Lesson 1
Do you worry about God's
promise to take care of you?
In the
last 3 years I felt like I was literally walking in the shadow
of death. My heart was so broken about church life and I crawled
into a valley of despair until the Lord showed me I can walk
through the shadow of death and fear no evil. Now it wasn't
easy but God has held me in his hands and gave me no fear
for what others can do to me or my family. Sometimes I get
uneasy and fearful when the trials of life are surrounding
me. But then when I pray and ask God to help me, in His timing
am I comforted. I know He never leaves me or forsakes me but
my emotions sometimes make me feel alone or I try to get through
the fire on my own. It really is becoming easier to forsake
myself and trust the great Shepherd. I have learned his rod
and staff not only brought me back in his protection but he
comforted me.
Are you afraid to go where
God is leading you?
You know
I use to be afraid to go where God is leading me but in my
life when God showed me a new path or new challenge, I could
go in obedience because He would empower me to do it or get
through it. Like when my grandma passed away, God provided
a way where I could be with her in her last days and I felt
his presence with her and when He took her home to be with
him. Tonight God enabled me to go up to a person and thank
them when even last week I could not imagine speaking to them.
Do you go another way like
Jonah did?
Not anymore.
I use to run and hide in a secret place called despair but
God showed me to come to His throne of grace and receive mercy
and healing. The reason I say despair is because I felt most
of my Christian walk I was very unworthy of God calling me
by name. I would question if I could do what he had called
me to do until I learned obedience is taking the way God would
take and allowing him to work through me. It sure is a lot
easier to say yes Lord to your will and to your way than to
fight it and be disobedient. I like going to sleep in peace
knowing I have responded to him by saying "yes Lord I
can do all things." His goodness and mercy are with me
forever all the days of my life.
Think about where you are
at? What kind of sheep are you?
A sheep
who hears my Father's voice and desires to obey him. Now sometimes
I have to have the hook on the staff drag me back to him because
of not following his way for my life. I recognize then he
is disciplining me for not following close to his footsteps.
I praise God he shows me where I am lacking and how I can
return to Him.
Think back to where you have been.
Follow the Shepherd- obey
His word (John 10:27) The
Shepherd knows Mammy and Mammy hears the voice of the Shepherd
and follows Him.
Talk to the Shepherd- Pray always (Ps 116:1-2) It
is good to be able to talk with Jesus and know without doubt
he hears me. Mammy loves the Lord and will call on him as
long as she lives.
Listen to the Shepherd- through the Word, church, study (John
10:2-5) Mammy can trust the Shepherd
to lead her into green paths of righteousness. For Jesus will
not let her travel her path unless he is in front to lead
her. Mammy is growing to depend on the Shepherd and no other
voice will she listen to. When a strange voice tries to toss
fiery darts in her thoughts Mammy will run to the safety of
the True Shepherd.
Chew on the Shepherds food- Meditate and memorize (Ps 1:1-2)
Mammy will sit before her Lord and meditate
on his law throughout her life. She will find great delight
in basking in the safety of her Lord. She will flee all evil
that would try to ensnare her.
Read Hebrews 12: 1-9 Mammy
will run the race knowing in her life God will discipline
her because of his love for her. God will grow her up in Him
and she will have reverance for God cares for her. His discipline
will confirm in her heart she is his legitamate child.
2 Timothy 3:16- 17 God's Word will instruct
Mammy how to grow up in Jesus. The Word will show her how
to lead a holy life that please God.
Pray and ask the Lord to show you what he wants you to learn
from this. Father, as I read and thought
on what you have shown me in this study I know there will
be many more days in which you will instruct me on how to
live as your sheep here on earth. Help me Lord to see the
way in which I should go and give me strength daily to run
the race for the prize you have set before me. Let me see
my Savior daily all around me. Thank you Jesus for calling
me into your fold and thank you for saving me. AMEN
