Meditate. Memorize.
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is
my shepherd. Our shepherd…our Jehovah Rohi. The shepherd who takes care of,
tends his flock and feeds them. Is this how you see Jesus or Our Father God?
They are shepherding and caring for Christians—those who believe in Jesus as
their Savior. The Lord is my shepherd. I don’t have to depend on anyone
else…God will take care of me and I can rely on Him to keep His promise that He
will never leave me or forsake me. Like the most reliable shepherd He will be
there for me…providing nourishment—the green pastures—both physically and
spiritually. Then He keeps me on the right path…if I look to Him to guide me.
That if is dependent on me. There has to be a relationship with this shepherd
in my life. Seeking Jesus first in my life is key. The key to being guided down the right path.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he
will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Likely you have
memorized Psalm 23. I thought that the first verse…The Lord is my shepherd…is
probably the most well-known verse in the Bible…although when I Googled it,
another verse in Psalm 23 made number four of the top twelve verses: “Even
though I walk through 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" Psalm
23:4. The top verse at the Christian Quotes website was: “This is my command—be
strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.” For the LORD your God
is with you wherever you. Joshua 1:9. All these verses weave together
into a tight message. God will take care of His sheep…of those He loves and for
whom He cares. Don’t be afraid. No fear. The shepherd will lay down his life for his
sheep. Just as Jesus said…
I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Jesus is that Good Shepherd. We can count on Him to take care of us…His sheep. Build your relationship with Him. As you serve Him…He will care for you. As He cares for you…you will want to serve Him.
Prayer ~ Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
Verses of
Salvation ~ God will save His people—providing salvation…as predicted by
Zechariah.
The LORD will appear above his people; his arrows will fly like lightning! The Sovereign LORD will sound the ram's horn and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert. The LORD of Heaven's Armies will protect his people, and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine. They will be filled with blood like a bowl, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar. On that day the LORD their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. Zechariah 9:14-16
Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table
Goat Cheese
We can’t live on bread alone. What does a shepherd eat? Cheese…either
goat or sheep cheese made with the milk from the animals they tend. Think of
David, the youngest son of Jesse…who tended his family’s sheep. He took some
cheese, as well as bread and grains, to his brothers and other Israeli soldiers who were fighting the Philistines.
You’ll find the account of the story of David and the Philistine, Goliath, in 1 Samuel 17.
One day Jesse said to
David, "Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread,
and carry them quickly to your brothers. And give these ten cuts of cheese to
their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report
on how they are doing." 1 Samuel 17:17-18
We buy most of our goat cheese from the grocery store, or occasionally from a vendor at Farmers’ Market in the summertime. How is goat or Chevre cheese made? I once watched a demonstration of making goat’s cheese at a Bible Conference in North Carolina. It was a great Saturday afternoon activity. We watched the whole process from milking the goats to wrapping the processed cheese in cheesecloth for it to age. The key ingredients in the cheese, other than the goat’s milk, are rennin, mesophilic culture and salt. Not all goat cheeses need to be aged since some are ready to eat right when they are prepared. On-line you can find an abundance of descriptions of “How to Make Goat Cheese” as well as recipes for those who are into “Do It Yourself” although I think that a trip to a local grocery, Costco or Farmers’ Market is probably the best choice for me now. Cultivate a taste for goat cheese. It has a distinctively different taste—which I personally enjoy!
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