SACRIFICIAL SURRENDER

“1The 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.”(Psalm 23) [NIV]

Comments:
Psalm 23. Such a familiar passage in the Christian world, yet it is one that I've drifted away from recently. Not because I don’t need it, but because I brush it off as a passage I’ve heard over and over. Kind of like the “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” passage. However, I have not allowed myself to rest in that scripture and I need it. It encompasses all phases of life.
After a near fatal car accident almost ten years ago that left me paralyzed (mind you, I was a missionary when it happened), I found myself questioning many things about God, Christianity, and life in general. I suddenly felt so alone and afraid of a world I knew nothing about.
Have you ever felt that way? Alone? Confused? Frustrated? Needing a break from it all? Many people do all around the world for many different reasons.
Please join me this Sunday as we take a look into Psalm 23. He has anointed and prepared a place for us at His table, and so we should rest in Him when times of trouble come our way. Read through Psalm 23 before Sunday, and get excited about the “Sacrificial Surrender” that I’ll lead you through as you allow God to transform your life in an amazing way which will allow you to be a blessing to others!

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Alyson Roth will be sharing her powerful testimony and about Free Wheel Chair Mission this Sunday in both services. You don’t want to miss. Plan to be here and bring someone with you.
Pastor Ruben

Open:
With what formulas for dealing with stress were you raised? “Forget it”? “Pray about it”? “Sleep on it”?

Explore:
Read this Psalm again in the negative (“The Lord is not my shepherd ...”) What verse is most disturbing to you?

Get It:
What dark valley do you walk now? Has God rescued of protected you with His “rod” and “staff”? What “green pastures and still waters” has he brought your way?

Apply:
Who are your “enemies” today? What would you like your cup to overflow with? Take a moment and ask God to be all that Psalm 23 says for you.