When Jesus Calls
A Soul Shepherding Moment By Bill Gaultiere © 2012 Christ came to meet me in the garden of my soul, but I was busy. He was longing to share fragrances of love with me, but I was tending to someone else’s … Continue reading →
Archive for the ‘praying the psalms’ Category
Morning and Evening Prayer
A Soul Shepherding Moment By Bill Gaultiere © 2012 In Psalm 65 David sings out to the Lord, “Where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy” (verse 8). Where does his joy come from? Not his circumstances … Continue reading →
Bloom Where You are Planted (a Benediction)
A Soul Shepherding Moment
By Bill Gaultiere © 2012
I’d like to share with you the benediction I wrote to go with my sermon on Matthew 6:25-34, “Be God’s Wildflower — Be Worry Free.” A benediction is a blessing from God that is pronounced by one person over another.
This benediction is inspired by Jesus’ words: “Why do you worry about how you look? See how the wildflowers grow. They do not strive or strain to impress. They bloom where they are planted because God has clothed them in his splendor. If that is how God clothes the grass will he not much more clothe you?” (Matthew [...]
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An Arrow Prayer to Help you Listen
Soul Shepherding Moment
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
Listen! God is speaking.
Sunshine after a rain. It reminds me that when we slow down and look up to God his bright thoughts can enter our minds to help us walk in his bright ways (Isaiah 55:9, paraphrase). Listening to God makes everything better—even if we at the time we don’t hear specific words—because the very act of listening opens our hearts to the delightful, shining reality that the Lord is truly with us.
“Shoot Up” an Arrow Prayer
But most us of struggle with listening to God and need help to direct our [...]
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The Lord is my Portion
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
It’s ironic that the more we long for Jesus—to know him intimately and love him fully—the more we are deeply satisfied. Most things in life don’t work that way. If you cultivate a craving for chocolate you’re likely to keep eating it and gain weight or get sick to your stomach!
Craving becomes a big problem if you’re longing is for acceptance or self-worth and you keep striving to achieve it. You can never accomplish enough. Never be attractive enough. Never keep people happy with you. Many addictions and much unhappiness come out of craving for things other than Jesus.
Is the Lord your Portion?
Many [...]
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Lost and Found
Jesus finds the lost sheep!
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
Have you ever been lost? It’s frightening!
But how sweet it is to be found and to see the smile of the one you love.
Being Lost
One time I got lost leading my 11-year old son on a hike up a mountain. We were coming down the peak and got lost. The sun was going down and it was very cold. We were hiking through snow, far from help, shivering and trembling with fear. Just in the nick of time God brought us some other hikers who knew the way back down the mountain.
Another time my precious [...]
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Don’t Rush to Finish your “To Do List”
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
It happens to most of us every day: we don’t finish all that we set out to accomplish for that day.
Often we have more work, projects, errands, people to meet, or ministry to do then there is time. Or we schedule our day without margin. So we hurry! hurry!! hurry!!!
Hurry!
Hurry is not just moving fast, it’s also an attitude of pressuring yourself to do more in less time. When you’re rushing you’re believing that what you are trying to accomplish is more important than anything else — including the people around you and the Lord in your midst.
Hurry [...]
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Come
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
When you’re reading the Bible do you ever just stop mid sentence to pray because your heart is warmed with appreciation for Jesus?
This morning I was reading Psalm 95 and I stopped at the first word: “Come!” The Lord is inviting me to come to him! He’s smiling, his arms are open, his heart is open — all for me and for you!
Do you believe this? Or maybe it is an unfamiliar experience for you to be chosen and delighted in? Maybe you feel insecure or unworthy?
Embrace Jesus
Come. Come to Jesus. Oh to embrace our Lord — right now. Oh to [...]
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The Helmet of Salvation for You
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
No matter what happens you have control over your thoughts.
Your mind is the battleground of your life. It is because of your thinking that you may become depressed or anxious, give over control of your life to a demanding person or to alcohol, or be oppressed by Satan and his demons.
We talk with ministry leaders and Christ-followers of all kinds who without realizing it open the door of their heart (which is their thinking) to Satan, who is the father of lies (John 8:44) and the accuser of God’s people (Revelation 12:10). They need to learn how to put on the helmet of [...]
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The Lamb Became the Shepherd
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
Jesus hung on the cross, naked and disfigured from beatings, bleeding and suffocating to death. He cried out Psalm 22:1 for all to hear, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
It was the darkest night ever (Matthew 27:45). Jesus felt abandoned by his Father. Many theologians say that because he took our sin on himself he was abandoned by God. In either case, he was enduring a Dark Night of the Soul. He felt God’s absence. He felt forsaken.
I’ve felt abandoned by God. Probably you have too. I talk with pastors, ministry leaders, and all kinds of Christ-followers who [...]
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