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Morning Devotional...

WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS Jeremiah 6:16 By the late Jack Scott 8.  The Shepherd's Psalm--Part (ii)

In Part (i) of our studies on the wonderful Shepherd Psalm, we looked a little at the character and saving work of the One to whom David referred as "My Shepherd". Before we proceed to examine some of the amazing benefits of being one of His sheep, we shall consider the marks which the sheep carry upon them.

Phillip Kellar, writing in his book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23", tells how upon purchasing his first little flock of thirty-five ewes, the former owner handed him a large sharp killing knife and remarked, "Well, Phillip, they're yours. Now you'll have to put your mark upon them." This would be a painful experience for each sheep, for it meant parting with a chunk of its ear, cut with Kellar's own chosen design. This peculiar cut would thereafter mark each individual member of the flock out as the shepherd's own property.

The person who hears the voice of the Good Shepherd and trustingly follows Him must forever bear the Master's Mark. This mark is described for us in Romans 6. We really should read the whole chapter, but for the sake of space, we will quote only a few verses.

"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all: but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:6-12)

Death to self is demanded and can be a very painful process but it is very necessary. You see the Devil has his own flock, which bares his mark of rebellion and sin. When Christ redeems us He expects to mark us out with His own characteristics of love, obedience and holiness. As we read in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." As someone has said, "We are not saved by our works, but if we are truly saved our works will declare our new relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ."

We must realize the kind of sheep we once were and remember the flock to which we belonged; "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6.). If we also understand the tremendous price He paid for us, then we will not wonder that he demands that we bare his likeness.

Despite what we were, guilty and lost, wandering on the desolate crags of Satan's domain, He redeemed us, called, us, and made us the sheep of His pasture if we are His by faith. In all His own he takes delight and tends them with loving care. Even in the midst of their trials and difficulties, the Good Shepherd leads His lambs with gentleness and grace. We may sometimes feel that He no longer watches over us, but if we wait upon Him the dark clouds of doubt will dissipate to reveal the sunshine of His tender love.

Before we begin looking at the blessings of Psalm 23, let us emphasize the Shepherd's mark upon us. In Ephesians 2:8 & 9, we learn that salvation is by grace (unmerited favour) accepted by faith. It is God's gift to us and it is "Not of works lest any man should boast". But that is not the end of the saga, because in verse 10, we read, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

As James tells us in James 2:26, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

What kind of faith do I have? What kind of faith do you have? If nothing has changed since we first professed faith in Christ, a thorough self examination is called for. There are those who believe, or at least appear to believe, that we can trust in the Saviour and continue to live unrepentant lives. The Word of God emphatically teaches otherwise.

Friend, do you and I have the Shepherd's mark engraved on our hearts? If we can honestly say, "Yes, I have trusted Him and I love Him and seek to follow Him", then we can also truly say, "The Lord is my Shepherd" and from our hearts we can sing:



"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). "I shall not want". Reassuring words but what do they mean? David had known poverty, heartache and rebellion in his own family. He had been a fugitive and a refugee. Warfare was fairly constant throughout his reign. Friends and loved ones had been unfaithful on more than one occasion. Few if any of us have experienced more difficulty and more troublesome times than David the sweet singer of Israel. Yet he could confidently declare, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want".

If David's eyes had focused only on the things of time, he could have found no solace, no place of rest, no shady green pastures for his soul. David had found that place, where none but the redeemed of God can enter. The place of His presence, the place of peace. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. My God; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:1, 2).

If we are dwelling in the secret place of His presence, then we can experience the comforting words of the Psalmist "I shall not want." Perhaps one who is experiencing a difficult situation is asking, "Where is this place of His presence and how can I find it?"

The answer is not tedious or difficult , "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19).

If we, by faith, are conscious of the presence of Christ abiding within our hearts we will soon begin to realize the immensity and the immutability of His love for us. Spiritually we need nothing more, and since Christ in us is our hope of glory (See Colossians 1:27), we can truly say, "I shall not want."

I shall not want peace and joy if I realize His inward presence. If I lose my peace and joy, even in the midst of tribulations it is because, for the moment I have ceased to abide in Him and forgotten His abiding presence in me.

Although the blessings of the Psalm are relevant to our spiritual state and our spiritual pilgrimage, it is also true that He meets our physical needs as well.

Our daily provision for food, health and shelter are from His bountiful hand. He may not always give us what we desire, but in grace He meets our needs.

What a gracious Shepherd He is!

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20,21).

---

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

Thank you, Pat.  Jack's presentations are always timeless.   

Church was great.  Evelyn and I went out to KFC for lunch.  I still think they have the best mashed potatoes and gravy anywhere! 

I came home and Inky and I went to the front bedroom.  I read awhile and fell asleep.  All of a sudden Inky jumped off of me.  I could hear a squeaking noise but nothing more.  I was almost back to sleep and it sounded like a Harley.  I got up.  Went to the door.  Looked up and down my drive and no Harley or anything else.  I went back to bed...almost asleep again and the phone rang.  Tony.  Where are you?  I'm home.  Your door is locked!  It's always locked...where are you?  Rick and I are back in the woods...we will be up in a few minutes.  Rick is a high school friend of Tony's and they were on their Harleys.  Good to see Rick after 20 some years!  So the squeaking was my screen door and the Harley was both their Harleys!!

Today I am going to my nurse for my yearly exam and then to the P.O.  Hope the certified letter isn't a jury summons!!

Oh may I constantly know and experience His shepherding in my heart and life!  Oh may I give thanks, at the end of each day, that I have walked with Him and been obedient to Him.  Oh Lord Jesus, Thou great Shepherd of the sheep - without Thy shepherding, I am lost.

Ruth Good to talk to you last night.  Hope you had a good rest and are doing well today. 

I have a dog laying shivering on my feet, and Cimi on a chair beside me.  I shaved them all (all 3) down just before the cold damp rainy weather started, really great timing eh!  John said he was heading into good weather, that it was coming our way......Not so far it isn't, I still have the heat on, and have bundled up like it is  winter!  This rain is needed for the fires zones, and they are being controlled. 

Have a great day everyone!

Hi everyone,  I woke up but didn't want to get up just then so started reading my email and doing some other daily reading that I do using my iPad.   The housekeepers and yard people have been here today.  We always enjoy having all of the house and yard spic and span at the same time.  I just got back from shopping at Aldi's and Walmart.  I am thankful for the riding carts at Walmart or don't think we could shop there anymore. I will have my Monday men's luncheon and we are going to a wings place as the guys like it.  I am not a fan of wings so will have a nice salad I know they have with chicken on it.  This evening I have a meeting to attend and that will be my day. 

Ruth, hope you can find peace of mind.  We are having a little rain today and much needed on my newly mowed lawn.

Ruth Ann, our pastor started a series of sermons yesterday based on Roman's 8 and spoke about the spiritual experience versus the religious experience.  It is an interesting subject.

Pat, hope you have a good trip and find Cayla Joy much improved.  Thanks for the new devotional thought for this week.  Jack's writings are always so good to read.

Etta Sue, in our county the jury summons is just delivered in regular mail.  As I am now 70 I will never serve on another jury.  Glad to got to see Tony and Rick yesterday.  Glad you keep your door locked.

Judy, a great old hymn.

Ruth Ann & Larry thanks for listening.

Judy take care of your pets they need you.

Today is still cool but I will not complain to much.
I am headed out the door to have a visit with my family Dr.  Not about my health just the situation I am in with my stubborn Aunt.

Have a great day.

Wow, I understand about stubborn people and their health. Have endured a good bit of that with some close to me.

It's a good day to be quiet and reflect on life. Y'all have a really great day with the Lord.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Praying for you.

Pat and Paul will be home to Canada soon.  I'm curious did they take Lauren with them?  (The cat).  The tales of traveling with her are really funny!

I am making today a lazy day.  It was a busy weekend and it is nice to stop and rest.

MOM'S EMPTY CHAIR

A woman's daughter had asked the local minister
to come and pray with her mother.
When the minister arrived,
he found the woman lying in bed with her head
propped up on two pillows.

An empty chair sat beside her bed.
The minister assumed that the woman
had been informed of his visit...
'I guess you were expecting me, he said.

'No, who are you?' said the mother.
The minister told her his name and then remarked,
'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew
I was going to show up.'

'Oh yeah, the chair,' said the bedridden woman
'Would you mind closing the door?'
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
'I have never told anyone this,
not even my daughter,' said the woman.
'But all of my life I have never
known how to pray.
At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer,
but it went right over my head.'

`I abandoned any attempt at prayer,'
the old woman continued, 'until one day four years ago,

my best friend said to me,
' Prayer is just a simple matter
of having a conversation with Jesus.
Here is what I suggest..
'Sit down in a chair;
place an empty chair in front of you,
and in faith see Jesus on the chair.
It's not spooky because he promised,
'I will be with you always'..
Then just speak to him in the same way
you're doing with me right now.'

'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much
that I do it a couple of hours every day.
I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking
to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown
or send me off to the funny farm.'

The minister was deeply moved by the story and
encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey.
Then he prayed with her, anointed her with oil,
and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called
to tell the minister that her mama
had died that afternoon.

`Did she die in peace?' he asked.

`Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock,
she called me over to her bedside,
told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek.
When I got back from the store an hour later,
I found her.
But there was something strange about her death.
Apparently, just before Mom died,
she leaned over and rested her head on the chair
beside the bed. What do you make of that?'

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,
'I wish we could all go like that.'

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments,  praise God.
Difficult moments,  seek God.
Quiet moments,  worship God
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.I just received this from a very good friend and had to come here and share it as think it is pretty profound:

That's beautiful, Larry.  Thanks for sharing it with us. 

Well, dear brothers & sisters, I had my driving test today.  The test lady, though, did not pass me.  Oh I still have my license, snd I can still legally drive, but I have to go back sometime soon (they'll tell me when) and take the test over again.  I made the same mistake three times.  During the session I'm told to "male a left turn at the next intersection.  I then drive up  to the intersection, stop, then, when it's safe, drive into the intersection, then stop out there until it's  safe, then make the turn.  The problem is, anyone comimg in the oposite  direction then has to stop znd wait at the intersection for me to make my turn.  What I meed tp dp is stop at the intersection - until it's safe to turn, then turn when it's safe, then turn - not wait for it to be safe while I'm clear out in the middle of the intersection.  So - I learned something about my driving.  Now I just have to remember and correct it.  But - thanks be to our Lord for the correcion.

Al You need Pat to take you out for a couple of drives......

Hi, friends, this must be a night to stay alert.

Maybe our Lord will grant rest soon.

Love to each of you,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Just now back from coffee at McDonald's.  While we were there we had a nice little shower that had stopped by the time we left.  Expect to have a quieter day today than yesterday, which is fine.  Just the ordinary Tuesday activities.  Just opened about 8 cans of things to make Brunswick Stew, which makes many good meals for us.  It cooks all day in the big crock pot and the house smells good all day.

Al, it sounds like you should pass your driving test the next time.  I used to do the same thing as you did until I took the defensive driving course many years ago.  I also learned not to turn my wheel until I actually am moving since if you were hit from behind it doesn't drive you into the oncoming traffic.

It will be a bit before I post a hymn I am working on getting my printer working .......big job.....and in actual fact I don't know what I am doing.  just don't want to slow down the process.  Larry I never was able to uninstall my printer on my tower.  now working with installing on my laptop.  It seems there is a file missing.

My LPN was not happy with my numbers due to the fasting blood draw.  Sugar was up, A1C was up, my kidney functioning was out of normal and so was my liver functioning.  Soooo I am to watch my carbs and be tested again in September.  I wasn't surprised about the sugar levels but the rest I was.  I need to get serious and watch what I am putting into my mouth! 

Then the certified letter was because a neighbor wants to sell 17 acres of land in two parcels instead of one.  I remember a few years ago the neighbor across the road sent out certified letters because his house is close to the road and wanted to let everyone know that he was going to remodel but leave it close to the road.  If we want to protest, then we can go to the court hearing.  I think it is crazy for a neighbor to have to pay $5.75 to send out certified letters when he could hand deliver the same letter for nothing! 

Today I went to the pool and then for breakfast...two eggs, two sausage patties and two slices of whole wheat toast!  I think that is good for low carb breakfast!  I love carbs so this will be a new thing for me!

I was just getting out of my car in the garage when my phone rang.  My SIL asking if I could come over and stay with Colt, her g-grandson, until his other g-grandmother came to get him.  Kaye Don works at the Golf Course and he hurt himself and was at the ER in Noblesville.  It seems he hit his head and someone took him to the ER...not ambulance.  So Colt and I, (he will be two Saturday) played until Grandma Virtie came.  She didn't know Kaye Don hurt himself, she thought Barb had a dr. appointment at 1pm.  I haven't seen Barb and Kaye Don come home yet.  Pray that he is okay!

Now I am home for the day...I think!

Judy - do I dare ask why?

Hi, friends, today the sun's shining and the music on my tv sounds wonderful.

May you each have a great day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hello Everyone, we will be leaving North Bend around noon on Thursday to travel up the coast to Newport, Oregon. I've talked Keith into stopping in Florence at BJ's Ice Cream Parlor for an ice cream on the way up. That is about an hour north of us approximately half way to Newport. then on Sunday we will leave there to head over  to the high desert east of the Cascades to Sunriver where we will stay until the 17th when we had back home to North Bend. I am taking the Netbook with me so will try to at least check in and read the post and say hello.

Al I have no clue! The download worked on my laptop, but all attempts have failed to remove it off my tower.  If I could, then I could reinstall it and all would be good!

Jeanne thank you for your help.

This has been a busy day.  night all.

Hi everyone.  Yesterday was a very cloudy and occasional light shower day and then late in the afternoon the sun popped out and it turned out to be a delightful day.  Our Brunswick stew was delicious and we have a lot left over for additional meals.  We will freeze some of it to use after Pat has her knee surgery as it will make quick meals.  She did find out yesterday that the surgery will be on July 16th and she has her pre-op appointment on July 10th.  After coffee and a quick stop at Kroger for just a few items we plan on going to Bible study this morning. Then I need to go to Kaiser for a blood test, the first time a non-fasting cholestrol test has been ordered.  Then, if I have time I plan on a trip to Kohl's to buy some new clothes as my wardrobe is becoming very limited and somewhat shabby.  I never like buying clothes and therefore try to do it all at once to get it over with.  That will be more than enough to do today.

Judy, go to the website for the brand printer you have and check under drivers for the make/model of that printer and download the software.  This should work unless there is something wrong with the printer.  It could be that if you have had the printer awhile and used it before getting Windows 7 that you need the Windows 7 driver or that the software hasn't been updated and the printer won't work with that version of Windows.  Have you tried to install it as a new printer on your tower?

Etta Sue, your certified letter situation is a first for me.  There must be a state law or something to require that.  If he owns the land he should be able to do what he wants with it but expect zoning laws now interfere.  Sorry to read that Kaye Don was hurt at work and sure hope it wasn't serious.

Marilyn, your vacation plans sound wonderful.  Enjoy the ice cream as it must be special if you are making a special stop to have it.

Good morning: 
Everyone here is so special in their own way

Al:  It sounds to me that you are one of many that make wrong left turns , yes I am one of them as well.  What Larry had said about keeping your wheels straight was something I learned from Pats safe driving courses while driving school bus. 

Marilyn; Please get an ice cream cone for me.
Larry:  Mom's Empty Chair thanks for sharing, I will be keeping a copy to read in my down times.

So many encouraging comments.  Today was coffee day at Tim Horton's the first I have been there in a very long time. It seems that they are under new management again I would wonder why the same person does not stay, it is a small location but busy all the time.

Today will be yet another stressful day, but I know that the Lord will carry me through.

Larry I have XP on my tower, I have successfully downloaded it on my laptop which is Windows 7.  I have tried to reinstall it as a new printer and that didn't work either. So I may have to take it to a computer tech to get what ever's wrong fixed. That costs and I really didn't want to put that out.  There is another situation that is happening, Firefox keeps freezing on me.  If I use it and create too many tabs it freezes and I have to shut Firefox down, Sometimes restart my computer and then retry to do what I was doing. That is more of a nuisance.....again I don't know how to fix it..  Yes I am a fixer, just not with computers.

Larry, I live in one of the richest and fastest growing counties in Indiana.  It is the county that is holding back the starting of our new church.  The state has approved the septic/sewage system but the county hasn't approved it.  I have heard we used to have 3 people who approved permits...now we have 20 so they have to justify the need for that many people...therefore they don't grant permits readily...they make the people/businesses wait...and wait!  Therefore there are many permits awaiting approval on the dockets!  Grrrr! 

Here, an individual to build their own home has to purchase 5 acres!  But a contractor can purchase 5 acres and build 10 homes on it and it's okay!!  The 5-acre purchase has been for 15-20 years.  Not many new individual homes are build on their own land....but additions?  You drive any direction and you don't see a new home but many new additions!

Kaye Don opened a wrong door and many golf balls fell out.  I don't know if this was a little door, a big door or what or why that many golf balls were behind the door.  He was knee high in golf balls.  When trying to get out, he slid on the golf balls and fell forward and hit his head and face on something.  He has three stitches on his nose, multiple bruises and scratches and broken glasses.  He came home yesterday afternoon but I haven't seen him.

Today Kitty and I are going to Applebee's for a Jacob fundraiser.  Everything purchased, Applebee's will donate 15% to Jacob and his family.  Jacob is still at Shepherd's Center.  He was to be dismissed today and come home but he was in ICU again with a UTI and his dismissal date had changed again.  They have a bed and lift at his home and Sheree and Baxter are being trained on how to take care of him and how to get him home.  I think they are driving him home.  He still has his trach but they are hoping that is removed before bringing him home. 

Last weekend his cousin and her family visited them.  Melissa is a hair dresser so she gave Jacob a haircut, trimmed Sheree's hair and cut Baxter's.  They were so glad! 

High School graduation is Friday night.  I am not going but I am sure it will be a sad graduation without Jacob being there.

   Good evening to all.  I have looked over the posts and as per usual it seems that all are still very busy.

Noreen and I have been busy also and it was our granddaughters recital last Friday night and she looked so beautiful in her yellow dress or  Tu Tu and they were to represent the beauty from Beauty and the Beast.

So I Gordon went to get up to go to church on Sunday morning up north at my sons and I fell back into my bed faster than I did trying to get up and the bedroom was moving faster than you want it too.  Well I now have Vertigo and had quite a few more dizzy spells and I am on some meds for this.   So could you all please pray that this will get better A.S.A.P. as I am not aloud to drive and this is very awkward as my wife does not drive.

I know that the Lord is able to do anything that he wants us to do and I have the faith that he may have sent this along to slow me down.

It is so good to read all of your posts and to here what is going on.   Mat the Lord be with you all and give you strength.                                     Love in Christ.    Gordon and Noreen

Gordon, I endured several months of terrible dizziness. In the end, we learned that one of my medications depleted some electrolytes in my system, causing that dizziness.

So, if you are taking any medications (prescription or over the counter), you may wish to review these with your physician to determine whether they may be causing or contributing to dizziness.

I'll be praying for you. Yes, driving is difficult when we can't keep our orientation.

I believe someone here was telling of an exercise they had taken to help vertigo. Maybe they will respond to help us out.

It's very late, and I'm mighty tired, so will close for tonight. Much love to everyone.

Ruth Ann