Psalm 23

by Georgia
(Kentucky)

This was lesson 3

I started with verse 1 and right there, the Lord is my shepherd I SHALL NOT WANT. I mean that part to me stuck out the most. I've heard these verses over and over so many times. I have this chapter memorized. Yet today, I'm sitting down looking at it and reading it out loud. The Lord is my shepherd--I SHALL NOT WANT. I forget that. In fact not 30 minutes ago I was "complaining" to God about what I wanted. But I forget I have everything I NEED. That's more important than I what I want. I read this passage and for like the first time stuck my name in it. The Lord is Georgia's Shepherd, etc. Georgia shall not want. And the verb IS...that's present tense, meaning today, right now, this very second God is my shepherd leading me. The relationship is a personal one. Why did I not see this before? I want for God's desires to become mine. Can you imagine, an entire army of Christians all around the world not living for their desires, but rather have the want of God in them? It's an incredible thought. To love the way Christ did, to love with an unconditional love, a completely selfless love. How could the world change when we forget about ourselves and focus only and completely on God? We must give God the full control of our life. In a song by Steven Curtis Chapman, the lyrics tell us to make God our "Magnificent Obsession." Imagine if we became so engrossed in God and the Bible that that became our Magnificent Obsession. If you are looking for the lyrics to that song, here is a link: http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/steven-curtis-chapman/magnificent-obsession.html
I encourage you to just look at the words in that.
That was from verse one.

Verse 2 -- He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. To me that verse says there will be times when God just tells us to relax. It might be right before a battle coming up to rest and be prepared for that or it may be right after a battle we have just encountered and must rest to regain strength to carry on. I believe in this verse He is telling us He has everything under control.

Verse 3 -- He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
For His name's sake. Hmmm...what does that mean? It's possible that we are to follow Christ's example in order to give Him a good name. It says for HIS name's sake, not ours. Since we are striving to be like Him it would make sense for Him to lead us in that way. However, it should be noticed we are not forced..It says He will lead us, but it's our choice whether or not we decide to follow Him. Will we follow or will we go our own path? That's for us to decide. He never forces us to go. And I think where it says He restoreth my soul that refers to how we used to have sin in our life but as a Christian our soul has been restored and we can now go in the way of righteousness. I have more, but I will stop for now, and load my thoughts on days 4-6 later. I have just caught up to day 4, so I plan to do verses 5 and 6 on their respective days. Please pray for me as I continue to do this, I have never studied the Bible in this way, and it's very encouraging the verses that I have seen today and what has been shown to me. Thank you :)

My Comments: You have done very well, Georgia. As we meditate on the Word of God - even familiar passages - the Holy Spirit brings new revelation. Keep up the good work. God bless

psalm 23

by Omar Carreto
(Mesa,Az)

Lesson 3

Verse 1) God is boss. It doesn't matter what my situation is He is with me. I should be content because He will provide for me, also is saying I am the Pastor you are my sheep. I will feed you,look out for you and be with you. I must obey Him, follow him in the right path.

Verse 2) He gives me rest when I need it, He will put on prosperous lands full of blessings from above. He leads me to life, still waters its like He will take me and lead beside the calm road where there's no trouble.

Verse 3) He restores me God gives the strength to keep walking his safe path full of green pastures and still waters. He wants from me to learn justice as He keeps guiding, because He loves me just because.

Verse 4) I don't have to be afraid of evil God is in total control of what goes on in my life. ...thy rod comforts me, gives me peace when I walk with you.

Verse 5) God is so good with me that he has set a table full of spiritual food in front of my enemies to enjoy every single bite and drink while the enemies are not to worry about. God has named me His son and my cup is overflowing of blessings - great things He knows I should have.

Verse 6) He is assuring that good things and mercy will follow me when walking with Him staying away from evil. He knows how long I am going to live for. The Psalmist knew how great, just, merciful God was with him and said I will live in the heart of my God forever.

Psalm 23:3

by Andrea Jackson
(San Antonio)

My key verse for meditation is.."He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of rightousness for His name's sake."

I love all of the scripture because it is saying to me that He has taken me from my past and is leading me to where He needs me to be in Him. While I go through the trials and tribulations to prepare me for His work, He is there for me all the way protecting me. Since I have been through some fire and God has raised me to where I am now in the church, I appreciate this scripture so much because God is with me and was with me through everything. I love God.

Comments;

Good insight. God is indeed with us through all the ups and downs of life. His fire causes us to grow and prepares us for whatever He has for us.

Perhaps think about what does it mean to restore my soul? What are God's paths of righteousness like? How does this fit with the other verses in the Psalm?

God bless,
Glenn Davis

Psalm 23 on a bus commute home

by Phil Micari
(New York City)

week 3 part 2a

Psalm 23 in a word...serenity! Serenity that lies in faith, faith that God will take care of me somehow some way. God will guide me for His sake, not because I deserve it. He will refresh my soul - relight the fire of the Holy Spirit in my heart when I need it. Evil can not harm me when the spirit is on fire in my heart and I will stand up to my enemies with the feast of His word! God's goodness and love will be with me forever and ever, His grace ever present.

I found it helpful reading different translations of this scripture. I was unsure of how His rod and staff could comfort me until I read it in different translations.

I look forward to this journey!!

Phil

My Comments: I trust you will learn lots about studying the Bible for yourself on this journey. You are right about reading verses in different translations - it can shed light on what we are reading. God bless and keep up the good work.

psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd: I did not understand what this means, but then I asked the Holy Spirit to explain it to me. This is what I find: The Lord is always with me, He protects me, He always wants what is best for me, even when I am doing wrong He put me in the right path. He is my Savior although in this earth there are things that will want my soul. I will not fear because He is always with me. To know that I have Someone in my life who will always be there for me no matter what gives me strength to live a happy life. Although I am not working, it gives me hope that God has plans. My time will come. I will always have faith in my Lord. Thank you.

My Comments: A very good beginning. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher. You are doing well, keep up the good work.

Psalm 23 V:2 Peace, Quiet, Rest, Stillness!

by Doris
(Quesnel, BC, Canada)

Lesson 3

Peace, Quiet, Rest, Stillness!

I have a real problem with finding that still quiet place, this Feed Yourself is going to be a challenge, it already is, to meditate on a verse and not just hurry through it.

So needless to say this verse really stuck out to me, in one translation it says "He makes me lie down" and in another it says "He lets me lie down". I personally prefer the translation where He Makes Me Lie Down in green pastures and Leads me beside Quiet or Peaceful streams. Lets, I think gives me to much control over whether I rest or not but Makes is like a commandment and that he requires that from me. After all he is My Shepherd and a shepherd watches over his flock, protects and looks after all their needs. Like in kindergarten the teacher said it was nap time! My Shepherd says its time to get to know one another and refresh myself so I can jump back into the battle with renewed strength and vigor!

Its also hard for me not to get wordy,lol.



My Comments:

Good insight. I know I have difficulty finding that quiet place, too, and have to get myself "back on track." Keep up the good work and I trust you will find the Feed Yourself course helpful. And don't be afraid of being wordy, just set down all the thoughts you want to. I think the program will cut you off after about 10,000 words so you have some room to work with!

psalm 23

by robin wolford
(baltimore, md)

Lesson 3

I am completely taken care of - He gives me rest, nourishment, intimacy, direction - I need nothing from this world.

How awesome is that.

FBSL comments: It is indeed awesome. You have a great concise summary. There is much truth to be mined out of Psalm 23. More meditation on Ps. 23 will bring out more details. God bless.

The Lord is my shepherd!!!!

by Janeen
(Louisville Ky)

Lesson 3

I will not try to be to wordsy, but reading the 23rd Psalm this way has given me a new insight to what is truly being said, especially when I began to put my name in the Psalm. My meaning is changing daily and I wanted to get other perspectives on the assignment so I am introducing it to my Bible Study class tonight. I am so excited of what it is going to mean to my other class members, I don't think two people will have the same meaning of each verse so it will be interesting to see the different views.....

As for today this is what I am receiving.

Verse 1: My meaning is God guides me, controls me. Everything I am in my life I owe it to Him. Because He is my shepherd I have not to worry, or wonder how I am going to make it, He has already taken care of my situation before I enter into it.

Verse 2: My meaning, God allows me to live in peace and to have a peaceable mind. I should always acknowledge what is pleasing to Him. I should not lead myself through my storms(trials and tribulations) but be led by Him.

Verse 3: My meaning, God restores me when I am weak, when I would do wrong he leads me right for His Glory. He always makes away of escape for me.

Verse 4: My meaning, although my situations sometimes seem impossible I have nothing to fear, God has the control and will fight off the evil from attacking me with His weapons (rod and staff) 2nd meaning: Even when my end is near, I have no fears my Father is with me.

Verse 5 and 6: Nothing evil has authority over me I cannot be defeated; He eases my mind when distractions get in my way and causes me to live in abundance. Good things are destined for my life on earth and in Heaven I am His child, that He wants with Him forever. I love studying the bible this way it is truly a wonderful growing tool,

P. S. I have read the Fish story and now I am deciphering everything eating the word slowly and deliberately.

My comments: Excellent. Keep up the good work.

God Will Deliver Us From Difficult Circumstances

by wendy stewart
(Guyana)

Joel chapter 1:1-4 The prophet in this case gives us four instructions to follow when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances. Instructions that should be needed by individuals and nations as follows:- Hear, Awake, Lament and Cry Out. Hearing is listening to God's word & letting Him interpret events for you.

Hear:- Listen to God's word and let Him encourage us to turn to Him for help.

My Comments - I'm not quite sure which lesson this is in reference to; however, it is very thought=provoking. Thanks for the insight. God bless.

GOD IS A SHEPERD OF HIS PEOPLE

LESSON-3

At first when I read this chapter I was not able to understand the exact thing what it was talking about to me. I was asking the Holy Spirit to reveal it to me, then I heard a song that God does not sleep but just to remember Him and pray and the answer is on it's way to you. Then I started reading it twice and thrice and came to know the idea that He is a good shepherd and that we are the sheep of his pasture, like sheep who depend on their shepherd's leading, we depend on God to guide us and protect us in life. Even though we may walk in the valley of shadow of death we will not have to fear evil because God is leading us and even if we sin also He is there to rescue us from that pit of sin by telling us that what we're doing is wrong and helps us to repent and He even comforts us. In addition to God's supernatural rod and staff comforting his people, the word of God can be a rod and staff both for protecting and for leading us in life. Even I used to get stuck in some of deepest sins like showing lust towards the girls of my age and slowly that sin started increasing in me to see dirty videos but then also God brought me out of it when I went to a camp of our church for 4 days. I came to know of God's love and plans for me through a song - I LOVE THE KING AND THE KING LOVES ME - and I repented of all my sins. In this way he brought me out of this and also comforted me. After I read this chapter I think this is true but still the battle is not over. I face temptations still of girls but the Holy Spirit is guiding me in His ways. Do you believe that while I was writing this assignment, I heard an another song which says all about PSALMS-23 and I was really surprised. Still God is talking to me.


My Comments: It is great you were about to get more out of Psalm 23 are you re-read it. That is the great benefit of meditating and devotional reading.

Lust is a very hard thing to break, but all things are possible with God. Keep trusting in the Holy Spirit and He will guide you through to complete victory.

God bless,
Glenn Davis

THE GOOD SHEPHERED PSALMS 23

When the Lord is your Shephered, you lack nothing. He provides my physical and spiritual needs. I have peace no matter what the situation looks like. I have felt like the Psamist before.

I lost my job 2004, I started business which closed till now. I had to look at the Lord as my provider. My losing a job woke up my husband to look for a venues to raise fees for our children (All things work for good Rom 8:28)

In 2006 I walked through the valley of the shadow of death. I was unconscious for 3 weeks. When I woke I could not walk and suffered memory loss. I knew only one word JESUS.

He restored my soul, and I am okay testifying of His healing power.

He has anointed my head with oil of gladness and I prosper in the midst of my enemies. I am more healthier than when I was working.

Surely goodness and mercy is following me because my trust is in the Good Shepherd and desire nothing than to be in the house of Lord Forever.

My Comments:

Good comments. The Lord has been with you. I trust this course will be a blessing to you as you continue on.