Good day family and friends,

Are you under the loving care of the Good Shepherd? I love Psalm 23. It has encouraged me many times over many years. Today, I would like to share this wonderful chapter using the Amplified Version. First, let's pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach us.

Heavenly Father, we come to worship You through the reading of Your Word. Open our eyes to see what Your Spirit is saying. Forgive us for all sin that separates us from fellowship with You. Be our Lord and Savior today. In Jesus name, amen.

Psalm 23 says, : The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. ~ He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. ~ He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [ uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. ~ Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. ~ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. ~ Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place." Praise the name of the Lord! Isn't this wonderful?

At the bottom of the page in my Bible there is a notation about the oil.  "It is difficult for those living in a temperate climate to appreciate, but it was customary in hot climates to anoint the body with oil to protect it from excessive perspiration. When mixed with perfume, the oil imparted a delightfully refreshing and invigorating sensation. Athletes anointed their bodies as a matter of course before running a race. As the body, therefore, anointed with oil was refreshed, invigorated, and better fitted for action, so the Lord would anoint His "sheep" with the Holy Spirit, Whom oil symbolizes, to fit them to engage more freely in His service and run in the way He directs---in heavenly fellowship with Him."

I also read that the oil applied to the sheep around the eyes and ears would keep the insects from bothering them. I love knowing that the Holy Spirit does that for you and I. With all the trouble, the confusion, the blatant lies of the enemy and works of evil, isn't it a good thing to ask the Lord for His Spirit to cover us every day?

There are prophesies and things about these end times. What to expect, what to be aware of. If these come from man and not the written Word of God...run! Even this morning I heard about the next sickness coming like we experienced the last time around the world. For a moment it raised my heart rate. I recognized it as fear. Quickly I turned off that report and tuned into the Word of God. That is what brought me to Psalm 23 again. 

When fear reports strike the heart and mind we have the assurance of our place in the heart of God. So many times He says, "Do not fear, do not be afraid. For I am with you." 

Another promise I turn to often is 2 Timothy 1:7..."For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."

In it's simplest form, read and store in your mind and heart the precious words of the Lord. He will keep you no matter what is going on around you. Only hide in the secret place of His love and provision. Do not neglect to get understanding. Ask and you will receive. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abundance is...understanding the heart of God