My Shepherd / 2024
Mixed Media Collage on Wood Panel
16" X 20"
Psalm 23 has been one of my favorite scripture verses for many years. I remember as a young child (elementary years), my grandmother reading the Bible to me as I sat next to her. I enjoyed looking at the colorful pictures in her Bible and am sure that's what kept me next to her while she read. I certainly had not remembered any scriptures she'd read to me at such a young age.
So as I began to write this blog with the Holy Spirit I asked Him why this particular verse seemed to always be at the forefront of my memory of scriptures... yet I had no memory of actually memorizing it...was it my grandmother? He reminded me that her Bible was in our family room so I went to get it and turned to Psalm 23. There, at the top of the page, handwritten by my grandmother was, The Lord is my Shepherd. So amazing how He knows us very intimately, remembers all of the milestone's, is with us every step of the way. He truly knows us better than we know ourselves. My grandmother planted a seed, a valuable seed in my heart at a very young age and now fifty some years later He reveals and confirms it .
I began creating the above painting during a cold wax workshop in mid January before I knew our church home groups would be studying Psalm 23 for ten weeks. Excited, because I knew God was highlighting Psalm 23, I shared the painting with our group on the first meeting day, February 6th, before I had fully completed it. Our focus was the first of ten promises, Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is MY SHEPHERD; I shall not want. This is God's promise of supernatural provision and we were encouraged to personalize this promise as David did and speak it out loud over ourselves, our families and loved ones. David declared "The Lord is MY SHEPHERD", so I began to do the same as we continued to move forward in the study.
On March 21st during the night I woke up and was experiencing warfare...enemy lies that I immediately began to come against with the truth, the Word of God:
I first covered myself and family with the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 13:12, Revelation 12:11) and put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), then began to decree and declare:
"I decree and declare, no weapon formed against me will be able to prosper and every tongue that rises against me in judgement shall be condemned, in Jesus' name I pray." (Isaiah 54:17)
"I decree and declare that God did not give me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind, in Jesus' name I pray." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"I decree and declare that the Lord is MY SHEPHERD and I shall not want, He is my supernatural Provider, He is my provision! In Jesus' name I pray." (Psalm 23:1)
I began to experience peace quickly, thanked the Lord for teaching me how to come against the lies of the enemy and went back to sleep. If you wake during the night with worry, anxiety and fearful thoughts regarding the future, your family, provision...recognize it for what it is, the enemy whispering lies to get you to doubt the truth of God's word, His promises and to weaken your faith. Have scripture ready by your bed and come against the lies. Don't lay there and take it. As a born-again child of God, you have authority over the enemy but you have to know it and speak it out loud in authority.
As morning approached, I had a dream or a vision. I saw myself walk up to Jesus who was dressed as a Shepherd and we embraced each other. I whispered to Him "Come soon Jesus" and He responded, "I will." I woke up. As I processed what I had just experienced I was overjoyed and so excited that Jesus had revealed Himself to me as "My Shepherd". I also knew He intended for me to share it with everyone. There was also a sense of urgency to stay in His presence, in prayer and in His word, reading, listening, speaking and meditating on it.
If you have never studied Psalm 23, I would like to encourage you to do so. I recommend PSALM 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd by Rick Renner. It is a treasure and full of powerful promises.
Love In Christ,
Toni
Father, Thank you for teaching us Your word, for teaching our hands to war and our fingers to fight according to Your word. Lord I thank You for every person that reads this blog post. It's my prayer that they will be blessed, that Your peace will wash over them, comfort them and give them Your peace.
Show me Lord what to pray, what to paint and what to share in the things that you reveal to me to bless Your people, to reach people for Your Kingdom. I love You Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.