The Good Shepherd

I've been spending the last two weeks with my brother's family. I was going on a walk with my one year old niece and my sister. My niece started walking happily towards the road as a car was coming by. I called out to her, but she didn't turn around. Since I have a broken foot, I couldn't get her. My sister knows she is a stubborn baby and as she was getting a little too close to the car, she ran to pick her up. My niece was not so happy as she was taken from what seemed so exciting, but it was the best thing for her.

Psalm 23 talks about God as our shepherd. He guides us to things that are good for us, even when the way to get there is not easy. He daily shows us his love and comfort. He knows us completely and knows what is best for us, even when we don't.  He has incredible plans for our lives that we cannot even imagine. He is completely powerful and able to make his plan happen, even when we are walking the other way. 

Jehovah Ra'ah- The Lord is my shepherd

Read Psalm 23:1-3
   What does verse 1 describe the Lord as?
   Where does the Lord lead us?
   What is our job as the sheep?
Read Psalm 23:4
   What kind of path do we sometimes have to go through to get to where God is leading us to?
Read Psalm 23:6
   What is the result if we follow the shepherd's leading?
Read Psalm 147:5
   What are two characteristics of God?
   Why would these be important for our shepherd to have?
Read Psalm 139:13-16 and Matthew 6:8
    How well does God know you?
    Why is it important for the shepherd to know his sheep?

God Doesn't Check Out!

Have you ever been sitting in class, but not really “there?”  Your body is there but your mind is wandering, thinking about what you want to play for recess, or what you’re going to do after school?  We sometimes are present without really being present.  But the Bible teaches us that God is not like us.  God is not only everywhere all the time: he is present and paying attention.

In the verses from Exodus, God saw the misery of the people, and He acted.  He sent Moses, but He also went WITH Moses.

In John 6 Jesus wasn’t just there, He was present.  He saw that the people were hungry and needed food.  He was involved in the situation and gave them the food they needed.  When He came across the blind man later on, He was involved.  He saw that the blind man needed to see, and He gave him sight.

God is present AND present.  He is everywhere all the time, but He isn’t just there.  He is involved and working.  Proverbs 15:3 says that “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”  God is watching you. 

Psalm 46:1 says “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  God is always there to help you, providing you a safe place and His strength to overcome the problems and trials in your life. 

Isn’t it great to know that God doesn’t check out?  He is always there.  The Ever Present God.  And He wants a relationship with YOU!

The God Who is Always There: Jehovah Shammah

Read Proverbs 15:3
Where are the eyes of the Lord?

Read Exodus 3:7-15
What had God seen?  (vs 7)
What did God do because of what he saw?  (vs 8)
What name did God tell Moses to use?  (vs 14)

Read John 6:1-13
What did the people need?
What did Jesus do about it?
How does this show that God is always there?

Read John 9:1-11
What did the man need?
What did Jesus do about it?
How does this show that God is always there?

Read Ezekiel 48:35
What was the name of the city?