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  Psalm 23  Hear six-year old read Psalm 23
  (Thanks Sonja!)

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Morning Devotional...


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The Shepherd's Psalm--
Part (v) [/td]
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Not far from the city of Guelph, in the valley of the Eramosa River, nestles a neat little hamlet of rough hewn houses. By Ontario standards, this pretty little place is quite old. Although there is no need for me to do so, I occasionally drive through this sleepy place on my way to or from our local major highway.

Who were the first settlers? What was their life like? What were their aspirations and hopes, joys and sorrows? To try to find an answer to these and other intriguing questions, I decided one day, a few summers ago, to explore the necropolis that surrounds the hamlet's only church. I found that the mortal remains of several generations of Presbyterians lie awaiting the resurrection morning beneath the cold clay. Well kept tomb stones declare their names, and in some cases their faith in the Saviour of sinners. A few of the head stones record something of their long forgotten lives and exploits.

One old block of granite records that the two interred beneath were born in the north of Ireland in the last century, married there and emigrated to this part of the world. Underneath the descriptive words, a verse of Scripture is quoted:



As I read this inscription a lump seemed to form in my throat and a wee tear appeared in the corner of my eye.

Probably I shall never know this side of eternity what this couple suffered. The heartaches they felt, the broken dreams, sadness, pain or penury they endured as they struggled on in a new land are now veiled in history. The vicissitudes experienced in a harsh environment are not etched in the dark grave stone. The words "came out of great tribulation"  can only point back to excessive trial and hardship; to dark days and desperation.

When the Psalmist said: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4), he must have had some awful tribulation in mind. Days of dark despair and drowning disappointment had been his lot.

The old Jewish Targum interprets Psalm 23:4 to be a prophetic reference to the horrors of the Jewish captivity in Babylon, while Aben Ezra says it speaks of grievous calamities.

John Gill, in his commentary, explains it this way: "Afflictions attend the people of God in this life; there is a continued series of them, so that they may be said to walk in them; these are the way in which they walk to heaven, and through which they enter the kingdom; for though they continue long, and one affliction comes after another, yet there will be an end at last; they will walk and wade through them, and come out of great tribulations."

Perhaps you, my friend, are experiencing great tribulation. Do you see yourself as captive to circumstances? Do you know what it is to suffer deep affliction? Do you feel deserted and alone? Does trouble come upon trouble like the rolling of mighty waves at high tide against a storm tossed ship, near a rocky shore. Then the rest of this verse is meant for you if you are one of the sheep of the Lord's flock:



If we know the Good Shepherd; the one who gave His life for the sheep, we need not fear the evils of time and circumstance. He is Sovereign in all His ways. He knows our every need. He has experienced while walking as a Man among men the heartache, sorrow and trials common to humankind. If we understand His Sovereign power as God Eternal, and His sympathy as our High Priest, we will be enabled to declare with King Solomon, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."[/i] (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).

There is an old much loved hymn based on Psalm 31:15:


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Yes, He is with us all the way, not only in the coveted "Mountain top experiences" but also in the dark and dismal valleys of despair and death.

Our dear Shepherd is always armed with two implements: "His rod and His staff".  In old times the rod was used to defend the flock from wild animals and thieves, and one day He will use that rod on the enemies of truth and Zion's King will be seen to reign in righteousness. We who are His elect own His royal rule in time. In eternity His Kingship and glory will also be manifested to those who hate Him. They, too, will recognize Him but, oh, too late! Even now He uses the rod to defend His believing people from dangers both seen and uncomprehended.

The second implement He carries is the staff, the purpose of which was to direct the sheep. Sometimes the sheep would rather go their own way but have to be forced to travel in paths that lead them safely home. Their path of choice would lead to places of danger and ruin, but the path of the shepherd's choosing leads to the peace and security of green pastures and the still waters.

Well may we with David pray, "Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17:5 NKJV).

Let's retrace our steps to the old grave yard and take one more look at the stone which held our attention. Let's read the last part of the inscription once more "and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb". Only those on the pilgrimage of life who have washed their robes in the blood of Calvary's Lamb will come safely through. None of those who are "blood washed" will ever perish. That is why they can say "I will fear no evil".

Have you been to Calvary's fountain and have you by faith been cleansed of your sin? If the answer is "Yes", then you have the Royal right to appropriate the words of Psalm 23:4 "Yea, 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." If you are His by sovereign grace, then God, the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to write these words for your blessing, reassurance and comfort.





Discuss this devotional further Here if you wish.

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Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Here in the states, we'll be looking to Punxstatoney (or however that is spelled) Phil!

Travis has just not gone to sleep.  Whew.  Guess it is about time for me to turn in too.  If it is slow tomorrow at work, I'll try to bounce in some.  If not, I'll "see" you sometime tomorrow.

Take care and have a good and Godly day, for what good is a day, if it isn't Godly.



Kamrat

Sorry I didn't get in here to "report" yesterday (but it's still Sunday here on the left coast!) but I will let y'all know we had a wonderful service at church.  JudyB and Larry, our pastor also spoke on ICor. 13.  Then read the first verse of chapter 14 "Follow after love..."  He then turned to John 17 and tied it into the prayer Jesus prayed to our Father...that we all might be one in Him.  Following that was a most remarkable communion service and we all felt the presence of the Lord so heavily in the entire service.  We had our "usual" first Sunday potluck and Pastor Ron presided over the deep fat cooker ... and served his mouth-watering specialty HALIBUT!  We had a great time of fellowship and then I came home to relax and prepare for the rest of the week.  God is so good...I love Him better every day.... (I think that's a chorus, isn't it?).  

Y'all take care and I'll be back later to see what's happening.  

(Your name looks very familiar to the software name that this site uses.   )

Hi all

Its really nice to be back here again,
today i ask you to pray that my website keeps going from strength to strength, something inside me told me i had to  build photo-world.co.uk and i stopped everything i was doing and built it on friday night.

again sorry ive been away so long, im in my last three months of university and things keep piling up, sorted myself a workflow system and i seem to be on top of everything now so you should see me around alot more

hope all is well

neil

GOOD MORNING 10.53 AM in Holland

PAT thank you again for part 5 from
Jack's great devotional i have printed out all the 5 parts
now yesterday part 1-4 and now 5.

But i also pray Psalm 17:5 Uphold my steps in Your Hand, That my footsteps may not slip.

And My times are in Thy hand but are not from us all the
times in His Hand?

Who can tell me what is GROUNDHOG DAY???

The very big storm they we have had not
only trees on the roads but also big trees are fallen on houses and one tree is fallen on a car the man who was sitting in the car is death.

MY son Marcel is two days to a course
for fork-lift truck driver.

And my husband Ko has me just called
there is a long time talked months about his job
but now this morning they have say to him this is the last week that he have work. The coming week he can stay home but they must pay him till he is retired and that is
to when he is 62 years now he is 591/2 years.
He is sad i also for him.

Ephesians 2:14
For He Himself is our peace.

THE SHELTER OF YOUR LOVE

          Prince of Peace,
in the rush of the world around me
        let me stand quietly
in the shelter of Your love.

PRAYERFULLY FOR YOU ALL
BYE LOVE RIA

Thanks again, Pat, for the devotional this AM. If we all start printing out Jack's lessons...then I/we will have our very own booklet.  

Ria, I will be in prayer for your husband as he faces this 'non-work' situation.  God must have somthing special planned for him to do which could not be done if he were working.  




Groundhog .org - the Official Site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog ...
See Phil's forecast live on the web on Monday morning -- Click here! Comments? Questions? Media Requests? Contact webmaster Alan Freed. ...
http://www.groundhog.org/

12.40 p.m. U.K.

Good afternoon.

Thanks Kathy. You just reminded me that Chris is home tonight and we are going to have a treat...the film "Groundhog Day" is on T.V. We are going to watch this and have a lovely pizza delivered, with side salad and all the trimmings..We love Bill Murray, he's so funny and though we've seen it before we both agree it's well worth another viewing.

Anyone over here in England...it's on Ch 5 at 9p.m.
Jenny  

Good morning everyone and a special welcome to YaBB.

Ria, I understand your husband's sadness as even though he will continue to be paid we all need to feel we are earning our pay.  Hopefully he will find things that will interest him.  After retiring I got involved with some volunteer activities and also a lot of things involving the comptuer.  I find I always have things on my list that I don't get done and sure hope it is always that way.  

Pat, as always Jack's writings are an inspiration and a blessing.  Thanks for sharing these writings with us as our daily devotionals.

Ria, this is Ground Hog day.  Supposedly if the groundhog can see his shadow on this day then there will be six more weeks of winter weather, or it may be just the opposite.  Hope someone can clarify that.  There are several places in the USA that have groundhogs, including one here at Stone Mountain, GA.  I believe Pat referenced the name of the one in Canada.

Neil, glad to see you will be able to post more often and I will check out your new website.  It is very nice of you to allow our members to upload photos to your site and then link them so we can see them here.

Jane, it sounds like your pastor must be quite a cook.  Glad you enjoyed the social yesterday.

It is about time to go up to coffee.  It is cold, almost to freezing,  here this morning and the wind is blowing.  Pat and I plan to go to the "Y" for walking and water aerobics later this morning and then I will just be working on projects here on the computer.

Sarah, so sorry to hear of the turmoil in your church.  Our church has just come through such a time period as well and hopefully God will use the experience to strengthen your church as well as mine.

Sonja, don't believe I have heard of that movie "Radio".  

The TV has already announced that Punxsutawney Groundhog (Phil) has seen his shadow and ran back in his hole.....alas, 6 more weeks of winter weather!!!

I forgot to comment to Mary yesterday for posting.  It was great to see you dropping in.  I love your posts.  You seem to be a busy lady but please, bug your friends so you can post on their pc's.  

It sounds like our weather isn't going to be as bad as first predicted.  The traffic on the highway and my road is flying low!  So Ivalou and I will be going to Noblesville to the Pain Management doctor for a follow-up appointment.  

Welcome, YaBB!  Your name does sound familiar.  

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"Only some of us learn by other people's mistakes; the rest of us have to be the other people"

hey ya'll
i'm here got some sleep last night but now i must be off to school thought i'd come in and say hi!
TTYL
Sarah

 
         


           YaBB to CP



                                            RIA

Jane it is kind of telling a story eh?  God is speaking world wide and the message is the same.  I went to pastor Jeff and received a written copy of his message.  I will post it some time this week.  WE have a God that speaks the same message.   AWESOME.

John leaves today he is chomping at the bit to come on to cp so I will leave.

Till later.
JudyB

Come on in John...

Waiting for your news....

Jenny

Good Morning Everyone...

Here I am a bit late but a bit more rested.  I slept pretty well from about 2 am on.  

I've just gone through the devotional above again and this really blessed my soul...

QuoteIf we know the Good Shepherd; the one who gave His life for the sheep, we need not fear the evils of time and circumstance. He is Sovereign in all His ways. He knows our every need. He has experienced while walking as a Man among men the heartache, sorrow and trials common to humankind. If we understand His Sovereign power as God Eternal, and His sympathy as our High Priest, we will be enabled to declare with King Solomon, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).

Reader, do you know the Good Shepherd; the one who gave His life for the sheep?


Ria, Groundhog Day is just fun.  We use a rodent to find out whether we're going to have a short end to our winter weather or are going to have an early spring.  Wiarton Willie saw his shadow for a little while so that's not good news!  HAHAHAHA!!!

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1759.htm


Sounds like you had a lovely day at church yesterday, Jane!


Nice to have you posting Neil...   I haven't had a chance to go and look at your site yet but will.


Thanks for the Groundhog site, Kathy.  Lots of fun!    Glad you found the devotional a blessing to you, Kathy.


Greetings to Larry, Jenny, JudyB, Sonja and Etta Sue...

I'll be back later...

Good morning, Folks!  

We had another beautiful sunrise here this morning.  I love it when it is so bright pink and orange that the other side of the sky is glowing.

QuoteBy Etta Sue~The TV has already announced that Punxsutawney Groundhog (Phil) has seen his shadow and ran back in his hole.....alas, 6 more weeks of winter weather!!!

Etta Sue~It's more like 10 more weeks for us folks here in Wyoming.    I guess I will have to live with it.  
Glad you are figuring out that computer and also found all your fonts.

Larry~the movie just come out, I think, a few days ago on vhs or dvd.  I think you would like it.  

Quote

By Ria~
THE SHELTER OF YOUR LOVE

         Prince of Peace,
in the rush of the world around me
       let me stand quietly
in the shelter of Your love.

Lovely poem, Ria!  Thank you!  I will keep your husband, father and son in my prayers.  That is so sad about the floods and that man dieing.  Sorry to hear that.  I will keep your country in my prayers too. ((hug))

Jenny~(((hug))) Did you put that scooter back away?  You better be careful with that in the winter.    I really got to find a smilie on a scooter.  
Hope your day is going well.


1)School

2)Make more Valentine Cards
(if anyone wants one give me your address by private message and we will send you one)

3)Take Chandraya to dance and kids to swimming.  Oh ya...and deliver newspapers.
Who likes liver and onions?

Ewww...I don't.  I like onions but not liver.

Talk wity you all later.
Soni[/size]

Good Morning.

Pat when I get home from work today I am going to go back and print out all of Jack's teachings on Psalm 23.  I will admit that I haven't read all the way through them but after they are printed I will.

We had a wonderful "New Generation" service last night. The youth worship team did such a fine job of welcoming in the Holy Spirit. Our Pastor was the speaker and he spoke on Joshua 1:1-9 as he did in the morning service only with  a different twist. The evening severice focused on verse 3 "every place you set your foot I will give to you"

He handed out slips of paper with that verse on it and had everyone write down something they wanted or needed from God. Then He had us fold the paper and put it in our right shoe. After that we did a Jericho march around the sanctuary on the 4-5 trip around we began to praise God for the answer to our request. Shouting or singing or however we chose to praise God.

The service ended with the worship team singing and EVERYONE  going to the altar and rededicating thier life tothe Lord.  There weren't many there, The Superbowl must have kept them away. So the service waas and intimate group of the faithful who are always there every tinme the doors are open.


Going to read the other folders now so I will be back later.

QuoteBut i also pray Psalm 17:5 Uphold my steps in Your Hand, That my footsteps may not slip.
And My times are in Thy hand but are not from us all the
times in His Hand?

Ria - Please read Ps. 23:6 in answer to your question.  It goes like this: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  If we are truly the sheep of His pasture, then He is truly our daily, hourly Shepherd.  The result of His shepherding will be "goodness and mercy."  Our times will indeed ALL be in His Hand.  There is a Scripture verse that says that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  But for the Christian it is a far more fearful thing to fall out of the hands of the living God.  If He is our Shepherd, then being in His hands is a comforting exerience.  We only need to be sure that He is indeed our Shepherd.

Hi Neil! I am so glad to see you posting.  I just love that new site of yours.  I will make it part of my day.
Thanks for letting us be part of it.

How many users do you have now?

There are some pretty nice shots in there.  I really like that steam engine one of yours.  

Have a good afternoon.

Soni

Quote from: Kathy on February 02, 2004, 06:52:45 AM
T
Groundhog .org - the Official Site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog ...
See Phil's forecast live on the web on Monday morning -- Click here! Comments? Questions? Media Requests? Contact webmaster Alan Freed. ...
http://www.groundhog.org/

Alan is also a member at dpchallenge, and a good photographer!

Soni, how is that cut finger of yours/???  You can keep the liver.  I like onions, too.  Now, Bernard, he likes the liver.  

Hi nell!  Glad to see you coming back in for a bit.

I'm not going to work, today.  Bad weather, again.  Maybe I can get some of the housework that has piled up on me done.  (Don't get your hopes up, Nard  ).  Supposed to snow more today.  I would like it if Bernard didn't have to be out in it.  I do like to watch it though!

Which book has "To every thing there is a season"?

• Job
  
• Psalms
  
• Proverbs
  
• Ecclesiastes[/b][/size][/color]

Thanks Al, for that lovely response to Ria.  

What a wonderful sunrise, Sonja!  I'm going to check out Neil's site today.

Great that you're going to read the devotional later, Marilyn.  I timed myself reading it and it takes only about 4 minutes!  

Pat the answer is Ecclesiastes.

I plan to read through all of Jack writing at one sitting with my Bible in hand in fact I think I will copy and paste them to word right now.

so Latah

One of the missionaries that I put in Newsletters for, Mario Bruno in Italy, has asked for prayer for a meeting this coming Saturday.  I've posted his letter HERE.

Please scroll to the last "Email Garlic Press" (Post #11).

Answer:  Ecclesiastes!!

Larry, we watched the Super Bowl, but not the half-time show, as that kind of "entertainment" is NOT our cup of tea; so it wasn't until this morning we heard about the awful antics they pulled.  The chairman of the FCC was watching with his wife and children and was also outraged.  He has ordered a complete investigation of the incident.  The Jackson people are calling it a "wardrobe malfunction."    Oh, really?  Do they think anyone will believe it wasn't planned??  I'm glad I didn't see it!

My, so many posts already today!  Good to see Neil again and I will check out your site later.

Sonja, always good to see your cheerful and colorful posts!

Hi, Ria!  I love reading your posts as well.

Hi to Kathy, Marilyn, Etta Sue, Al, Pat, JudyB, and Jenny.  Also anyone else I may have missed.

I need to get some work done that I have been letting go while working with my photos on here.  Darrel has a Dr.'s appointment in Amarillo tomorrow, so I won't be around then, either.  If I get caught up some later today, I will be back.

Blessings to all of you!  

Oh, yeah!!!  Hi Karma!!  Hope you and little man both get a better night's sleep tonight!

Good job, Marilyn and Janet!

Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Hi Folks. Sorry I didin't post earlier but had a busy weekend with doing some Lift Truck Training and we were in town all day yesterday with church activities. I thought I would make just a quick post before leaving for work and am going to Houlton ME again so that means going back through snow country. The weather is somewhat milder though today so that will make the trip a little more pleasant. I will make it past Montreal today and arrive in Houlton tomorrow night if the weather allows. Should be back by the end of the week. I have a trainee wityh me this trip as well. Will be back on CP when I get back, will keep you in my prayers and God Bless.

John.

I forgot to say Hi to every one, Janet, Karma, Kathy, Jenny, Soni, Pat, Larry, Al, Etta Sue, Neil, Nards, Paulette, Cindy if you look in, Carol, Jen if you look in, Trish, Sarah, et al.

Pat I have it all printed out, my it printed small Like about 8 or 10 more like 8 that's ok I can still read it. I have to buy more paper or I would reprint it now, I have saved it though.

Later going to WMS now.

Which book has "Behold how good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity"?

• Psalms
  
  
• Proverbs
  
  
• Ecclesiastes
  
  
• Song of Solomon[/b][/size][/color]