The Lord Is My Shepard

"The Lord is my Shepherd"

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gL6IkzevLo 

 As I read, these are the verses that stood out to me.

 I felt relief as I read D&C 49:36. It applies to each of us directly. Jesus said, "And behold, verily I say unto you, blessed are you who are now hearing these words from the mouth of my servant, for your sins are forgiven you."

 I feel encouraged in my strife for growth from D&C 50:40: "Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth." 

 I feel protected with the words in verses 41-42: "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; (These have been my favorite verses for a long time!) "And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost." 

 I feel guided from Jesus' counsel in D&C 50:43-44. "And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and insasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall." 

 When a building is constructed, having a secure foundation is a key to its long-term success. Jesus gives us the security we need with this ever-changing world, unending obstacles, and storms and whirlwinds Satan throws our ways. These next quotes are from professional building and masonries. Put these into view as you consider the spiritual foundation of your life.  

"The strength of a building lies in its foundation."(*1) 

" A properly built foundation will keep the home even and supported, even during a flood or earthquake. ...Your home will not last very long without the right foundation. And even when you have the proper foundation in place, even small cracks or signs of separation can indicate bigger problems that could threaten the safety of your home. Many people neglect and forget to inspect and repair their foundation, resulting in costly repairs down the road " (*2).

 "Without the right foundation, a house cannot last....The foundation carries the weight of the entire house on its shoulders...Without a strong foundation, the walls of the home will be insecure. The foundation must be built to carry the weight and load of all the other building elements used in the home." (*3)

 "A proper foundation does more than just hold a house above ground. Building foundations also keep out moisture, insulates against the cold, and resists movement of the earth around it. Oh, and one more thing: It should last forever.... It must be tailored to its site like a custom suit" (*4).

 One I especially liked was speaking of how the foundation (Jesus Christ) carries the weight and load of all the rest of the building (our lives). Isn't that just what Christ does for us? He carries our weight through His atonement! I also found it valuable to note that even the proper foundation to start with (a testimony in Christ) needs regular inspection and repair. We can't have a spiritual experience and then assume we're good to coast through life on that. We must always be actively checking in on our faith and constantly building and fixing any cracks or chips. I love how it's said that "it should last forever". Christ will last forever!! He will never leave you! D&C 49:27-28 says, "Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so. Amen." Jesus Christ is ever with us. 

 With love and prayers,

 Jillene Smith