My Shepherd: An Amazing Guide In An Uncertain World!

MY SHEPHERD: AN AMAZING GUIDE IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD!

Psalm 23

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (No Lack) 

2. He makes (Causes) me to lie down in green pastures; (Supply/                 Satisfaction)
    
    He leads me beside the still waters. (Peace/ Rest) 

3. He restores my soul; (He will fix it)

    He leads me in the paths of righteousness
    
    For His name's sake. (His name is on the line)

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I                will fear no evil; For You are with
    me; (Fearless) 

    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Strength in us) 

5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies                   (Blessing in spite of it all) 

    You anoint my head with oil (Devine Protection)

    My cup runs over. (Overflow/ Abundance) 

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my                  life; (Confidence)

   And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Eternal                           Continuance) 

THE IMMUNITY OF JOY

THE IMMUNITY OF JOY

Philippians 4:2-7

² I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Nehemiah 8:9-10

⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

THERE IS A DEMONIC AGENDA IN THE MIDST OF THIS

Luke 21:25-26

²⁵ “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; ²⁶ men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…

I.              JOY FACTS

A.   Joy is a choice

“…do not mourn nor weep.”

B.   Lack of Joy drains strength

“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

C.   Joy is available 24/7

Galatians 5:22

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness... 

II.             HOW TO WALK IN JOY

A.   Command your emotions

Psalm 118:24

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

B.   Don’t be offended

·         Some offended with God

·         Some with others trying to help

·         Some because of the stress and anxiety - Snap

Psalm 119:165

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Romans 12:19

¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Proverbs 17:22

²² A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

“When we hold onto grudges and resentment, it’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick,” says Angela Buttimer, MS, NCC, RYT, LPC, a licensed psychotherapist at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont. “It causes us to carry negative, tense energy in our biology.”

“Living in a chronic state of tension disables your body’s repair mechanisms, increasing inflammation and the stress hormone cortisol in the body,” she explains. “Forgiveness engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your immune system function more efficiently and makes room for feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin.”

If you are tempted to dwell on an offense, remind yourself what you are doing to your body when you run the scenario in your mind again.

“Your brain doesn’t know what is real and what is imagined,” says Buttimer. “When you replay in your mind an experience you had six months ago, your body reacts as if you’re having the same experience over and over again.”

A.   Keep things in proper perspective (could be worse)

James 1:2-4

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

B.   Lighten up

         Psalm 131

 ¹ Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. ² Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward - Kurt Vonnegut

The Benefits of Laughter

Physical Health Benefits  Mental Health Benefits      Social Benefits

-Boosts immunity                 -Adds joy and zest to life            -Strengthens relationships  

-Lowers stress hormones   -Eases anxiety and fear               -Attracts others to us

-Decreases pain                   -Relieves stress                           -Enhances teamwork

-Relaxes your muscles                                                              -Helps defuse conflict

-Prevents heart disease 

·         Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.

·         Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

·         Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

·         Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Checklist for lightening up

When you find yourself overtaken by what seems to be a horrible problem, ask these questions:

·         Is it really worth getting upset?

·         Is it worth upsetting others?

·         Is it that important?

·         Is it that bad?

·         Is the situation irreparable?

·         Is it really your problem?

A.   Take life one day at a time 

Matthew 6:31-34

 ³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

B.   Live with a clear conscience

  Acts 24:16

¹⁶ This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS COVID 19

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS

COVID 19

Matthew 8:23-27

²³ Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴ And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. ²⁵ Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” ²⁶ But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. ²⁷ So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

    I. LOOK UP

Psalm 121

1. I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?

2. My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

3. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

4. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

6. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 

8. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

       II. REACH UP

·         Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1. Peter 5:7)

·         Trust in Lord with all heart lean not to thine own …(Proverbs 3:5-7)

·         Be careful for nothing but in everything prayer and thanksgiving (Philipians 4:6)

·         Even the youth weary and young men fall but they that wait... (Isaiah 40:31)

   III. WISE UP

·         Follow the CDC Guidelines.

·         Encourage others to do the same.

·         Love and care about others (act as if you have it until you know you don’t).

    IV. GO UP

The Chinese word for "crisis" (simplified Chinese: 危机; traditional Chinese: 危機; pinyin: wēijī (Mainland), wéijī (Taiwan)) is frequently invoked in Western motivational speaking as being composed of two Chinese characters signifying "danger" and "opportunity" respectively.

Increase – Inside

·            Kindness

·            Overcoming Offense

·            Increase Externally with God

·            Increase Financially

         V. GIVE UP

Make sure you are anchored in Jesus

LOOK UP -  REACH UP -  WISE UP -  GO UP - GIVE UP

SHINE Part. III FIFTEEN REASONS WHY WE MUST SHARE CHRIST

SHINE Part. III

FIFTEEN REASONS WHY WE MUST SHARE CHRIST

   

1.   There Are Great Eternal Rewards for Sharing your Faith

Dan 12:3

³ Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

2.   Because of What Jesus Has Done for Us

Mark 5:14-19

¹⁴ So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. ¹⁵ Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ¹⁶ And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. ¹⁷ Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. ¹⁸ And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. ¹⁹ However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

3.   We are God’s Only Method for Letting Others Know

Romans 10:14-15

¹⁴ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Preach – herald. Someone who lets folks know what’s going on

4.   It’s The Reason Jesus Came

Luke 19:10

¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

5.   God Often Brings Us Divine Opportunities that We Miss If We Are Not Sharing Our Story

Gen 38:6-10

⁶ Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. ⁷ But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him. ⁸ And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” ⁹ But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. ¹⁰ And the thing which he did displeased the Lord.

We often ENJOY conversation and fellowship with people but never plant the seed of the gospel. The seed goes to waste. We must correct this.

6.   The Power of One Seed

1 Cor. 3:5-6

⁵ Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

7.   It’s Good News

Matthew 11;2-6

² And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples ³ and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” ⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: ⁵ The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel (good news) preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Luke 8:1

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him.

8.   They Are Going to Die

John 8:24

²⁴ Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

1 John 5:12

¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

9.   They Are Going to Live

John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly

10. Because Jesus Is So Worth Talking About

Song 5:9

⁹ What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved More than another beloved, That you so charge us?...¹⁶ His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

11. The More We Talk About It The More We Live It

Rev. 12:11

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.

Our testimony makes us re-live the beauty of salvation over again. It stirs it up and makes us appreciate Jesus afresh.

12. It’s Wisdom

Prov. 11:30

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

13. People Are Ready to Get Saved

John 4:35-36

³⁵ Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! ³⁶ And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together

14. It Makes Angels Rejoice

Luke 15:10

¹⁰ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

15. We Are Working on Our Bling!

2 Thess. 2:19-20

¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

Paul talks of a crown we get for winning souls. Some call it the Soul Winners Crown. As we win souls we are working on our heavenly bling.