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Morning Devotional...
by Jack Scott


The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He restores my soul;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
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.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.


Perhaps you can imagine the scene. In the far distance, the sun shines over the misty blue mountains. Below them lie the upland moors covered with deep rich purple heather and golden yellow gorse. Immediately in front of us, and just beyond the field gate on which you and I are leaning, is a beautiful verdant pasture.

The grass is lush and wild flowers grow in colorful array. If we stand quietly, we can hear above the soft rustle of the wind, the musical drone of the honey bees as they gather nectar from delicate blooms.

About five hundred yards away, the cool, clear waters of a river flow serenely and silently towards the distant sea.

A little flock of sheep, some with lambs, lie peacefully undisturbed near the river's edge. If we were to look at them through our binoculars, we would see them gently chewing their cud as they draw nourishment from the abundant provision of fresh food. They surely are the picture of contentment and tranquillity. This is something like the picture that Psalm 23 calls to my mind.

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2) Why are the sheep in our little scene so peaceful, so content, so unruffled as they enjoy the warmth of the afternoon sun?

I think my shepherd friend, Johnny Crawford, would tell us that a flock such as we have described are free from fear, have enough to eat and are not plagued with parasites. If we remove any one of these conditions the sheep will not be at peace.

Has not God given us a lovely picture in Psalm 23 of the condition of His believing people? In Psalm 95:7, we read "For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." Every good shepherd will care for his flock, removing the sheep from danger, providing medical treatment to prevent parasites and ensure sufficient food to keep them strong and healthy.

Our "Good Shepherd" has done so much more for His flock than the best of earthly shepherds. To start with He says to us in John 10:11, "I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep". He paid the ultimate price to purchase His flock and to deliver them from the fear of eternal death. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

In Christ our shepherd we have all we need for eternity. When we realize that "I am His and He is mine", fears quickly diminish and should fade away. When the Shepherd is present the wolf will seek some other prey. We need not fear man or devil, even if they kill us we shall live with Him.

If we are aware of His divine presence we will find food abundant for our souls and our spirits will rejoice in the Bread of Life, for He feeds us with food sufficient for our requirements. This He does as we seek to feed on His word and to find Him there. We can, with the Shulamite maiden experience the bounty of His hand. Listen to her words, "He brought me into the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love." (Song of Solomon 2:4) My friends let us feat on the good things of His word as we bask in the sunshine of His love.

"He leadeth me beside the still waters." Sheep like human beings need more than food to live; both need water if they are to survive. In Revelation 21:6, we read, "And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts'."

What is the water of life? The Lord Jesus when speaking to the woman of Samaria told her of "living water" which if a person drank he or she would never thirst again. "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14).

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah talks about that water in Isaiah 12:2,3 "Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." And the Lord Jesus Christ explains its meaning for us in John 7:37-39, "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

We see then that the water is the Holy Spirit whom we receive by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd. The Holy Spirit is needed to give life to those who are dead in sin. He is God's agent in the new birth as we are told in John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit". And it is His presence that sustains eternal life in all those who come by faith to the Lord Jesus for Salvation. It is He who enables us to become true disciples of the one who loved us unto death; the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

If you and I are truly united by faith to the great Shepherd we can enjoy peace greater and more beautiful than any earthly scene. No matter what our material blessings or lack of them we have a peace that passes all understanding, food that nourishes for eternity and water that quenches the thirst for satisfaction in a way the broken cisterns of earth cannot satisfy.

To know this Shepherd is to love Him, and to love Him is to know Him in a way that can only be experienced by His flock. We will close this part of our studies with His gracious invitation as it is found in Isaiah 55:1-3a "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live."

Can you afford to reject this lovely overture of love and mercy? If you are one of His sheep, does not the knowledge of His love thrill your heart and cheer your spirit?

As I was wheeled in to a bed at hospital (for a procedure), I looked up and saw a cross.  It was the way the ceiling support hung - I will take the sign of the cross anytime.  All is well - Giving Thanks!

Carol, aren't you glad God chose a simple design--the cross- as the symbol of His love?
 If He had chosen something complex, we wouldn't have the blessing of seeing it in unexpected places!  I pray you have had a good outcome/report from your procedure and are back home now. [/size][/color] 

Judy, thanks for letting me know July had been posted!  And for the music, I enjoyed both pieces!

God blessed us with a lovely rain last night!  Only a quarter inch in the gauge but the wind was blowing pretty hard, so I think it was probably more than that.  Much needed and much appreciated!

Well, most counties in Kansas have decided to basically ignore the governor's mandated mask order.  The commissioners and law enforcement said they didn't have the personnel or resources to enforce it, anyway.  And they have started a recall petition against her. (governor)

Our church has decided to go back to online services again for a while. 

BUT-God's in His heaven and He's in charge!  That's all I really need to know!

Jackie, Jane, Ellie, and the rest of you--come on in and talk to us!  We don't even require face masks here!

My computer keeps "jumping" and I see it messed up my formatting but I think you can read it so I'm leaving it.  Sorry.

How  nice to log on to entertainment - so many times it is someone I have never heard before today.  Many thanks.

Janet:  Sorry if I sound too bossy - best to you and hubby.

I used to think raising the children while working out of the house was a busy job - now, things go so fast and need so much attention, the day never seems long enough.  Having two days of mental dullness from lack of sleep, I need a week to catch up.  I do appreciate the daily message from Sarah Young.  Behind two days from being on drugs - well, you know what I mean after being in hospital. 

We have an interesting problem - there is a critter under the roof top and it is so high on a ladder we will have to find someone to help.  Meaning pay one person - it may be a racoon (seen in the ravine) bird, bees -

Time to fix supper/dinner.  What do you call it? 

 

Greetings Janet   Not a lot of chat on here of late.  Take care.  Ellie 

A newfound church friend this morning sent me this story..

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art..
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..
He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'
There was silence...
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'
But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'
Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh'S, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'
But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
'We have $10, who will bid $20?'
'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son..
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'
A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over..'
'What about the paintings?'
'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret
tipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!'
God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?'
Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE
   

What a wonderful story.  Thank you for sharing!Here is my verse for today:

And you shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13.

Have a wonderful day today everyone! Here in north eastern it Ontario it is a beautiful morning, however we are expecting it to be a scorcher this afternoon, complete with thunder boomers. 

God bless you and stay safe.

What a great story, Thanks you Jackie for sharing that.

Greetings Jackie   What a splendid story Jackie. Uplifting.   Ellie   

I love that story, Jackie.  I printed copies and enclosed them with my Christmas cards a few years ago.  Thanks for sharing it, I love reading it again.

We had another wonderful rain on Friday night--a full TWO inches this time!  How thankful we are, and how blessed!  It has been really hot and humid since, but things have really greened up!

I'm taking a drawing class on Tuesdays this month, first one was today.  Very basic, but I think it will be really helpful and help me improve my work.  Drawing has always been my weak point, as I never had an art class of any kind in school; then when I started painting, I just sketched the "bare necessities" and started painting! So I'm thinking "better late than never!"

Carol, I can't figure out what I said that made you feel I thought you were bossy.  I don't feel that way at all!  But I know sometimes I express my opinions so strongly that I am misunderstood.  Please forgive me, I don't think you're bossy; I think you're wonderful!  Hope you are all recovered from the procedure and feeling more like your old self again. 

Judy, thanks again for keeping thing going in here.  We are few in number but it's still a special place to me, holding so many precious memories of friends who have been promoted to glory.

I cannot seem to keep up with the few things I do.  Guess I'm either a lot slower or spending too much time with emails, Christian videos and sometimes Facebook.  Sigh....I'm  trying to do better, really I am!

   

These past few days i have been engrossed in everything Tod and Coltan Burpo and Akiane Kramarik..stories, the book, video clips, the interviews, the paintings..

Thank you everyone for your uplifting, positivity, enthusiasm over the above story - for some rekindling the story from our past and bringing it back to our future...
And a special thank-you to them both ( Coltan and Akiane, they have seen Jesus ) for giving us a glimpse of what is to come..and that it is real..Heaven our forever home is REAL..the place we belong that is just waiting for us...

Greetings Everyone  Been a busy day for me  and days seem to be getting busier.  Must not moan, as at least I can do what I do.  Been thinking about when I studied authors, William Shakespeare and someone completely different, George Orwell.  Splendid reading by both authors.   Ellie

Janet:  Thanks for your note. 

We have a racoon issue & there is a trap waiting for him/her - hopefully there will be a relocation of the intruder. This racoon has been been in the attic. There is a huge evergreen tree in front and it is always filled with birds & nest but it has been quiet this spring.   Always something.  A beautiful doe has been grazing in the big ravine in back - so nice to see after seeing no animals for a long time.

Ellie:  Have you read Carl Sandburg?  (hope it is spelled correctly).  I am reading two small books by Sarah Young.  Should say re-reading.  A few years ago for my birthday, 4 friends gave me their bible study / uplifting books and this is a good time to re-read as much as I can.  We sure miss church - there is an online site there too. 

Is anyone here able to attend church service?  Everything here is closed or just slightly opening.  Bars were open first - so important - the case numbers rose too.  So predictable. 

Jackie:  Very nice story.  Take care. 

 

Greetings Carol  A splendid day on the Island this day.  Sunshine and light winds.  I have not read about Carl Sandburg, by Wiki he is a very learned man. And neither had I heard of Sarah Young.  Have yoou eve read about C. S. Lewis.     Ellie     

Hello friends.
Boy, it has been HOT here today!  Early this morning, I went to the Farmers' Market, then have stayed inside since, for the most part.

Carol, our church is still not "open" and I am quite unhappy about it.  I wouldn't mind so much if I could get the services on FB but I can't.  I frustrate myself for about a half-hour, then give up--EVERY Sunday!  I can get it afterwards, but I want to watch it LIVE!  So I have been going to Tampa Bay, Florida and worshipping with River Church and Rodney Howard-Browne.  But I miss my home church family.

Our fair is this month!  I didn't think it would happen but it's still a go, at least at this time.  I let them talk me into serving as Art Superintendent another year, so I will have a couple hard days' work.

Our granddaughter Abby will be 23 years old on the 14th!  Boy, she grew up fast!

Jackie, Colton and Akiane have a special place in my heart too, and I look forward to meeting them when we all get "HOME."  Can you imagine how much fun we will have, visiting with so many we have heard about and longed to meet? Well, I have met Colton and his dad, Todd, who wrote the book.  His grandmother lived here, and when she passed away, the family came for her service, which Todd preached, and the kids sang. (Colton and his sister.)  Actually, I have met them twice.  They were here earlier for a book signing, and I got to visit with both Todd and Colton a little bit.  That was special!

I'm reading a book now titled Trump will Smash the Left and Win!  I'd like to get a copy of 1984 and reread that. So many books, so little time......

Well, it's time to 'hit the hay' for another night!

Greetings Janet  George Orwell's book 1984 is a splendid read.  It is a book hubby studied at college in his mid fifties.  And I have looked at it as well.  Some people dislike what it is about, however, but all things considered it is fiction, not  fact.  As for the book by David Horowitz, not my cup of tea as the old English saying goes.  Ellie   

This morning I was invited to friend's home back patio so four of us on her deck spaced apart.  How wonderful - we all appreciated this normal visit.  I told them of our hidden racoon problem.  The service which we paid for already need to come and reset the cage & first put some attractive food in there.  Not a word today.  All of my three friends are widowed.  They all belonged to the same church where we used to attend as well. 

A new concern here is that Don's hearing aid came apart and cannot be fixed.  Praying for some help with the Veteran's hospital - this is so difficult for Don. 

Janet:  I am pretty sure you are talking about the same father & son we saw a few years back - Colton name sounds familiar.  This is where he (the child) told his parents he has seen a sister in Heaven 0 or something like that.... We went to a special service at the mega church we used to attend and that was a very thoughtful service to say the least.  He (the boy) had talked about things that the parents had never mentioned to him. 

We may get some needed rain this afternoon. 

Greetings Everyone   Has anyone read another George Orwell book, 'Animal Farm' another book hubby read at college in his fifties.  Part of an exam course.  Splendid book as I read it myself.  Ellie

I have been out and checked the trap - still no captured racoon.  Wind - the weather has been almost normal but we have heavy winds every afternoon - an annoying pattern.  Pushing myself to get on the basement treadmill now two days in a row.  We inherited this when one son replaced it with a bigger model.  Good for us to keep our heart rate up daily. 

One friend in our group of five wants to meet at an outdoor restaurant to celebrate   another's birthday and I talked to my friend who is having the birthday.  I can't risk it even though the cafe is doing everything to keep it properly clean.  She says she doesn't feel we should take the risk.  The friend who wants us to meet in a group means well --- this area is not virus free yet so some of us do not want to tempt the disease.  We all are missing our visiting - just calling one at a time and doing Zoom meetings over the computer with the quilter friends and family. 

Rebot:  Yes, we read Animal Farm in high school. It was interesting.  Do you have any restrictions in place for this virus?  Is it in your area? 

 

 

Greetings Carol  Did you work out what Animal Farm was based on?  Very few restrictions on the Island.  Ellie

Yes, Carol, that is the father and son in the book "Heaven is for Real."  I caught them the other night in a video, visiting with another pastor. Even after all this time, the Dad still had tears while speaking about the incident when Colton told his mom abut meeting his sister in heaven.  Wonderful book--I'm so glad Todd wrote it!

I guess I am just not afraid of the virus.  I'm going about my usual activities, except for church, which has been closed again.  So I go to church in Tampa Bay, Florida, at River Church with Rodney Howard-Browne.  It's wonderful!  Our church is online, but I can't get it while they are live and don't want to watch it when not live.  I know, I'm being stubborn.  I did consider wearing a mask next week while working at the fair, but decided I'm not going to do that.  I cannot get a good breath through the cloth ones; I got some online that have exhaust valves and aren't so hot.  So if I feel the need for one, I will use one of those.  If I should get the virus and die, I will just get to go to heaven a little sooner, and that is not a bad thing!  There is STILL so much controversy about the masks, how do you decide who to believe?  Our governor "mandated" wearing them, but our county officials opted us out of the order.

Anyway--I hope you are all doing well, and staying well!

I spent time today working on my fair entries, so they are nearly ready to take out there on Tuesday afternoon.

We had a surprise visit in the back yard - two young deer (bucks) were resting by this side of the fence.  I chatted with them for a while and they looked at me but did leave after a while.  What a treasure to be close - I have had deer and even moose come close in the wild.  The moose was too close for comfort but very interested in us.  Thank you Lord for these magnificent animals. 

Ellie:  To your question on what Animal Farm was on - I always thought "Big Government "  - thinking of Soviets and even our own countries.  We can all be tracked. 

Our daughter has a day off this Monday and she is coming for a visit - bringing her dog - Lola.  Lola was rescued from Turkey (the country) as many are left in the woods - a beautiful light haired Golden.  She learned English really quickly.   

Judy:  Is your church closed - like all of us in this country?