Week of July 23, 2006 Psalm 23

Hello. One of the Scriptures for Sunday is Psalm 23 - probably the most often used psalm in the yearly cycle of Scripture texts:

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Jesus, You are my shepherd. I have everything I need because of You.
As Shepherd, You make me lie down and rest in green pastures.

As Shepherd, You lead me beside quiet waters.

As Shepherd, You restore and refresh my soul.

As Shepherd, You guide me in the right ways of living in this world, to give honor and glory to You each day.

As Shepherd, You walk with me through the tough valleys of my life, where anxiety and fear tend to reign. But I will not be afraid, because You are my Shepherd and You are with me.

As Shepherd, Your rod and Your staff guide, discipline, help and comfort me.

As Shepherd, You lift me up, even in the face of my enemies.

As Shepherd, You anoint my head with oil – the oil of gladness, the oil of healing, the oil of wellness – so much so that my cup overflows.

As Shepherd, You walk with me and guide me all the days of my life so that goodness and love and mercy are always a part of me. And I will dwell in Your house, Jesus, my Shepherd, forever and ever.

Thanks for Your presence, Your guidance, Your power with me always. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May Jesus, our Shepherd, be with you now and always.

Week of July 9, 2006 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from 2 Corinthians 12: verses 2-10, the time when Paul, the Apostle describes one of his visions, and how God dealt with him, reminding him and us of a very important lesson:
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-- God knows.
3 And I know that this man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--
4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Dear Lord, all Your creation shouts Your praises. May I also continue to give You thanks and praise in every situation. Help me to see beyond what my natural eyes see, and to realize that so much more happens in the spiritual realm than I am naturally aware.

Keep me humble, Lord. Keep me at the foot of the cross – always, seeking Your presence, Your grace in all situations, and always knowing that when I feel weak, You are strong in me.

May Your power flow through me to deal with all of life’s issues, whether a result of finances, relationships at home, at work or neighbors, or my relationship with You, Lord. Thanks for Your grace in my times of need. Thanks for Your power in my weaknesses. Thanks for Your love unconditionally. Thanks for Your presence always….. Amen.


May the Lord shower you with His mercy; may the light of His presence be ever your guide; may He guard you and uphold you; may His Spirit be ever by your side. May He bless Your comings in and your goings out. When you sleep, may His angels watch over you; when you wake, may He fill you with His grace. May you love Him and serve Him all your days, and then in heaven to see His face forevermore.In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May our all-powerful God be with you now and always.

Week of July 2, 2006, Psalm 30

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is Psalm 30, a psalm of praise when we cry for help:
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Dear Lord, may my heart exalt You and give praise to You, because You lifted me out of the depths. I called to You for help and You answered me. You healed me. You brought me out of the grave and my thoughts of despair, and You heard my cry, my cry for mercy and help. I will never be shaken. When You seemed to hide Your face, and I felt dismayed, You answered and heard my crying to You. You remind me that You are my Rock, my God who is faithful.

My soul sings to You, Lord, and from the depths of my soul, I sing Your praise. You turned my wailing into dancing, and You clothed me with joy. My heart cannot be silent before You, Lord, and I give You thanks always and forevermore. Thanks for Your presence with me no matter what I am going through. Thanks for Your peace in difficult times. Thanks for Your joy that fills me with hope. Thanks for Your love that heals, forgives and helps me to live each day…. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If you would like to leave a message or have a prayer request, e-mail me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May our God be with you now and always, and may He bless you during your times of re-creation and recreation.