What Psalm 23 would be if everything was up to me

This past Sunday I shared about how Psalm 23 is a picture of what happens when we allow the Lord to be our shepherd. The following is what happens when we try to be our own shepherd:

I am my shepherd.
I always want something I don’t have.
I lie down in worried places
I hear the roar or noisy waters
It depletes my soul

I feel confused on my path
Trying to achieve something for my name sake

When I walk through the darkest valley
I fear every evil
I wonder if God is even with me

My possessions and popularity
They try to comfort me
I have prepared a table, but I can’t even enjoy it because of the enemies all around me.
I anoint my life with hurry and distractions; my cup is empty

Surely busyness and worry will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of anxiety forever.

I am so thankful I am not called to be my own shepherd. I have a shepherd and His way is the best way. Let’s trust the shepherd this week!

Sticks And Stones

You talk more to you than anyone else. What you say to you affects your life more than what anyone else says to you. What are you saying to you? Does it agree what what God says about you? God Says: I am loved (John 3:16) I am His (1 John 3:1) I am not alone (Matthew 28:20) I am a masterpiece in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) I am not defined by my past (Isaiah 43:18-19) I have a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11) I have the favor of God on my life (Psalm 30:5) God planned my life (Psalm 139:16) I am blessed (Deuteronomy 28:3) #YoureGoingToMakeIt #SpeakLife

3 Lenses for Life

20/20 vision…I have never had it. That is why I wear glasses. 🤣

This is a trait I passed down to my oldest son. He has had glasses for the past couple months now and he keeps losing them. My wife and I can’t understand it. He has a significant prescription, he can surely notice when they are off, but he still forgets where he took them off all the time. While frustrated earlier this week that he lost them once again, I asked, “How is this possible! I wear glasses everyday and I know when mine are lost. Why do you keep losing yours?” He said, “Well Dad you have been wearing them for a lot longer than me.” 🤓

Yes, I may not forget my physical lenses very often. However, many days I leave the house without my spiritual lenses.

Here are some spiritual spectacles to look through today:

Lens of God’s favor – As a believer, you have the favor of God on your life. You can expect the favor of God today and forever.

Lens of God’s faithfulness – You serve a faithful God. He is faithful in every season and that includes today. Look back over your life and remember that God has never let you down, and he is not about to start today. He is faithful.

Lens of God’s friendship – The God of the universe calls you friend (John 15). What would happen if you lived this entire day seeing the reality that God wants to have a relationship with you today. Let today be a day of constant communication with your creator!

There are so many more, but let these be a start.

Have a great day and don’t forget your glasses! 🙂

–Brandon

4 Truths About the Story of Your Life

4 Truths about the story of your life:

– A chapter is just a chapter, it’s not the whole story.
– With God, the bad chapters can become the best parts of the story.
– Be careful not to name a chapter while you’re in the middle of a chapter.
– Keep turning the page and trusting the author!

Thank you Pastor Mitch Rose for sharing this thought in a message years ago. I’ve never forgotten it. #YoureGoingToMakeIt

-Brandon