God's Greener Pastures

God's Greener Pastures symbolize a state of spiritual and physical well-being through abundance and peace.
This is associated with a loving God's Provision of (both physical and spiritual) ensuring the faithful have what they need in a nurturing environment where one can find rest, contentment and security from a fast-paced, turbulent world where godlessness perverts and distorts what is good and wholesome.
Rest and Peace
The importance of finding rest and peace is a Gift from God for humanity to find spiritual renewal.
"Break up Your Fallow Ground"
"Break up your fallow ground" (Hosea 10:12 ; Jeremiah 4:3 ) means, "Do not sow your seed among thorns".
Break off all your bad habits, clearing your hearts of weeds and embracing the seed of righteousness.
Spiritual Abundance
“Pastures of grass” highlight the abundant Provision of God.
Green in the Bible symbolizes rebirth, growth, renewal, and hope.
God's Greener Pastures represent the spiritual place we move to when "the Lord is our Shepherd".
Here is where we find spiritual nourishment through sustenance and growth of one's inner self that connects the individual with Something Greater than themselves to gain the spiritual well-being of resilience to persevere and to endure in the face of life's challenges under the Good Shepherd's Watchful Eye.
God's Power Can:
*Influence people through love, humility and compassion.
*Guide the conscience to what is right and what is wrong.
*Govern what is important in life through values.
*Provide the positive choices to live a wholesome life of abundance.

God's Greener Pastures

The Body
When turn to God so He can fulfill His Purpose in us, the body begins to heal spiritually to restore harmony and balance.
Thoughts begin to translate into faith in yourself through positive contributions to ourselves, our family and our community.
With Faith we:
*Live God's way.
*Connect our values to our purpose in life.
*Have hope to endure the challenges of life.
*Have a sense of purpose in this life and in the life to come.
*We follow a moral compass of right and wrong that guides behavior and decision-making.
*Practice repentance and forgiveness.
*Gain peace of mind that can only be found in God and Jesus Christ.
When we can "see" beyond the material universe, we are inspired with a sense of awe and wonder of God's Wonderful Creations.
Bad thoughts and ideas disappear and a positive energy flows so you can take on each day to reach your full potential.
Jesus said to him, "If you can, all things are possible for one who believes."
The Mind
Peace of mind affects the quality of life - an important characteristic of spiritual wellbeing.
“Hope is the light that shines brightest in the darkest of nights.”
Your conscience is the Voice of God providing a moral sense through Divine values and principles.
The prodigal acknowledges their sins by turning to Jesus Christ and asking for forgiveness and deliverance.
De-clutter the mind by eliminating the irrelevant.
Reduce stress by engaging in activities you enjoy like a hobby.
Regular exercise and a walking program has mood-boosting effects.
Nourish your body with a balanced diet positively impacts your mood and mental clarity.
Sleep is crucial for both physical and mental restoration.
Practicing gratitude focuses on the positive aspects of life.
Set goals that you want to achieve.
Positive action says, “yes I can do this.”
The Soul
*God is a Spirit.
*Heaven is a Spiritual World.
*God gifted mankind with a Spiritual Soul.
Natural instinct leads us to look beyond the range of physical human experience.
The soul is the link between the physical body and the spiritual self that will continue to exist beyond physical life.
The soul has a natural longing for a future eternal destiny because it has an eternal connection to a Higher Power.
Jesus Christ's Crucifixion on the Cross and His Resurrection provided our own salvation to everlasting life through the forgiveness of our sins.
This is our destiny where we will finally realize our full spiritual potential.
Godlessness
For the atheist, there is "no hope" in God's Heavenly Kingdom because they have no belief in or reverence for a Deity in the universe and in human life.
Godlessness is associated with atheism or secularism that rejects the existence of a Divine Presence.
It prioritizes worldly matters and separates religion from public life.
An "empty soul" does not have the "Fear of God" in their hearts because they lack the spiritual enlightenment that leads to spiritual fulfillment.
In Christianity and Judaism, Divinity is associated with the singular, transcendent being of God Who is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and morally perfect
The Fear of God reminds us that:
We are accountable to Someone.
That Someone is God!
Salvation of the Soul
Jesus Christ says, "This is the way to a meaningful, just and wholesome existence".
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Repentance
Redemption corrects past wrongs to gain forgiveness.
*Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery.
(Genesis 45:15)
*Jesus reconciled with Peter, after he denied knowing Him three times.
(John 21:15-17)
*When Jesus was being Crucified, He asked God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
(Luke 23:34)
Forgiveness
Just as God loves all His people and is willing to forgive their sins, we must also be willing to forgive others.
Prayer
Through prayer, we pray to God and Jesus Christ for our needs, our hopes and our dreams.
Through prayer, God is our refuge and Jesus become our Companion throughout life.

Pathways of the Good Shepherd

God's Greener Pastures
The good shepherd watches over his sheep to protect, feed and water them.
He watches for enemies who might attack the sheep and defend them when necessary.
He tends to sick or wounded sheep and searches for and rescues lost or trapped ones.
Jesus Christ says, "This is the way to a meaningful, just and wholesome existence".
He is the Good Shepherd Who came to establish the Reign of God on this earth and to create a new world order where love, justice and peace prevailed so that people might have life and live to the full.
The Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing the weak and suffering amongst his flock find their way towards spiritual healing.
He can make all the difference because He knows us, leads us, protects us, and keeps us from harm because He is the loving, caring, Sacrificial Saviour of the world.
The Good Shepherd reminds us of both, the pastoral role of Christ and of Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes upon himself the sins of the world.
Pathways of the Good Shepherd lead to spiritual enlightenment to find justice, righteousness and mercy.
And, there is love, humility and compassion.
Every Good Friday, the Christian faithful will accompany Jesus Christ and to retrace His Footsteps along the road of His Passion and Crucifixion in a spirit of sincere reverence and faith, carrying the Cross of Christ.

Judaism

God's Greener Pastures
In Judaism, the role of the shepherd is linked to Old Testament prophecies about God's care for his people.
David the shepherd boy who became the second king of Israel and Judah, became famous for his sacred psalms (Jewish hymns) of praise and worship to God.
The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23) in the Old Testament of the Bible is one of the most beloved of all psalms describing a place where the Lord leads His followers to find rest and nourishment through spiritual fulfillment.
David portrays God as his Shepherd and his Protector Who will lead him to greener pastures and that he would lack nothing.
The Lord is my Shepherd
Psalms 23:1-6
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even 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 overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen
Biblical Symbolism
In the Bible, Psalm 23 describes "green pastures" as a place of provision and rest provided by God.
David uses this symbolic "green pastures" to represent how God feeds him daily with “fresh spiritual food”.

Christianity

God's Greener Pastures
In Christianity, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "Good Shepherd" who came to lead His flock to God's “well-worn paths".
He is our Protector, Guide, and Savior Who was Crucified on the Cross so we can gain salvation in God's Heavenly Kingdom.
His Resurrection represents victory over death and everlasting life in God's Heavenly Kingdom.
As our Shepherd, Jesus guides His flock through life's challenges toward lush pastures and still waters to find spiritual well-being.
His Illuminated Light gives us peace of mind and helps us to overcome fears, worries and the obstacles of life.
Christian Life
Christian values shape character and lifestyle that benefit our family, our community and our fellow human being.
The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23) and the Lord's Prayer (taught by Jesus) for example, were Divinely Designed for the well-being of every individual.

God's Heavenly Pastures

Heaven is Paradise with awe and wonder all around.
Love, joy and tranquillity binds all God's Heavenly Dwellers.
And, every spiritual being is giving Glory to where it is due - to God!
Earth is a reflection of Heaven.
But it is also a fallen world with so much evil, corruption and greed.
When Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36) He was referring to God's Heavenly Kingdom, the eternal home of our dear Lord, Jesus Christ, our Blessed Virgin Mary, the Saints, Prophets, Angels and all God's people.
God gifted mankind with a spiritual soul that will continue to exist beyond physical life in God's Heavenly Kingdom.
God's Greener Pastures
Salvation
The Bible says, God “has set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Every true Christian believes they an immortal soul that will go straight to heaven after the physical body dies.
Down inside, they sense there must be something beyond this life — and that feeling is almost universal.
The Biblical revelation of salvation should have a great impact on the kind of life we lead.
The Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew, is synonymous with the Kingdom of God is a central concept in the Teachings of Jesus Christ.
Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest longings of the soul where we will enter into the everlasting love of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
God's Heavenly Pastures
Journey into the Heavenly Kingdom of God
People who have had Near Death Experiences all say that their soul is resurrected with a sound mind, intellect and emotions in the Heavenly Kingdom of God.
Many are presented with a review of everything they have ever done in life.
They are given spiritual gifts to enjoy in their new eternal life in the Heavenly Kingdom of God.
They experience a youthful rejuvenation beyond description.
And, there is no sickness, sadness or pain.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever.
-Psalm 23:6

True Life Story of an ex-Atheist, Ian McCormack's Near Death Experience (NDE)

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