SMC
Aril 26, 2026
  • I Am Free
  • Firm Foundation (He Won't)
  • Blessed Assurance
  • Introduction
    CONNECTION
    Begins with excessive worry | obsessive/racing thoughts | sense of doom
    Feeling anxious/stress (chest tightness, nausea, heart racing, tense muscles, sleeplessness, light-headed)
    fearing that . . .(worst case scenario, what if)
    anxious thoughts flood mind (jumping to conclusions, mind reading)
    dread washes over as you picture the ensuing results (anticipate the guilt, embarrassment, disappointment, anger, failure, destruction)
    Restores your soul
    TAKE HOME
    With Yahweh’s reputation on the line, His promise is sure: He will faithfully shepherd you along righteous paths, mending your soul as you rest in the green pastures and follow Him beside still waters.
    MESSAGE FOCUS
    Three things that are ours when Yahweh is our shepherd.
    Scripture Introduction
    Psalm 23:1 ESV
    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    When we understand Yahweh’s character and His promise to care for us, we can be confident that He will provide us with everything we need.
    Psalm 23:2 ESV
    He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
    We experience peace in Yahweh’s care as we refine our ability to discern the Shepherd’s guidance—knowing when to move forward and when to pause.

    A Mended Soul

    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    Psalm 56:3 ESV
    When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
    (Not “If”) We will have times of anxiety, stress, and fear. That is normal and is neither right nor wrong.
    Bring back liveliness to one’s whole life
    Example: Jacob told Joseph is alive Genesis 45:26 “And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them.” and Genesis 45:27 “But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.”
    Example: Naomi Ruth 1:20–21 “She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”” compared to Naomi after after Obed’s birth Ruth 4:14 “Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!” Ruth 4:16 “Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.”
    Caution
    We must not make the mistake of trying to “store up grace” for future emergencies, because God gives us the grace that we need when we need it (Heb. 4:16). Warren W. Wiersbe
    *APPLICATION
    Let Yahweh restore your soul as you pause in the green pastures and follow Him beside still waters on your journey forward.
    Allow Yahweh to restore your soul as you pause in the green pastures of life He has brought you to.
    Allow Yahweh to restore your soul as he leads you beside still water as you take the next step in your spiritual growth or earthly endeavor.
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    It is our thoughts, judgments, and perceptions that lead to anxiety, stress, and fear that can be wrong or false.
    Our mind, body, and behaviors respond to anticipated threats and worries just as they do to clear and present dangers.
    This is where we need mending by God to get us back to serenity.
    Through encouragement that we are doing well. A revived passion that gives us drive. Redirection to our calling that gives us a sense of direction. A shift in perspective to see things in a new way.
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    Recognize destructive thoughts, judgments, and perceptions early, before they take hold.
    Take each thought captive and make it obey Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
    Impossible- Luke 18:27 “But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.””
    Anxious- Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
    Overwhelmed- Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
    This is the result of green pastures and still water-restoring soul.

    Assurance in Life’s Journey

    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    The journey beside still waters was a path of righteousness. The pause in the green pastures is a path of righteousness.
    Perhaps the paths we thought were wrong for us are actually the righteous paths.
    * Prerequisite
    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    We are led by Jesus or the thief.
    Off a little today may become a lot later in life.
    Love (and not justice) - Accepting sin - idolatry
    We must be on the path Jesus has for us for the the path to be righteous. Different paths could mean we are in God’s displeasure.
    There is usually space to move about in the pasture (paths).
    The problem is when we cross the fence (trespass) and wander were we aren’t suppose to go.
    Freedom
    You will find freedom in the path Yahweh has for you
    Not liberation from limitations
    Not liberation from bandage
    Not autonomy
    *APPLICATION
    If we maintain a proper attitude and follow Jesus, our shepherd, along the righteous paths he leads us on, we will experience peace and joy.
    *IMPLEMENTATION
    God’s Word
    God’s Will
    Jesus’ example

    Confidence in Yahweh’s Care

    Psalm 23:3 ESV
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    God’s reputation is at stack.
    God’s name, reputation and glory are bound up with the safety and security of his flock. Iain D. Campbell
    This brings assurance. Being led on paths of righteousness is not dependent on our ability to follow but God’s reputation.
    Summary
    With Yahweh’s reputation on the line, His promise is sure: He will faithfully shepherd you along righteous paths, mending your soul as you rest in the green pastures and follow Him beside still waters.
    Brought Back to Serenity

      • Psalm 23:3ESV

      • Psalm 23:3ESV

      • Psalm 23:1ESV

      • Psalm 23:2ESV

      • Psalm 56:3ESV

      • Genesis 45:26–27ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 10:5ESV

      • Luke 18:27ESV

      • Psalm 55:22ESV

      • Isaiah 41:10ESV

      • Psalm 23:3ESV

  • Christ The Sure And Steady Anchor
SMC
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