JEHOVAH  RA-AH….THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD

The first thing I want you to do is to think of a shepherd and his flock of sheep and all that he does for them to keep them in his constant care.

  [Psalms 23]    (all of this chapter requires faith)

           I shall never be in need   [Matthew 6:25/34]

                       [Psalms 4:8] 

            Leadeth….Guides

            Beside…Not in…(with the trial a way of escape)

            Waters….Storms of life

                 [Matt.7:24&25]     [Matt.8:24,25,26]

           Restores…Renews…Gives back what was lost

                                      [Psalms 51:6 drop to 9/13]

      He leads (guides) me in the path(way) of righteousness (right-standing) for HIS NAMES sake

           What do we call ourselves…Christians...Christ is His name

                                           [ Exodus 23:20/23]

                      [John 14:1] ….Let not your heart be troubled ( do not worry or be anxious)

           For Thou’ art with me

             [Matt. 28:20]….Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (or age)   

    Every one of us has walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Whether it be in sickness or maybe an operation, even diagnosed with a terminal illness. I had 14 brothers and sisters plus my dad and mom and I have lost all but 3 of them. My husband also had a heart attack, my daughter and I both had to have open heart surgery, so this is when you know for certain that He is with you in all things. That is when you know you can call upon Him and He will hear. You will also understand the scripture that says ….Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world!

 Thy rod…His Scepter of Power and Authority

Thy staff…Something which serves to support or maintain

      These are my comfort

                 [Isaiah 41:10]     [Psalms 119:116&117]

            What is the Table…….COMMUNION

          Who are the Enemies….SICKNESS, POVERTY, DEATH

        Thou’ anointest my head with oil…[1^st Samuel16:12&13]

        This is Samuel anointing David as King. From this Davidic line would come the KING OF KINGS….JESUS….NOT ONLY FROM THE HEAVENLY ROYAL LINE OF GOD HIS FATHER BUT ALSO THE BLOOD-LINE OF DAVID. 

  As God’s adopted children (through Jesus) and co-heirs with Him, we share in this Kingship with Him.

                 [John 4:34/38]…..Both are equal 

Because of the hot climate, it was a custom to anoint the body with oil to protect it from the excessive sweating (or over-heating). When this oil was mixed with perfume it refreshed you and gave you more energy. Most athletes of that time would anoint themselves before a race, or whatever sport it was, to be better fitted for action.

So in this sentence, “Thou’ anointest my head with oil", means that the Lord would anoint His sheep with the Oil of the Holy Spirit to be better fitted for His service in whatever way He directs. 

My cup runneth over

     Cup…Greek…Koce…Meaning container or vessel

What are we?…A vessel or container for the “Holy Spirit”

                 [Romans 9:21/26]    [2^nd Timothy 2:19/21]

Our Cup…Our Spirit….We, as a vessel, should be running over with the Holy Spirit!

                     [John 4:13&14]     [John 7: 37,38]

Surely Goodness (the best of everything) and Mercy (compassion and forgiveness)   [Ephesians 4:31,32] shall  follow me (after the storms come the blessings) all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

                             [Hebrews 9:12]…[John 3:16]…[John 14:2,3]

ALL 7 NAMES OF GOD ARE IN PSALMS 23!

JESUS….THE GREAT SHEPHERD

      The Shepherd of your soul….To lead and protect you

                                               [Hebrews 13:20,21] 

Besides the Great Shepherd there are also

      Under-shepherds…..ministers…..pastors

                [1^st Peter 5: 1/4] 

They are to keep watch over the sheep (people)….why?

                             [ Acts 20:28/31] 

 How to tell the difference between the under-shepherd and the savage wolf.

 [Overall scripture….John: chapter 10]

There will be 7 things that the Great Shepherd will look for in the under-shepherd and also the savage wolf.

 The under-shepherd….Takes care of the flock for Jesus

                                         [John 10]

My Sheep

Savage Wolf 

             Does not give you the Word…but deceives

             Tickles your ears with flattery trying to steal the sheep

 SHEPHERD:     FRIEND….SHIELD….GUIDE