a glimpse of heaven's love

Psalm 23:5c “…my cup runneth over.” My, what a long time it’s been since I’ve written!   I am so sorry.   We all tend to get busy with the things of this life, and some things just get put on hold.   I will try to do better! Last time, I ended with the thought that our cup should be running over…rather a lead in to this next section!   Our cup should be running over; the blessings of God truly abound! I think for this section, I am just going to recount each promise phrase that is spoken of in this psalm: (1)       Promise of Shepherding: tending, feeding, and guarding His precious sheep (2)       Promise of Providing: providing for all our needs     If we will cast all our cares on Him, He will meet those needs     A God-centered life brings peace and contentment (3)        Promise of Rest   God knows just when we are in need of rest---and He provi...

Let me first apologize for not checking into my blog in a long while.  Not that I’ve ever been very consistent or constant, but I’d like to be.  I know I don’t have thousands of readers; but I do have some…and God seems to be using this blog to some degree, so for that I am thankful. Let’s see if I can get back to the subject at hand…the 23 rd Psalm!   We had left off at the middle of verse five.   I don’t believe I touched on this last time, so let me first say, at verse five there is a change in relationship:   It changes from a scene of traveling with our Shepherd out in the wilderness and fields, to a scene of hospitality and friendship inside his tent or home.   The change goes from shepherd-and-sheep imagery to one of intimate friendship.   Get this, dear Christian: God desires a close, intimate friendship with us!   That is the greatest scene changer and thought we should capture when reading this psalm!   God de...

Psalm 23:5a “Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…”       Let’s think of that phrase for just a little bit.   What kind of picture does that conjure up for you?   First of all, to me, the word table makes me think of a banquet or feast… and oh, what a feast that would be!   You did notice God is preparing that table.   When God is in the midst of it, what a grand thing it is!   God doesn’t do things just half-heartedly…no way!   God does things BIG!!   So when blessings are in store, He gets out His BIG shovel!!   Blessings ABOUND!!   You see, dear Christian, God desires the very best for us.   It’s we, ourselves, that limit God’s richest blessings.   But when we’re walking with God, obeying His Word, wow! what blessings are in store for us!!   Let’s notice, too, God says He’s preparing that table right before us.   He wants us to see everything He has in store for...

Psalm 23:4c “…Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”                     In studying the Bible, you will find many analogies; but one very popular one is the analogy of the sheep and their Shepherd.   If you have had the chance to read some of my previous postings, you have found how comforting this truly is.   And this phrase—Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me—is equally as comforting. Think for a minute of a shepherd.   There are many jobs a shepherd must do, but primarily their job is to protect and to guide their sheep.   Sheep, unfortunately, can be very dumb and willful…not a very complimentary thing to say about us, as sheep!   The shepherd must be very protective, as well as being very caring, compassionate and longsuffering.   First of all, let’s define the rod and the staff .   The rod can be likened to a club.   It is the shepherd’s primary tool for protecting, as w...

  Psalm 23: 4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me;” That’s the blessing, dear Christian, of knowing Christ!   He gives us confidence in the very face of death!   That’s the first question, of course…are you truly a Christian??   I don’t plan on going into that subject on this post…but if there’s any question in your heart and mind that you’re truly saved, that you know Christ as your personal Saviour, please, please turn to the many reference labels I have concerning salvation.   That is a MUST!   …please make sure of your salvation today !     What I do wish to speak about in this post—although I’m sure I will be fairly short—is the wonderful fact that no matter what we’re facing—including death—is that we can have confidence and strength through God.   There is nothing we need to fear.   why? …because God says He is with us!   He promises over and ...

Psalm 23:3b "...He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." In just the verse previous it says, "He leadeth me beside the still waters."  Well, again, God is leading us...but in this case He leads us in the paths of righteousness.  What does that mean?  Well, first of all, I believe I've heard it said on more than one occasion, "A good definition for 'righteousness' is Right with God-ness ."  In other words, righteousness is a right standing before God . We cannot have a right standing before God without having confessed to God that we are a sinner, and in need of Christ's  finished work on the cross.  That is really a whole new subject...but it is, in fact, where it all begins.  If you do not know Christ as your personal Saviour, please reference "salvation" in my postings.  There are many, many references that will be a help to you.  This posting is primarily for Christians, and the remind...