Good Shepherd (Psalm 23)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousnessfor his name's sake.
Even though I walkthrough the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me.

You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow meall the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

1. He promises to provide for my needs;
2. He promises to restore my soul;
3. He promises to guide me;
4. He promises to be present in my darkest valley;
5. He promises me comfort when I face evil;
6. He promises to hold my future secure.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD (John 10:11)

When shepherd takes care of the sheep, he uses rod and the staff. God also uses the rod (Word of God) and the staff (Spirit of God) to guide us.

Many times God leads us through the valley of death. We cannot go around it, we cannot go over it or besides it. We have to go through, but He has promises to be always with us even at the bottom of the valley. God promises to take care of our needs even down in that valley. He knows that when I go through this, I am scared. He is big enough to handle my deepest fears and personal enough to care about my needs. He does not leave me, but He shows how big He really is.

God also promises to restore my soul. He does care that the life that has been taken into pieces would be put together. But God is interesting in that sence. He does not put together the old, he creates something totally new. I should not even want God to restore things the way they were. God is more gracious than that. He gives new beginnings and directs our stept the way He sees is better for us to go. He gives us new life every step of the way!

God also promises to hold my future secure. He cares for what will happen to me and when my future plans vanish away or do not come true, he gives me new opportunities and brings me closer to him through that. I think this is one of the most appealing things for me about being a Christian - you can always learn so much and every step of the way is exciting and you discover the world and God in totally new, deeper way. God cares for our dreams and hopes, but He does not want us to hope for and dream of things that are not good for us and do not bring glory to His name.

But what if I am scared while travelling in the valley of darkness, what should I do? I have to anticode my worst fear by:

1. Going to my worst fear and dealing with it, not running away or hiding from it;
2. Reminding myself of the Shepherd`s character;
3. Turning my panic to praise. T

WHAT IS MY PERSONAL BIGGEST FEAR?

Maybe being left alone, being lonely? Don`t know...I am still trying to find out and and detect my worst fear....

Hope to discover it soon..