The Lord...Our Pastor

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."  Ps. 23:1

  Coffee time!  Sure, I would love a doughnut.

  The Great Kind David grew up like all young boys of his time--following his older brothers around wherever they went.  He watched them intensely as they cared for their sheep, dreaming of the day he too would take on such an important role,  And, one day, the big moment finally arrived, as David's father entrusted him to lead the sheep to green pastures.  Oh, how he had waited for this day.  It meant he was no longer just a "boy", but would soon become a  "shepherd".

  He knew the responsibility that had been given to him--to find grazing pastures, streams of water, and lead his sheep on the right path.  He was also aware of the ever-present danger of wild animals, which wanted nothing more than to attack his sheep.  Still, this was the moment he had longed for and he wasn't about to let his father--or his sheep--down.

  As we think of David, sitting under a giant sprawling tree, looking up at the stars, we know God was watching over him as he cared for his sheep.  We find that wonderful truth in the 23rd Psalm.  And, just like the sheep under David's watchful eye, we are the sheep under the pastoral care of Jehovah.

  What does that mean for us?  Our pastor/shepherd, the Lord, supplies all our needs.  He allows us to know His truth and rest in his promises.  He encourages us and give direction in our lives.  He promises to be with us, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Oh, He anoints our head daily with oil of the Holy Spirit.  Do you realize that goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life because of your belief in the one true God?  What a comfort and assurance we are given in this psalm.

  It had been such a blessing to me to talk with you about God and how He is our presider, provider, protector , prophet, priest, portion, and pastor.

  Thank you for setting aside our time together.  I always look forward to writing to you and imagining our coffee time together.

      

The Lord...Our High Priest

"Seeing, then, that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  Heb. 4:14-16

China cup day!  What a gift of love God gave to us in His Son, Jesus!

  The long anticipated day had arrived - the Day of Atonement -- and, like any young Jewish girl of her day, Ruth had longed all year for this very moment ... "Oh, how I had looked forward to this day.  It was a glorious day, a day I had cherished in my heart.  I hurried toward the tabernacle with a throng of people, hoping beyond hope to see the high priest before he entered into the tabernacle.  I knew he would soon be entering the holy of holies to offer the yearly sacrifice for the sins of the people.  I thought if I could just see him enter the tent, if I could hear the bells jingle on the edge of his robe, it would be like I entered into the very presence of Jehovah God!  Oh, how I needed that cleansing of my heart.  My heart was already dancing for joy, knowing that God would hear my prayer of confession and accept the sacrifice of my heart. I was never as satisfied as I was on the Day of Atonement."

  What a glorious truth for us today as believers, that Jesus Christ is our High Priest, that our Day of Atonement has already come to complete fruition.  Jesus was our sacrifice that we might have forgiveness of sin and enter with Him into the very presence of God Almighty.  As our High Priest, Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession" if we "come boldly before the throne of grace."  I love that we can come to Jesus about anything ... to tell Him how we feel, what we think, how we want to act, knowing He sympathizes with us, will encourage us, minister to us, and, most importantly, go the the Father on our behalf in prayer.  Don't you love that Jesus will give grace in time of need?

  It is in our daily time of prayer that Jesus can offer our lives as a "living sacrifice" and that he truly gets to take on His role of High Priest.  It is there that He gives to the Father our praise and worship, our thanksgiving and love.  It is because of Jesus that we can enter into the very presence of our Heavenly Father and have fellowship with Him.  I am thankful we don't have to wait for just one day a year to offer our sacrifice or ask for forgiveness, but that we have that  privilege each day all day long.  Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross for us.  May our lives be a sweet-smelling savor of sacrifice to our God.   

The Lord...Our Prophet

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matt. 11:28-30

  Oh, thanks for setting out my cup and starting the coffee.  I never want to miss our visit.

  Now, let's spend some time together!

  Take another look at our verse quoted above.  I want to focus in on the phrase "learn of me."  Those words speak of Jesus being our prophet and teacher.  Those two roles that Jesus holds in our lives are so personal to each one of us and so absolutely necessary to our growth as Christians.

  In the Old Testament, we learn that the prophet was given a message from God and it was his responsibility to take that message to the people and teach it to them.  Among other things, it was the prophet's job to teach the people to walk after God, keep the commandments, and cleave to the Lord.

  What the prophet did in the Old Testament, Jesus does for us today.  He is the ultimate Prophet!  The Word made flesh.  And it is through the Word that he begins to teach us.  Isaiah 2:3b says "he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths."  Through scripture, Jesus teaches us by His example and we're able to learn through His timeless instruction.  He desires that we live our life in obedience and, in that, we find freedom and peace.

  Jesus also teaches us by the mistakes we make.  He wants us to learn from them, take the necessary steps of correction, and apply those corrections to our lives.  I am so grateful for his forgiveness and his loving hand that leads me down the correct path.  I love that He is diligent, does not give up on us, and is creative in the lessons He uses to teach us.

  Jesus also teaches us in our circumstances---He reaches out to us exactly where we are.  Sometimes I hesitate to ask this (and I'm not even sure I always want to know the answer), but I often find myself saying,"Lord, what is it that you want to teach me in this?"  As you and I are open to letting Him show us His ways, we will receive His teaching and gain more wisdom.

  As I mentioned earlier, one of the most important ways Jesus can teach us is be being in His Word daily.  We have to make it a priority, ask for a teachable spirit, and then ask Jesus to show us what He desires to teach us that day.  It may be a thought, a correction in our life, a word of edification, comfort, or encouragement.  Just allow Jesus to be your teacher.  Oh, that we can learn of His ways!  Our life will be blessed and a blessing to others, refreshed, energized, and honoring to the Lord.

  I love the fact that Jesus is our Prophet.  He is the greatest Teacher!     

The Lord...Our Protector

"The LORD is my shepherd..." Ps. 23:1     "The LORD is thy keeper..." Ps. 121:5

I love having a cup of coffee with a friend, with whom I can talk, laugh, and encourage.  Thank you for making the time for us today.

  He gently calls my name.  I know that voice.  I've heard it many times, when there was danger or I was wandering off too far, or the when the "enemy" was close by.  He says my name once again.  I recognize the voice, that of my Shepherd.  I know now I must stop what I am doing, listen, and follow his voice.  

  A shepherd cherishes the opportunity to care for his sheep.  When you stop and think about the character of sheep, they need a shepherd.  They have no sense of direction, no defense mechanisms, no sense of encroaching danger.  They're dependent on their shepherd to lead them to green pastures and provide them protection from their enemies.

  We have that Shepherd, the LORD-raah, your caring shepherd.

  I am learning many things about my Shepherd.  He knows me by name, is aware of what is going on in my life and all around me.  It is His duty to protect me, but my duty to respond.  It is in that protection that He leads, guides, and makes me aware of when I am making poor choices or trying to leave His protection.  It is also in that protection that I sense His strong presence and am able to find rest, peace, and a sense of security.

  When I think of His protection words such as "shield," "tower," and "refuge" come to mind.  Each of these descriptions show our God protects us not only from physical harm or danger, but also protects our hearts and minds from sin, hurt, worry, distress, and attacks from the "enemy."  

  Through His rod and staff --- the Word --- He provides protection.  We must take the time to read and study the Bible daily, so that we can know what the Lord wants to teach us and learn how to apply those lessons to our lives.  He may have to use His rod to give correction when He sees that we are going our own way and not following His voice, but it's because He loves us and we belong to Him.

  I love the verse in John 10:27,28 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."  Oh, what wonderful assurance to know that we are under the protection of the Lord and are secure in His hand.

  I have been blessed thinking on our third "P", Protector.  May this encourage and bless you as your recognize, realize, and love being under His protection.

  "The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."  Ps. 121:8

  

The Lord...Our Provider

"And Abraham called the name of this place Jehovah-ji reh."  Genesis 22:14A

What a sweet joy I receive when we have our cup of coffee together!  I have so looked forward to this visit and the chance to share my heart with you.

   Jehovah-ji reh

  He walked on in silence, his thoughts filling his mind, yet he was afraid to speak --- fearful of what he was being required to do.  Oh, how Abraham longed to tell Isaac what was being required of him.  As they neared the place of sacrifice, Isaac asked, "Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?"  Abraham's only response was that God would provide.  God did provide.  Jehovah-ji reh --- the Lord will provide.

  This is one of my favorite stories because of the way in which God provides for Abraham.  God does so in at least three ways:  temporally, emotionally, and spiritually.

  Abraham was trusting God in sacrificing his son, Isaac.  I'm sure he did not understand God's request, but he was obedient to what God asked him to do.  When the time drew near, God provided what Abraham needed.  Temporally...He provided a ram.  God know what our needs are and He delights in meeting those needs.  I use the word "needs" not "wants."  Yes, He will also give us "wants" sometimes, but He has promised to supply our needs.  See Phil. 4:19.  He is Jehovah-ji reh!

  God provides for us emotionally as well.  Just as Abraham's heart was wrenched, breaking, and hurting for his son, God knew Abraham's heart and when the test of obedience was complete, I know the Lord provided Abraham's heart with an abundance of love, trust, joy, and relief --- not only for his son, but also for the Lord.

  I love that God knows the depth of our heart.  Our emotions and our feelings do not surprise Him because that is where He does wonderful work.  He steps right in and provides for us as we work through the "things" in our life.  Through His help we discover the "right"emotions ---emotions for healing, for trusting, for loving and for knowing Him more intimately.  He is Jehovah-ji reh!

  I wonder if there was a time on the three-day journey when Abraham wanted to cry out to the Lord and ask Him if He was sure what He was doing?  "Lord, You gave me my son and now You are taking him from me?"  The story tells us how Abraham trusted in the Lord by doing what was asked of him.  He knew God's heart.

  Once again, the Lord provided in the time of need.  It is the same for us.  Spiritually ...trust in our Father more, believe Him, know His Word to be true, know He is Faithful.  As we know these things about our Father, we will grow more secure in our Father's love and our relationship with Him will deepen and be more intimate.

  Oh, how I hope and pray that you allow the Lord to meet your every need, whether temporal, emotional, or spiritual.  Remember that He is our Presider and now our second "P", our Provider.  He is Jehovah-ji reh!

  Think back to the ways God has provided for you.  If you have not ever written any of them down, take a few minutes now and do it.  Now thank Him and praise Him for taking care of you.  Be more aware of God's presiding and now His provision in your life and in your family's.

  This has been a special visit with you.    

The Lord...Our Presider

"The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."  Ps. 34:15

"The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all."  Ps. 103:19

Thank you for letting me come and visit.  I always look forward to our coffee time together.

  "Little eyes are watching."  Those were some words my mother spoke to me many years ago to remind me how my daughters would watch and imitate me.  It was just a couple of weeks ago that "little eyes" were watching once again.  I had the three grandchildren at my house.  We had a spill on the carpet and I was in the process of cleaning it up.  I had the 2-month-old on my shoulder; the 20-month-old at an arm's distance and the 3-year-old was leaning over the arm of the couch.  As I was dapping the spots, Hannah says, " It's okay, Beege.  God is watching."  What a truth spoken!

  Yes, He is watching and He is also presiding over us.  God is our Presider.  This is the first "P" mentioned at our last visit.

  The word preside means one that holds a position of authority or possesses control.  Our Heavenly Father presides over us.  He is sovereign, rules over all, and He is the great I AM.  He also presides over you as a husband and as a father.  The verse in Isaiah 54:5 "For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts, is his name, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called."  As a husband, He gives and expresses His love, manifests His presence to you, and is in a covenant relationship with you.

  You will find Him represented as a father in Gal. 4:6 "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."  The word Abba gives the picture of Father, our Father, a personal relationship.  As a father, He shows love to His children,  gives direction, instruction, correction, and discipline when needed.  He loves to sing over you and He delights in you!

  What a glorious and encouraging truth how the Creator of heaven and earth watches and presides over you!

  Begin your own list of how God presides over you.  Take notice each day how it is revealed to you and respond to Him more as your husband and father.  In acknowledging this truth, it will give a new comfort, peace, joy, and security in your life.  What a glorious truth!

  Right now, thank Him for presiding over you.  It has allowed me to trust Him more, depend on Him in more areas of my life, and know that He has it all under control.  Oh, how I can rely on Him and love Him for being all that to me!

  I wish our coffee time was longer, but I wanted to share just a few of the wonderful truths and way your Father presides over you.

  I always look forward to our next time together.