The Lord is my Shepherd

Lord, You know my weaknesses and follies, and what sins I am likely enough to commit--unless You hold me fast. "Hold up my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip!" Psalm 17:5

Beloved Surrounded by the world’s timeless deceptions, we need to hear our Shepherd’s voice, follow His paths, and reject the chorus of voices that would divert us us from His path. In a World that has turned its back to God, the only place of peace and safety is in the shelter of the Shepherd – near to the heart of God.

Often, in His Word, God ask us to behold Him -- Take time to “behold” your Shepherd in this wonder-filled song – not as a New Age visualization, but as the Holy Spirit reveals His beauty and love to your heart. Take time to “behold” your Shepherd in this beautiful hymn . (See 2 Corinthians 3: Ask Him to lead you through each verse, making all the promises alive to you. His words are powerful as well as lovely, and – if truly received into your heart and life – will keep you sheltered in His peace no matter what happens all around.

1. Read Psalm 23:1. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” What do these words mean to you today?

How does the Shepherd’s promise in Philippians 4:19 deepen your understanding of David’s words?

When God is your Shepherd, who are you to Him? (See Psalm 100:3) How does this truth encourage you?

3. Read Ezekiel 34:11-16, 31. What did you learn about your Shepherd’s love?

4. Read John 10:1-6. Describe the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep.

5. How the following verses deepen your understanding of what it means to “follow” the one you love?

6. Read Psalm 23:2. When you follow Him, your Shepherd leads you to the “green pastures” where you can find the nourishment to stand firm in Him – no matter what happens in the world around you. To what kinds of “food” do Jeremiah 15:16 and Matthew 4:4 point?

What happens in your heart and mind when you feed on His special nourishment? (See also Romans 12:2)

7. In the context of Scriptures, what do the “still waters” mean to you? (For additional insight, see John 4:10-14.)
8. Read Psalm 23:3. The Shepherd longs to restore your soul whenever the stress, pain, and concerns of daily life disturbs your peace in Him. Some of His steps to peace may differ according to your needs from day to day, but the following Scriptures help point out His path. What is your part in the process of restoring your soul?

9. Read Psalm 23:3b and Galatians 2:20. What has the Shepherd already done to enable you to walk in the paths of righteousness?

In light of all the Scriptures above, summarize what you can do to stay so close to Him that nothing can pull you off His path?

10. Read Psalm 23:4. Why can you be free from fear, no matter how dark your valley and how strong your enemy?

11. Read Psalm 23:5. What kinds of inner or outer enemies do you face today? Would you ask Him to prepare “a table” of triumph for you? Remember, He has made us “more than conquerors” in Christ! (Romans 8:37)

12. “You anoint my head with oil.” What does this mean? (If your Bible has cross-references, look them up).

13. Read Psalm 23:6. Remember some of the special ways He has shown you His “goodness and mercy” – both in the world’s dark valleys and on the special mountain tops. Write Him your thanks.

Born in Norway into non-Christian family. All Lutherans, no persoanl relationship with Christ. Loved nature--not God, a fertile field for the seeds of paganims (or nature-worship) that are being sown all around the world.

Missionary God-mother who prayed (anyone here grandomothers? pray for grandchildren!)

God walked with me, and I learned to talk with Him, work with him, but couldn't read Bible. (See testimony--start with King and warfare. He has won the war!)

1. Why do Christians suffer and non-Christians seemingly not? Ps. 73 and John 16:33 He has overcome the world.

2. Why is the resurrection significant? Isn't the Spirit in everybody (pantheism)? Won't everyone have eternal life? (pantheistic views of paganism in the church)

Only through grace can man be justified (Gal. 3:4). Faith in God and Word, not faith in our creative imagination.

September 26, 1992. Thank you my Lord for this fantastic trip. You have performed one miracle after another. Truly you have once again proven your wisdom, power and love--and I am overwhelmed with awe and thanks.

Years ago, new Christian, read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boon. I thought, maybe one day I'll be put in concentration camp for my faith, and I want to be ready. Learned it years ago along with many others because I had read Corrie Ten Boon and wanted to have my mind full of Scriptures and hymns if I ever was confined in a concentration camp like she was. Someone has to know them. Right. And if God wanted me to share his songs to encourage others as such a time--I would. Even through I have a terrible voice. The heart and words are what counts.

So I learned all kinds of old hymns--like all those I could find by Fanny Crosby. Hymns like Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine, Face to Face with Christi my Savior and . One of my favorites was All the Way My Savior Leads me. Do you know that one? Let me tell you the first verse.... because this is what my Lord wants me to share with you. "All the Way my Savior Leads me....." Those songs kept me so close to Him --and filled with faith--during some very challenging years of my life. Sometimes when I forgot a melody because I had been singing others, he'd remind me. Like on a trip, when I was trying to remember the words to Be Thou My Vision.... and Andy, my husband, was flipping through some channels--and suddenly landed on a Christian station that immediately began to play Be Thou My Vision.

About the same time I went to my second woman’s retreat. The first was miserable. I was new and hardly anyone talked with me. I was so shy and quiet that I just avoided anyone. This time I was about 4 months pregnant. Didn't fit my usual clothes, but had given away my maternity clothes and hadn't bothered to get new ones yet. Looking fat and feeling ugly in lose baggy clothes before they became popular. Didn't know anyone. Didn't want to see anyone. Didn't know why in the world I had even come. I felt miserable. Friday night lecture--I sat way in the back. Speaker was Rosalind Rinker. She came to the podium, leaned on it, and the podium leaned with her. Startled, she pulled back. And the podium fell back into its proper position. She tried t again, and was visibly upset about this wobbly podium. Someone came in to fix it, through he had, and when he left the podium .....

I was sitting in the back watching the show from a safe distance. Didn't even care all that much. Then God spoke to my heart. He said, "I want you to go up there and fix it." I didn't even answer. Just got hot red and sweaty. I knew I couldn't do that. Even if I could, I certainly wouldn't walk up there in front of all those people. Even if I had proper clothes and didn't feel so ugly, I couldn't do that. So I just cringed in my seat. But my heart started pounding and I couldn't concentrate. All I heard was Do you love yourself more than me? Are you so afraid of what people will think that you won't do what I ask?

By this time Rinker was lecturing and it was no time to break in. But my heart was pounding so hard that I finally raised my hand. She ignored it. I waved. She looked the other way. I kept waving and finally she stopped talking and asked in a slightly irritated voice. Did you have a question?

I stood up as straight as I could on my trembling legs, and in a shaky voice said, "I think I can fix the podium."

She stood silently and stared down at me along with everyone else as I walked that long isle. I don't think I have ever been more scared--or felt more miserable-- in my life. About four rows from the front, someone grabbed my hand--I happened to be walk close enough-- and pressed something into my hands and closed my fingers over it. I looked down. It was four emery boards. When I got up to the podium and pushed it, I could see that it sat in a well, I doubled those emery boards, making a think wad, and pushed them into the well--and it stood firm. Everyone clapped, she thanked me and I slunk back to my seat--still very miserable.

That was eighteen years ago, back when I was scared to death to open my mouth in a small group. I don't think anyone was more scared of speaking than I was, a year later, when for some incredible reason I was asked to give three lectures at PBC. That's another story--but God is the sufficient one.

Two years ago I shared about--hold up charts. New Age astrology, spiritism (2 thousand children in LA, and so I do workshop ad teach on this. Most is in Under the Spell.

Going on one of my trips. Tell you what happened this last week. Now I always forget something--and God always solves my problems. Uses my weakness to prove His sufficiency.

Last week I was preparing to leave for Texas. Didn't have time for haircut. Didn't start packing until midnight, Tried to find the phone number of someone I met last spring when in Dallas, couldn’t' find it. Prayed that God would put us in touch anyway.

Sitting on plane singing to myself "All the Way my Savior leads me" Anyway as I was singing these songs, I remembered that I had forgotten stockings and a slip. I asked God to take care of it. Looked at my turquoise watchband ad knew it wouldn't go with blue suit. Other watches had run out of battery power. All the Way my Savior leads me.

So I was singing this song and looking at the window as we flew over the painted desert and came close to the Grand Canyon. I could hardly wait. But the person on my right asked a question--which made me totally miss the sights outside. Flew to Dallas for the TSSA. Sat next to Maggie and her brand new husband on way to Spain for a honeymoon. Saw what I was reading and wondered if I was a Christian. Wanted to find a church when children were old enough--no children yet. We talked for about an hour about different kinds of churches and what it meant to be a Christian. Received Christ. Scriptures to meditate on

Checking in at the hotel, I asked where I could buy a slip. They told me about a mall nearby. Saw a tester and bought trolls. Got a haircut. A stand with watches. Found one the right color. Nice young man came looking for me. Had been worried when I didn't call.

Back at the hotel, looked through Andersons in Arlington and left a friendly message at one with the initial Ka. It was not the Kay I was looking for.

Next day, called Watchmen ministries. They sent a volunteer over to pick me up. One of Kay Anderson's close friends. She had just received a Muller's World Core curriculum--I quote from it in my book--but only from someone else's material. Wanted me to have a copy.

Next morning Day and Frances spent four hours showing me documenting global and New Age education across the country.

MY HEART, HIS THRONE -- I like this title. I was an open invittion to talk about my King. For if there is a throne--there has to be a King--Right? And if this throne is in my heart--that means that He lives and reigns in me. And nothing could be more exciting! The KING OF THE UNIVERSE LIVING WITH ME!

Ever since I became a Chrsitian I have loved that name for God. The words of Psalm 84 took root in me long ago, and keep flowing through my mine: my King and my God....??? But not everyone can relate to the concept of a King. When I was writing my latest book, Under the Spell of Mother Earth, some friends critiquted the manuscript for me, and found several references to King. "Take those out" they suggested. "Call Him Lord or God instead". Since we don't have a king in America, that title isn't relevant to us."

Some people react more strongly against the idea of a king. To a lot of women today--even in churches--the idea of a male God is bad enough--but a King! That means dictatorship, dominance, and all kinds of oppressive relationships that are totally outdated and absolutely not politically correct.

The problem is, they don't know my King. He isn't the way they describe Him at all. He reigns in heaven and on earth--whether we know Him or not--and whether people believe it or like it or not. But He has given us free will, and will not dominate us. Instead, He longs to be our Shepherd who leads us to peace and genuine freedom. He knows every day ahead, therefore only He knows what we need today to be prepared for tomorrow's challenges. If we make room for His throne in our hearts, He will lead us and work out His perfect plan for our lives.

Of course, most people don't want to trust Him as their King unless they know what that means. Which is why I want to help you know Him just a little bit better.

I was born in Norway the year Hitler's armies invaded our country. The war ended when I was only five, yet I remember well how everyond adored our king. In His name was Hakon 7, and he was a woncerful king--wise, kind, gentle and brave. I would run into the streets in Oslo with my friends, and we would use white chalk to write his insignia--H with 7--on walls and fences anywhere the Nazi soldiers would see it. We were telling them that we wanted our king to ule us--not their fuehrer, Hitler.

King Hakon loved us too. Immediately after the invasion, the Norwegioan parliament told him leave Norway and take refuge in England. But our king didn't want to leave us. For weeks, enemy bombers pursued him as he fled north from Oslo, hiding in forests and farms. Finally he was persuaded that Norway would be better off with a living king in England than a dead king in a cemetary, and he agreed to stay with our airforce in Little Norway--and fight for freedom from the British Isles.

Still this wonderful king was nothing like our heavenly king. King Haakon never knew MY name, nor did he ever come to visit my home. My hevenly King, whose power and sovereignty is far greater--whose kingdom stretches not only around the globe but into the farthest parts of the universe--knows MY NAME, and loves ME. He is with me all the time. He hears all my thoughts and sees my every action, and continues to care for me. Daily He shares His thoughts and plans with me, counsels me and encourages me.

He has always wanted this kind of relationship with His people. He created us for fellowship with Himself. He wanted to provide for us. But from the beginning, He watches the children He loved turn away from Him for other kinds of helps. This grieved Him. You who are parents of teenagers probably understand. You have invested your time, resources and heart in your children, but suddenly they prefer todo their own thing--and would rather not have you around. They don't want to go camping or bicycling with you anymore. One father was telling me that it felt as though he had lost his best friend. It hurst.

I hurt my heavenly Father that way.. I didn't grow up in a christian family--but every child learns something about God in school since we have a state church. I also had a missionary godmother in Madagascar, who proayed for me. Once home on fulough, she taught me the Lord's prayer. She told me to pray it every night--and I did. I would get on my knees, pray the words, and if I forgot one night, I said it twice the next. But that was as far as I grew spiritually.

We moved to America when I was a teenager, Each highschool year, I attended a new school. Since I was very shy, I didn't make friends easily, but Jesus was my best friend. I talked with Him all the time. I didn't know the Bible very well, I tried to read it once in a while, but it seemed dry and lifeless to me. Yet I knew that He loved me and was with me.

Met my husband who was a christian--fell in love with him partly becaue he could answer my questions about God. But after we were married I became increasingly critical both of his denomination and church--which seemed hypocritical to me. I would say things like, "Why do you ask God to bless the food," It doen't need it. Soon my husband realized that I wasn't a christian at all--and started to pray that God would change me.

As I pulled away from the God of my childhood, life became increasingly depressing. At first I thought I could control my life--I didn't need a King. I thorugh I was pretty fearless, after all I wasn't afraid of flying through a storm, or being out on the deck of ship when the waves washed across the deck. I loved skijumpingin Norway and took pride in doing all kinds of daring things. But now I found that I was paralyzed by fear of people. God has his ways of drawing people back to Himself. In my life, He did three things.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:10-12)

"Jesus Christ out-socialists the socialists. He says that in His Kingdom he that is greatest shall be the servant.... The real test of the saint is not preaching the gospel, but washing disciples' feet... one who becomes broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for other lives." (Oswald Chambers Daily Devotional Bible, NKJ)

Perhaps some of you are too young to know and relate to these old hymns. Jewel and Travers know them well, and Travers is always on my mind when I look for a Scripture for the day.

The hymns became especially important to me when, as a new Christian, I read Corrie Ten Boon's The Hiding Place. Though I didn't remember much of WWII, I'll never forget the sobering awareness that shadowed post-war Norway in the wake of Nazi occupation. We knew--unlike most Americans today--that a nation could shift from freedom to tyranny overnight. So, in case I would ever be imprisoned for my faith, I wanted to memorize all those songs and Scriptures--and be ready to share with fellow prisoners. Guess what! I learned to love those hymns! Now God delights me with the words day and night--and especially when He sends me into occult places.

Why shouldn't oppression hit America? As Tricia has been showing us, those who stand firm on truth can expect to face hostility. (Remember 1 John 5:19 and John 15:18+) In the panorama of time, America's two centuries of peace and freedom are an anomaly. The historical and biblical norm is persecution.

Those who are far from you will perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:27-28

The abiding consciousness of the life is to be God, not thinking about Him.... A child's consciousness is so mother-haunted that although the child is not consciously thinking of its mother, yet when calamity arises, the relationship that abides is that of the mother. So we are to live and move and have our being in God, to look at everything in relation to God, because the abiding consciousness of God pushes itself to the front all the time.

If we are haunted by God, nothing else can get in, no cares, no tribulation, no anxieities. We see now why our Lord so empasizd the sin of worry. How can we dare be so utterly unbelieving when God is roundabout us?

To be haunted by God is to have an effective barricade agaisnt all the onslauhts of the enemy.

Such confidence have we through Christ before God: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God, Who has made us able ministers of the new covenant--not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6

"When I have really transacted business with God on His covenant and have let go entirely, there is no sense of merit, no human ingredient in it at all, but a complete overwhelming sense of being brought into unon with God, and the whole thing is transfigured with peace and joy." (Oswald Chambers)

11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. (NIV)

I stood up as straight as I could on my trembling legs, and in a shaky voice said, "I think I can fix the podium."

Two years ago I shared about--hold up charts. New Age astrology, spiritism (2 thousand children in LA, and so I do workshop ad teach on this. Most is in Under the Spell.

Going on one of my trips. Tell you what happened this last week. Now I always forget something--and God always solves my problems. Uses my weakness to prove His sufficiency.

Back at the hotel, looked through Andersons in Arlington and left a friendly message at one with the initial Ka. It was not the Kay I was looking for.

Next morning Kay and Frances spent four hours showing me documenting global and New Age education across the country.

Perhaps some of you are too young to know and relate to these old hymns. Jewel and Travers know them well, and Travers is always on my mind when I look for a Scripture for the day.

Yesterday I did something really stupid. You've probably noticed that I sometimes shorten a passage by adding an elipsis (I had to look up that word in the dictionary). Most of the time it doesn't matter, but yesterday it changed the meaning of the verse. God convicted me of my sin as soon as I sent it--I wished I could have pull it back. Please forgive me.

The words I deleted were "you have died." Since some of you share these Scriptures with non-Christian friends or relatives who are dying, I felt strange sending those three words to someone who wouldn't understand them. Of course, that's no excuse for tampering with His Word. Besides, verse 1 wouldn't apply to them either.

I was especially sorry since verses 3 is so special to me. I love remembering that I have died with Him, am dead to the world, and sit in the heavenlies with Him. Therefore I did fax the complete passage to Travers. For him it would only be a reminder that the physical death ahead is merely the doorway to eternal glory. I am almost envious.

Perhaps some of you are too young to know and relate to these old hymns. Jewel and Travers know them well, and Travers is always on my mind when I look for a Scripture for the day.

Those who are far from you will perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:27-28

To be haunted by God is to have an effective barricade agaisnt all the onslauhts of the enemy.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6

11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. (NIV)