Experiencing Peace in Yahweh's Care
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Numbers 10:33
CONNECTION
When left to our own devices, we may be inclined to rush forward when presented with “green pastures" and to resist moving forward when comforted by “still waters".
TAKE HOME
A deeper sense of well-being emerges as we refine our ability to discern the Shepherd’s guidance.
MESSAGE FOCUS
Yahweh’s provisions
Discerning when to progress or when to remain
Scripture Introduction
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Who would sign up for all that we referenced last week with his role as a shepherd, yet Yahweh has taken that task on for you.
Next few weeks, the places Yahweh leads us
Yahweh’s Provisions
Motivation: How the meaning comes to life
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He is feeding you (nourishment)
I will again and again need provision
how long my supply will last
leads me to the next
Know where to go
Create good out of the rough travels
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Rushing waters would be intimidating and loud.
As our shepherd, He know the location of the things we need.
You don’t know the location, so you can’t drink
You have to acknowledge your need for what He provides
You have to partake in what He provides
I shall not want. When I need green pastures, he feeds me there. When I need still waters, He refreshes me there.
Yahweh guides us through a variety of circumstances.
We must trust what He provides enables me to bear the best fruit that fulfills His will. Which is the essence of success.
He puts things into the appropriate perspective for us.
*APPLICATION
He continually caring for my needs.
Staying Where You Are
Staying Where You Are
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Staying
Sometimes you need to stay where he has brought you
Rest
It is hard for us to slowdown
Think of your prayer time. Are you able to stay focused on listening for God’s voice when in prayer. Not speaking to him, but listening.
We don’t find rest by focusing on rest. We get the benefits when we focus on God.
I can rest (enjoy where I’m at and take in what God has for me) since I’m being taken care of by my creator and savior.
Health
Appreciation
Finances
Safety
*IMPLEMENTATION
It takes trust.
Trust He is properly performing His role as shepherd. Supplying my needs for this leg of the journey of my life.
Our assessment is our current resources don’t meet our current needs.
Trust that He knows my vulnerabilities
Trust He understands my needs better than I do and will move me on if there is a change that is necessary.
Why must I stay in this phase of my life when there might be something better elsewhere?
Unicorns in New Zealand
Church
Marriage
Vocation
Market-Driven
Grass is greener elsewhere
All we notice is the weeds and we are oblivious to the greenery around us.
From a distance, you can’t see the weeds
*REFLECTION
What is motivating you to seek something new?
Are your reasons based on negatives? Are your reasons based on positives?
Negatives- (the weeds)
Positive (greener grass- from a distance)
*IMPLEMENTATION
Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Trust He know my vulnerabilities as I rest and will protect me from assured threats.
Sabbath rest for fields every seven years.
Stop running!
It seems such a simple thing, yet we struggle to make this choice. Why are we so driven to run all the time?
We run because of feeling overwhelmed.
We run because of fear.
We run because of stress.
We run because of pressure to perform.
We run because of failure.
We run because of disappointment.
We run because of lack of direction.
Most of all, We run because everyone else seems to be running!
- A. D. Westbrook,
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
It is about provision, not so much compulsion.
It is about what God does and us yielding our resistance to His will.
“I can’t . . .”
Moving as He Leads
Moving as He Leads
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He sometimes shepherds me to lie down and sometimes to walk.
He goes ahead and faces everything before I ever encounter it.
We don’t need to know where we are going or understand why we are going. We only need to trust His leading and recognize He is with us in the mundane, as we meet each challenge, and in the joys.
Even in a specific circumstance, there may be times of rest and times of movement.
Emerald Crossing, Digging Deeper, Outreach, & what’s next.
Still waters
What you need when moving through the arid landscape is a assured supply of water. Here the shepherd leads us so we have what we need available to us.
*APPLICATION
It takes trust.
Trust He is bringing me to what is best for His will
Trust He enables me to produce fruit
Trust He understands my needs better than I do and will move me on if there is a change that is necessary.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
You don’t have to figure out your five year plan.
*IMPLEMENTATION
John 10:3–4 “To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
You only need to know your shepherd’s voice, hear Hm when he calls, and follow Him
Being led by our shepherd goes beyond simply “feeling a leading” or merely “sensing him speaking to us.”
Guiding values & principles
Countenance
Our countenance is not infallible, but with the indwelling Spirit, it is worth paying attention to.
Godly Advice
They don’t share the same biases, perceptions, or desires as we do.
Kingdom & righteousness Mt 6:33 (is this consideration about God or me)
Summary
When left to our own devices, we may be inclined to rush forward when presented with “green pastures" and to resist moving forward when comforted by “still waters". A deeper sense of well-being emerges as we refine our ability to discern the Shepherd’s guidance.
Reflection
