The Lord Is My Shepherd

 Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd;  I shall not want.

 

Jesus is reason for Christmas and part of the Christmas story is about shepherds being in the field and watching over their flocks by night. (Luke 2:11)

 

When we belong to Christ we are His sheep and we are under His protection even in the dark of night and the darkest of times. Be encouraged today that the Lord is indeed  the Good Shepherd and is watching over you! Trust in His love and guidance. Rest in the truth of His word. Bask in the love of His light.

 

Let's be aware of those who are struggling to find the joy of this season and lift them up in our prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

*Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 

* John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

 

*Psalms 95:7 For He is our God,  And we are the people of His pasture,  And the sheep of His hand.

 

 

Who's Skin Are You In?

 

Have you ever heard of someone being referred to as "thin-skinned,"? That means the person is overly sensitive, they may be offended easily and are especially sensitive to criticism.  Maybe you know some one who is of that nature.

 

But we don't have to be thin-skinned. We don't have to be people pleasers. In fact as followers of Christ Jesus, we for the most part, not be people pleasers.

 

Jesus said in John 15:5 I am the Vine and you are the branch. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing. *(emphasis mine) 

 

Did you catch it? The key is to abide, live in Jesus and allow Him to live in us. That is a super-natural protection. It doesn't mean our feelings will never be hurt. Of course they will. But if we abide; (live in constant fellowship with Him through prayer), in Jesus essentially He is our skin! And as He lives in us, through the  Holy Spirit and the Word we are empowered to let those criticisms roll off of our natural skin! We will bear sweet juice, joy, peace, patience, etc.

 

 

* Psalms 119:165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.Psalms 1