Sunday Words of Encouragement July 10, 2022

I missed Sunday School but was happy to be at church service to enjoy the installation of our new pastor. Our interim pastor provided a wonderful message noting that a Pastor is a Gift to the congregation. He is an Angel for the church; and a shepherd to the people. Ephesians 4:11-13.

These are the responsibilities of a shepherd.
• Connect with them - the flock.
• Concentrate on their needs. The physical needs are food, water, and shelter. The God given needs are the Word, the Spirit, and the Church family.
• Cast Vision - equip the people for ministry.
• Care for them - like the shepherd of Psalm 23.
• Cover them - protect and defend.
• Chase them - go after the one.
• Correct them – appropriately with the Word and Holy Spirit.

And the Congregation has responsibilities towards their pastor:
• Pray for them.
• Partner with them – participate.
• Present patience & pardon.
• Provide resources.
• Publicly and privately honor them – “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13.

Our new Pastor changed his planned sermon and instead, since Psalm 23 had been noted, he preached on Psalm 23. Staring with verses 1-3 he noted that David prayed that God would “restore my soul.”

When we accept Christ, it is more than just getting a Savior. We need to be getting a Lord. We should have surrendered our will to the will of God. He is our Savior, but he is also our Master and our Shepherd. For all things we should be asking for direction of the Holy Spirit. Trust in His Will and in His plan.

The Soul is the unique eternal part that makes each one of us, us. Often we suffer injuries mental as well as physical. When our Souls receive injury, will we allow God to heal us? Or will we try to carry that trauma in our own strength? Our Souls can become weary.

Romans 12:2 says we can take steps to renew our minds but only God can restore our soul.
God was there when hurt the hurt occurred. God restores hurting men and women. He restores us after betrayal.

God restores us, He brings us back to what was or at least to where He plans for us to be.
God wants to and is capable to restore your Soul.
Magnify the Lord, not the hurt or problem.
Psalm 23:4-6. Even though we walk through the dark valley, He is there with us with his rod and staff to protect and comfort. Psalm 23:4.
He Prepares a table for us and anoints us for His purposes. Psalm 23:5.
He follows with us with goodness and love and lets us dwell in His house forever. Psalm 23:6.

We sang this song this morning and it fits all circumstances: Way Maker!

Verses for Today:
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Sunday Words of Encouragment October 6, 2013

This morning our Pastor preached on a Psalm that is so wonderfully familiar to many of us --
Psalm 23, often referred to as the Shepherd's Psalm. The Shepherd is responsible to provide the appropriate pastures and water for sheep. Sheep will only drink from still water. They must lay down to rest and absorb their nutrients. What is the job or purpose of the sheep? They eat and drink, mature and bear young.

Pastor noted that this Psalm really is about Relationship. We should not see ourselves like “dumb” sheep. But we too are given life to eat, drink, mature and raise young. No matter how old you get you can still have, or mentor, spiritual offspring. Healthy offspring can only come from the protected relationship of the herd of sheep led by the wise hand of a shepherd. Pastor pointed out that relationship is like the herd of water buffalo at the Battle at Kruger. The herd stopped to protect and help the weak and injured calf.

Some animals have a relationship of convenience, like Pastor’s feral cat who hung around for food, water and shelter. But there was no intimacy, no touch, no commitment. When the cat decided to go off there was no way for Pastor to know where it went or to help it. This happens in churches too with people, like those who come in late, leave early and do not connect to others in the congregation.  Pastor proclaimed that ours is a Church of ‘restoration.’ We accept strays and hope that they will become connected; will find a relationship within the church, to be mentored as offspring to find a full relationship with God.

If we recall when we first got saved, or accepted Christ as our personal savior, we recall that everything in our live changed. Sometimes it came suddenly, other times more slowly, but always there was change. Usually there is a point where a new Christian is very excited to share what God has done for him/her.  Paul advised Timothy to “Stir up gift within you.” 2 Timothy 1:6. If we are alive in Christ, we should show it. We should not be like a “bump on a pickle.” We should not just sit and wait for our own death. Instead we should share and help others. We should show our excitement as one of those who is yearning for His appearing. Pastor referenced 2 Timothy 4:8 but I found all of chapter 4 is applicable to this message.

There are several versions of songs featuring Psalm 23.

I found this one to be inspirational!

A Verse for Today
Psalm 23:6  (NIV)
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings that you pour down on me as my Shepherd. Help me to be obedient to follow your direction: to eat and drink of the nutrients (physical and spiritual) that you provide, and to mentor spiritual offspring so they may have a relationship with you too.