Seasons with the Shepherd

by Tiffany
from Virtuous Daughters, June 2014~Volume 14, Number 3

The following notes are from my pastor's sermon at church; they encouraged me so much, and I pray they are a blessing to you as well!

First Season—Salvation & Personal Relationship with God
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28)
 
Season of Feasting on the Word & Finding Rest in Christ
Feeding on the Savior~“He maketh me to lie down by green pastures and leadeth me beside the still waters.” Many times Christians do not spend enough time “eating” and “sleeping”—feasting on the Word and resting in Christ. Sometimes the Lord has to bring things into our lives that force us to go to Him, i.e., Peter (John 21). I thought this was an excellent statement: “Do you want to know if the fire of God is still in your heart? The way to know is if you are not satisfied with yourself spiritually. If you are content with your spiritual state, then ask God to give you an appetite for growing in Him again.”
 
Season of Soul Restoration
“He restoreth my soul.” This is when the Shepherd heals our open wounds and cuts and hurts. The secret chambers of our hearts are opened as He heals us.
 
Season of Closeness to the Shepherd
“He leadeth me through the paths of righteousness”…where we stay close by the Shepherd and in those really tight paths, we are so close to Him, sometimes He picks us up and carries us.
 
Season of Death
“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.” He said evil literally means the evil one. It is not truly death; it is merely the shadow, because though we die, yet we live—translated into God’s presence.