In Psalm 23, green pastures and still waters are a sign of contentment. Few images convey the concept of peace like a flock of sheep under shady trees with their legs tucked under them, chewing the cud beside still waters. Sheep don’t lie down to eat. They only lie down after they’ve eaten, and then they relax and enjoy again what they’ve previously eaten. Nor do they lie down if they’re nervous or frightened. They only relax when they feel secure, content, and at peace.

The provisions of God’s grace come with overflowing blessings, along with accompanying contentment and joy. God’s grace enables us to enjoy His fields and His folds. When the Lord is our shepherd, we have everything we need. We shall not want. We’re blessed, supplied, led, protected, and content with our Great Shepherd.

Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”(John 10:10-11)  –From Turning point

If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm.
Max Lucado

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shalt it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.–Matthew 5:13

Those stinging remarks came from the lips of the One who loves us most–Jesus Christ. He didn’t pull any punches. Knowing that only the truth will set us free, He forces us to think about the manner of our life. Do we “practice what we preach”?

Pastor Greg Laurie made these comments about this verse:

There is a difference between a believer who is seeking to live a godly life, but struggling, and the person who claims to be a believer, but blatantly disregards what the Bible says and chooses to live a lifestyle out of God’s plan. My request of those in the latter category is to please do us all a favor and be quiet. It sounds surprising to hear an evangelist ask someone to not tell others about Christ. But the key text of the Sermon on the Mount is Matthew 6:8, when Jesus said, “Don’t be like them. . . .” Essentially, Jesus was saying, “Don’t be like this world. Be different. Don’t be like them.”

So what are we to be? We are to be salt. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth”—— In Jesus’ day, salt was a bigger deal than it is now. The Romans believed that except for the sun, nothing was more valuable than salt. It actually was used as a form of currency, and Roman soldiers would sometimes be paid in salt. Hence the expression, “He is not worth his salt.”

We are all going to have moments of hypocrisy. If I said I have never been a hypocrite, then I would be hypocritical for saying that. Believers have not always practiced what they preached. That is called humanity. Every Christian will fall short.

But if you are a Christian and are living a lifestyle that is contrary to what the gospel teaches and what the Bible says, then please don’t talk about Jesus. Because the world needs authenticity today.

My beloved is mine, and I am his—Song of Solomon 2:16

How great is the blessedness involved in such an assurance! My beloved Jesus is mine . . .
in the dignity of His person;
in the suitability of His offices;
in the immensity of His love;
in the efficacy of His atonement;
in the riches of His abounding grace!

His righteousness is mine–to justify me,
His Spirit is mine–to sanctify me,
His power is mine–to defend me,
His wisdom is mine–to guide me, and
His Heaven is mine–to receive me!

And what does Christ say to the believer in return?

“I am yours–and all that I have is yours! I have boundless and unsearchable riches–and those riches are for you! I have happiness to bestow, such as the mind in its largest grasp has never been able to conceive–and that happiness is for you! I have crowns and scepters at My disposal–and all those honors are for you! Yes, to him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My glorious throne!”

The Christian’s exaltation and bliss is not a matter of doubtful disputation. And what makes it so certain? It is the blessed truth that the union which exists between him and Christ–is an indissoluble union! All other relations, however close and endearing, must be broken. That union of husband and wife; and soul and body–has no power to resist the assault of death, the great destroyer.

All earthly ties must then be severed. But death, which breaks every other bond–only strengthens the bond between the Christian and Christ! Death, which quenches every other love–only kindles that of the believer for Jesus, into a purer and intenser flame! Death, which snatches every other object from our grasp–only brings us to the full enjoyment of Him, who is the fountain of life, the great center and source of all blessedness.

Christian, rejoice in your union with Jesus!
The changes of time cannot touch it!
The storms of life cannot injure it!
The sword of persecution cannot sever it!
The damps of death cannot affect it!
The malice of hell cannot move it!
It is a union which will last forever! It follows, therefore, that you, if a partaker of it–will be rich forever, safe forever, dignified forever, and blessed forever!

(By John MacDuff, 1858)

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.–I Corinthians 12:27

At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestras perceived each other .

The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stiff, and non-athletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose “loud” as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical.

These were interesting findings! How could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music with such widely different personalities and perceptions? The answer is very simple: regardless of how these musicians view each other, they discard their feelings and biases to follow the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play the most beautiful music.(Senior Living)

Dear friend, it is the same in the church, the “body of Christ”. 1 Cor. 12:18 says,”But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” Every part of the body has a purpose.

No matter where you serve—in a soup kitchen, in a Bible study, as a minister, as a prayer warrior, as an usher, or in another area—the body can’t function properly without your help! You are an important part of the body of Christ!

Thank God for each member of the Body of believers who come together to serve Him and others. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing in the Body and use you significantly as a member for His glory.