Monday Morning Encouragement - Our Faithful Shepherd

 


Good Monday, Cottage Friends,


The 23rd Psalm is such a familiar passage of scripture -- often cited at funerals and celebrations of life, among other momentous occasions -- that I think we sometimes gloss over it without really absorbing the words. Today let's spend some time meditating on the words and really letting them soak in. To help us do this, I'm posting Psalm 23 in the Bible version The Message:



God, my shepherd!

    I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

    you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

    you let me catch my breath

    and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through

    Death Valley,

I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook

    makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner

    right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

    my cup brims with blessing.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook

    makes me feel secure.

Your beauty and love chase after me

    every day of my life.

I’m back home in the house of God

    for the rest of my life.


Here's a sweet song that I hope will encourage you this morning to remember that our Good Shepherd is ever faithful.



You no doubt noticed that I have a new blog design. Linda My Fairy Blog Mother and author of the blog Life and Linda has been diligently working on giving A Joyful Cottage a fresh look. I love what she's done and will chat more about this later.


I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.


Hugs,

9 comments

  1. My favorite prayer... one I say every night.

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  2. sweet reminder(s) ..
    oh so necessary in this present time.
    love your new bloggie-look. :)

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  3. Beautiful scripture Nancy. A lovely song to listen to. Many blessings to you dear Nancy. It was my pleasure to makeover your blog. Thanks so much for the sweet shout out. May you enjoy your blog's new look. Hugs

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  4. Hi Nancy, you are on my list of things to do on Mondays . . . we all need encouragement in the Lord and His word. You (I) can never get enough Jesus :)
    Thank you again and God bless you and your blog.

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  5. Beautiful scripture Nancy. Wishing you a beautiful new week. xoxo Kris

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  6. I love the 23rd Psalm! A lovely old friend of mine was a hospice nurse, so much time was spent in her car between patients. One day, she was praying and sensed the Holy Spirit telling her to memorize the 23rd Psalm. She really didn't enjoy memorizing, but she kept getting that nagging feeling that she should. So she did. It took her about a week, but she knew every word. The day after she mastered it, she was sent to the bedside of a dying patient, surrounded by family members. The sick, old woman opened her eyes and said, "I can't remember the 23rd Psalm!" My friend held her hand and led her in reciting every word. This story was shared with me over 20 years ago, but I have never forgotten it. How precious is our Lord and Savior, to bring us comfort (often through his faithful children) when we need it most. (Nancy, I have to tell you I just love your new header! It's you!!)

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    1. Pam, I'm so glad you shared this story. I would remember if you had shared it before. It's not a story one forgets! It gave me chills to read it. It really is a testimony to God's love for us. Thank you for sharing. And thanks for the comment on the header. I totally agree. It is me. Linda totally nailed it

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  7. Love your sweet heart, Nancy! Grateful for online friends who remind us of God's goodness to us in the midst of hard things. He is faithful and good!

    I love your new blog look! That header is fabulous!

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