Remember Ps. 23? You probably memorized it at some point. It starts with “The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.” Good words! Incidentally, what is shepherding?
Oddly, we’ll explore shepherding by first looking at a warrior.
So many days in my life, I’ve thought – “I need a miracle!” In fact, most people find themselves needing a miracle from time to time. Perhaps you’re there now.
Please don’t despair. If you need a miracle, God still does them. However, the best miracles may look differently than you picture. For example, as I’ve considered God’s interventions in my life, they rarely look how I pictured miracles at the time. Interestingly, however, later in time, I was amazed at what God had been busy doing.

There’s a very expensive treasure in this world: freedom! Collectively, a huge price has been paid for people to be free. Soldiers have died. Risks have been taken. Permanent physical and emotional losses have been borne. Frankly, you and I have a part to play to stay free.
This is Part 3 in a short series – Be Free!
Welcome to Part 2 of our short series – Be Free! – Check Points To Freedom. Today, we explore helpful check points to freedom. As we begin, here’s a verse about living free.
“It is for freedom Christ has set [you] free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
With this incredible promise/command – good check points can help!
What do you want most in life? Have you honestly pondered this? It’s not a selfish question. Actually, it’s a good one.
Interestingly, the answer to that question reveals things about you. Things that –
Now, let’s explore what you want most in life.
We’re almost to the half-way point. Time to look back over this year. How effective have you been in patterns and decisions you wanted to make? Have you made progress to live effectively each day? Essentially, I’m assuming you want to finish this year well. If I’m right, and I think I probably am, let’s look at some action points to keep momentum going the rest of this year.
All it takes is putting your foot in the wrong place – and down you go! It could be stairs, slippery ice, wet pavement, carpet that catches your shoe, a highly-polished floor – or even somebody sticking their foot out in front of you (hopefully not on purpose). Incidentally, putting your foot in the wrong place also applies to a balanced life.

Let’s explore some ideas about maintaining a life of balance.
In any relationship – family, friend, spouse, work comrade, community partnership – wouldn’t you agree you’d rather see action than hear a bunch of words? Not that words aren’t meaningful. In fact, they can be encouraging and uplifting. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that action is better than words.
Today’s agenda – Scriptures that explore this idea.