dr logans blog

Psalm 23:6 (NASB): “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The Lord as a Shepherd carries great benefits. Some may question whether a relationship with God is worth it or beneficial but David had no doubt. The expected anticipated result of His shepherding is that goodness and loving kindness (mercy) follow us all our lives and we get to live in His house, in His presence forever. I would say it is more than worth it.

Thank You, Lord for Your gracious favor. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for the promise of living in Your presence not just today but always. Amen.

Psalm 23:4 (NASB): “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Coming to grips with death, whether it be that of a loved one, close friend, or the possibility of one’s own demise, can shake even the strongest among us. Death, in most cases, can seem sinister and evil and cause us to feel terribly alone. No one adequately understands the impact death can have on us because it is so different for each person. That is why this verse is such good news. Just the knowledge that we are not alone, that God is with us, is all the comfort we need to keep moving in this valley. No one may be able to commiserate with us in this most personal of circumstances but we have someone who has promised to be with us, to protect and comfort us.

Thank You, Lord for being with us. The lyrics of the hymn ring reassuringly in our ears: “No, never alone. No, never alone! You promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.” Thank you for this assurance.

Psalm 1:3 (NASB): “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”

As a consequence of walking in and with integrity we gain stability, productivity, sustainability, and prosperity. The tragedy of our time is the pervasive lie that serving the Lord with truth and integrity is fruitless. We should do as we please, the world tells us, but where has that gotten us? When we serve the Lord, avoiding the tricks and traps of our enemy by meditating on His Word day and night, we reap the great reward the psalmist lists here.

Gracious Father, sometimes we fail and fall because we want to be like everyone else. Thank You for reminding us in those moments who and whose we are so that we can confidently take our stand and thereby reap Your promised reward. Amen.

1 John 1:9 (NASB): “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

“If” is a huge word. God forgives His people but that forgiveness is predicated on our confession. While God’s forgiveness is not at issue, our ability and willingness to confess is because there must be a companion intention and desire to change. When those two come together then we are not only forgiven, but cleansed as well.

“Thank You Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you Lord, for making me whole. Thank You Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free.” Amen.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB): “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Salvation is the free gift of God. It is given not because we are so good but because God’s love for us is so great. Grace is when we receive what we do not deserve. So by faith we receive what we do not deserve and what we cannot buy or earn. What then do we owe that God deserves? It is nothing less than our undying devotion, worship, praise and obedience.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us the one gift we can never fully repay. Thank You for loving us enough to save us. Now enable us to accept and celebrate our salvation with the obedience and integrity of the living of our lives. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB) – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.”

There is no need to continually rehash the past. It is finished and gone. That was then and this is now. Be refreshed with the new you are and the new you are becoming. Be patient because like anything new, it will take time to become completely familiar with it. Enjoy it! Celebrate it, all the while releasing what was but is no more.

Thank you Jesus for receiving me, forgiving me, and making me new. Help me walk confidently in this continually new environment knowing better is here and best is coming. Amen.

Day 24 – Memory Verse

John 1:1 (NASB): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

In Genesis God spoke and all there is came forth out of nothing. Just with His Word the world came into being. It came forth because the power behind it was God Himself, the living Word. It reminds us that all we need is a Word from God to transform our circumstances. If God, as the Word, can bring forth all of creation, imagine what He can do in our circumstances.

Lord, thank You for being the living Word. Would You speak today into our particular situations and bring forth the change we cannot? I thank You and trust You to do it. Amen.

Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Thought: A shepherd leads instead of drives. Jesus is the Good Shepherd whom we gladly and confidently follow. We follow Him because He provides us what we need, and as a result we do not want.

Lord, help us follow you more closely so that all we need is supplied. Thank You for being that Shepherd who gently leads where we are pleased to follow. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Thought: A simple easy to remember verse of scripture packed with great challenges. While the truth it reveals is real, the challenge to walk in it is equally real. For without the faith to receive and believe it the words are empty and meaningless. But when we decide to exercise out faith and walk according to it then, as the Apostle Paul testifies, the possibilities are limitless, and we discover we can do all things through Christ Jesus and the strength He supplies.

Lord, let me conquer the daily challenges to our faith and confidently affirm the ability we have through You. Amen.

Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Thought: A shepherd leads instead of drives. Jesus is the Good Shepherd whom we gladly and confidently follow. We follow Him because He provides us what we need, and as a result we do not want.

Lord, help us follow you more closely so that all we need is supplied. Thank You for being that Shepherd who gently leads where we are pleased to follow. Amen.