not, you go on and try another one til you find one that fits.
I’ve found with the gift of teaching, I’ve had to work at it and develop it. Still am in fact. You may find that you’ve been gifted in several areas. Be selective in order to be effective. One note of warning- because you are gifted in a particular area, this does not exclude you from all of the others.
(Rick Warren) “We will be most effective when we use our spiritual gifts partnered with our natural abilities in the area of our passion, and in a way that best expresses our personalities and experiences.” When we gain better understanding of how God fashioned us we’re on the way to becoming a vessel God can use.
#2 Be emptied of self to make room for God
It’s a “me” world out there. And as Christians, we are not immune to it. We have to make a deliberate, consciencous effort to not fall into that mentality. Phil 2:3&4 says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” If we are all consumed with our own lives, our agenda, our time, our things, ourselves – we’ve left no room for God to work in our lives. No room for him to use us for His glory.
Does he get a busy signal when he calls you to work ?
Is your calendar jam- packed? With no room for divine appointments
Do you serve only when it’s convenient? Or fun?, or comfortable?
It’s time that we opened our eyes to the people drowning all around us. - If we took the time to notice and be interested in others lives, I think we’d be astounded by the difficult, challenging, even heart-wrenching experiences and circumstances that are going on all around us.
Sometimes we can be so overwhelmed with our own lives, our own problems and issues that we can barely keep our own heads above the water. How in the world can we take on someone elses problems when we’re struggling to get through life ourselves?
The Bible tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways, When we are weak, He is strong – His power is made perfect in our weakness.
He’s the one who’ll be doing the work, we’re just his vessel
Phil 2:13 says “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
We do not have to have it all together to serve, we are just the vessel, but we do have to surrender our problems, our issues, our agendas, and our wills over to Him, trusting that he’s got us covered. Then, we are freed up to filled with his power and used by Him.
Service is the best way to battle self-centeredness.
1 Peter4:ll tells us “…If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
God does not call the equipped, rather he equips those he calls. He does the work, He gets the glory! And we get the blessing.
When we serve others, God is blessed and he in turn blesses us.
Don’t miss out on opportunities to bless others.
Have you ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit to reach out to someone and for whatever the reason you didn’t do it?
I challenge you to practice random acts of kindness throughout your day. This will take you being aware of others around you, being sensitive to the spirit’s promptings and following through.
Open the door for someone, hold the elevator, drive politely, let pedestrians cross, smile. We never know what kind of impact our kindness will makes. Matt 5:16says "“Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is being about your Father’s business.
#3 Allow God to cleanse you- even if the process is painful
We cannot effectively be about our Father’s business if we are harboring unconfessed sin. By unconfessed sin, I mean sin that we are aware of, but for whatever the reason, have chosen not to turn from it. The Holy Spirit’s job is to convict us of our sin. Our job is to acknowledge that sin, confess it, repent of it, receive God’s mercy and accept His forgiveness. Every step must be completed in order for us to be spiritually freed up to be used by God. This subject can be an elective in and of itself.
God has led me instead to focus in on how He can take our confessed sin (sin that has been dealt with properly) and our painful past experiences (which might or might not be associated with that sin) and use them for his glory. As I said earlier, God has orchestrated each of our lives to include all that we will need to effectively serve him. This includes our worst of sin and our most painful experiences.
When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsamane just before his crucifixion, he prayed to his Father and asked that if it be in His Father’s will that this cup should pass him by. (Matt 26:42) God the Father knew that this cup was absolutely necessary to fulfill his purpose and plan for mankind. In the same way, our heavenly Father has cups in our lives that are designed for His good purposes and his ultimate plan for our lives. Some cups pass us by, some cups we must drink. Most often these are the experiences that cause us to grow and mature in our faith.
With God’s help, the most amazing and effective ministry can come out of our deepest sorrows and most difficult struggles. Who better to serve in a Pregnancy Crisis Center than a woman who has had an abortion or given a child up for adoption. Who better to serve and encourage a cancer patient than one who has walked her the same shoes. 2Cor:1:4 says that “with the comfort we have received from God we can comfort others.”
Satan will try his hardest to keep reminding us of our past sin and our weaknesses so that we feel unworthy, inadequate and unable to serve. Satan knows that its often those who have fallen to such great depths who in turn have the greatest potential to witness for Christ.
The things we’re most embarassed about, most ashamed of and most reluctant to share are the very tools God can use most powerfully to heal others. Ministry begins with vulnerability- the more we let down our guards, take off our masks, and share our struggles, the more God will be able to use us in serving others.
Perhaps our Father has work for you to do in this area?
#4 Be filled and constantly refilled with the living water of the Holy Spirit
“A vessel can only pour out that which has been poured into it.”
Have you ever tried to serve God in your own power, apart from the Holy Spirit? Most likely it was a struggle, probably not satisfiying and the results were less than successful. In 1 Cor chapter 3;12-14 the God’s Word tells us that on judgement day our lives will be layed out before the Lord, and those acts that were done with the right heart partnered with the Holy Spirit will be rewarded. Those things done independently, with an impure heart, a wrong motive, will be burned up. They won’t count for anything. God is not as concerned with what we’re doing as He is with why we’re doing it.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my burn pile being higher than my rewards pile! When we give God the controls, it frees us up to be used by him. And remember too, that he doesn’t want to share his glory with you, so be careful not to take any. Serve as though you are serving an audience of one, God is the only one we are wanting to please, wanting to impress, wanting to be recognized by.
Col3:23 say “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”
Keep in mind here, that these good works are not what gets us into heaven, that price has already been paid through Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:8&9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast."
We can be detrimental to others lives if we try to serve them when we ourselves have not been filled.
The potential damage that can be done is alarming, but don’t let it frighten or deter you from serving. Never underestimate what God can do through you- just be sure that you are not running on empty.
#5 Pour out your life in ministry as God directs
I’ve been privileged to be used by God to serve one of our ladies here at Oakwood who is battling cancer. Anne is a lovely, 62 years old British lady, bubbly personality, great red hair. She used to do hair and would witness to any and every person who came into her salon, which were many. I took her to chemo this past Thursday and was blown away by her. On the way in the car she told me that God used her gift of doing hair as her ministry, but now He is using her cancer as her ministry and that’s where her focus was. When we reached the reception area, a woman was leaving and excitedly shared with us that her cancer had not spread. We praised the Lord and even heard an Alleluia from behind the window. It seemed like that was God’s way of encouraging Anne before this last treatment, which although she didn’t say, I know she was dreading. Her mouth and tongue were already burnt and bleeding. As Anne went into the chemo room, the nurse told her that after being with Anne the previous day she was so encouraged by her faith, amazed by the fact that Anne was only concerned with getting a dinner to her friend who’d broken her hip. She told us that she’d told her Mom all about Anne and what an inspiration that she is. We prayed together and I left knowing that her friend, Debbie would be picking her up in 21/2 hours.
As I drove home I was humbled by all that God had shown me that morning. I was convicted as all week preparing for this presentation, I had been letting fear creep in, I’d been second guessing God’s ability to use me as He chose. I thanked him for allowing me to see firsthand the power of his Holy Spirit just radiating and overflowing out of Anne’s frail body. I asked him to forgive me for not trusting him and his peace came over me.
Sometimes God directs us into ministry that we’re not comfortable with as now understand.
And sometimes God directs us into ministry that we don’t expect. Like Anne has done, we need to surrender to his direction and embrace that ministry. The influence of her witness today is at maximum potential. She does not leave a life she encounters untouched and every time, God gets the glory.
Mark 10:45 says “Even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We should never look upon ministry or serving others as an obligation, but as an opportunity to show our Lord how much we love him and how grateful we are for what he’s done for us.
Jesus gave up his position in heaven, came to this earth, with the attitude of a servant, with the heart of a servant, he gave up his rights, he humbled himself, he obeyed his Father and gave of his very life. (Phil2:5-11) And one day at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord.
Until that time comes, don’t you think we ought to be about our Father’s business?
Sisters, our Heavenly Father has work for us to do and we have been clothed with power from on high in order to get the job done!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Treasury of Relationships
by Terri Johnson
The book “Boundaries- When to Say YES- When to Say NO- To take control of Your Life” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend was the basis for this presentation.
Treasure defined as:
Noun: someone or something considered exceptionally precious
Verb: To recognize the worth, quality, importance, or magnitude of: to appreciate, cherish, esteem, prize, respect, value
Relationships are defined as:
A state of connectedness between people and also a state of connectedness between God and us.
Foundational points:
1. Boundaries are all about relationships- relationships that are lovingly open and honest with: God, ourselves, and others.
Mark 12:28-31
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
2. Boundaries are not designed to be built in a vacuum.
3. Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries is hard work, but very rewarding.
4. Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries is a process that takes time.
Examples of boundaries:
The words “no” or “yes” are boundaries.
Matthew 5:37 Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No”, “No”….
Truth
Knowing the truth about God and His unchangeable reality helps us define who we are. There is safety in truth.
Psalm 119:45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Geographical Distance
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
But the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Time
Ecclesiastes 3:5b A time to embrace and a time to turn away
The book “Boundaries- When to Say YES- When to Say NO- To take control of Your Life” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend was the basis for this presentation.
Treasure defined as:
Noun: someone or something considered exceptionally precious
Verb: To recognize the worth, quality, importance, or magnitude of: to appreciate, cherish, esteem, prize, respect, value
Relationships are defined as:
A state of connectedness between people and also a state of connectedness between God and us.
Foundational points:
1. Boundaries are all about relationships- relationships that are lovingly open and honest with: God, ourselves, and others.
Mark 12:28-31
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
2. Boundaries are not designed to be built in a vacuum.
3. Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries is hard work, but very rewarding.
4. Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries is a process that takes time.
Examples of boundaries:
The words “no” or “yes” are boundaries.
Matthew 5:37 Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No”, “No”….
Truth
Knowing the truth about God and His unchangeable reality helps us define who we are. There is safety in truth.
Psalm 119:45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Geographical Distance
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
But the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Time
Ecclesiastes 3:5b A time to embrace and a time to turn away
Emotional Distance
A boundary is anything that helps to differentiate you from someone else, anything that shows where you as a person, with your responsibilities, begins and ends.
The limits you place on actions / thoughts / feelings in order to provide / protect / promote security in relationships
An insight into how to define spiritual and emotional boundaries can be found in
Galatians 6:2 and 5.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Greek word for burdens means “excess burdens” or burdens that are so heavy they weigh us down. The situations that reflect times when helping each other is what Christ wants us to do because the burden if so very heavy and difficult.
Galatians 6:5 for each one should carry his own load.
Greek word for load means “cargo” or “the burden of daily toil.” This term describes the everyday things we all need to do for ourselves at an age appropriate level.
We are responsible to others and for ourselves
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart,
For it affects everything you do.
Drs. Cloud and Townsend have identified 10 aspects of our emotional and spiritual make-up for which we are responsible-Attitudes, Beliefs, Behaviors, Choices, Desires, Feelings, Limits, Love, Talents, Thoughts, and Values.
The purpose of establishing boundaries is to enable us to-Love the Lord our God and our neighbors as we love ourselves and to do this with joy, peace, and a sense of fulfillment.
“Our goal is to help you use biblical boundaries appropriately to achieve the relationships and purposes that God intends for you as his child.” Drs. Cloud and Townsend
The inability to set appropriate boundaries at appropriate times with the appropriate people can be very destructive.
4 main personality characteristics that contribute to Boundary Problems
Compliants: Say “Yes” to the Bad
Weak, Fuzzy and Indistinct boundaries
“Melt” into the demands and needs of other people
Minimize their differences with others so as not to “rock the boat”
The inability to say no keeps them from refusing evil in their lives and it often keeps them from recognizing evil.
Inability to say “no” driven by fear-
¨ Fear of hurting the other person’s feelings
¨ Fear of abandonment and separateness
¨ A wish to be totally dependent on another
¨ Fear of someone else’s anger
¨ Fear of punishment
¨ Fear of being shamed
¨ Fear of being seen as bad or selfish
¨ Fear of being unspiritual
¨ Fear of one’s over strict, critical conscience- false guilt
Matthew 9:13 I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices.”
Avoidants: Say “No” to the Good
Avoidants display the inability to ask for help, to recognize one’s own needs, or to let others in.
¨ Withdraw when they are in need
¨ Do not ask for the support of others
Boundaries are supposed to be able to “breathe” to be like fences with a gate that can let the good in and the bad out.
Controllers: Don’t Respect Others’ Boundaries
¨ “No” is simply a challenge to change the other persons’ mind.
¨ Controllers are perceived as bullies, manipulative, and aggressive.
¨ Controllers are isolated.
¨ Controllers rarely feel love.
¨ Tend to project responsibility for their lives onto others.
Aggressive Controllers-
§ Don’t listen to others’ boundaries
§ Run over fences like tanks
§ Sometimes verbally abusive and or physically abusive
§ Most of the time simply not aware that others even have boundaries
§ Attempt to get others to change to make the world fit their idea of what life should be.
Manipulative Controllers
§ Try to persuade people out of their boundaries
§ Seduce others into carrying their burdens
§ Use guilt messages
Nonresponsives: Don’t Hear The Needs of Others
¨ They exhibit a lack of attention to the responsibilities of love.
¨ Those with a critical spirit toward others’ needs.
¨ Those who are so absorbed in their own desires and needs they exclude others (a form of narcissism.)
¨
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Romans 12:18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Philippians 2:4 Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
If using the model of Boundaries to “examine your ways” is somewhat new to you it may be beneficial to consider some Myths of Boundaries.
A myth is fiction that looks like truth.
1. Myth: If I set boundaries, I’m being selfish
Truth: If I set appropriate boundaries, I’m being a steward and actually increase my ability to care about others.
In what current relationship would clearer more appropriate boundaries enable you to be a more caring person?
2. Myth: Boundaries are a sign of disobedience
Truth: Lack of boundaries can often be a sign of disobedience.
Appropriate boundaries are a sign of obedience.
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Are you saying “yes” externally but meaning “no” internally in any current situation? What do you think God is asking you to do?
Are you saying “no” too quickly and not being obedient to what God may be asking you to do?
3. Myth: If I begin setting boundaries, I will be hurt by others.
Truth: If I don’t set boundaries, I will be hurt by others.
Is God prompting you to establish a boundary in any of your relationships to prevent more pain and hurt?
4. Myth: If I set boundaries, I will hurt others.
Truth: If I set boundaries, I will encourage others to pick up their “backpack.”
Is there a person in your life who would benefit from you setting a boundary?
5. Myth: Boundaries mean that I am angry
Truth: Anger is a sign that our boundaries have been violated.
Anger is defined as an intent to preserve:
1. Personal worth
2. Essential needs
3. Basic Convictions
What actions do you need to take to prevent “boundary violation”?
Don’t get mad-set a limit!
6. Myth: When others set boundaries, they injure me.
Truth: When others set inappropriate boundaries, they injure me.
Who are you allowing to set inappropriate boundaries with you?
What steps of action can you begin to take to lovingly confront them?
7. Myth: Boundaries cause feelings of guilt.
Truth: Lack of boundaries can cause feelings of guilt.
Appropriate boundaries foster feelings of peace /freedom.
Once I’ve identified what God wants me to have within my boundaries-when I’m able to treasure those aspects of my life I have a sense of peace not guilt- freedom not bondage.
In what relationships have feelings of obligation prevented you from setting boundaries?
8. Myth: Boundaries are permanent and I’m afraid of burning my bridges.
Truth: Boundaries can be temporary and I can rebuild bridges.
Boundaries can be changed-if someone else responds maturely-If you feel in a safer place.
God chose not to destroy Ninevah, when the city repented- Jonah 3:10
The apostle Paul rejected John Mark for a mission trip-because John Mark had deserted Paul. However, later, Paul requested John Mark’s companionship. (2Tim. 4:11)
What boundaries can you set knowing that they don’t have to be permanent?
How do I begin to establish boundaries?
Three things we cannot control- People, People, and People.
1. Stay close to God.
Pray
Read the Bible
2. Lean on the support of others
3. Have confidence in your ability to learn how to establish your “Spiritual / Emotional Boundaries” and give yourself time.
There is nothing that you are presently doing that you did not have to learn.
Take one relationship at a time- ask the Lord to guide you as you interact in a new way with the people in your world.
The Treasury of His Word
by Andrea Cress
‘The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:72
I. Making it a Priority
Why is it important to read and apply God’s word?
It is commanded. – “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
We are commanded to read, meditate on and apply God’s word to our lives. The devotional bible study method enables us to do all three.
It nourishes our spirits. – “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
God’s Word is our spiritual food. We need to read it on a regular basis to grow and be strengthened in our faith.
It trains us in righteousness. – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16
God wants to use His Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness.
It exposes our innermost selves. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Only God’s Word can show us what’s in our hearts. It cuts away our rationalizations and exposes our sin.
How do I get started?
Establish a time & place. Try and find a time of the day and a place to read your Bible each day.
Select a passage. We need to have a systematic plan for reading through the entire Bible. Bible reading plans are available in Christian bookstores and on-line.
Gather some tools. You will need a Bible & notebook for the devotional bible study method. You may also want to consider purchasing a parallel Bible that contains several translations and a Bible dictionary to define key terms. Spiral bound note cards are useful for scripture memory verses.
II. A Devotional Bible Study
The Main Objective:
‘The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Psalm 119:72
I. Making it a Priority
Why is it important to read and apply God’s word?
It is commanded. – “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
We are commanded to read, meditate on and apply God’s word to our lives. The devotional bible study method enables us to do all three.
It nourishes our spirits. – “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
God’s Word is our spiritual food. We need to read it on a regular basis to grow and be strengthened in our faith.
It trains us in righteousness. – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16
God wants to use His Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness.
It exposes our innermost selves. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Only God’s Word can show us what’s in our hearts. It cuts away our rationalizations and exposes our sin.
How do I get started?
Establish a time & place. Try and find a time of the day and a place to read your Bible each day.
Select a passage. We need to have a systematic plan for reading through the entire Bible. Bible reading plans are available in Christian bookstores and on-line.
Gather some tools. You will need a Bible & notebook for the devotional bible study method. You may also want to consider purchasing a parallel Bible that contains several translations and a Bible dictionary to define key terms. Spiral bound note cards are useful for scripture memory verses.
II. A Devotional Bible Study
The Main Objective:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
The main objective of the devotional bible study method is application.
The Method:
Read ~ Read the passage slowly, out loud and repeatedly.
Meditate & Apply ~ Write these four things in your journal and check back later to see if you have put into practice what you learned.
1. Briefly summarize the passage.
2. What does the passage teach me about God’s will for a holy life?
3. Where and how do I fall short?
4. What are some practical steps I can take to obey God’s will?
Memorize ~ Choose a verse that reminds you of what you learned and try and memorize it.
The main objective of the devotional bible study method is application.
The Method:
Read ~ Read the passage slowly, out loud and repeatedly.
Meditate & Apply ~ Write these four things in your journal and check back later to see if you have put into practice what you learned.
1. Briefly summarize the passage.
2. What does the passage teach me about God’s will for a holy life?
3. Where and how do I fall short?
4. What are some practical steps I can take to obey God’s will?
Memorize ~ Choose a verse that reminds you of what you learned and try and memorize it.
The Treasury of His Name
by Pat Conner
Digging Deeper. Who knew when this event was planned that we’d be competing with Gasparilla, a very different kind of treasure hunt? I’m just so glad that each of you chose to be here rather than somewhere down on Bayshore today, and I’m thankful that the kind of treasure we’re offered in Jesus Christ is imperishable, unlike those strings of plastic beads people will be doing crazy things to get their hands on today.
The Treasure of His Names. Jesus does have a wealth of names. He is referred to in Scripture sometimes by one of these, and at other times, by some descriptive term that refers to one or more of his attributes. In her book, In His Name, Kirkie Morrissey says there are more than 400 names in the Bible for the Lord God, and that more than 100 of these apply specifically to Jesus Christ. You’ll find in your folders today, about 150 such designations, and I hope you’ll want to explore some of those over time. (The colored
paper is my allusion to the beautiful colors one might see on opening a chest full of lovely jewels.)
Initially I planned to use three of my favorite names from this list to explore together today, but as I kept “digging deeper,” I realized that wouldn’t be possible in 50 minutes. So I’m down to one. My very favorite visual of Jesus (excluding “How much does Jesus love you? This much!) is Jesus as the good shepherd. In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” And at the conclusion of the book of Hebrews, the author says, “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Two authors, using two very different approaches to the subject, gave me a wealth of information which I’d love to share, but in the interest of time, I’ve had to make painfully selective choices.
Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, was first published in the 70s. The author knows so much about sheep because he earned his living as a sheep owner and sheep rancher for 8 years. Because of this firsthand knowledge, some of his insights diminish the sentimentality we often associate with the psalm, but he sees wonderful, scriptural applications that are truly rich. To illustrate, if the Lord is our shepherd, who are the sheep? Uh-huh, that means Us.
Phillip Keller says, “Sheep do not just take care of themselves, as some might suppose. They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care…” and further, “The behavior of sheep and human beings is similar in many ways…our mass mind (or mob instincts), our fears and timidity, our stubbornness and stupidity, our perverse habits are all parallels of profound importance.”
Max Lucado, on the other hand, published Traveling Light in 2001. I love his very contemporary writing style because he finds creative ways to express deep, scriptural principles that make such an impression, one can hardly forget the point. Max takes the approach that “traveling light means trusting God with the burdens we were never intended to bear.” He identifies a handful of the types of baggage we all at one time or another have tried to carry on our own and points out how Psalm 23 shows that God offers to carry the load for us. [The bolded headings from this point on in these notes represent the baggage “traits” that Jesus will carry for us if we let him.]
Max says, “Sheep are dumb. Have you ever met a sheep trainer? Ever seen sheep tricks? Know anyone who has taught his sheep to roll over? Ever witnessed a circus sideshow featuring ‘Mazadon and his jumping sheep? No. Sheep are just too dumb.”
Read John 10:1-18.
What are some of the longings of our souls alluded to in this passage? Why are these thoughts so reassuring?
1. We need to feel loved. Jesus loves us so much he would (and did) die for us.
2. We need to be known. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. (JOHN 10:1-5)
3. We need to be led. Remember, sheep are dumb, but trusting our shepherd gives us security.
SELF-RELIANCE
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
So, do I respond to His authority and acknowledge his ownership? Do I find freedom and complete fulfillment in this arrangement? Do I sense a purpose and deep contentment because I am under his direction? Do I know rest and repose, besides a definite sense of exciting adventure in belonging to Him? (PK) Do you?
Or, as Max puts it, are you too “self-reliant” to consider yourself a sheep at all?
1. Can you control your moods? Are you always upbeat and upright?
2. Are you at peace with everyone? Every relationship as sweet as fudge? Love all and loved by all? Is that you?
3. You have no fears, right? You’re Teflon-tough. The country’s economic issues don’t concern you at all, nor do your personal finances. Health issues – all good. World War III starts—What’s for dinner?
4. And do you even need any forgiveness? Never made a mistake, square as a game of checkers, clean as grandma’s kitchen? Never cheated, never lied. Is that you?
If so, your version of Psalm 23 might sound more like this:
I am my own shepherd. I am always in need.
I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it.
I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart.
I fear everything from pesticides to power lines, and I’m starting to act like my mother.
I go down to the weekly staff meeting (or to a worship service or Bible class or PTA
meeting) and am surrounded by enemies.
I go home, and even my goldfish scowls at me.
I anoint my headache with extra-strength Tylenol.
My Jack Daniels’s runneth over.
Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of
my lonely life.
[Sidebar: When David wrote the Psalm, his “shepherd” was, of course, Yahweh – or Jehovah. The one who had made himself known to Moses at the burning bush as the “I Am,” the unchanging God, the uncaused God, the ungoverned God. But Jesus also laid claim to this name. Let’s read John 8:54-59.]
So, when David said, I shall not want, was he talking about material things? Was he saying that if a man or woman is prospering materially, it is a significant mark of the blessing of God upon their lives? No. David was suffering when he wrote the psalm. There were those who wanted him dead. But he lacked nothing in the way of proper care, management or husbandry, because the Lord was his Shepherd. Think of Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, who said in Matt 8:20: …foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
We’d do well to consider the following:
Your stuff isn’t yours. We don’t get to take anything with us, do we? John D. Rockefeller’s accountant was asked after John’s death, “How much did John D. leave?” and his reply was, “All of it.” Eccles 5:15 says, “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.”
All that stuff isn’t YOU. That helps me when I feel embarrassed about how messy my house may look to a visitor. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (I Sam 16:7). When God looks at you, he sees your compassion, your devotion, your tenderness, or your quick mind, but he doesn’t think of your things. If you define yourself by your stuff, you’ll feel good when you have a lot and bad when you don’t. Contentment comes when we can say with Paul, “I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have…I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty.” Phil 4:11-12.
If we have the Good Shepherd, we have “grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. In other words, we have everything we need, so let’s put down that cumbersome sack of “discontent.”
Phillip Keller describes a beautiful ewe in his flock that personified discontent. Even though the pasture he provided was the best in the district, she insisted on fence crawling. She would find a way to get through or around the fence and wind up feeding on pasturage of the most inferior sort (to quote Keller). Worse, she led her lambs and other sheep to the same openings, so they learned to squeeze through and join her on the other side. Finally, he, as the shepherd, had to make a difficult choice – He chose to sacrifice this ewe for the sake of the entire flock. What a warning to our carnal side. We can’t have the best of both worlds.
WEARINESS
Psalm 23:2a He makes me lie down in green pastures.
Are you tired this morning? People with too much work and too little sleep step over to the baggage claim of life and grab the duffel bag of weariness. You don’t carry it, you drag it along. Weariness wearies. Maybe you simply need more sleep? We idolize Thomas Edison, who claimed he could live on fifteen-minute naps. Somehow we forget to mention Albert Einstein, who averaged 11 hours of sleep a night. (ML)
Does everything have to be just right for you to sleep? If so, you have something else in common with sheep. (I confess to this failing.) For sheep, everything must be just right. No predators. No tension in the flock. No bugs in the air. No hunger in the belly, etc.” (ML)
Phllip Keller further explains. Sheep have to be free of fear, tensions, aggravations and hunger. They have little or no means of self-defense. They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run. Only the shepherd can calm them. The presence of their master and protector puts them at ease as nothing else can do, day or night.
Psalm 4:8. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
WORRY
Psalm 23:2b He leads me beside quiet waters.
We need H2O just like sheep do. They thrive in dry, semi-arid country, but they still need water, and they depend on their shepherd to lead them to whatever water source is available. We need Living Water (another of the names of Christ), and our Good Shepherd has told us where to find it. Matthew 5:6 says, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. At the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus goes on to identify where this thirst can be quenched: If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Again, Max says God leads us to what we need. He will do the right thing at the right time. We don’t need to worry about the future. Jesus says in Matt 6:34: Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. God promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future.
HOPELESSNESS
Psalm 23:3a He restores my soul.
Why should a sheep in the care of the Good Shepherd need to be restored? David boasts in the 23rd Psalm that “He restores my soul.” David was truly loved by God, but he knew what it was to be cast down and dejected. He had tasted defeat in his life and had felt the frustration of having fallen to temptation. In Psalm 42:11, he says, Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.
PK says there’s an exact parallel in caring for sheep by describing for us a “cast down” sheep. The term means a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. The effort to right itself is a pathetic sight. The sheep can die within a short period of time in hot weather or within a few days in cooler temperatures. The shepherd keeps close tabs on his flock so he’ll know when even one is missing, and he wastes no time in going in search of that one so he can bring it home.
When Jesus told the parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15 to the Pharisees who were criticizing him for welcoming sinners, he may well have had a cast sheep in mind. When the sheep’s owner returns with the sheep, he calls his friends and neighbors in to rejoice with him. Jesus ended by saying, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” If you’re a Pharisee, you’re saying, “Ouch!” about now, huh?
Max Lucado says, on the subject of hopelessness that our Shepherd majors in restoring hope to the soul. He doesn’t give it by changing the jungle we find ourselves in; he does it by giving us himself. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:20
If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice, and he’s just waiting for your request.
GUILT
Psalm 23:3b He leads me in the paths of righteousness…
How important is it for sheep to have a shepherd? Without one, they will follow the same old trails until they become ruts, graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes, pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites. In other words, they go their own way. Many of the world’s finest sheep ranges have been ruined beyond repair by over-grazing, poor management and indifferent or ignorant sheep owners. So says PK.
Like sheep, we want to go our own way. We don’t want to follow. We don’t want to be led in paths of righteousness. Somehow it goes against our grain. We actually prefer to turn to our own way even though it may take us straight into trouble.
But in Proverbs 14:12, we read, There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.
And Jesus, the Good Shepherd, comes gently and says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but through me.” In John 10:10, he even says, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full”.
Keller proposes seven fresh attitudes we need in order to discover fresh pasturage; new, abundant life; and increased health, wholesomeness and holiness in our walk with God.
1. Instead of loving myself most, I am willing to love Christ best and others more than myself.
2. Instead of being one of the crowd, I am willing to be singled out, set apart from the gang.
3. Instead of insisting on my rights, I am willing to forego them in favor of others.
4. Instead of being “boss,” I am willing to be at the bottom of the heap. Or to use sheep terminology, instead of being “Top Ram” I’m willing to be a “tail-ender.”
5. Instead of finding fault with life and always asking, “Why?” I am willing to accept every circumstance of life in an attitude of gratitude.
6. Instead of exercising and asserting my will, I will learn to cooperate with His wishes and comply with His will.
7. Instead of choosing my own way, I am willing to choose to follow in Christ’s way; simply to do what He asks me to do.
Sound impossible? It would be if we had to depend on self-determination, or self-discipline to succeed. But if we are in earnest about wanting to do His will and to be led, He makes this possible by His own gracious Spirit who is given to those who obey (Acts 5:32). For it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13).
ARROGANCE
Psalm 23:3 …For His name’s sake…
The message of the Twenty-third Psalm is that we have nothing to be proud about. We have rest, salvation, blessings, and a home in heaven—and we did nothing to earn any of it. Who did? Who did the work? The answer threads through the psalm like a silk thread through pearls:
He makes me…
He leads me…
He restores my soul…
You are with me…
Your rod and Your staff…comfort me…
You prepare a table…
You anoint my head…
The shepherd leads his sheep, not for our names’ sake, but “for His name’s sake.”
God hates arrogance, but he loves humility. Lucado suggests:
1. Assess yourself honestly. Humility isn’t the same as low self-esteem. Being humble doesn’t mean you think you have nothing to offer; it means you know exactly what you have to offer and no more. Rom 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”.
2. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Counteract this pride with reminders of the brevity of life and the frailty of wealth. “People come into this world with nothing, and when they die they leave with nothing.” Eccles. 5:15.
3. Celebrate the significance of others. “In humility consider others better than yourselves.” Phil. 2:3.
4. Don’t demand your own parking place. “Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.” Prov. 27:2
5. Never announce your success before it occurs. “One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.” I King 20:11
6. Speak humbly. “Let no arrogance come from your mouth.” I Sam. 2:3 (NKJV
7. Live at the foot of the cross. Paul said, “The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is my only reason for bragging.” Gal. 6:14.
GRIEF
Psalm 23:4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
The only way to higher ground is through the valleys. But let’s focus on the word “through.” We don’t stop there; we go on to higher ground. If I want God to make me a blessing to others, it may have to be through valleys carved into my life by excruciating experiences.
But God is a good God. Though we don’t understand his actions, we can trust his heart.
FEAR
Psalm 23: 4a …I will fear no evil…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6
LONELINESS
Psalm 23:4b …for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Loneliness is not the absence of faces. It is the absence of intimacy. Loneliness doesn’t come from being alone; it comes from feeling alone; feeling as if you are facing death alone, facing disease alone, or facing the future alone.
The shepherd’s rod was a weapon, used to fight off the sheep’s predators. It represented power, authority and defense, and thus it was a comfort for the sheep.
The staff is the long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. It speaks of all that is longsuffering and kind. It is the symbol of the concern, the compassion that a shepherd has for his charges. He will use it to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother, should they become separated, rather than touch it with his hands and possibly cause it to be rejected by the mother. He will use it to reach out and draw a timid sheep to himself for intimate examination. Finally, the shepherd may use the staff to guide a sheep into a path by gently applying pressure to its side. The staff is never used to strike or punish the animal.
Keller makes interesting comparisons between the rod as representing the Word of God and the staff as the Spirit of God.
(As an aside, my husband has come to actually appreciate the short crutch he’s been using recently because of increased knee pain. He’s found so many uses for it, he may want to keep carrying it even if he has a successful knee replacement!)
SHAME
Psalm 23:5 NKJV. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
The shepherd has prepared the summer range for his sheep, at great personal cost to him. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us in eternity, at great personal cost to him.
But before he returned to the Father, he had prepared a breakfast on the beach for his apostles. Remember? But Peter had denied him on the night of his trial. Peter had acted like the enemy, but Jesus has prepared a meal and invited him! Peter was welcomed to the meal of Christ. When we meet together to observe the Lord’s Supper, don’t we feel shame for our personal failures and grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us?
DISAPPOINTMENT
Psalm 23:5a NKJV You anoint my head with oil…
Shepherds in ancient Israel used oil on their sheep for three purposes: 1) to repel insects, 2) to prevent conflicts, and 3) to heal wounds. Flies, mosquitoes and gnats torture the livestock, particular when their larvae are left in the animal’s nose. By covering the sheep’s head with an oil-like repellant, the insects are kept at bay and the flock at peace.
During mating season, two rams may butt heads pretty seriously, so the shepherd literally anoints their heads with a greasy substance which causes them to glance off rather than crash into each other.
When injuries do occur, oil is used as medicine to heal cuts and abrasions and avoid infection.
Do you have injuries (perhaps disappointments?) that need the healing touch of the shepherd’s oil? Have you taken them to God in prayer? Like the sheep, we need to go to the shepherd, bow our heads before him, and trust him to do exactly what we need. “Lord, I give myself to you; my God, I trust you.” Psalm 25:1-2.
ENVY
Psalm 23:5b My cup overflows…
The New Living Translation says, “My cup overflows with blessings.” So we should never envy anyone, even if he has more than we have. If our cup overflows, it is full, right? We have God’s “…abounding grace, forgiving us” (Rom 5:20). And we have hope. “God will help you overflow with hope in him through the Holy Spirit’s power within you.” Rom 15:13.
Keller suggests the “cup” here may refer to the cup of suffering, which also may be overflowing. But if so, it’s entirely possible that even that can be a blessing to somebody.
DOUBT
Psalm 23:6a . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...
There’s no room for doubt, even when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. David says, “Surely…” We need to:
1. Trust our faith, and not our feelings. Our feelings have no impact on God’s presence.
2. Measure our value through God’s eyes, not our own. There are times in our lives when we are homeless, disoriented, hard to help, and hard to love. In those seasons, remember this simple fact: God loves you. He follows you. Why? Because you are family, and he will follow you all the days of your life.
3. See the big picture, not the small. Remember that we are given a lamp for our feet, not a crystal ball for the future.
HOMESICKNESS
Psalm 23:6 I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Sounds a little boastful, doesn’t it? But why shouldn’t we feel free to boast of how good our Shepherd is? In looking back over my 70 years, I see at every juncture of my life, there was the potential for bad consequences to poor choices, but my loving Shepherd nudged me with his staff and kept me on the path He chose for me. Now the baggage I have carried all these years has been released. Guilt was dropped at Calvary. Fear of death will have been left at the grave. The only remaining baggage will be the God-given longing for home, but when Jesus says, “Welcome home,” and wipes away every tear from my eyes, the last bag will be dropped -- and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord – forever.
Digging Deeper. Who knew when this event was planned that we’d be competing with Gasparilla, a very different kind of treasure hunt? I’m just so glad that each of you chose to be here rather than somewhere down on Bayshore today, and I’m thankful that the kind of treasure we’re offered in Jesus Christ is imperishable, unlike those strings of plastic beads people will be doing crazy things to get their hands on today.
The Treasure of His Names. Jesus does have a wealth of names. He is referred to in Scripture sometimes by one of these, and at other times, by some descriptive term that refers to one or more of his attributes. In her book, In His Name, Kirkie Morrissey says there are more than 400 names in the Bible for the Lord God, and that more than 100 of these apply specifically to Jesus Christ. You’ll find in your folders today, about 150 such designations, and I hope you’ll want to explore some of those over time. (The colored
paper is my allusion to the beautiful colors one might see on opening a chest full of lovely jewels.)
Initially I planned to use three of my favorite names from this list to explore together today, but as I kept “digging deeper,” I realized that wouldn’t be possible in 50 minutes. So I’m down to one. My very favorite visual of Jesus (excluding “How much does Jesus love you? This much!) is Jesus as the good shepherd. In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” And at the conclusion of the book of Hebrews, the author says, “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Two authors, using two very different approaches to the subject, gave me a wealth of information which I’d love to share, but in the interest of time, I’ve had to make painfully selective choices.
Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, was first published in the 70s. The author knows so much about sheep because he earned his living as a sheep owner and sheep rancher for 8 years. Because of this firsthand knowledge, some of his insights diminish the sentimentality we often associate with the psalm, but he sees wonderful, scriptural applications that are truly rich. To illustrate, if the Lord is our shepherd, who are the sheep? Uh-huh, that means Us.
Phillip Keller says, “Sheep do not just take care of themselves, as some might suppose. They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care…” and further, “The behavior of sheep and human beings is similar in many ways…our mass mind (or mob instincts), our fears and timidity, our stubbornness and stupidity, our perverse habits are all parallels of profound importance.”
Max Lucado, on the other hand, published Traveling Light in 2001. I love his very contemporary writing style because he finds creative ways to express deep, scriptural principles that make such an impression, one can hardly forget the point. Max takes the approach that “traveling light means trusting God with the burdens we were never intended to bear.” He identifies a handful of the types of baggage we all at one time or another have tried to carry on our own and points out how Psalm 23 shows that God offers to carry the load for us. [The bolded headings from this point on in these notes represent the baggage “traits” that Jesus will carry for us if we let him.]
Max says, “Sheep are dumb. Have you ever met a sheep trainer? Ever seen sheep tricks? Know anyone who has taught his sheep to roll over? Ever witnessed a circus sideshow featuring ‘Mazadon and his jumping sheep? No. Sheep are just too dumb.”
Read John 10:1-18.
What are some of the longings of our souls alluded to in this passage? Why are these thoughts so reassuring?
1. We need to feel loved. Jesus loves us so much he would (and did) die for us.
2. We need to be known. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. (JOHN 10:1-5)
3. We need to be led. Remember, sheep are dumb, but trusting our shepherd gives us security.
SELF-RELIANCE
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
So, do I respond to His authority and acknowledge his ownership? Do I find freedom and complete fulfillment in this arrangement? Do I sense a purpose and deep contentment because I am under his direction? Do I know rest and repose, besides a definite sense of exciting adventure in belonging to Him? (PK) Do you?
Or, as Max puts it, are you too “self-reliant” to consider yourself a sheep at all?
1. Can you control your moods? Are you always upbeat and upright?
2. Are you at peace with everyone? Every relationship as sweet as fudge? Love all and loved by all? Is that you?
3. You have no fears, right? You’re Teflon-tough. The country’s economic issues don’t concern you at all, nor do your personal finances. Health issues – all good. World War III starts—What’s for dinner?
4. And do you even need any forgiveness? Never made a mistake, square as a game of checkers, clean as grandma’s kitchen? Never cheated, never lied. Is that you?
If so, your version of Psalm 23 might sound more like this:
I am my own shepherd. I am always in need.
I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it.
I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart.
I fear everything from pesticides to power lines, and I’m starting to act like my mother.
I go down to the weekly staff meeting (or to a worship service or Bible class or PTA
meeting) and am surrounded by enemies.
I go home, and even my goldfish scowls at me.
I anoint my headache with extra-strength Tylenol.
My Jack Daniels’s runneth over.
Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of
my lonely life.
[Sidebar: When David wrote the Psalm, his “shepherd” was, of course, Yahweh – or Jehovah. The one who had made himself known to Moses at the burning bush as the “I Am,” the unchanging God, the uncaused God, the ungoverned God. But Jesus also laid claim to this name. Let’s read John 8:54-59.]
So, when David said, I shall not want, was he talking about material things? Was he saying that if a man or woman is prospering materially, it is a significant mark of the blessing of God upon their lives? No. David was suffering when he wrote the psalm. There were those who wanted him dead. But he lacked nothing in the way of proper care, management or husbandry, because the Lord was his Shepherd. Think of Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, who said in Matt 8:20: …foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
We’d do well to consider the following:
Your stuff isn’t yours. We don’t get to take anything with us, do we? John D. Rockefeller’s accountant was asked after John’s death, “How much did John D. leave?” and his reply was, “All of it.” Eccles 5:15 says, “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.”
All that stuff isn’t YOU. That helps me when I feel embarrassed about how messy my house may look to a visitor. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (I Sam 16:7). When God looks at you, he sees your compassion, your devotion, your tenderness, or your quick mind, but he doesn’t think of your things. If you define yourself by your stuff, you’ll feel good when you have a lot and bad when you don’t. Contentment comes when we can say with Paul, “I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have…I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty.” Phil 4:11-12.
If we have the Good Shepherd, we have “grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. In other words, we have everything we need, so let’s put down that cumbersome sack of “discontent.”
Phillip Keller describes a beautiful ewe in his flock that personified discontent. Even though the pasture he provided was the best in the district, she insisted on fence crawling. She would find a way to get through or around the fence and wind up feeding on pasturage of the most inferior sort (to quote Keller). Worse, she led her lambs and other sheep to the same openings, so they learned to squeeze through and join her on the other side. Finally, he, as the shepherd, had to make a difficult choice – He chose to sacrifice this ewe for the sake of the entire flock. What a warning to our carnal side. We can’t have the best of both worlds.
WEARINESS
Psalm 23:2a He makes me lie down in green pastures.
Are you tired this morning? People with too much work and too little sleep step over to the baggage claim of life and grab the duffel bag of weariness. You don’t carry it, you drag it along. Weariness wearies. Maybe you simply need more sleep? We idolize Thomas Edison, who claimed he could live on fifteen-minute naps. Somehow we forget to mention Albert Einstein, who averaged 11 hours of sleep a night. (ML)
Does everything have to be just right for you to sleep? If so, you have something else in common with sheep. (I confess to this failing.) For sheep, everything must be just right. No predators. No tension in the flock. No bugs in the air. No hunger in the belly, etc.” (ML)
Phllip Keller further explains. Sheep have to be free of fear, tensions, aggravations and hunger. They have little or no means of self-defense. They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run. Only the shepherd can calm them. The presence of their master and protector puts them at ease as nothing else can do, day or night.
Psalm 4:8. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
WORRY
Psalm 23:2b He leads me beside quiet waters.
We need H2O just like sheep do. They thrive in dry, semi-arid country, but they still need water, and they depend on their shepherd to lead them to whatever water source is available. We need Living Water (another of the names of Christ), and our Good Shepherd has told us where to find it. Matthew 5:6 says, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. At the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus goes on to identify where this thirst can be quenched: If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Again, Max says God leads us to what we need. He will do the right thing at the right time. We don’t need to worry about the future. Jesus says in Matt 6:34: Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. God promises a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball into the future.
HOPELESSNESS
Psalm 23:3a He restores my soul.
Why should a sheep in the care of the Good Shepherd need to be restored? David boasts in the 23rd Psalm that “He restores my soul.” David was truly loved by God, but he knew what it was to be cast down and dejected. He had tasted defeat in his life and had felt the frustration of having fallen to temptation. In Psalm 42:11, he says, Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.
PK says there’s an exact parallel in caring for sheep by describing for us a “cast down” sheep. The term means a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. The effort to right itself is a pathetic sight. The sheep can die within a short period of time in hot weather or within a few days in cooler temperatures. The shepherd keeps close tabs on his flock so he’ll know when even one is missing, and he wastes no time in going in search of that one so he can bring it home.
When Jesus told the parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15 to the Pharisees who were criticizing him for welcoming sinners, he may well have had a cast sheep in mind. When the sheep’s owner returns with the sheep, he calls his friends and neighbors in to rejoice with him. Jesus ended by saying, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” If you’re a Pharisee, you’re saying, “Ouch!” about now, huh?
Max Lucado says, on the subject of hopelessness that our Shepherd majors in restoring hope to the soul. He doesn’t give it by changing the jungle we find ourselves in; he does it by giving us himself. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:20
If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice, and he’s just waiting for your request.
GUILT
Psalm 23:3b He leads me in the paths of righteousness…
How important is it for sheep to have a shepherd? Without one, they will follow the same old trails until they become ruts, graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes, pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites. In other words, they go their own way. Many of the world’s finest sheep ranges have been ruined beyond repair by over-grazing, poor management and indifferent or ignorant sheep owners. So says PK.
Like sheep, we want to go our own way. We don’t want to follow. We don’t want to be led in paths of righteousness. Somehow it goes against our grain. We actually prefer to turn to our own way even though it may take us straight into trouble.
But in Proverbs 14:12, we read, There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.
And Jesus, the Good Shepherd, comes gently and says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but through me.” In John 10:10, he even says, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full”.
Keller proposes seven fresh attitudes we need in order to discover fresh pasturage; new, abundant life; and increased health, wholesomeness and holiness in our walk with God.
1. Instead of loving myself most, I am willing to love Christ best and others more than myself.
2. Instead of being one of the crowd, I am willing to be singled out, set apart from the gang.
3. Instead of insisting on my rights, I am willing to forego them in favor of others.
4. Instead of being “boss,” I am willing to be at the bottom of the heap. Or to use sheep terminology, instead of being “Top Ram” I’m willing to be a “tail-ender.”
5. Instead of finding fault with life and always asking, “Why?” I am willing to accept every circumstance of life in an attitude of gratitude.
6. Instead of exercising and asserting my will, I will learn to cooperate with His wishes and comply with His will.
7. Instead of choosing my own way, I am willing to choose to follow in Christ’s way; simply to do what He asks me to do.
Sound impossible? It would be if we had to depend on self-determination, or self-discipline to succeed. But if we are in earnest about wanting to do His will and to be led, He makes this possible by His own gracious Spirit who is given to those who obey (Acts 5:32). For it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13).
ARROGANCE
Psalm 23:3 …For His name’s sake…
The message of the Twenty-third Psalm is that we have nothing to be proud about. We have rest, salvation, blessings, and a home in heaven—and we did nothing to earn any of it. Who did? Who did the work? The answer threads through the psalm like a silk thread through pearls:
He makes me…
He leads me…
He restores my soul…
You are with me…
Your rod and Your staff…comfort me…
You prepare a table…
You anoint my head…
The shepherd leads his sheep, not for our names’ sake, but “for His name’s sake.”
God hates arrogance, but he loves humility. Lucado suggests:
1. Assess yourself honestly. Humility isn’t the same as low self-esteem. Being humble doesn’t mean you think you have nothing to offer; it means you know exactly what you have to offer and no more. Rom 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”.
2. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Counteract this pride with reminders of the brevity of life and the frailty of wealth. “People come into this world with nothing, and when they die they leave with nothing.” Eccles. 5:15.
3. Celebrate the significance of others. “In humility consider others better than yourselves.” Phil. 2:3.
4. Don’t demand your own parking place. “Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.” Prov. 27:2
5. Never announce your success before it occurs. “One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.” I King 20:11
6. Speak humbly. “Let no arrogance come from your mouth.” I Sam. 2:3 (NKJV
7. Live at the foot of the cross. Paul said, “The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is my only reason for bragging.” Gal. 6:14.
GRIEF
Psalm 23:4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
The only way to higher ground is through the valleys. But let’s focus on the word “through.” We don’t stop there; we go on to higher ground. If I want God to make me a blessing to others, it may have to be through valleys carved into my life by excruciating experiences.
But God is a good God. Though we don’t understand his actions, we can trust his heart.
FEAR
Psalm 23: 4a …I will fear no evil…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6
LONELINESS
Psalm 23:4b …for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Loneliness is not the absence of faces. It is the absence of intimacy. Loneliness doesn’t come from being alone; it comes from feeling alone; feeling as if you are facing death alone, facing disease alone, or facing the future alone.
The shepherd’s rod was a weapon, used to fight off the sheep’s predators. It represented power, authority and defense, and thus it was a comfort for the sheep.
The staff is the long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. It speaks of all that is longsuffering and kind. It is the symbol of the concern, the compassion that a shepherd has for his charges. He will use it to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother, should they become separated, rather than touch it with his hands and possibly cause it to be rejected by the mother. He will use it to reach out and draw a timid sheep to himself for intimate examination. Finally, the shepherd may use the staff to guide a sheep into a path by gently applying pressure to its side. The staff is never used to strike or punish the animal.
Keller makes interesting comparisons between the rod as representing the Word of God and the staff as the Spirit of God.
(As an aside, my husband has come to actually appreciate the short crutch he’s been using recently because of increased knee pain. He’s found so many uses for it, he may want to keep carrying it even if he has a successful knee replacement!)
SHAME
Psalm 23:5 NKJV. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
The shepherd has prepared the summer range for his sheep, at great personal cost to him. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us in eternity, at great personal cost to him.
But before he returned to the Father, he had prepared a breakfast on the beach for his apostles. Remember? But Peter had denied him on the night of his trial. Peter had acted like the enemy, but Jesus has prepared a meal and invited him! Peter was welcomed to the meal of Christ. When we meet together to observe the Lord’s Supper, don’t we feel shame for our personal failures and grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us?
DISAPPOINTMENT
Psalm 23:5a NKJV You anoint my head with oil…
Shepherds in ancient Israel used oil on their sheep for three purposes: 1) to repel insects, 2) to prevent conflicts, and 3) to heal wounds. Flies, mosquitoes and gnats torture the livestock, particular when their larvae are left in the animal’s nose. By covering the sheep’s head with an oil-like repellant, the insects are kept at bay and the flock at peace.
During mating season, two rams may butt heads pretty seriously, so the shepherd literally anoints their heads with a greasy substance which causes them to glance off rather than crash into each other.
When injuries do occur, oil is used as medicine to heal cuts and abrasions and avoid infection.
Do you have injuries (perhaps disappointments?) that need the healing touch of the shepherd’s oil? Have you taken them to God in prayer? Like the sheep, we need to go to the shepherd, bow our heads before him, and trust him to do exactly what we need. “Lord, I give myself to you; my God, I trust you.” Psalm 25:1-2.
ENVY
Psalm 23:5b My cup overflows…
The New Living Translation says, “My cup overflows with blessings.” So we should never envy anyone, even if he has more than we have. If our cup overflows, it is full, right? We have God’s “…abounding grace, forgiving us” (Rom 5:20). And we have hope. “God will help you overflow with hope in him through the Holy Spirit’s power within you.” Rom 15:13.
Keller suggests the “cup” here may refer to the cup of suffering, which also may be overflowing. But if so, it’s entirely possible that even that can be a blessing to somebody.
DOUBT
Psalm 23:6a . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...
There’s no room for doubt, even when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. David says, “Surely…” We need to:
1. Trust our faith, and not our feelings. Our feelings have no impact on God’s presence.
2. Measure our value through God’s eyes, not our own. There are times in our lives when we are homeless, disoriented, hard to help, and hard to love. In those seasons, remember this simple fact: God loves you. He follows you. Why? Because you are family, and he will follow you all the days of your life.
3. See the big picture, not the small. Remember that we are given a lamp for our feet, not a crystal ball for the future.
HOMESICKNESS
Psalm 23:6 I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Sounds a little boastful, doesn’t it? But why shouldn’t we feel free to boast of how good our Shepherd is? In looking back over my 70 years, I see at every juncture of my life, there was the potential for bad consequences to poor choices, but my loving Shepherd nudged me with his staff and kept me on the path He chose for me. Now the baggage I have carried all these years has been released. Guilt was dropped at Calvary. Fear of death will have been left at the grave. The only remaining baggage will be the God-given longing for home, but when Jesus says, “Welcome home,” and wipes away every tear from my eyes, the last bag will be dropped -- and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord – forever.
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