Flavors of the Good Shepherd...
When it comes to learning new things, research suggests it takes 6-20 times of repetition for new information to "stick".
That's why we can hear the same message 10 times,
But on the 11th time it hits us and knocks us on our butt.
That's why God repeats Himself,
Again and again,
From different angles,
Through different stories,
Through different characters,
Throughout the Bible.
A promise,
A name,
That God repeats over and over again is,
"Jehovah Jireh",
God will provide.
Oh, how God desires His children to learn this,
To carve it into the tablet of our hearts,
So we will TRUST that He will provide PERFECTLY,
Not too much nor too little,
The there will be no need to ask for more.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." (NIV)
A fun thing to do is to read one verse in multiple translations.
It brings out different flavors of the original verse,
Every flavor is worth the lick,
When you taste all the different subtleties,
You start to wrap your heart around the depth of God's word,
Feel the sincerity of His promises,
And His desire for us to understand it deeply.
Shall we try it?
When the day is long,
The weariness never ending,
When relief is nowhere to be seen,
And you just need a break,
Rest in the promise that,
"the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!" (TLB)
Don't look too far,
Don't wait to long,
Don't hold to tight,
Don't forget that,
"Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing." (CJB)
When you just had a fight,
Another scar added to the plight,
A hurt you can't ignore,
A dagger to your core,
Find healing in the One who says,
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (KJV)
When finances are tight,
Between a rock and a hard place,
Head barely above water,
Anchors pulling you down,
Breathing is burdensome,
Remember the creator of the universe promises,
"The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need." (ERV)
It's only a season,
The pain won't last forever,
Light will pierce the darkness,
Good will conquer evil,
God's promises will prevail,
You will look back and see,
"The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need." (NIRV)
When health is failing,
The doctors seem useless,
You're tired of medication,
Nothing seems to be working,
You're ready to give up and God reminds you,
"The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack." (AMPC)
When depression runs deep,
Life seems pointless,
Death seems attractive,
Hope is only a four letter word,
Remember there's someone who died so you can live,
"The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always." (VOICE)
Look upwards when it's hard,
Eyes heavenward as you lean back,
Bask in the light of God's love,
The peace of the future,
Experience it today,
By TRUSTING in God's love letter,
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need." (NCV)
"God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing." (MSG)
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall lack." (NCB)
"The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need." (NASB)
Is there anything God won't provide for you?
Is there anything God can't provide for you?
Is there anything God hasn't prepared for you?
Remember that,
"Jehovah [is] my shepherd, I do not lack" (YLT)
God's heart cries out,
"Do not be afraid, My child. Do not fear. Remember... Me..."
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me remember who You ARE,
Help me remember who I'm NOT,
Help me remember the earth I'm on,
Help me remember the home it's NOT.
Help me remember that You are GOOD,
Help me remember that You do not lack,
Therefore I do not lack.
Help me hold onto You TIGHTLY,
Help me hold onto You DESPERATELY,
Especially to the the promise,
That you are my GOOD SHEPHERD,
That I have everything I need,
With You by my side.
May You be my everything,
May You be my ONLY thing,
May I rejoice in it fully,
In Jesus name, Amen."
Cheers to having the BEST shepherd, life coach, business coach, investor, counselor, best friend, Lord and Savior in the universe! Wohooo!!! ^_^
