Green Pastures In The Present
Green Pastures In The Present
The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing he makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3
That familiar feeling of panic is about to set in, and you feel it rising from the pit of your stomach, straight to your head. As if on steroids, your mind races ahead of the emotion, rehearsing all the details that must be done or fall into place before you can finally get a grip. In the moment and it turns out there are many of these moments every day, it feels like so much is at stake if you fail. Fear grips you and threatens to sabotage your plans, your work and ultimately your worth.
But as always, fear is a liar. If you are God's child, you are not on your own, struggling to pull all the necessary strings to make life work in your favor. With Jesus at your side, you lack nothing! His all-powerful hand leads you through life's twists and turns, always providing access to the calm, gentle streams of His indwelling Spirit. No matter how crazy the days get, God's presence with you in it is a verdant pasture of peace for your soul.
Today if you feel panicked about an upcoming project or problem, don't let your mind race with all the what-ifs. Instead, put your mind and heart to rest by remembering that your God has this day, and your life, in his hands. Let the Shepherd lead you through each moment as you acknowledge His presence and goodness in it. Look to Him for guidance and lie down in His promised care.
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This devotion begins by addressing fear and the power it has in our lives. Fear, be it valid or irrational fear, can twist us inside out and leave us flailing in the wind. When fear is our focus, we lost sight of God and all His promises.
Please understand, God does not want you to live in fear! God’s desire is for us to trust Him so completely that with our focus on Him we see the fear in our hearts melt away.
I will put to you that this is a “God Thing!” The Bible address fear numerous times, but did you know that we are told not to fear 365 times in Scripture? How would our lives be different if we were to read one verse which addresses fear each day for a whole year. To live a whole year hearing God speak to us with words like; “Fear Not!” or “Do not be afraid!” or as David said in Psalm 23, “I will fear no evil!”
To begin to develop in our own lives the absolute confidence that all the reasons for fear are removed because God is “our” God and He is faithful! What a blessing this would be for each one of us as His children.
I encourage you to do just this! Turn to God’s Word and listen to Him speak to you about the fear which fills you heart and mind. Hear Him speak to you that there is no reason to fear because He is with you and He will never leave you.
In the 23rd Psalm David speaks of trusting in God throughout each and every aspect of our lives. From times of rejoicing to times of great sorrow. Regardless of what life throws at us, we can live with the assurance of God’s presence, guidance, and blessings. He will not abandon us! He pledges Himself to be with us!
Fear cannot overcome us when faith in Jesus is present in our hearts.
May God bless you this day!
Pastor Russ
The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing he makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3
That familiar feeling of panic is about to set in, and you feel it rising from the pit of your stomach, straight to your head. As if on steroids, your mind races ahead of the emotion, rehearsing all the details that must be done or fall into place before you can finally get a grip. In the moment and it turns out there are many of these moments every day, it feels like so much is at stake if you fail. Fear grips you and threatens to sabotage your plans, your work and ultimately your worth.
But as always, fear is a liar. If you are God's child, you are not on your own, struggling to pull all the necessary strings to make life work in your favor. With Jesus at your side, you lack nothing! His all-powerful hand leads you through life's twists and turns, always providing access to the calm, gentle streams of His indwelling Spirit. No matter how crazy the days get, God's presence with you in it is a verdant pasture of peace for your soul.
Today if you feel panicked about an upcoming project or problem, don't let your mind race with all the what-ifs. Instead, put your mind and heart to rest by remembering that your God has this day, and your life, in his hands. Let the Shepherd lead you through each moment as you acknowledge His presence and goodness in it. Look to Him for guidance and lie down in His promised care.
+++
This devotion begins by addressing fear and the power it has in our lives. Fear, be it valid or irrational fear, can twist us inside out and leave us flailing in the wind. When fear is our focus, we lost sight of God and all His promises.
Please understand, God does not want you to live in fear! God’s desire is for us to trust Him so completely that with our focus on Him we see the fear in our hearts melt away.
I will put to you that this is a “God Thing!” The Bible address fear numerous times, but did you know that we are told not to fear 365 times in Scripture? How would our lives be different if we were to read one verse which addresses fear each day for a whole year. To live a whole year hearing God speak to us with words like; “Fear Not!” or “Do not be afraid!” or as David said in Psalm 23, “I will fear no evil!”
To begin to develop in our own lives the absolute confidence that all the reasons for fear are removed because God is “our” God and He is faithful! What a blessing this would be for each one of us as His children.
I encourage you to do just this! Turn to God’s Word and listen to Him speak to you about the fear which fills you heart and mind. Hear Him speak to you that there is no reason to fear because He is with you and He will never leave you.
In the 23rd Psalm David speaks of trusting in God throughout each and every aspect of our lives. From times of rejoicing to times of great sorrow. Regardless of what life throws at us, we can live with the assurance of God’s presence, guidance, and blessings. He will not abandon us! He pledges Himself to be with us!
Fear cannot overcome us when faith in Jesus is present in our hearts.
May God bless you this day!
Pastor Russ
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