Master of Forgiveness

“Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.” Psalm 25:7

The heart cries out to GOD to remember His mercy and loving kindness and forget our sins.  Thank goodness the LORD doesn’t harbor hate in His heart like the average person does.  If He did we would have no hope at all.  

You can not part forgiveness from love, they are one in the same. If we say we love and can’t forgive we make ourselves a liar.  We like to make excuses for our unforgiving heart as if there is one. but there are none.  To say we forgive but can’t forget, we haven’t really forgiven. 

I know forgetting seems impossible, it is on our own but with GOD all things are possible.  We have the ability to forgive and forget when we rely on on the Master of Forgiveness

Where there is mercy, you’ll find grace.

When the sinner meets GOD, face to face.

Remembering GOD hides sin behind His Back. 

In the depths of the sea, they won’t come back.

From GOD’s mind, they are all wiped clean.

Forgotten forever, never more seen.

Help us LORD to forgive just as You.

If we mimic Your heart, it can come true.

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20

What a Relief

“Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.” Psalm 25:6

Failure is a reminder of how the flesh can control of our lives.  We are haunted by these sins, they torture the mind and cause us agony.  It is in the time of weakness that we are most vulnerable and therefore we must keep our eyes on JESUS.

No where, in no way is sin ever defended in the Word of GOD.  Some have said, GOD blinks at some sin, but this is a lie.  GOD hates sin!  GOD is HOLY! The state of man without CHRIST is totally and completely deprived. Man loves sin! Man is unholy!

When there is a sin problem in our lives there is only one place to go, to the One that paid the price for our sin!  The One “he hath made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Only and forever JESUS!

Remember the tender mercies and loving kindness of GOD, reach out to Him.  He has paid the price for your sin and wants you to walk in the righteousness He has provided.  One day we will have the freedom from the flesh but until the day we take on a body like unto His, we will face the sin problem!

Every time I fall in sin, 

My heart begins to ache.

Feeling the shame it caused

And the One I did forsake.

I turn to You O dear LORD, 

I remember what You’ve done.

The mercy and the grace You give, 

New life has just begun!

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Romans 7:14-20

GOD Leads His Dear Children

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:5

Many desire to be leaders and this is good.  In order to be a good leader you first must be able to be led.  Being led is a wonderful thing as long as the one leading is a good leader of good character. Choosing the right leader for your life is essential for you to have a successful one.

Some lead by force and others lead by example.  Some are harsh and others are of a kind nature.  Personally I have always felt the mark of a good leader is one that has the ability to cause others to want to follow them.  They may have rules but because of their leadership they are not a burden to you and you do everything you can to keep them.  You want to make your good leader look good!

JESUS is ‘The Good Leader’! He tenderly leads you through this life and carries you to the next.  He never forces you to do anything.  Instead He takes your hand in His and gently leads you though the valleys to the mountain tops.  JESUS yokes Himself to His followers so the load is not to much for them, He is the easy leader. He never schemes to get us to do anything, He is truth and He is honorable in His dealings with the ones He leads.  He is our example and teacher, we are never wanting.

There was a raging river

I knew not how to cross.

I found myself desperate,

And completely at a loss.

To whom could I look,

To lead me on this day?

To take my hand in his

To cross this weary way?

JESUS!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Traveling with a Map

“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.” Psalm 25:4

The best thing a new believer or for that matter any believer can do is to forget about their ways and depend on GOD’s Way.  What we do usually takes us down paths that lead to defeat.  On GOD’s path you never make a wrong turn, and there are no dead-ends, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD”!

For many years I drove all over the United States.  I went to places I never dreamed I would go.  I was going into unknown territory so instead of depending on my own very limited knowledge, I used a map!  Wouldn’t I have been foolish to just head out the door and go without that map?  

Over the years I learned the the paths, I hid them in my heart.  My memory would bring to my mind where I should go.  Even with all the knowledge I was gaining the map was always close and a constant reminder so I wouldn’t make a wrong turn, “teach me thy paths.” O LORD!

The poet wrote of two roads,

Diverged in a wood and he.

He took the one less traveled

Making a difference, you’d agree.

In our lives we need a sure guide,

Watching over that we won’t slide

One who guides each step we take.

Forging forward to make no mistake.

GOD has placed within our reach,

His Word to guide, none can impeach.

His path not traveled by many men,

But those who do, the difference win.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

All-In-All

“Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.” Psalm 25:3

In order for a person to become a believer in CHRIST, they become totally dependent upon Him.  He is their vision and hope, their all-in-all.  Sin is forgiven, they are fresh, cleaner than a new born baby.  They are no longer ashamed!

Shame and dependence have opposite poles, they resist each other.  You can’t be ashamed when you are dependent on CHRIST and you can’t be in fellowship with CHRIST when you are dependent upon self.

It is breaks my heart when I hear those that are living a limited life for CHRIST giving advice to others. Once we get our own lives where they are totally dependent on CHRIST, only then is our advise worthy of taking.

My shame is lifted 

When I trust in GOD.

Waiting patiently, 

To receive His nod.

I’ll walk in pease, 

I will never fall.

Dependent on JESUS

My All-In-All….

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

A Doubtful Mind

“O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.” Psalm25:2

Trusting GOD is essential for the believer to have a happy state of mind.  Believe is the key  to CHRIST, The Door!  “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) And, “The just shall live by faith:” Hebrews 10:38a  

My mind is drawn back to the first months of my own salvation when I was bombarded with doubt, what if, maybe, can this really be true, is it all in my mind?  Let me  remind you, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;” (2 Peter 3:9a). I may break promises but GOD never breaks His! “O my God, I trust in thee”.

Once we get over the doubt and trust the LORD we are asking ourselves another set of questions, how could have I doubted, why didn’t I trust, why was I so foolish?  The first thing we must understand is, doubt does not eliminate our position with CHRIST.  

If you doubt, you are in very good company, The disciples of John the Baptist came to JESUS and said, “John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?”.  Remember this is the same John that said, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.”, “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:32-34). If the man John the Baptist could doubt, and JESUS called him “the greatest”, don’t you think you could doubt? “O my God, I trust in thee”.

O my GOD, I trust in thee,

But the serpent causes doubt.

He tells me Your grace isn’t real

And my peace becomes a drought.

Send the water to my soul

And lift this doubt from me.

Help me LORD, restore my faith.

O my GOD, I trust in thee!

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

Lifted Up or Let Down

“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1

It is far better to go to the source of all creation than to go to what was created.  Things created lack the ability to solve the situations we find ourselves in.  No matter how intelligent and well intended the created is, it lacks in the capacity to solve our deepest problems.  

Don’t be distracted by others, be directed by GOD! This is not to say the advice of others is not of benefit to us, it can be.  But the final authority is always, and only in GOD.  Don’t be let down, be lifted up!

I sought for peace in others near,

My soul in desperate need.

The help they gave intentions pure,

But I never could succeed.

Then I went to GOD, the source of all.

I lifted my soul to Him.

With pleading prayer, I made the call,

His answer is my hymn!

“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18

Just a Glimpse

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” Psalm 24:10

Stop and think about it!  How is it possible to describe the King of Glory?  His majesty and power is out of the realm of human understanding.  We can only try in our limited capacity to give a description that suits such overwhelming greatness!   While doing so our ability is always found wanting!  

My intention is never to be out of order or to lower the value of the Word of GOD, within it is contained everything mankind will ever need.  It has many descriptions of the King of Glory and yet we are still left in awe!  We see only glimpses now, but one day when we are changed, we will see Him as He is!

O wonders of my mind, I can not comprehend.

My thoughts are weak,  always wanting.

Through Your Word, a vision send.

The power of GOD is above all power and His strength can’t be equaled!  He holds within His hands lighting and His voice is thunder.  He sprinkled the stars into emptiness, lighting the sky with His brilliance.  He moves the waters on the face of the earth and controls the storm.  When He say move, the earth shakes. He is, “The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory”!

O my GOD who posses so much power

How could You ever think of me?

I’m not worthy of this honor.

Through Your power my vision I’ll see!

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Walking Through The Gate

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24:9

The double use of this verse is the center of the Psalm.  The emphasis is on the King of Glory and the double honor He deserves!  He is the Creator, the Mighty GOD of battle who conquered death and the grave.

It is the King of Glory who has wiped sorrow and shame from the hearts of His people.  It is He who saw our need and made the way for us when we had no hope of Glory. 

This is the King of Glory who wants to make His abode in our hearts, filling us over the brim with The Holy Ghost and a guaranteed passage to Glory!

Lift your heads high, people of the King.

With mouths wide opened, praises sing!

The gate once closed, now opened wide

The hope of Glory, CHRIST did provide.

This door CHRIST gave, shall never close.

Opened to the sinner, to find true repose.

Thank you JESUS!

“Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:12

Don't Be a Loser

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8

Often as believers we go into battle by ourselves.  Does our pride rule over us so much that we are willing to face the enemy without the One that gives the victory?  Do we not understand what kept us from our salvation in the first place?  

We start good by believing by faith but for some reason we return to our prideful way and begin to depend on ourselves.  We get puffed up in ourselves thinking we are smart and strong.  We don’t like to think we need help. But, “Who is this King of glory?” Is He not the One that gives us victory?

The LORD doesn’t bring us into His Fold to depend on ourselves, He brings us in to protect and care for us.  Failure comes when we don’t live by faith and trust Him for what He has said He would do. “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”!

No matter what we face, 

Our GOD is always there.

He’s ready for the battle.

We’re always in His care.

The weakness that we face

Is all alone our own.

GOD is strong and mighty

So kneel before His throne.

Faith in GOD, is our victory

Without it we have sinned.

Trust not in your own strength 

In Christ is our victory hinged!

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The Song of GOD's Presence

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24:7

While I believe this refers to the Ark of the Covenant being placed into the the Holy of Holies to represent GOD’s presence at the Temple, I also believe it can be used concerning our lives in the present day.

Gates are used to keep others from coming in.  There are many gates in our lives, some good and some not so good.  Most often we close the gate to keep the harmful away, this is good.  At other times we use the gate to stop or resist what can be of great benefit because we have a rebellious heart.  We just don’t want to hear it!

Daily people keep the gate closed and resist CHRIST and the everlasting salvation He has freely given to all that will call upon Him.  As mind boggling as it is, some who have tasted the wonderful blessings of GOD close the gate He wants them to walk through.

“Lift up your heads, O you gates”

The ALMIGHTY has arrived.

The gates been lifted from its place,

The Door is opened wide!

“The King of glory shall come in”

Forever He’ll make His abode.

Perfect peace forever more,

Such grandeur He has bestowed! 

Open wide the gate to GOD

His way is always true.

Do not resist His gracious love

He wants the best for you!

“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36

Half Empty or a Full Cup

“This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.” Psalm 24:6

What we most desire in life is what we receive.  I spent a major part of mine seeking after things I thought would fill my hope of satisfaction but in the end I was left empty or at best, half full.

One of Satan’s biggest tricks is flashing things before our minds and making us think how much we need what he is offering.  He will get us to justify why we need them and trap us into making a bad decision.  I know, I’ve been there!  To avoid Satan’s trap we must seek GOD and trust what His Word tells us.  

GOD brings full satisfaction!  What He offers us is not half full but overflowing full, over the brim full and is never empty.  His promises never tarnish or wast away. They are pure and precious throughout eternity!

I have sought the world for many things

That have left my cup half empty.

My desire my friend was never filled,

Getting half while I wanted plenty.

When all my desire was seeking GOD

I found my cup overflowing.

The peace that came, filled my heart

The peace GOD keeps bestowing.

“For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 1 Timothy 1:12

GOD Blesses the Good One

He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:5

Is there anything greater than the blessing of GOD? I suppose most people would give a no to this facetious question.  Yet, day after day we seem willing to trade off GOD’s blessing for our own simple desires.  When we put anything before the blessing of GOD we invite problems into our lives.  Why trade a diamond for paste?

When we make the blessing of GOD the most important part of our lives, GOD puts His blessing on us.  The blessing from Isaac was to go to Esau but it was most important to Jacob, so he stole it!  Did Jacob deserve the blessing? I think not.  Do we deserve GOD’s blessing? I think not!

The blessing of GOD is beyond our ability to even comprehend, it is a blessing without borders and expands into infinity.  We do know however, the most important part of the blessing is the relationship it gives us with the ALMIGHTY. We are made pure just as the SON!  We are just as unworthy as Jacob was and yet through the blood of CHRIST we are made righteous and all the blessings of the FATHER are placed upon us!

I reached out for a blessing

I didn’t deserve.

It was promised to a good one

Where it was held in reserve.

To make myself ready

I fell on my knees.

I cried out to JESUS

Take my sin, will You please?

There was no hesitation,

He went to the cross.

He took all of my sin

And He suffered much loss!

He gave all His blessing, 

From the grave He arose!

JESUS made me a good one

In His righteousness I repose!

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Who is Able

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Psalm 24:4

Even from childhood the question comes to the mind, who is able to stand before GOD? I know it did mine.  As we grow older we are influenced by others that have seemingly come to there own opinions on this most important of all questions.

We must understand a question of such great consequence should not come from well-meaning people but from the source of all creation, The Word of GOD!  With GOD there are no mistakes, no opinions, only facts! 

The answer is given in the above verse. 1. You must be clean. 2. Have a pure Heart. 3. Only follow GOD. 4. Be not deceitful.  Each one of the four have been tried by people to satisfy their desire to stand before GOD but in each case no one is able to do so on their own.  We are always haunted by our incapacity to completely do our desire in its fulness and fail with each attempt.

So if we can’t stand before GOD on our own, what can we do?  We must trust the only One that was able to do all the Psalmist has written!  The Father sent His Son, who is able!  

I tried so hard to do my best

But always failed the job.

I wanted to be pure and clean.

By sin completion was robbed. 

Unworthy I was, unable to stand

Before The Almighty GOD.

I fell on my face, cried out to CHRIST

No longer was sin able to rob!

“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” 1 John 5:5-8

His Holy Place

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? Psalm 24:3

The earth and all that lies within belongs to the LORD, He created it.  He spoke it into existence, and it was!  Everything GOD does is perfect, nothing missing.  He placed upon earth a special place to represent His presence, “His Holy Place”, Zion’s Hill! 

The Holy Place was a place like none other, it was deeply revered and respected.  It was a sanctuary of hope and freedom from sin, it was GOD’s House.  This was the abode of The ALMIGHTY on earth and no one would dare come to it without a deep sense of respect.

The place we call Church is our Holy Place where The LORD represents His presence in the hearts of the Believer. It is a gathering together of Saints to worship the risen SAVIOR.  Don’t you suppose our Holy Place deserves the same respect and honor as Zion’s Hill?

My fear is that we have become contaminated and lost the importance to give due reverence to our SAVIOR.  Has Church become just a place to hang out, a place to meet up with friends and enjoy ourselves?  

I’m afraid we no longer treat Church, especially the Sanctuary with the honor and respect we should.  We dress like we are going to a concert.  Some have snack bars to buy food to enjoy while in the service.  Men wear hats and women are not covered properly.  The pulpit has been replaced with a stool and the alters have been removed. So called praise music has replaced the hymns and the alter call is a thing of the past.  Our worship services have become worldly!  In a desire to win souls we have decided our way is better than GOD’s.  We think by looking more like the world we will draw them in and we haven’t offered them anything more then they already have.  GOD HELP US!

What has happened to the Holy Place

Where God makes His abode?

Has it changed its reverence pure

To tin instead of gold?

Let us return with reverence LORD

That we might honor You.

Knowing when we’re at Church

We stand in front of YOU!

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.  Isaiah 6:1-5

Nothing to Something

“For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” Psalm 24:2

“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.” (Job 26:7)  Out of nothing God made something!  He took the something He made out of nothing and put it upon a water foundation!  GOD completely defies all reasoning of man!  If GOD didn’t He wouldn’t be ALMIGHTY!  But GOD is!

Even in the creation GOD gives the example of His power by taking something that is seemingly imposable to do and making it into something that is grand in its glory!  Over and again we see this through scripture.   GOD always takes the deficient and makes it indestructible!  

GOD took a heathen man and made him into “the father of many nations”,  He took a stuttering murderer to a burning bush and put into him a fire that wouldn't be put out. He took a little red headed shepherd boy and made him a king! This is just a fraction of all GOD has done with something that was nothing and made it into something.  

This process continues today!  He always takes the weak and makes them strong.  He takes the unlikely and makes them what they couldn’t be on their own.  GOD takes the sinner that is filthy as rags and and purifies their soul though the blood of the SON!

Please take a walk on The old Roman Road!  Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-13…….

Just a piece of coal

Buried in the ground.

All dark and dirty,

Not so profound.

Then the coal changed

From its lowly look.

It turned pure and sparkly,

Its ugliness forsook.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:27

PSALM 24

                                                            Our Land LORD

“The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1

Make no mistake, the earth belongs to GOD.  He created all things and without Him was nothing made that was made.  He owns it and all that resides in it.

You can stand staring at the vastness of space on a clear night and be amazed at the never ending stars.  They go on and on as far as the eye can see.  They along with the blue sky and beautiful fluffy white clouds are the covering for earth and all that dwell within.

GOD placed man in the center of His creation and directed the planets and stars toward it.  They are all His but the earth is most important to Him.  It’s where He place His most prized creation, mankind!

I saw the beauty of the sea

And the mountain snowy top.

Fields of green, the desert  rose.

The earths beauty is nonstop.

I saw earth and its precious things

So delightful to the eye.

The birds that sing, the crickets noise,

All covered with blue sky.

I saw men that walked along the way

And little babies smiles.

I saw the buffalo on the earths plains

And trees of many styles.

The earth and all that is within

It all belongs to GOD.

He created it for you and me.

From the waters to the sod.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5

Here and There

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:6

The Good Shepherd keeps His sheep in the palm of His hand.  He knows every move they make, they are constantly on His mind. Whither He leads them through the valley or the hillside, His goodness and mercy is always present.  This is for all the days of their lives!

What a blessed hope the Good Shepherd’s sheep have!  While He gives goodness and mercy all the days of this life, it doesn’t end here.  He moves His sheep from the mortal to the immortal to a place He has prepared for them, where they will be with Him and under His love forever and ever!

Once just a wandering sheep,

Not knowing where to go.

Wandering across a desert land

With no peace or food to show.

I heard there was a Good Shepherd

Who for His sheep He did look.

He came and put me on His shoulder

He took me to a green field by a brook.

He promised never to leave me.

He said He would always be there.

Giving me goodness and mercy.

O what a glorious answered prayer.

When the brook dries in this place

And the grassy field fades away.

He’ll take me to a place He made for me,

Where forever and ever I’ll stay!

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:4-7

The Blanket on the Ground

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5

Tranquility is the norm for the sheep of the Good Shepherd.  While they may be surrounded by those that would harm them, the Good Shepherd brings them to the table where He has prepared a delightful meal.

What a picture of peace this is!  Not only do the sheep receive a meal that was just prepared for them but the Good Shepherd pours upon them every delight they can imagine. They are full! Their cup runs over! They are completely satisfied even while danger is at the door!

So is the fate of the one that puts their trust in JESUS!  Receive the delights of the LORD, sit at the table He has prepared for you!  He bids you to the supper! How foolish it would be to neglect such an invitation as this!

He spread the blanket on the grass.

In a field so pretty green.

He brought a basket that was full

With delights like I’d never seen!

He reached inside the basket 

And drew out from it the Bread.

He placed it there in front of me.

I’ve never seen such a spread!

He took the cup he had brought

And He filled it over the brim.

There was peace like I’ve never felt.

My heart began to swim!

Then thought came to me

And how strange it was to feel.

All fear had left and gone away.

The peace brought by the meal!

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Here and Now

“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.” Psalm 23:4

How wonderful it is to have the Good Shepherd Who walks with you not only by the green pastures and calm waters but also through the darkest of valleys. The Good Shepherd calms the sheep no matter where they are.

It is easy to be content while it is peaceful when all things are well, but only the Good Shepherd brings comfort in all situations.  When things seem bleak and it is hard to see an end of your turmoil there JESUS, the Good Shepherd is by the side, in the front and all around His sheep guiding them gently on to a new grassy field!  

There are many privileges in being in the sheep fold of the Good Shepherd.  Having sin wiped from us, a promise of a resurrected body like unto His, reigning with JESUS in Heaven and so many more that would fill the pages of books to many to publish!  

Oh but listen, you don’t even have to wait till Heaven to reap such wonderful benefits.  It begins with your conversion, here and now!  This is, “the peace that passes all understanding”!  

I laid in a grassy field

Where I found peace within.

A feeling of such joy I felt

The Shepherd kept me in.

Then one day a storm came in

And fear began to fall.

Don’t worry My little sheep,

Your Shepherd hears your call.

All at once the fear did leave

My heart was filed with peace.

I saw the Shepherd with His staff.

All my fear, He did release! 

“The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46:6-11