The Lord is my Shepherd, I Shall Not Want

Samaritan's Purse is a ministry we love so dearly. They are a humanitarian aid and relief organization that provide medicine, food, shelter and other desperately needed assistance to people in the U.S. and around the world in the name of Jesus. Many of these people have been living in these dire circumstances for years due to famine, war, and natural disasters. They build and rebuild communities and respond in emergency situations as well.

Operation Christmas Child is just one of the projects they facilitate. We pack shoe boxes filled with necessary items such as toothbrushes, combs, pens, pencils, paper, shoes, clothing, candy and toys, and take them to the local collection center, they are packed into large shipping cartons and driven to processing centers. From the processing centers they are sent to very needy children in hospitals, orphanages, remote villages, slums, prison courtyards, etc., all over the world. Each child receives a gospel book in their own native language, and is invited to participate in a 10-week discipleship course through a local Samaritan's Purse supported church. Upon graduation, they receive a graduation certificate and their very own bible. For most children, this is the only present they have ever received.

Although we have been packing shoe boxes for years, this year our family had the privilege of serving at our local collection site. The children could not wait to go. I have so enjoyed hearing their prayers at night and all the things that are on their little minds. My prayer is that our hearts would yield to the work that Jesus is doing in us. To be completely satisfied in nothing but the love that comes from a relationship with Him. To be completely grateful for the grace that He gives beyond measure. And to be cheerful givers of the abundance He provides.

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Psalm 23
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.

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I Cannot See!

There is always that temptation in my life (of which I find myself taking quite often) to figure things out, to make things happen in my timing, in my way, or to my benefit;

"This is how I see things, and this makes perfect sense to me."

But God says in Isaiah 55:8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says Jehovah.

I want to look ahead down the road and see. I want to have control.
God is lately challenging this area of my heart again. There have been many circumstances over the years, especially in pain or discomfort, that He has allowed me to choose to trust Him or not.

I want to trust Him when I can see where He is taking me, and what will happen along the way.
He wants me to trust Him when I cannot see.
This is faith.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Jesus is our eyes.

2Co 5:7 states "for we walk by faith, not by sight".

For we walk by faith, and not by sight. Faith is a grace which answers many useful purposes; it is the eye of the soul, by which it looks to Christ for righteousness, peace, pardon, life, and salvation; the hand by which it receives him, and the foot by which it goes to him, and walks in him as it has received him; which denotes not a single act of faith, but a continued course of believing; and is expressive, not of a weak, but of a strong steady faith of glory and happiness, and of interest in it: and it is opposed to "sight": . . . . .it is but seeing as through a glass darkly; it is not that full sight, face to face, which will be had hereafter, when faith is turned into vision.

The rest and peace of heart that comes from trusting in Jesus.

Heb 4:9-11 So then there remains a rest to the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.

Lastly,
Isa 43:1-3 But now so says Jehovah who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle on you.
For I am Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

I love being blind.

Nothing Without You

Take these hands and lift them up

For I have not the strength to praise You near enough

For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

Take my voice and pour it out

Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found

For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs

Is all Your love to cover me

So all the world will see

That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up

May it be broken as an offering of love

For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs

Is all Your love to cover me

So all the world will see

That I have nothing

But I love You

With all my heart

With all my soul

With all my mind

With all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth

And let it glorify all that You are worth

For I am nothing,

I am nothing without You