Psalm 23 - Part 1

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 18th January 2026, by Andrew. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Psalm 23 Part 1 - Living Under the Shepherd’s Care

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages in Scripture. Many of us memorized it as children. It is quoted at funerals, referenced in movies, and cherished across generations. Because of this familiarity, we sometimes miss its depth. What if we read it today as if for the very first time? What if we asked the Holy Spirit to reveal fresh truth through these timeless words?

David, the author of this psalm, understood both ends of life—he was a shepherd before becoming a king. From obscurity to abundance, his journey gives weight to every word he writes.

To gain a fuller picture, we read Psalm 23 from two translations: the ESV and The Passion Translation. Both emphasize the same powerful truth—God is not distant. He is close, personal, and actively leading us.

Verse 1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing.”

This opening line sets the tone for our entire relationship with God. When David declares, “I shall not want,” he is not saying he will never face problems or decisions. He is describing the spiritual condition of someone who lives under God’s leadership.

Many of us believe we have circumstantial problems—financial stress, relationship issues, health struggles. But often, the deeper issue is lordship. When God is not truly leading us, fear and anxiety step in to take control.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Our problems may feel big, but none of them impress the One who defeated death itself.

“I shall not want” is not a suggestion—it is a spiritual reality. When the Lord truly becomes your shepherd, fear, lack, and insecurity must bow.

The question is: Who is shepherding my life?
Is it fear? Stress? My own understanding? Or God?

Psalm 23 only works when God has authority—not just in our words, but in our obedience. Breakthrough lives in surrender, especially when following Him doesn’t make sense.

Verse 2: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

This verse is not just about physical rest. It is about divine alignment. Peace positions us to receive from God. Anxiety blocks provision, but rest opens the door for God to speak.

Have you noticed how attacks often come when you’re tired? That’s not random—it’s spiritual. When we allow the Shepherd to lead us into rest, we hear His voice more clearly. And His voice destroys curses, confusion, and fear.

We don’t accidentally stumble into green pastures. They are a destination we reach by following Him. Trying to find peace on our own will always fall short.

Sheep cannot drink from fast-flowing water. They are afraid and can even drown if their wool becomes waterlogged. So the shepherd leads them to still waters—safe places to be refreshed. In the same way, God leads us to places where we can truly receive from Him.

When we slow down, silence the noise, and rest in His presence, He speaks. And in that rest, answers come.

Verse 3: “He restores my soul.”

Restoration is not only emotional. It is financial, relational, and even generational. When Scripture speaks of the “soul,” it refers to our whole being—spirit, mind, body, and life systems.

So when God restores our soul, He restores everything.
He restores what fear delayed.
He restores what the enemy tried to bury.

But restoration has a pathway—righteousness.
Integrity.
Generosity.
Obedience.

Sometimes righteousness costs us. It may cost us money, favor, or opportunities. But we cannot ask God to break a curse while still agreeing with the lie that created it.

Conclusion

Psalm 23 begins with one foundational truth:
Everything in our lives flows from who is shepherding us.

When the Lord is truly our shepherd:

• Lack loses its voice
• Rest becomes possible
• Restoration begins

David teaches us that peace is not the absence of problems—it is the result of proper alignment. Being led instead of striving. Trusting instead of assuming.

Before we walk into the valley and the victory that follows, we must pause and examine:
Are we truly living under His leadership—or just using His name?

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

The God of Increase - Part 2

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 11th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The God of Increase – Part 2

As we step into a new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on God’s purposes and promises for our lives. One powerful truth we often overlook is that God is a God of increase—He delights in blessing His people, both spiritually and practically.

But what does it really mean to be blessed?

The Power of Names in the Bible

In everyday life, names may feel random or chosen simply because they sound nice. But in the Bible, names carry deep meaning. They often reflect a person’s destiny, character, or divine calling.

• Abraham was renamed from Abram, meaning exalted father, to Abraham, meaning father of many nations—even before he had a child.
• Barnabas meant son of encouragement, and he truly lived up to his name by uplifting others.
• Jacob, meaning deceiver, was later renamed Israel after encountering God, marking a complete transformation.

Names in Scripture show us that God has the power to redefine our identity and future.

Jabez: Rising Above His Name

Hidden among hundreds of names in 1 Chronicles is a man called Jabez. His name literally meant pain or sorrow. Perhaps his mother experienced hardship during his birth, but Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

Instead, he prayed:

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm…”
(1 Chronicles 4:10)

And the Bible tells us—God granted his request.

Jabez teaches us that our past, circumstances, or labels do not limit God’s plans for our future.

We Are Spiritually Blessed

If you are a follower of Christ, you are already richly blessed. The Bible says:

“He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
(Ephesians 1:3)

Some of these spiritual blessings include:

• Salvation – Eternal life through Jesus
• Forgiveness – Our sins wiped clean
• Justification – Declared righteous before God
• Adoption – We become children of God
• The Holy Spirit – God dwelling within us
• Access to God – Boldly approaching His throne
• Peace with God
• Authority in Christ
• Spiritual gifts
• Eternal inheritance
• Guidance and transformation

Many believers live in spiritual poverty—not because they lack blessings, but because they are unaware of what they already possess.

God Also Blesses Materially

Some hesitate to talk about material blessings, but Scripture is clear:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
(James 1:17)

God provided Abraham with wealth, livestock, and resources—and He was blessed in everything. These blessings are not meant to replace God in our hearts but to help us serve others.

God blesses us so we can be a blessing.

When blessings flow through us—like water through a clear pipe—they increase. But when we hoard them, the flow stops.

The Paradox: Grace and Obedience

Blessing involves both God’s grace and our obedience.

We cannot earn blessings by keeping the law perfectly—Jesus fulfilled that for us. He became a curse on the cross so we could receive the blessing of Abraham.

At the same time, Scripture teaches that obedience invites God’s favor:

• “Blessed is the one who delights in the law of the Lord…” (Psalm 1)
• “Meditate on God’s Word… and you will prosper.” (Joshua 1:8)

God tests us with blessings. How we manage what we already have determines what He entrusts to us next.

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

Sometimes it seems like those who don’t follow God prosper more than believers. Psalm 73 addresses this struggle. The psalmist admits he envied the wicked—until he entered God’s presence and realized their eternal destiny.

Earthly wealth is temporary. True riches are found in Christ.

Living as Channels of Blessing

Prosperity isn’t about luxury—it’s simply having more than you need, so you can help others.

God calls us to:

• Be generous
• Support His work
• Serve others
• Store up heavenly treasure

Even the poor can bless the destitute. Everyone has something to give.

Final Thoughts

We are:

• Spiritually blessed
• Materially blessed
• Deeply loved by God

But there is no formula. Blessing ultimately rests in God’s hands. Our role is to walk in faith, obedience, and generosity.

Let us pray boldly like Jabez:

“Lord, bless me—so I can be a blessing.”

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

The God of Increase

  This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 4th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The God of Increase

When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to skip.

Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4, we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez.

A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith

The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10, where everything pauses for one man:

“Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…”

His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain, limitation, and difficulty.

But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

Instead of accepting the narrative handed to him, he cried out to the God of Israel.

The Bold Prayer That Changed Everything

Jabez prayed five simple but courageous requests:

1. “Oh, that You would bless me”
2. “Enlarge my territory”
3. “Let Your hand be with me”
4. “Keep me from harm”
5. “So that I may not experience pain”

And then comes one of the most powerful statements in Scripture:

“And God granted his request.”

In the middle of an otherwise unremarkable list of names, Jabez stands out—not because of his background, but because of his bold faith.

So significant was his life that a city was later named after him (1 Chronicles 2:55). From pain to purpose—what a transformation.

Is It Wrong to Ask God for Blessing?

Many Christians hesitate when it comes to asking God for big things. Some fear being labeled “materialistic,” while others swing away from blessing altogether because of excesses seen in prosperity teaching.

But Scripture paints a clear picture: God is not stingy. He is generous.

Blessing itself is not the problem. The problem arises when we seek blessings instead of God, or when blessings are hoarded rather than used to advance His kingdom.

God delights in blessing His children—so that they, in turn, can be a blessing to others.

Why We Struggle to Ask Boldly

Here are four common reasons we hold back:

1. “My problems are too small to bother God”

The truth is, God cares about every detail of your life. Scripture tells us He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.

We are invited to approach His throne with boldness and confidence, not fear and hesitation.

2. “I haven’t been good enough”

God’s favor is not earned—it is given by grace. We don’t come to Him in our own righteousness, but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

Just as Jacob received the blessing while wearing Esau’s garments, we receive God’s blessing because we are “in Christ.”

3. “If God wants it to happen, He’ll do it anyway”

While God is sovereign, Scripture clearly says:

“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)

There are things God chooses to release in partnership with our prayers.

4. “Material things are unspiritual”

Jesus Himself taught us to pray for daily bread. Every good and perfect gift—spiritual or material—comes from God.

Four Ways God Blesses Us

Scripture shows that God blesses in multiple ways:

1. Through the hand of people

Joseph’s rise—from slave to second-in-command—came through God working in and through others. People can be instruments of God’s favor in our lives.

2. Through supernatural provision

From manna in the wilderness to water from a rock, God can intervene in ways no human effort can explain.

3. Through the work of our own hands

In the Promised Land, manna stopped—but God blessed the Israelites’ labor. Faith does not replace effort; God blesses diligence and obedience.

4. Even through the hands of enemies

Amazingly, God can cause opposition to become provision. Israel left Egypt with gold and silver from the very people who oppressed them.

Living Like Jabez Today

Jabez teaches us that our past, our name, or our limitations do not determine our future. Faith does.

God is inviting us to:

• Ask boldly
• Trust deeply
• Live generously
• Expect abundantly

As we begin each new season, the challenge is simple yet profound:

What is one big thing you are believing God for?

Write it down. Pray for it consistently. Trust God boldly.

Because the same God who answered Jabez still delights in answering His children today.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.