SHEPHERD'S WALK at Sweetbriar

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Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 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.

As I prepare to leave for Mexico tomorrow with the Team from For the Fame of His Name, I wanted to share what God is also preparing, designing and completing as I type this. When I return from my missions trip (where I have the awesome privilege to speak to Mexican Pastor's and Elder's wives about discipleship in their churches and among their people) I will share more about SHEPHERD'S WALK and all God has given - and continues to give for the vision of it all! The paving has barely hardened and God is already supplying and providing - just as He has promised!

It is a Prayer of Faith Walk - that leads to the purity of The Sanctuary Area - the CIRCLE - the KEY to God's Presence - meeting one-on-one as each sojourner COMES to the TABLE of GOD!

Isaiah 40:21-23

21 Do you not know? Have you not heard?Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. [all emphasis added]

Enjoy the pictures. It was just completed yesterday [the 27th] at 6PM. Share this with those you care about.

Choosing JOY in all the World,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the SHEPHERD]

CONFIDENCE

Where is your CONFIDENCE?

Jeremiah 17 (selected)
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

Psalm 71:5-6
5 For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise You.

Psalm 27:13-14
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

2 Corinthians 3:3-5
3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. [all Scripture emphasis added]

I am so glad that we don't have to depend upon men or machines or any other thing except God to carry out His divine purposes. We have confidence in Him alone! He is GOD! Nothing He plans can be thwarted!

Caution: Cardinal Crossing!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

NO OTHER NAME

Nehemiah 9:3-7

3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God. 4 Standing on the stairs were the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani—who called with loud voices to the LORD their God. 5 And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting."

"Blessed be Your glorious Name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.

6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You.
7 You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham."

Psalm 8:1

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.

Psalm 138:2

2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your Name for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word.

Acts 4:9-11

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.

Acts 4:29-31

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the Name of Your holy servant Jesus."
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.

JESUS!

As our Missions Team prepares to share Jesus with the people in Mexico - may this be our prayer - to bring glory to the Name of Jesus and proclaim Him and His Word of truth boldly, through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

SCARECROWS

This is October... a month to enjoy the beautiful color of God's creation as the earth prepares to bed down for a long cold winter. Red oak trees, orange-yellow maples, pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, and scarecrows line the porches along the streets of our communities.

Ever wonder what God's Word says about scarecrows?

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Jeremiah 10 (selected)
God and Idols
1 Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel.
2 This is what the LORD says:
"Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good."
6 No one is like you, O LORD;
you are great,
and your name is mighty in power.
7 Who should not revere you,
O King of the nations?
This is your due.
Among all the wise men of the nations
and in all their kingdoms,
there is no one like you.
8 They are all senseless and foolish;
they are taught by worthless wooden idols.
9 Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish
and gold from Uphaz.
What the craftsman and goldsmith have made
is then dressed in blue and purple—
all made by skilled workers.
10 But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God, the eternal King.
When He is angry, the earth trembles;
the nations cannot endure his wrath.
11 "Tell them this: 'These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.' "
12 But God made the earth by His power;
He founded the world by His wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
13 When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from His storehouses.
14 Everyone is senseless and without knowledge;
every goldsmith is shamed by his idols.
His images are a fraud;
they have no breath in them.
15 They are worthless, the objects of mockery;
when their judgment comes, they will perish.
16 He [GOD] who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these,
for He is the Maker of all things,
including Israel, the tribe of His inheritance—
the LORD Almighty is His Name. [emphasis added]

Praise GOD = the Maker of the heavens and all the earth.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Led Home by the Shepherd]

SHEPHERD'S WALK Begins

Today begins the first phase of SHEPHERD'S WALK at Sweetbriar. What is that, you ask? Well - that is a very llllonnnnggg story. But the short version is:

A PRAYER WALK in the woods.

The LORD Himself has been the architect and designer as He has shown me what His plans are. This will be something that will become a Non-Profit Organization as I seek to Incorporate it as that - also under God's direction. There is a looped path with a large 1400-foot Circled Sanctuary in the back part. This morning as the contractor arrived and we went over the last minute details of the Sanctuary specs - the crescent moon shone above us and the man said to me, "Wow - it's right there in the center." I reminded him of Psalm 89 where it talks about the moon being a witness of God's covenant love for us. We waited for the other workman to arrive and I led all of us in prayer at the entrance area before the work started. I reminded them that that place is "holy ground" and that everything done there is to be done to their best ability because they are to answer to God - even before they answer to me. It was a special time to begin - even then - with PRAYER!

The LORD has taken a long and winding path to take me to this place of beginning. HE is making all things new. SHEPHERD'S WALK at Sweetbriar began with a vision from the LORD while reading and studying the 23rd Psalm. Its main basis is PSALM 23 - but there are many other Scriptures that mark its path and purpose. There will be more information to come as work progresses and the Incorporation gets underway.

Psalm 89 (selected)
1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;

with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.
2 I will declare that Your love stands firm forever,

that You established Your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David My servant,
4 'I will establish your line forever

and make your throne firm through all generations.' " Selah
5 The heavens praise Your wonders, O LORD,

Your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?

Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;

He is more awesome than all who surround Him.
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like You?

You are mighty, O LORD, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.

28 I will maintain My love to him forever,

and My covenant with him will never fail.
29 I will establish his line forever,

his throne as long as the heavens endure.

35 Once for all, I have sworn by My holiness—

and I will not lie to David-
36 that his line will continue forever

and his throne endure before me like the sun;
37 it will be established forever like the moon,

the faithful witness in the sky." Selah [all emphasis added]

Psalm 23 (KJV)
1 The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 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. [all emphasis added]

The CIRCLE in the photo is God's Glory - as He established it in the very Sanctuary area of SHEPHERD'S WALK the day the Sanctuary was being cleared for the first time. There are 12 main trees that surround the actual Sanctuary circle area.

Choosing JOY along the path of life,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

A Day to Remember

....and CELEBRATE! This is long so please bear with me. I promise that the Scripture alone will be worth it! Oh, how I love God's Word!

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of my husband, Bob's home going to glory. Some of my family were able to join me at my church today when I shared a brief testimony about Bob and about Who God Is and ALL that God did two years ago in our lives bringing healing of every kind, both physical and spiritual - to Bob - to me - to our marriage - to our children and to the many who God allowed to participate in all that God's agenda held open for us!

JESUS turned Bob's life around in the last 124 days that he breathed on earth and then God took him home - to Glory - to be in the very Presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ! What a day that was and we remember with tears of grief, tears of sadness, tears of victory, and tears of great JOY! Bob's last word spoken was [one of] his grandson's name - JYDEN - which means Jehovah-Jireh = The LORD will PROVIDE!

Today was special in another way. I had the privilege of being commissioned today - being sent off to Mexico. I will be speaking to Pastor's wives about discipleship among women in the church at a Mexican Pastoral Staff Conference in Tamazunchalie, Mexico, in only a few short days. I am going with a missions organization called: For The Fame of His Name.

As I shared today - this is completely out of my "comfort zone"! But God knows that. God spoke to two dear friends [Bible study mates] that told me that God will be my "Security Blanket" - and that I was "going with God alone - as all I need."

We had a special missionary speaker today - Barry Jordan, who is presently in the USA teaching at Nyack College. What a blow away message he had for us. But the bottom line was that "This World - Is all about GOD." HE takes front seat - HE leads - and we follow after we give Him that place in our lives.

I could spend all day writing Scripture after Scripture about God - that have been significant in my life over the past 3 years, especially what I shared as my commissioning verses from:

Isaiah 6: 1-8
Isaiah's Commission
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

This is also a day to remember because 3 years ago this month I heard Beth Moore speak at a Simulcast from Psalm 126. Though I did not understand that entire chapter at the time - God made it clear that I was to memorize every word of it. By Thanksgiving, I knew it and repeated it over and over. God was faithful as He continued to show me more and more about the deep meaning in that Psalm.

I call it my Psalm of JOY and PROMISE!

Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed [restored to health].
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

When my fears came flooding in last week about stepping into the unknown God reminded me of this passage - the very one that speaks about my earthly Promised Land! Oh, praise God for His Word. It gives us all we need to live a life of godliness.

Joshua 1
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

No matter what we encounter in life - even the death of a spouse or the death of a child or parent or sibling - or financial ruin - or illness - or abuse - no matter WHAT - He is there and will see us through those "impossible" circumstances. He tells me over and over, "keep your eyes on ME - and take them off your circumstances." Just like in the flood I had in my house a few weeks ago. It was hard as I went through it - but just when I called out in desperation to the LORD - He sent forth all the help I needed to turn it all around for good - and for His glory! Only God!

Having most of the church lay hands on me today along with some of my family and many Bible study partners was beyond belief - yet the day of Bob's celebration service I spoke this last Scripture from:

1 Corinthians 2:9-10
9 However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love Him"—
10 but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. [all Scripture emphasis added]

God faithfully continues to reveal what my mind and heart cannot conceive! This journey of the abundant, victorious life - I'm in it with JOY for the long haul - no matter how hard - because none of it depends on me. God doesn't need me for anything. HE is the one doing all the work - He just allows us the privilege to participate! Awesome God!

Choosing JOY in the new journey ahead and going FEARLESS with God,

Stephanie
[Led Home by the Shepherd]

MY SECURITY BLANKET

Psalm 16:5-9

5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;

You have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me.

Because He is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure...

Psalm 46:10-11

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations [heathen],

I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

Jeremiah 33:6-7

6 " 'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. 7 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before.

Job 11:17-19

17 Life will be brighter than noonday,

and darkness will become like morning.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;

you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,

and many will court your favor.

Psalm 48:8-9

8 As we have heard,

so have we seen

in the city of the LORD Almighty,

in the city of our God:

God makes her secure forever.

Selah
9 Within Your temple, O God,

we meditate on Your unfailing love. [all Scripture emphasis added]

In the Presence of our God and King - we are SECURE!

Praise Him - the Name of Jesus!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

PHOTO = Another "Cologne Avenue" Sunset

A FEARLESS HEART

Do you live with a fearless heart? Or is your life paralyzed by unending fears - many of which the evil one just holds over your head as a "taunt" - all of which may never even become a reality? Does the "what if" have a greater hold over you than the reality of trusting God?

The real question is: "Who do you believe - the enemy - or God?" The evil one is full of lies that cheat us out of the fearless heart that God wants for us. GOD wants us to TRUST His heart so deeply that we live in the reality of what He says and does - all for our good.

Does God know we are afraid many times? Of course He does. He responds to that over and over in Scripture - but always with the command to let go of those fears and trust His heart instead. He reassures us that He will be with us in all that we are and all that we do. His purposes are to bring GOOD to all people - to restore us to Himself.

Joshua 1: 6-9

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Genesis 15:1

God's Covenant With Abram

After this, the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:

"Do not be afraid, Abram.

I am your shield,

your very great reward.

1 Chronicles 17:26-27

26 O LORD, You are God! You have promised these good things to Your servant. 27 Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever in Your sight; for You, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever."

Luke 12:31-33

31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Luke 2:8-11

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. [all Scripture emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

TO KNOW HIM - EVEN in SUFFERING

Acts 1 (selected)

2 Until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3 After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Philippians 3: 8-14

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:17-18

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
Future Glory

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

To Know Christ - is to know His sufferings. There is joy and great glory in and through the sufferings that we must endure.

I have a new sign over my mantel just below the letters H.O.P.E = which says:

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,

It's about finding joy in the rain.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

How Deep His LOVE

Ephesians 3:6-19

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of His power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Can you grasp the fullness of His love? I can't - but I'm trying. He lavishes us with His grace and sometimes it's more than we can take! Praise His Name - JESUS!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

GO FORWARD

Isaiah 60 (selected)
The Glory of Zion

1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the LORD rises upon you

and His glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you:

All assemble and come to you;

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,

your heart will throb and swell with joy;

the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,

to you the riches of the nations will come.

13 "The glory of Lebanon will come to you,

the pine, the fir and the cypress together,

to adorn the place of My sanctuary;

and I will glorify the place of My feet.
14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you;

all who despise you will bow down at your feet

and will call you the City of the LORD,

Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the Name of the LORD.

Psalm 37:3-7a

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD

and He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in Him and He will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him. [Scripture emphasis added]

Exodus 14 (KJV)

13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Moses was endeavoring to rally all the people in a "drama moment" of acknowleding all that the LORD was doing and would do - but the LORD said, "Don't just stand there - MOVE!" [my personal take].

Many times we are called to "be still" - to know God and His plans. Then other times - when God has already revealed the plan, He tells us to "get moving - don't quit - don't give up - don't delay" because sometimes there is no more time to waste and there could be dangers we are not ever aware of." Had the Israelites just stood there too long - gazing - they could have been killed.

GOD MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT IN HIS HANDS!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

An UNKNOWN PATH

An Unknown Path
by Stephanie K. Brower

copyright 2008
[Inspired by: Isaiah 42 / Psalm 23 KJV]

I have not been this way before
Yet God assures me, “there’s so much more.”

The paths before me are narrow; unknown.
Yet, it’s only by faith that they are shown.

Like a Shepherd He leads me to drink and to graze,
On His Word, by His Spirit, never ceasing to amaze.

The path is ominous, winding, and steep.
My focus on the Shepherd, I alone must keep.

He’s been here before; checked for danger and snare;
Leading and guiding, even through its despair.

He lights this path, leading step-by-step,

For only today is His manna given, and kept.

Some days seem dark, as clouds gather in gloom,
Yet His faithfulness forever, still comes into full bloom.

On an unknown path, He again bids me ‘Come’!
“Trust My heart; take My Hand, as I lead you home.
Written During :Ready Steps 8-28-08

Isaiah 42 (Selected)
5 This is what God the LORD says—
He who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 "I am the LORD; that is My Name!
I will not give My glory to another
or My praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you."
Song of Praise to the Lord
10 Sing to the LORD a new song,
His praise from the ends of the earth...
16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them. [emphasis mine]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Led Home by the Shepherd]

All In Preparation for....................
SHEPHERD'S WALK
A Path to the Presence of God

In Spite of My Sin

Deuteronomy 30:8-16
8 You will again obey the LORD and follow all His commands I am giving you today. 9 Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as He delighted in your fathers, 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep His commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

The Offer of Life or Death
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?"
14 No, the Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. [emphasis mine]

I WILL RISE - Chris Tomlin

CD [Hello Love - clip]

I will rise on eagles wings
Before my God…fall on my knees
And rise… I will rise
There’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome...

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]

Objects of His Mercy

Romans 9 (selected)
God's Sovereign Choice

1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for

noble purposes and some for common use?
22 What if God, choosing to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? [all emphasis mine]

He did - make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy who He prepared in advance for glory - to all people! Only GOD!

Thoughts to ponder:

How thankful are we for God's MERCY upon our lives today? Do we bring Him glory as a result?

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Led Home by the Shepherd]