Y’all! I just want to shake my head, raise my hands, praise the Lord, and share with you all something special.
I’ve mentioned before how my brother Mike Parker (the author of My Emmas: God is Faithful 24/7) is being the interim pastor at a church in Georgia. I’ve always known Mike to be passionate, a great communicator, and a lover of God’s word. Well…he does not disappoint.
This past Monday, I began listening to his sermon from Sunday (9/16/18). It is the second part of a three part series on Psalm 23. I wasn’t even five minutes into the audio when Mike’s prayer was one that, as I texted to him, “Brother! I could have said Amen after the prayer and called it a sermon! You rock!”
You can feel all those qualities I mentioned about Mike in his prayer.
For the past two months Psalm 23 has been pressed upon my heart. Am I to write about it? Do I just read it and pray for insight? I’m not sure why God has put it on my heart, but He has. Then…I saw a Facebook Live with Jennifer Rothschild (I love her!) adn how she just completed a new in-depth bible study on…Psalm 23! And then…Mike began his series on…Psalm 23! Y’all, I don’t know what God has in store for this chapter in my life, but I want not encourage you to do a couple of things for me:
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PLEASE Click here and listen to Mike’s sermon. You’ll want to go back and hear more. At least I sure hope so. He’s so good! (It’s 45 min. Listen in your car, like me, or while you cook, clean, wherever. You’ll be happy you did.)
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Read Psalm 23 (I’ll post a few versions below.)
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Pray before and after you read Psalm 23 for God to reveal to you and in you and through you something He desires for your life. He speaks!
God has much glory to share with us all.
I pray for a revival in your heart and a fire in your bones to want to love and know Christ more.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
What’s your favorite version below?
Psalm 23:
ERV: The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need. He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water. He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good. Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. You prepared a meal for me in front of my enemies. You welcomed me as an honored guest. My cup is full and spilling over. Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house a long, long time.
KJV (How I memorized it as a child): The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
NIV: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
MSG: God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
