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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 (iv) [/td]
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Some years ago, I was hiking alone in England. The trail (or as the English say, the "footpath")—was isolated and very poorly marked. This is a rare situation in England, known to hikers as the land of well marked trails. At one point, as I later discovered, only a couple of miles from the end, I became disoriented. I was tired and lonely and hungry. There seemed to be no other humans for miles. What should I do now? I longed to meet another hiker, or a local resident; even a friendly dog would have been a relief. No one suddenly or miraculously appeared. No laughing border collie wagged its welcoming tail.

What would you have done in similar circumstances? Well, I found a comfortable rock, slipped off my rucksack and sat down. Then I ate the lunch I should have eaten about two hours earlier and drank a half of a liter of water. My energy returned. Using my map and compass, I figured out my location and with a spring in my step, walked to the bus stop in the little town that marked the end of my hike.

As we move on to verse three of Psalm 23 and meditate upon it, we see the wonderful promises it contains for life's journey. "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3) The words are overflowing with comfort and encouragement for all the members of the Good Shepherd's flock. No believer is left out and it is applied on an individual basis. The lovely truths of this psalm are not mere generalities. We do not read: "He restores our souls" Such a statement would be welcome encouragement for God's people, but how grandly greater is the assurance "He restores my soul". He cares about me! He loves the world but, praise His name He loves me. Yes, my friend, if you are His you can personally claim this blessing of restoration, no matter how withered and drooping you feel.

Day by day we all move along, sometimes reluctantly on the journey of life. At times our happy feet march to the triumphant music of success. At other times we drag ourselves weary and worn, and perhaps even broken along the ruggedly steep paths of life—over rocks and ridges and along precipices dangerous and frightful. This lies in the nature of being human. Sometimes we have cheerful and supportive companions on this great trail of life. These may include a spouse, family, friends or fellow Christians. But at times we plod on not only tired but seemingly alone and perhaps unwanted. The way seems miserable, the going is rough and the shadows are lengthening.

When the traveling is wearisome and lonely, and our minds are stretched, elastic like, to their limits the awful ghosts of past sins and desires are inclined to haunt us. Regrets dart from the dark recesses of the mind and mingle with the cares of today and the fears of tomorrow. Like a delicate flower on a dry and windswept hillside we begin to wither, and the serene look gives place to frowns and wrinkles.

When our spiritual pilgrimage becomes unbearable, we need to take time out. We must take time to rest in God's presence. As the Bible enjoins us we must be "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

If we take time to rest in His presence we can refresh our spirits as we enjoy the sustenance of God's word and drink deeply at the "wells of Salvation". Then using the compass of God's truth, we can set our course towards home in the eternal City, just as our great spiritual forefather Abraham did. "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10).

If our own foolish misconduct, our own sin and rebellion is the root of our withered and miserable condition, restoration is, bless God, still available.  And who among us has not sinned over and over again in the years since first we trusted Christ? God calls us to confession and repentance and provides cleansing for the sinning hart. The gospel for the sinning saint is found in I John 1:6-9, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And believing this we can humbly say amen to the words, "He restoreth my soul".

King David cried out to God in anguish of soul "Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners shall be converted to You." (Psalm 51:9-13).

God heard his heart rending wail "Hide thyself from my sins and blot out all my iniquities." God graciously restored David to fellowship with Himself and gave him back the joy of salvation.

David and every other repentant, sinning believer can claim with joy overflowing: "He restoreth my soul." Only the forgiven can appreciate the warmth of His tender love.

Perhaps one of my friends will confess in his or her own heart. "I have repented oh, so often; but I keep falling on the rocks of temptation and sliding on the slippery scree of evil desire. What can I do? I've tried to gain the mastery over a particular weakness and failed again and again. I think I am doomed—sin is in my very nature". Like David, you cry out "Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)

There is good news in the verse before us for those who are in such a predicament. Look at Psalm 23:3, "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."
God's children have yearned over the centuries for power to break the binding habits of sin. The Lord Jesus taught His own disciples to pray, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." Does God answer this prayer? Yes, if we obey His command in Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is. And walk in it: Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it'."

We are to ask after the old way, and upon finding it we are to walk therein. Many professing Christians, like Jeremiah's hearers, sadly refuse to walk in the old paths; they are doomed to keep on repeating the same old sins, and living the same old life of spiritual mediocrity. The path can be found where the Lord Jesus is. After the resurrection, two of His disciples made a journey to Emmaus. These two disciples don't appear to have been any of the twelve apostles, and it seems probably that they were a married couple. In any case, they were sad and discouraged. Their hopes had been dashed—the one they thought would deliver their nation from the iron yoke of Roman bondage was dead and buried. There was something however, that they didn't know about. Christ had risen from the dead in triumph over sin and the grave.

A marvelous thing happened as they trod the weary Emmaus Road that day. "So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them." (Luke 24:15) These two dear people didn't recognize their beloved master until later but something should have tipped them off--the presence of the Man of Calvary made a great difference to their walk that day, "And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'." (Luke 24:32).

If we walk in His company and seek to know Him in the scriptures, our hearts too will burn within us. They will burn with love to Him and with a strong desire to obey His commandments. Then shall we understand in a spiritual sense the words of Isaiah 35:1, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them." And they shall walk in "the Way of Holiness" (Isaiah 35: and we will experience the promise of Psalm 23:3, "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake".



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.

What a fast response to Soni's suggestion about a special area just for the new ones Pat.  I like it!

ps.....posted here just so I wouldn't get a bonk on the head if you closed the other door...

Thank you for your thoughts Jenny.   I agree that God will let Pat know His perfect will for her.

Ria....I will continue to pray for your father.   God Bless

Soni...you sound like you are having lots of fun with your kids.   I can remember when my son shaved his legs because he was into weight lifting!  I couldn't believe it.  Soni, I always love your posts.   They are so colourful and easy to read.  God Bless

Kathy...I too will be praying for Pat and CP for His perfect will to be done.

Janet...sorry about Abbey.   Just the change could be the reason her tommy was upset.

Thank you Judy for that interesting storey.   Who was the Pastor in the story?

Hi Marilyn...sorry your washer is broke and it looks like my microwave is broke.    Last week it was my washer.  A bobby pin had puctured a hole in the pump.  The bobby pin was one of my students who live here, not mine.   Oh well Praise God.  

Jane...those cups of coffee you posted look so good.   I just have to get one right now.   God Bless

Ria...a cappaccino sounds good!

Janet...maybe flat ginger ale would appeal to Abbey.  It has help my children.   Or ginger tea.  Hope this is just a 24 hour bug.

Jenny ...for upset stomach cool salt water work too.  It should be cool.   1/2 glass of cool water with 1/2 salt.  Just sip a few mouthfuls.

Soni....so good about your brother getting a job.  It is true God is a Good God who loves us.

Thank you Al for Great is Thy Faithfulness.  I'm so glad our Father is faithful.   Thank you Pat for the music.

It is late now.   I will post the rest tomorrow.    God Bless.   Have a wonderful Lord's Day.


Love Ruthie

Pat, I enjoyed Jack's devotional so much.  He talked about how we can be busy, happy and with people around us or we can be lonely and by ourselves.  No matter what, we who know Christ as our Saviour, absolutely know, without question, that He is with us.   He lives inside of us and the Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit and tells us that we are children of God.  He has said in Heb 13:5.  "I will never leave you or forsake you".   What a precious promise!  When we have the sense of His presence, we can face life and what it brings our way.  

I love the way Jack took an event in life and applied the scripture to it. This makes the scripture real to us.

God Bless

Ruthie

Hi Trish...so glad you posted.   I have a daughter in law named Trish.   My son's name is Kevin.   If he is trying to be emphatic he calls her "Patricia!"  

Hope you post some more.

Love Ruthie

10 a.m. Good Morning "Proper" Pat and brethren.
I did go back to bed!

I do like the devotionals at the moment Pat.  Are they in a book?  They should be!...even just the "Shepherd" Ones.

Ruthie, Hello dear.  Yes I feel the Lord will show Pat His perfect will "for Her"., "Not as I would Lord, but as Thou willest" Amen!

Certainly I am ready to help Pat, as I told you last year,I just want to hear from You on this matter.I don't have a bank account where I can transfer funds to USA but there are ways I am sure.

To enlarge on Jack's devotional I am going now to have a drink  of "Living Water".

The Lord Bless All who come this way today.
Jenny

as a point of interest..Re Donations

I send Cash Donations to Patrick Kolla at Spybot.  He does take English sterling currency. I just send small regular donations in bubble wrap by airmail and he e mails on receipt.

He gives his Software freely to all and it is wonderful, however he has to pay for the extra webspace necessary to try out his and his (unpaid) team's ideas.

Natey777!!

Good morning.  Just zipping through before leaving for church.  It is cold out.  Probably won't stay at Jerry's long since we are to have rain turning to ice turning to snow before tomorrow morning.  Not the best combination anywhere in the world.  

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"When you're down and out, lift up your head and shout....'I'm down and out!'"

Hello all..and to you ETTA SUE I started singin the song and got a surprise when it said.."say you're down & out"   Good laugh this morning.

PAT I loved the lesson from Jack and put my response in the other area you marked "here"

My cat, Maxine, tried to jump up here and eat my cheese toast with me...then my dog, Mimi, wanted some too.  Of course, I was already through and they didn't get any.

I am reading through the Bible with a new commentary that I was given for Christmas.  It is called  Believers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald.     Do any of you have this?  It is a big help along with my Study Bible.  This will not be done in a year's time because I don't think I can do it.  But, I will take it a book at the time along with my other readings. I know we all have our special ways to read through.  I like to use different ones.  OT and NT and Psalms and Proverbs.  These seem to be what I need every day.

Ooops.  posting too long

May all have a blessed LORD's day at church.  

Hi everyone.   Welcome to Natey777.  I look forward to your postings.

It is a beautiful day here in Georgia but chilly as is it 28 degrees.  We will soon leave for Sunday School and Church.  Today is a special day and we will have a very long service.  On Wednesday evening one of our pastors referred to today as being a 4 hour church service.    Of course she was joking but it will be long as we are welcoming new members, have a baptism, have communion and have a special time to welcome our new interim pastor today.  In addition it is a combined contemporary and traditional service so there will be extra music.  Following the service there is a reception for our new members and our new pastor.  Pat made a big batch of carmel popcorn as they wanted finger foods to serve.  We are not planning on staying for the reception as our son will be back over sometime this morning or afternoon to work more on our wireless computer network.

This morning I have read through the postings in NEM for the last three days.  I agree with the many comments in response to Pat's request for input on this site.   From a selfish standpoint this site has met a lot to me this past year and I know it has lead me to focus on a lot more Bible reading and devotional time and prayer.  I also feel that I have made some wonderful friends on this site.  Sometimes I would like to post more and respond to every post but often find I just don't have the time or the inclination on a particular day to post a lot.  Other days I can't seem to shut up.  However, as Jenny and a couple of others have expressed this must be a decision that you make Pat based on what God is directing you to do.  I truly believe God is using this website in a powerful way.  We won't ever know the extent of that use.  A few days ago I was finally able to access the statistics on our church website and was shocked to see that during 2003 there had been over 124,000 hits on the site with about 14,000 visits.  

Sorry to read of the illnesses and the other problems being encountered.  I haven't had a chance to read the other folders here for about 4 days so will try to catch up later today.

SUNDAY THE DAY OF OUR LORD  2.55PM in HOLLAND.

PAT thank you very much for part 4 from your dear Jack's great devotional this morning also for the musik from Psalm 23. My fahter was always here the first what he say when i was listen to  Psalm 23 he say that was mothers song.
But can you not let make a book from Jack's great devotionals. It is for sure that i one book will buy then
there must be a way to pay in Holland something in
Canada with Canadian dollars.

AL and PAT thank you also for the very nice hymn GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, O GOD MY FAHTER. We also have this song in Holland.

The last night we have had terrible weather in Holland a very big storm there are trees
broken. Today all the broken trees must put away they
are lying on the roads.

This morning after the church we have trink coffee together with all the othere people wich
are in the church. Very nice.
My husband has keep on my fahter today he is no more so short of breath and he has eat wich us also
this evening he eat with us bread and later my husband take him home.

JANET i hope that Abby is a little bit better today.

What shall I give you, Master?
You have redeemed my soul;
My gift is small but it is my all
Surrendered to Your control.
                                        GRIMES

I WISH YOU ALL A BLESSED SUNDAY
BYE LOVE RIA

 
    NATEY777 TO CP

                                              RIA

Good Morning Everyone!

This is just a quick little visit to greet you all as I'm about ready to leave for church.  At least after my coffee I will be.  Paulette aka Tenderheart will be picking me up in about an hour or so and I have a few things to do first.

Larry, it's good to see you back posting.  Amazing how we miss someone so much isn't it?  You surely have been missed.

...To you all for your continued support of this site.  

I appreciate all of your comments.  I'm sure that IF it's the Lord's will to continue, it WILL continue for a long time to come.

From today's devotional, this meant a lot to me.  Maybe it will mean a lot to you too.  Maybe some of you are in this position and you need to "Be still"...

Quote
When our spiritual pilgrimage becomes unbearable, we need to take time out. We must take time to rest in God's presence. As the Bible enjoins us we must be "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

What meant something special to you in the devotional?

I'm just stopping by to thank you all for your prayers, suggestions and comments about Abby's illness yesterday.  We all slept a little late this morning, and she popped out bright as a new penny!! I immediately prayed with her thanking God for her full recovery.  Then it was off to the kitchen for a cheese omelet.  That's what she requested after a full day of no food.

I must get us ready for church!  When you drive 30 miles you have to leave 30 minutes earlier!

WELCOME NATEY777!!!!

Welcome Natey 777 to CP

Just stopping in for just a moment before I leave for church. At the moment I am pain free, praying I will stay that way through church. Last Sunday I hurt so bad I had to leave after Sunday school. Must go now be back later.

Hi Pat and everyone!  My computer cannot access the Internet anymore and I can't get a new one right now.  So, I try to visit whenever I can get to use someone else's PC.  

I do so miss everyone and hope to come back real soon.  Best wishes to you all!

Yes, Pat do try to continue with this website if at all possible.  I know how much work and time it must take for you to do this.  But to think of the number of people that you help in this manner, only God knows how many and how much.  I do thank you for being my friend through some really tough times.

Love, Mary

Subj: Insight for Leaders  
Date: 2/1/04 5:03:47 AM GMT Standard Time
From: lmi@flash.net
To: tozer@litmin.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



February 1    

The Holy Spirit: The Eternal Spirit

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  
--Acts 1:8

You know, the Church started out with a Bible, then it got a
hymnbook, and for years that was it--a Bible and a hymnbook. The
average church now certainly wouldn't be able to operate on just a
hymnbook and the Bible. Now we have to have all kinds of truck. A
lot of people couldn't serve God at all without at least a vanload
of equipment to keep them happy.

Some of these attractions that we have to win people and keep them
coming may be fine or they may be cheap. They may be elevated or
they may be degrading. They may be artistic or they may be coarse--
it all depends upon who is running the show! But the Holy Spirit is
not the center of attraction, and the Lord is not the one who is in
charge. We bring in all sorts of antiscriptural and unscriptural
claptrap to keep the people happy and keep them coming.

As I see it, the great woe is not the presence of these religious
toys and trifles--but the fact that they have become a necessity,
and the presence of the Eternal Spirit is not in our midst!  The
Counselor, 41.

"Lord, we've been taught good methods in Seminary; we've emphasized
the need to be technologically up-to-date to reach our generation.
As I do indeed commit myself to excellence in reaching people for
Christ, help me to remember that the power is not in the methods or
the means, but in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

If the Lord called you to go somewhere, would you go?  Would you go without struggling or murmuring?  

Thank Chris.  Man!  That Mr. Tozer was a great fella!  Yes, long gone are the days of a Bible and a hymnbook!  It's sad really.


Mary!!  It's so good to see you.  It seems like it's been forever since you were here.  I do hope that you have access to a computer more often that will allow you to come in here.  God richly bless you and keep you well.


I'm so glad that your pain has gone, Marilyn.  Great!


Abby, I hope, enjoyed her cheese omelette, Janet!  Wow!  What a weekend you've had with one sick little girl.  But at least she wanted to be with Grandma!  That's so neat.


Etta Sue, we're supposed to be getting that freezing rain but you wouldn't know it today.  The sun is shining so brightly and the snow is actually melting a bit.


I'm really happy that you enjoyed the devotional today, Ria.   I did too!    I hope I never tire of them.  (I don't think I will)


Thanks so much, Kathy for posting over in Manna for the Soul by using the clickable.  Much appreciated.  Thanks!


Jenny, it is my wish that this site will be FREE for all with no donations.  Isn't that wonderful?  That is my prayer and my wish.  The Lord knows all about everything and I'm sure that He will take care of everything.  Praise the Lord!  We serve an awesome God.


Well, it's lunchtime.  Paulette and I really enjoyed the service today that we attended and hopefully little Ben will not have an earache later on so that we might go to the evening service.  There's a fellow who is from Rochester, New York who has heard the call of the Lord to be a missionary in the heart of the city of Toronto and he's going to be showing some slides as well as speaking tonight.



Hi Liz!

PAT THANK YOU FOR THE HYMN
I'll go where You want me to go very nice.

IS IT REALLY THAT CP IS STAYING AND ALSO YOU PAT

THEN I THANK GOD HE HAS HEAR OUR PRAYERS
AND I THANK YOU DEAR PAT
GOD BLESS  YOU
RIA

I would love to be on my way to church but that is not possible at this time.  Will have to wait a little longer to see where and how...

Our imperious housecat, Perkins, sleeps in the laundry room and this is part of my suite.  So Wendy brings him in to say good morning.  He now walks around looking everything over and goes to see my canary.  I keep emphasizing that this is 'Gramie's bird, Michael', hoping that giving a name will reduce the hazards.  On a good morning I am even allowed a few friendly pats and rewarded by not being smacked with his paw.  

Watched Hour of Power and was really blessed.  They are preaching Jesus and even going so far as to state that althought knowledge and higher learning are important, having a personal relationship with Jesus is of greater value.  Emphasis is on the need to live the Spirit of Christ.  That one of the most important lessons to learn in our Christian walk isn't just love....it is to forgive.  Forgive those who have, those who do and those who will, hurt us and wound our spirit.

Many people have caused this person great hurt in past years.  Strangely, God seems to be bringing them back into my life and helping me to forgive.  I think that we may only be able to truly love God when that lesson is learned.  I am still struggling!

Have a wonderful day folks.  I am going to visit the Photo's now and see what has been happening.
God Bless.  Liz

Good afternoon, folks.

We have been busy here getting the house cleaned up.  My finger is feeling much better today.

I will be back.

Hey Pat, did you notice Neil's new site?  He said we can link from there.  It is pretty easy to navigate around to.  Maybe we can get some of the newbies to the site and help them upload and link pictures and stuff.  

Thank you, Neil!!!!!  ((((hug))))

I will be back later.  Busy busy busy.


Oh ya, Janet! I am soooo glad Abby is better!  

View New Pictures~Click Here[/b][/color]

Just watched Dr Charles Stanley, what a preacher.
Talked on Paul's thorn in the side, we learn everything through suffering,
when everything is sunshine and an easy life, we usually learn  zilch!
But when we endure to the end of our testing, He meets with us and says  "well done.""
Until the next time! lol!
So we never give up, nor sidestep the issue, if we want His blessing.
Regards Chris.

Home from church now and received a couple of emails from a person who I have offended by my abruptness.
my son has often spoken to me of this problem.

I have a bad habit of being rather abrupt in my conversations and in letters. I have the habit of not beating around the bush with fancy words or soft peddling what I have tosay. Gilbert tells me I should not come straight to the point  but politely come around the bush to what it is I have to say. (be more tactful)

I am asking all of you here (my family) to pray that I can be more tactful when it is called for so that I do not hurt peoples feelings unintentionally.
Unfortunately this was one of my Christian friends that I met on the internet and doesn't personally know me  except through correspondence.