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I thought that with the many favourable comments yesterday on "Goodness" and "Mercy" in the devotional, I'd share Jack's writing that was similar.  Some of you have read it before but I know that each time I read these, I'm blessed.

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Morning Devotional...


[td]WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS
Jeremiah 6:16
By the late Jack Scott



13.  The Shepherd's Psalm--
Part (vii) [/td]
[td] [/td] [/table]


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The man stood erect and perfectly still on top of a wee knoll.  At his feet impatiently sat two little border collies, their ears upright and their keen noses smelling the air.  Across the valley and high up on the slopes of the mountain beyond, small white objects dotted the landscape.  Half hidden in the green grass and purple heather the scattered flock grazed contentedly, unaware of the ominous stillness and the darkening sky.

Signs of the coming storm were not lost on the lone shepherd standing on the knoll.  He raised his whistle to his lips and the two dogs stiffened their posture.  At the first blast, they were off like a shot from a gun.  Further blasts caused the two noble creatures to make a wide circle around the still unconcerned sheep.  On they went until they passed even the most distant sheep.  Continuing to obey their master's whistled commands, they slowly, gently, began to move the reluctant sheep towards their master.

Not one sheep missed the attention of the two dogs.  The dogs, although decisive in their work never once nipped at the heels of their charges.  The sheep began to move faster, showing signs of fear, they moved now as one body towards the shepherd as if to seek his protection from the dogs.

It is true that the shepherd could never accomplish his task of caring for the sheep without the help of his beautiful obedient dogs.  It is just as true that the relationship between dogs and sheep would be very different without the presence of the shepherd.  You see, untrained, uncontrolled, border collies can be very vicious, and very frightening.  These loving gently creatures have a natural instinct to kill sheep by tearing their throats open with razor sharp teeth.  Can we wonder that their presence drives the flock to the shepherd?

An old Scottish shepherd-preacher once said "God has twa dogs.  The yin He calls "Goodness" and the ither He names "Mercy"."

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23:6)  Indeed so it is, that God's goodness and mercy are often needed, yet seldom truly desired.  Surely it is our fears, trials and yes, our conscience that drives us to the Good Shepherd and the protection of His presence.

It was the goodness of His grace that first showed us our sin and waywardness.  It was His mercy that drove us to see Christ as the only Saviour of Sinners, and it is His goodness and mercy that keeps us close to His side.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  (Psalm 23:6)

Christians all accept the fact that through the eternal ages they will dwell in God's house.  Few realize that by faith we can enter that place of blessing while still living down here.  In the epistle to the Ephesians we learn that God has already made us to sit in heavenly places.

"And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."  (Ephesians 2:6)

We can appreciate our position as urged on by "Goodness" and "Mercy" as they are seen in the circumstances of life and we flee away to the peaceful, protective presence of our Shepherd.

"Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree:  that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (I Peter 2:24-25)

To "dwell in the house of the Lord" is to live continuously in His presence.  Brother Lawrence (author of Practicing the Presence of God) learned while doing the most onerous and menial of tasks, to practice the presence of God and so can we.  If during our trials and temptations, our illnesses and "the dark nights of our souls" He came to visit us and bless us would we feel differently?  Of course we would; temptations would fly away, sorrows would abate and psalms of blessing would move our lips.

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".  So we may boldly say,  "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do unto me?" (Hebrews 13:5,6)

Yes, indeed we who are His, we who have been redeemed by His precious blood look forward with joy to our eternal home.  But we do not need to wait until we arrive above to enjoy the courts of Heaven; for we can dwell there now even in the midst of our wilderness journey.

Truly we can begin to enjoy, even down here the wonder that "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Assured of His presence, and the comfort of His home, both now and for all eternity, the believer can well heed St. Paul's injunction to "Rejoice in the Lord always.  And again I say rejoice."  (Phil. 4:4)

These words to the Philippians were written by Paul while he sat in chains in a cruel Roman prison.  Even there the Lord Jesus Christ was real to Paul; even there He knew the nearness of the risen, triumphant Saviour King.  May we also dwell daily in the light of His presence.

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Dear Pat.  I was so blessed to see the devotional from our Jack, and see his sweet face.  I needed to read that.  Your timing is the Lord's own.  Thank you.

8.50 a.m.

Thank-you Pat. Thank-you dear Jack.

What a lovely face to greet me this morning.  Your dear husband Pat.

I have in my hand a book and on the cover is a picture of a scottish shepherd with his long crook.  His trusty collie at his feet and sheep on the hillside around him. This is one of my most favourite b ooks of all time........IAIN WILL KNOW.........

                       THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD
                          J.Douglas MacMillan

"..going to Edinburgh to study, a fellow with heather growing out of his ears! I missed my sheep, and one weekend , when I heard that my brother had had the lambs in for about a month and was feeding them, I said, 'I'm going home to see the sheep '...................I had a motor cycle, (and was crazy on motorcycling) so I went all the way from Edinburgh.
The first morning I said to my brother 'I'll come down with you and feed the sheep'. When we reached the gate of the park I said 'Now I'll call them'  I started just the way I always did (they were spread all over the park, you see).  I called and called, and not a sheep lifted it's head!'Man, that's funny!' I said. I tried again. Then I said "You'd better do it yourself! So he called. His voice was very like mine - so like ine that when a certain young lady whom I got to know better later on used to phone our farm and Malcolm answered she would think it was I.! Many people could not tell the difference between his voice and mine, and yet as soon as HE called, every young lamb in the park lifted its head and ran.

                      WHY?

My voice was just a sound to them, but my brother's voice meant nice warm food on a cold frosty morning, and so they came.

    THEY KNEW THE SHEPHERDS' VOICE!

J. Douglas MacMillan was a shepherd before he became a Minister.........This book and one other of his "Wrestling with God".Lessons on the Life of Jacob.are amazing, of great comfort and assistance to me. I have given the former as a gift on a number of occasions. I THOROUGHLY RECOMMEND THEM.

Jesus said of the sheep........"stranger's voices they will not follow.  They do not understand the voice of strangers.".....JOHN 10:5

May all who visit this site HEAR THE VOICE OF JESUS AND COME TO HIM.  HE DOES BEND DOWN AND RECOVERS THOSE WHO ARE LOST OR HURTING.

PAT:-
"I heard the voice of Jesus say, rise up and follow Me"
Do you know this hymn?

Love and JOY In Jesus' Name.
Jenny.

Pat - A truly superb devotional.

Jenny - It was through the preaching of Prof J. Douglas Macmillan that I was converted. He was a wonderful man and a tremendous preacher. I was one of his 'lambs.'

Cats!! Ann, my wife loves them, but I have no time for them whatsoever. Why am I telling you this? Well had it not been for an amorous white male testing out its vocal cords under my bedroom window at five o'clock this morning then I doubt if I would be writing this just now!

I am not going to tell you of the thoughts running through my mind of finding something big and heavy to throw at him as the last time I threw something at a pesky cat, I missed and I smashed a pane in Ann's greenhouse!! Guess who got the sermon that day!!

By the time I had managed to haul myself out of bed, he had moved on. Was this God's alarm call for me this morning? It is the way I look at things these days. Everything has a purpose and everything that happens is for a reason.  

Having prayed, I picked up my Bible and I had a real sense of expectancy and an anticipation of blessing. I found that I had a real hunger today for his Word. I wanted to meet with my God through my reading and my meditation and I found myself wishing that it were like this every morning.

We all know the story of Abraham offering up his son Isaac and as I thought about what I had read my eye caught the wording for 'Jehovah-jireh' in the margin. It read – 'The Lord shall provide.' Here are a few of my simple thoughts through dreary eyes.

Abraham had great faith. Of that I have no doubt, yet he was no less a father to his child than I am to my sons and daughter. He must have had a head swirling with questions, yet in obedience to the Word of God he got on with the task in hand without any murmuring.

I am far from being the oldest Christian alive, yet I cringe when I consider the number of times I have murmured against my God! Even writing that last sentence has put a shiver down my spine.

Isaac also showed tremendous faith and obedience. We are not talking about a toddler here. Isaac was an adult. He also knew that he was the promised seed.
It must have broken Abraham's heart when Isaac asked the question, 'we have the fire and the wood, but where is the offering?'

You know my friend, the loss of a loved one is hard to take at any time, yet it must be especially so for parents losing children. In the natural order of things we parents expect to die before our children, however recently on our Island the Lord has shown that He takes when it is His time and not ours. Fathers this morning ache for their darling daughter and mother's hearts are broken for sons taken in their prime.

We feel so helpless and so inadequate when trying to comfort such folk. Thankfully the Lord knows all the needs of our friends.

Abraham had waited a hundred years for this promised son. Now he finds himself, knife in hand looking down upon his son ready to bring an end to his life because God had commanded it.

Some things just to not seem to us to make sense! How often do we ask the question, 'why?' Do we know something that God does not? Do we think our way would be better?

The sad truth of the matter is that often we do think like this. We want and expect to have things done our way. Putting a knife to the throat of the promise is not part of the plan. If God has given us a precious promise are we expecting it to come to pass without any testing?

The characters we love so well within the books of the Bible are forerunners and signposts for us. We should not be surprised if things do not turn out as we had planned them. Abraham had not planned to offer Isaac – God had!

The promise of God was that the Messiah would come through Isaac. Now, with his hand outstretched, ready to slay his son, it looked as though that was not going to happen. This is sight talking and not the eye of faith!

I can imagine someone reading this having received a promise from God. A precious Word that they have held dear to their heart. A promise they have waited on for weeks, months or even years. A promise that they have asked the Lord to fulfil every day in their petitions, yet this morning their hearts are in their boots as the chances of it happening seem more unlikely than ever.

God's ways and not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts. He has a wise purpose in view. He knows the way that we take and He works out every single detail to perfection. He will provide. He does all things well. He will not fail you.

What joy would have filled Abraham's soul when he heard the Lord call his name. He was poised to land the fatal blow when God called. The Lord will provide. A ram caught in a thicket! The Lord had provided a substitute sacrifice for Abraham.

God has also provided a Substitute for you and for me. His name is Jesus.

He is the Lamb of God. He is the seed of Abraham. He it is who takes away the sin of the world. This is God's wonderful provision for sinners. He died that we might live. His blood was shed to wash our sins away. Are you guilty before God today? Then accept God's provision for you.

Dear Christian brother or sister, weary with endless waiting. Take heart this day. God has not forsaken nor forgotten you, neither has He given up on His promise to you. The Lord will provide.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Good morning your all

Pat thank you for your good devotinonal and your dear
husband Jack. You are missing him but he is happy
he is in Heaven with our Lord.

Goedemorgen Jenny yes The Lord is my Shepherd
Yesterday Chris and Margit and now Pat.
You are making me so happy with this Psalm 23

It is my lovely Psalm. I often sing it.

The sun is shining this morning but it is cold.
I have try to translate a little pray:

You, they we call
The God of the people
don't let me fall
be me merciful
hold me captive
in words of freedom
Promises of Peace
You, they we call
The God of the people
You are my headstart
You are my origin
Stay in my life
And in the life of us all

    AMEN
I wish your all a very good day
I am praying for Papa John and Cornelia but also for
your all.
God bless you all and He is with you now and forever.
Bye for now
Lots of Love for your all
Maybe i come back
RIA

10.30 a.m.

It's a bit cold for me to venture forth yet and I do have some bits and bobs to get from the precinct later.
So glad I popped back with my cup of tea in hand....OH IAIN  THANK YOU!  I am glad the cat woke you up...Sorry but I needed your words this morning brother..."His ways are not our ways"....Thankfully!
I am waiting on a promise and you confirm it will be fulfilled Iain. (by the way, I think you are so lucky. I wish I could have met J.D.M)

Let us not forget that Abraham while he had faith, did lose heart at one stage and ran ahead of God...Thus we have Ishmael and the results continue to this day.
As I await the fulfilment of God's promise I am encouraged today as I see Christopher on his final day with this company ...the job which has given him much stress.  Non-the-less this has been a stamping ground in preparation for the new position with Inland Revenue. I Praise God for this.....MONTHS OF PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL......INCLUDING YOURS' DEAR ONES....

Dear brothers and sisters I give you a word from Our Lord this morning...

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end (fulfillment); it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry wait (earnestly) for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on  it's appointed day.
Habakkuk 2:3.

IF IT TARRY WAIT FOR IT.  IT WILL SURELY COME

Miracles Abound! Be Expectant!
Jenny.

Thank you Iain for your devotional this morning
Sometimes we ask God why

But it is true The ways of God are not our ways but
in our lifes there is coming a moment that we know
everything. When we see God then we know

God Bless you Iain
Ria

The devotions this morning and the comments from fellow Christians have meant a lot to me.  I can feel how much Pat missed her Jack and his words of strength and guidance from our Lord, Jesus Christ.   But Jack's words live on in these devotions she posts. Thank you, Pat

Iain,  I could not help but laugh as I pictured you throwing something at the cat.  Anyway I'm glad you woke upin time to give us your 'thought-for-the-day'.  

Thank you, dear Ria for the prayer.  I am amazed by your English and how good you can translate.  Somewhere on my computer is a way for me to write in English and it will be translated into your language...but I don't know yet how to use it.  
Write for me in your language: ' God is so good.'
'Good Morning.'  and' I love you '.

Your story about the Shepherd's Voice, Jenny, was very appropriate and everything here this morning is just what I need to start my day.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
  the Lord make his face to shin upon you.
       and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:22-26 NIV

KATHY...........

BE CAREFUL OF THAT SITE....THEY CHARGE FOR TRANSLATING....

                                Jenny
                             

Dear Kathy (lieve Kathy)

God is zo goed )God is so good

Dag (Bye) Kathy
ADutch lesson for Kathy
Bye Bye

What a feast!  Both Jack and Iain!  Thank You, Father, for these Your servants.  Oh bless their words to us!

What lovely devotional thoughts here today.  I am remembering my pastor telling us about Goodness and Mercy following us, and OVERTAKING  us!  And the thoughts from the Shepherd's Psalm are always such a comfort.  I am so happy that even modern jetliners cannot outrun God's Goodness and Mercy!  Many times, while 100+ feet underwater, I have thanked God that He was with me there.

I was lazy today and did not go for my swim.  Maybe I will go for a nice walk later.  Ria, I wish I had a pretty place to walk, like your woods!  Then I probably would go every day.

Today is my class day, also, I want to start transcribing my brother's childhood memories.  I have an hour and a half on tape, and hope to get more this weekend while he is visiting us.  His life would make a fascinating book; pointing up how God always sends someone to help a child at their greatest times of need.

I wish you all a wonderful day, filled with joys and blessings.

Prayers for Papa John and Cornelia continue........

What a wonderful day!  

Pat, excellent devotions from Jack.  He sure knew how to right a devotion and make it interesting.  I was glued to my monitor.  Thank you for sharing that!

I have a busy day today. hmm...all my days are busy!  

I must get going.  I hope you all have a wonderful day.
Sonja

Mieka ~ You are so observant.  Well, the reason you didn't see my special message is because it was my second post on NEM for the day.  I only post it in the first message....

Thank you, Pat and Iain, for the morning devotionals.  I love it when I see a devotion written by Jack and Iain because I know they come from people today....in my time of life.  They are personal devotions written on their life experiences.  Thanks to both of you.

Good morning, Nita, Ria, Jenny, Kathy, Al, Janet and Sonja.

I got up late...must have needed the sleep.  Then while reading the Bible the phone rang.  Ivalou.  She wanted to go out to eat for lunch but I have so much I want to do today that I declined.  It is cool today after a storm in the night.  I was surprised that it is sunny after lightening and thunder nearly all night long.  It is windy...I noticed a down spout in my yard blown away.  I guess you might call it a typical autumn day!  BUT no heat OR A/C on today and really too cool for the windows to be open.  60°F.  That is cool.

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"The more you complain, the longer God lets you live."   [size=.5]Now, is this really true???[/size]

Hello Everyone!

I'm so very, very happy that you all enjoyed the devotions in here today.  Just special thoughts from a very special man and then more from our very own special man, Iain.  Thanks so much Iain.  Poor Ann!  Imagine you smashing her greenhouse.  

I've got lots to do today so this will be very short.  I'm off to a Pampered Chef party tonight at Terena's home and lots to do before I leave.

Have a great day everyone.  Next coffee break, I'll check in!

Ohh, I've left some nice freshly baked Raisin Bread in here today.  So help yourself!

My what wonderful devotions today.  

One thing struck me.  Sometimes we wonder "why?"  Yes we do.  When a daddy teaches a little boy or girl to ride a bike, he will let go and let the child go on his/her own.  Often this ends in a fall.  WHY?  
I believe this teaches the child that he can do what he is trying to do.  

There is a song here that I request on the radio as often as possible.  The theme of the song is I fall down I get up.  Unless the child gets up he will remain unable to do anything.  In getting up spiritually we cause our  faith to grow, and carry us. we learn that God is there for to trust and rely on.  If we don't get up our faith can shrivel up.   When we fall we need to remember that Our Father is there waiting for us to turn to Him as the daddy is when the child falls.

I have Melaura sick with the flu, yesterday and today.  Keep her in your prayers too as she is still not gaining weight.  I am looking for a tonic for her, to increase her appetite.

Got to go, school is in session.  Lots of love
JudyB

I forgot to tell you all!

I had a phone call from Marilyn!  Wow!  What a surprise.  It was so strange.  She said, "This is Marilyn!"  And because my Avon customers are calling me right now with orders, I thought it was one of my few "Marilyns" and it took a couple of minutes to realize it was "OUR MARILYN!"

She's found out that her poor computer is just not in good shape.  They can't add a USB post to it.  So, Gilbert will download her photos for her.  That's good.

She's going to start saving for a new computer!

She says, "Hi" to everyone!

Thank you all for the support, prayers and word of encouragement.  I think I found the end of my rope, but tied a really big knot and am not letting go.  I have taken solace in a few things. The Poem 'Footprints' and the Song 'Amazing Grace'. These two things have kept me going the last few days. I have found new strength in my Savior Jesus Christ.

Running the Road - I'm thankful you've tied that knot! We're here to pray with you and support you as you retrace your steps to a strong faith.

I spoke with Cornelia, and she seems to feel Papa John is showing improvement. Tests continue.

Ruth Ann

I'm just checking in to see if there is word on our Papa John, and so happy to read there is some improvement!  Praise the Lord, and prayers continue!

What thought provoking and prayer provoking devotionals this morning from Jack's files and from Iain.  Thank you Pat and Iain.  (I'm glad, Iain, that you managed to resist breaking Ann's greenhouse again. )

It started out sunny this morning, then clouded up and now it's raining.   I had a couple of errands to run and Gene decided it was a good time to go check out Alice and Pete's place...  and maybe also check out a couple of fishing spots along the way.  So this time I didn't go with him.  His fishing is his private, quiet time and I think he needs it once in a while so I opt out.

Poor Marilyn.  When she finally manages to get a good camera she discovers her computer won't take the USB drive to get the pictures.   I'm glad Gilbert is able to help her out.

Time to check out the rest of the site and see what's happening.

Running the Road - the other end of your rope has an anchor attached!

Fear not dear brother, we might lose our grip from time to time, but Jesus will not.

If you feel as though he has carried you along -as in 'Footprints' - perhaps through the words of Amazing Grace He is asking you now to walk by faith.

Praying for you.

Your brother in Christ

Iain

http://inspirations.crossdaily.com/hangon/

Boy!  What a great link, Chris!  Thanks so much for that!  

HANG ON!

Pat thank you for the nice song

Janet will you also learn the Dutch language
Dag lieve Janet (Bye dear Janet)

Thank also Chris and Margit for the nice webpage

RuthAnn thank you for the message about Papa John
I am happy that he is doing well but i am praying for him.
We have been shopping this evening but it is cold

Where is Mieka i love you Mieka
Judy B i wish Melaura a good health i hope that she soon is a little bit better.
I wish you all a very good night
Bye till tomorrow  Ria

9.30 p.m. England.

I am very tired tonight...Went up to the precinct this afternoon and the road was so busy, it was all a bit exhausting.  I am off to my bed in a few minutes.EARLY. but I thought I'd pop in to say Goodnight to you all,
although I expect you are mostly preparing for your teas.

RUNNING THE ROAD. I thank God for His graciousness towards you and all of us here.  Please keep in touch with C.P.  Iain and Pastor Al.  are always around to help and advise and everyone cares and prays for you.

Marilyn. I hope you are alright.  I am praying for you.  Is your "puter" completely out of true?

Have a lovely weekend Ria.

Ruth Ann. Prayers go with you for the Dedication of little Georgia. Have a wonderful time.  Journeying mercies are wished for you. Don't forget that special request for me by the lake!

Good night and God Bless to all,
Jenny.

I received a lovely new photo from Chris and Margit along with some comments.  I've put them over in the Photos with a Scriptural Message but I thought that they were especially appropriate for all of us today in New Every Morning.



Posting for Chris...

There are many troubles and testings for the Christian and many a time we panic, wondering if it is only us who are being seemingly passed over by God.

Does He still love us?  Have we done something terrible, unforgivable?

Why is everyone else happy and praising Him for His goodness and mercy?  What am I meant to do, what does He expect me to do at this time of doubt and fear?

When reading the Bible brings no light, prayer seems to go unheard, or at least unanswered I find the words of the great hymn, "Just as I am without one plea" shedding some light.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/u/justasam.htm

When we are "Tossed about" with "fighting and fears, within, without" we look to the only One Who can help, and we cling to Him.

When, as a  child, we had to go out with a parent on a dark night, it was good to hold on to that big hand as we went sightless into the dark.

Never for a moment would a loving father let go of a young child's hand, never for a moment does our loving Father let go of us as we walk through a dark night of the soul.

We must just trust when we cannot see and cling on when we cannot hope.  For some times even our hopes seem futile, but things are never as they seem in God's Kingdom, "seeing is believing" is what the world says, but for the children, "believing is seeing!!!" Hebrews ch 6 v 9-20.

Remember that all who ask for prayer on here are sure of getting it.  There are many wonderful prayer warriors on here and when you need prayer for yourself, starting to pray for someone worse off can bring help to you also.

Love to all,

Chris and Margit.[/b][/list]

Pat thank you for posting that in NEM  I needed to see it today.