Motivation Morsel - August 6, 2026
- apostlekehdesk
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Psalm 23 (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water,
3 he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name.
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me.
5 You prepare a table for me, even as my enemies watch; you anoint my head with oil from an overflowing cup.
6 Goodness and grace will pursue me every day of my life; and I will live in the house of Adonai for years and years to come.
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John 10:14 I (Yeshua) am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me — 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father — and I lay down my life on behalf of the sheep. 16 Also I have other sheep which are not from this pen; I need to bring them, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One.
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Hebrews 12:2b Yeshua — who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
5 Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons:
“My son, don’t despise the discipline of Adonai or become despondent when he corrects you.
6 For Adonai disciplines those he loves and whips everyone he accepts as a son.”
7 Regard your endurance as discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son goes undisciplined by his father? 8 All legitimate sons undergo discipline; so if you don’t, you’re a mamzer and not a son!
9 Furthermore, we had physical fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them; how much more should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! 10 For they disciplined us only for a short time and only as best they could; but he disciplines us in a way that provides genuine benefit to us and enables us to share in his holiness.
11 Now, all discipline, while it is happening, does indeed seem painful, not enjoyable; but for those who have been trained by it, it later produces its peaceful fruit, which is righteousness. 12 So, strengthen your drooping arms, and steady your tottering knees; 13 and make a level path for your feet; so that what has been injured will not get wrenched out of joint but rather will be healed.
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This morning, the LORD led me to the part of His love that many of us do not enjoy, but it is a necessary part of our relationship and walk with the Most High, discipline and correction. Hebrews 22:11 affirms that sentiment that “all discipline, while it is happening, does indeed seem painful, not enjoyable; but for those who have been trained by it, it later produces its peaceful fruit.” Yes, the goal of correction and discipline is to strengthen us, steady our walk, and heal us where we are broken and injured. In essence, it is to make us better under the loving hand of our Good Shepherd.
Psalm 23 starts out letting us know that the LORD is our shepherd and John 10 lets us know that Yeshua Messiah is our good shepherd, and we are His sheep. Our Good Shepherd leads and guides us along our path and journey called life and He uses instruments of discipline to help us along the way. Psalm 23:4 talks about the rod and the staff, both tools used by the Good Shepherd that spiritually represents G-d's protection, discipline, correction, and guidance. In the natural, a rod is a heavy club used for defense against predators and counting sheep, while the staff is a long, hooked crook used to gently guide the sheep, nudge them back onto the path, and pull a stray or trapped lamb out of danger. Spiritually, the rod is a symbol of G-d's power, defense against evil, and loving correction or discipline when a person goes astray. Similarly, the staff is a symbol of G-d's gentle guidance, steady support, and the comfort of His constant presence.
The Most High and the Messiah who are one (cf. John 10:30) have no desire to destroy us. No! He is a Good Shepherd; He wants us to walk right, to go where is best for us, to keep us from danger, and He leads us on our journey to fulfill the purpose we were created to accomplish as part of His flock. If you are like me, when these times of correction come, I ask, “What did I do wrong?” I am so quick to want to repent and fix the problem instead of walking through the discipline process, but the walking through discipline or correction with the Most High guiding is the best way to learn and grow no matter how long it takes. Again, no one enjoys it but it is necessary to mature and increase in righteousness, the desired fruit (cf. Hebrews 22:11).
Family, the LORD loves us and wants the very best for us, His sheep, and the easiest way to navigate through this life is to hear and obey His voice and follow His commandments. The gentle nudges and sometimes painful ones are all part of the Father’s plan, and we must embrace them as such. He is not expecting you to jump for joy when they come, but He is expecting us to trust that as our Shepherd and Father, He knows what’s best for us and knows what we need to strengthen and steady us in our walk.
Beloved, if you feel as though you are walking through a time of discipline or correction, pray this prayer with me:
“Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and not leaving me as I am. Please Father give me the grace to endure Your correction, to yield to Your gentle, capable, and loving hands, and to not grow bitter, weary, or faint when Your discipline reshapes me and brings me closer to You. Lord, I know Your discipline proves Your love for me. You correct me as a good Father corrects His child, because You delight in me and want me to share in Your righteousness and holiness. Forgive me when I want to run away, hide, or fight against Your gentle reproof. Please Father, remove my stubbornness and pride, and replace it with a soft and teachable spirit that welcomes Your truth. When the season of testing is heavy and uncomfortable, give me the strength to stand. Help me to endure and not to despise Your training or lose heart under Your correction. Remind me that this pain is only temporary and purposeful for my growth and walk. Help me to trust that Your discipline will yield a peaceful harvest of righteousness and deeper faith. In the name of Yeshua, Amen.
Shalom Aleichem, Beloved ❤️🙏🏽
Enjoy “Psalm 23” by Trey McLaughlin and SOZ
“Turning Around For Me” by VaShawn Mitchell
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