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Welcome! Thank you for joining me each week as we continue our journey through Psalms 23. It is one of the most well-known Scriptures. Many quote it or recite it by wrote, but have we taken the time to dive into the depth and richness found in these six short verses? Do we know what it means to live and be a Psalm 23 people?
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If you have missed previous posts on Psalm 23, you can find them here:
“Hey, Pastor Jerry, how long will this transition be?” I asked.
When my husband and I were transitioning into the senior lead position at our church, when the previous pastor was retiring. I remember asking, Pastor jerry so many questions.
Always the planner, I wanted to know what the road ahead looked like so I could make and implement a timeline.
I needed to know:
- How long would we be in transition and training before we were officially “ready” for the senior pastor role?
- What were the markers he would be looking at to determine it was “time”?
- Plus a whole lot more questions that I am sure made his head spin. LOL
Pastor Jerry looked at both my husband and I and replied, “the ‘sheep’ will let us know when it’s time.” He then started laughing at the puzzled look on my face. He then went on to explain that the congregation would let us know when they trusted us enough to lead them. He said when they were at rest and peace then it would be time for him to pass the shepherds staff. A little old school lingo maybe, but it proved to be true. It also is a perfect example that explains exactly what David was talking about in Psalm 32:2
He provides me rest in rich, green fields
beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears; (Psalm 23:2 The Voice)
Growing up, I memorized Scripture using the NIV version of the Bible, with the occasional King James sneaking in. I know, again it totally sounds old school, but that is what the church I attended used and so it’s what we were taught. Now, I like looking at a variety of different versions because so much understanding and revelation can come from simply seeing the different words chosen to express the same sentiment.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, (Psalm 23:2 NIV)
I never gave much thought or notice to the way the NIV says – “He (God) makes us lie down.” The verb tense can seem like God is forcing us to lie down. Yikes. The truth is, God doesn’t “make” us do anything. We always have a choice. Always. However, we may not view it that way. The truth is, God does lead us to places of peace and rest, where we will want to lie down, but again the choice is ours whether or not we will lay down and drink.
Last week we discussed how and why David would have understood the role of a shepherd caring for the sheep. Before he became king, David’s training ground was in the fields tending the sheep. A shepherd’s primary job was to care for the sheep. They did this by leading the sheep to green pastures so they could eat and rest. They also made sure the sheep had fresh water to drink. However, the sheep couldn’t drink from stagnate water or from fast moving or raging rivers. Stagnate water could be contaminated and the sound of the raging river would frighten the sheep and the fast moving rivers would be unsafe for them. Instead, the sheep needed waters that were quiet, peaceful, gentle flowing brooks or streams.
He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
(Psalm 23″2 The Amplified -AMPC)
Rest is a funny thing. I am not very good at “resting” unless I am legit on vacation but even then, I am married to someone who likes to go and do things. When I am on vacation, I want to sit, rest, recharge, read a great book and do nothing. However, that isn’t always the way it works out.
Rest. God wants us to have it and to participate in it. In Fact, He wants rest to be a part of our normal life so much, that God exhibited what rest looks like after He finished creation. Not to mention the fact that He also told us to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy in the 10-Commandments. I am not sure about the rest of the world, but I can say for sure that we American’s do not do rest well. We work hard, we play hard and we don’t put much emphasis on rest. However, rest is an essential and vital part of making us whole in body, soul and spirit.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.[c]
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. (Psalm 23:2 The Passion Translation)
Psalm 23:2 is all about God, The Good Shepherd, providing for us. This verse exemplifies the Lords love and care for us. It promises provision of food, water, peace, safety, security and rest.
What’s your favorite portion of Psalm 23:2 and why? Please share in the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Episode #103~Tammie Southerland ~Permission to Burn
In Permission to burn, Tammie says a “burning hunger is a true mark of salvation.” We dive into that statement, plus: why we need permission to burn, what the Bridal Paradigm is, how a Holy dissatisfaction will cause friction and so much more. My prayer is that today’s podcast episode will ignite the flames of passion within you and give you permission to burn for the Kingdom of God.
Permission to Burn on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3q6YBbG
Connect with Tammie here:
Website: www.frontlinefire.org
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Podcast: Voice of the Burning Ones Available Everywhere. Internet TV Show launching in 2021 hosted on Destiny Image, YouTube, etc
itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voice-of-the-burning-ones-with-tammie-southerland/id1495723534
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yh4wPzlskvEGMSqbuBYBW
Listen at your favorite podcast provider, click here for options. OR watch it On Youtube by clicking here.
Check out the newest #Podcast from @Dare2Hear Episode 103: Permission to Burn with guest Tammie Southerland Share on X
My NEW Symbolism Reference Guide and Dream Journal just released. You can now purchase your copy straight from Amazon
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With Much love and Appreciation,
Debbie
Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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YouVersion 7-Day Devotional
I am blessed and honored to have a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible App. YAY!!! It is a great way to kick start the 7- days before my on-line Bible Study starts next week. I would be so blessed if you would check it out and share it with your friends. You can find it here: Be The Gift Someone Needs Today!
Have you had the opportunity to read my new book “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for others.” ? This book is about learning to hear the voice of God in our own life so we can respond to those God bumps and little nudges He gives us on a daily basis. God is calling us to be agents of encouragement and to be the gift the worlds needs today.
We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.
To order your copy today: You can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, OR your favorite online retailer, Plus, newly added, you can now get a signed copy from me. Click Here to order yours today!
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
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If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
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Oh, dear, I do have a way of making work even out of my rest…
This is my second Psalm.23 encounter of the day. Could God be trying to tell me something?
So thankful for His sheltering rest.
It is amazing how much provision He gives so we can truly rest. I’m with Michele…I need to pay attention to what God is trying to show me!
I tend to work too much at home, but when I’m on vacation? I know how to rest. 🙂 Psalm 23 is one of my absolute favorite passages in the whole Bible so I’m happy to hear you write about it here.
Thank you for this series!
You are most welcome Elizabeth!