Let’s Praise the Lord!

I chose this scripture because Shane preached his sermon from this passage this morning. Way to go, Shane!

Before I could get it pasted to publish, Jim started to talk about this scripture and Shane's message of love. I hope this simple blog will give you strength, hope, and peace today.

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
This is the scripture from which Shane gave his message in church this morning. Way to go, Shane. This scripture is full of hope, strength, blessings, and direction in the absolute best direction towards worshipping God.

We bow humbly simply because God deserves our adoration.
He loves us so much that we are named after Him. In love my husband gave me his name, and thus I am Mrs. James Leasure.
Paul prays that the Ephesians are strengthened in the best way (through the Holy Spirit) and in the most important place (inside to out).
Christ comes to live with us through our faith in His redemptive power.
Rooted and grounded are solid, stable words, which our inner beings crave.
And we crave love, both to love and to be loved.
Love surpasses knowledge.
And He does do more than we can imagine.
Thus we praise Him and bow before Him.

I have this marked in my oldest and favorite Bible as a message given by an elderly, extremely wise man of God. I also remember the summer that I read Ephesians over and over and over.

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd
I have no wants
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters
He restores my soul

Psalm 23 is my theme song for this year. It is probably the most read poem throughout history, written by an anointed king of a small kingdom a thousand years before Christ.

David could have composed this poem as a lad during the long hours watching his father’s sheep. Or he could have written it in reflection during his reign as king over Israel.

Sheep are stupid and are desperately in need of guidance. They need a shepherd to guide and to rescue them. Most of us recognize that we really don’t know the path in front of us, and we also are greatly in need of a loving shepherd to guide us. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I’ve had an issue lately that I have been wrestling with, robbing me of peace. Last night I wrestled with an angel during my sleep, asking for peace. Jim said I talked in my sleep all night. He thought I was arguing with him. After rebuking an evil spirit this morning, peace from God descended upon my being. I am still praising the Lord and feel calmness and direction.

I have no wants. I have so many wants and needs that I worry about. I don’t need anything but my Shepherd. He will take care of me and those around me.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. I don’t always want to lie down in comfort in the meadows of spiritual food. I want to roam around, stumbling over rocks, taking a chance on going over a cliff. But the Good Shepherd makes me rest and to eat. He leads me to drink holy water.

He restores my soul. I feel so good, so at peace, that I am restored and ready for the day. My natural response is praise.