The Calming of our Heart and Mind

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I was on my knees worshipping and praying this morning when I felt prompted to sing Psalm 23. And so I did. I started to sing it to Him in the first person, Psalm 23:1-3 “Oh Lord you are my shepherd, I shall not want. You make me to lie down in green pastures, You lead me beside quiet waters, You restoreth my soul…” At that point I could go no further. I knew the Lord wanted me to stop there. He was speaking to me through the words, “You restoreth my soul.” I suddenly could see something. I could see how the Lord restored my soul day after day. By that I mean this: my thoughts are heading down one direction and my thoughts aren’t what they should be for whatever reason.

When thoughts aren’t what they should be, they will ultimately turn negative and astray from God. I could see how time and time again as I was in the middle of thinking about something and He would gently get me to pause and then give me His thoughts. He’d help me stop wrong, critical, or hurtful thinking and turn my thoughts in the right direction. And the moment He did, He was restoring my soul. I instantly felt better. Anytime you do what the Lord is asking, you feel better, even when it’s difficult. I could see time after time the Lord restored my soul. I came to the conclusion that this was a daily experience. And then I could see how that led me into a calmer place—green pastures—and took away anxiety and cares, removing the want in my life. I knew He was with me and had my back!

I wonder how many Christians really think about or meditate on the gift of the Holy Spirit living within them? I wonder how many really get and understand that the most powerful force in all the universe abides within them? It’s true. If you are a Christian, Jesus imparted these words to all who would believe. Take a moment to reflect on them. John 15:4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.” He tells us He will remain IN us. He then tells us the purpose and future of the Holy Spirit coming to abide within those that will believe. John 14:16-17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you do, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.”

The Holy Spirit living within us: if that isn’t powerful enough, then God’s Word tells us that the Holy Spirit is the same power that raised Jesus form the dead! Romans 8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as He raised Christ from the dead, He will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.”

Each and every day, the Holy Spirit of God will help us repeatedly. He will restore the calm and right thinking to our lives that keeps us in a good place and the right path with Him. It’s powerful to have your soul—your mind and emotions—restored by God! And this is why He is called “My Shepherd.” And He lives within me and you! Wow! Thank you Jesus!

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt