He Will Be With You

 

Do you ever read a verse of scripture and the tears begin to flow? That one verse that never fails to make you tear up. It holds so much meaning and so many memories for you, that as you read it you find your vision blurring, your eyes watering and before you know it, the tears are streaming down your face.

I have a verse that never fails to do this to me.

Isaiah 43:2 KJV - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

This particular verse was a great comfort to me a couple of years ago when I was going through a very difficult period in my life. I read it over and over. I wrote it up on a piece of card and even to this day, the tear stains are plainly visible on it. The writing is smudged, but I know exactly what it says.

As I struggled through my long days, riddled with anxiety and depression, I clung to the promise this verse held. I will be with thee. The waters won’t overflow me. The fire won’t burn me. I will be with thee.

I read the verse aloud, over and over and over. I read it like a prayer. I claimed it as a promise.

I know that this verse was given to the people of Israel, but it is just as important and meaningful to us today.

In the past few hours, I have been struggling with troubled feelings and emotions. I knew I needed God’s help to get me through the day and so, I went to my list of tried-and-true promises in the Word of God to lift my spirits and soothe my soul. And right at the top of the list was this verse in Isaiah. And yes, the tears began to flow, and as I write this, they continue to do so.

I decided I needed to look again at this verse and the surrounding verses. During my trial, I didn’t really look at verse 1, but today I found a treasure awaiting me there.

Isaiah 43:1 KJV - But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Did you see it? Fear not. I have redeemed thee. I called thee by thy name. Thou art mine.

Who said this? The Lord. The creator of the universe. The one who formed you. The one who made you in his image. It’s him who tells you not to fear. Fear not. It’s a command. He reminds us that we are not to fear because we have been redeemed. He paid the debt we could never pay. And he calls us by our name. He knows us. And we are his. He knows my name. He knows your name. We are not just one of millions. He knows us individually and he cares about each and every detail in our lives.

He commands us to fear not and then he follows it up with a promise. I will be with thee. Don’t fear the water, the rivers, the fire. You will be kept safe. You are mine.

And why are we kept safe and how? Because he is God.

Isaiah 43:3a KJV - For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:

We are kept secure because of who is making the promise. God. The creator. The Saviour. The redeemer. The promise maker and the promise keeper.

I know that for me, I needed to be reminded of this verse today. And maybe you’re struggling today too, and you need this promise.

So, open your heart, and let God’s love wash over you. Let him fill you with his peace and comfort you as only he knows how to. Read over the promise. Let the tears flow. God sees each and every tear you cry. Don’t be afraid to let them spill over as you praise him for his goodness and thank him for all the times he has led you through the darkness and brought you back into the light. Give him all the glory for the miracles he has worked in your life. Praise him for the times the waters did not overflow you and the fires did not burn you. He has redeemed you and he knows you by name. You are precious in his sight. He cares for you and he will never stop caring for you. He loves you with an everlasting love.

1 Peter 5:7 KJV - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Jeremiah 31:3 KJV - …… Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Fear not! God is with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 God Sees A Different View

Have you ever done any needlework? Any cross stitch or long stitch? It’s been a long while since I attempted cross stitch. Sadly, my oldest daughter’s Beatrix Potter birth sampler is still sitting in a box, unfinished, after 25 years! (Time got away from me, as well as patience and also good eyesight)

Anyway, why am I talking about this at all? Because I wanted to remind you that God looks at things from the other side.

When you do any type of needlework, you’ll notice that the underside of your piece of work is very ugly. The threads are all jumbled and knotted and go every which way. There is no rhyme or reason to it. It might be colourful, but it’s downright ugly! And if this is the only side anyone ever saw, well, it wouldn’t be something you’d hang on your wall.

But, as you stitch, something amazing begins to happen. The right side of the tapestry you are weaving or stitching or embroidering, becomes a thing of beauty. The threads begin to form a picture, or words. The colours blend together into a lovely piece of art.

When we finish a project like this, we don’t want people to see the underside or our work. No. We want them to see the beauty.

Now, lets relate this to our trials. When we go through difficult times, all we see is the underside. We see the ugliness. The hurt. The pain. We see jumbled threads. Knots and mistakes.

But, God sees it from the other side. God is working in our lives to produce a work of art. He is faithfully, patiently, refining us and purifying our lives to become more like him.

We only see the trial as it looms so large in front of us. We’re hurting and we can’t see the point in it. We can’t see the sense in the trial God is putting us through. We don’t understand why we have to go through the agony.

But God always has a plan. He has the pattern in front of him and he knows what the picture will look like at the end. He knows just what colours to use. He knows what size needles to use. He knows the thickness of the fabric needed. He sees it all from the other side. He watches the growing happen. The blossoming of a life slowly opening up to his will and his way, and beginning to produce the fruit of the spirit.

He sees where our trials will lead us, if we only submit to his working and wait on him to weave the tapestry of our lives. He sees the bigger picture. He knows just what difficulties he needs to bring into our lives in order for us to become more like him. He knows what hardships he needs to send so that we will become more sensitive to his leading and more compassionate toward others.

He slowly breaks down the walls of resistance that we have built around us. He opens our eyes to seeing the needs of others instead of selfishly living for ourselves. He comforts us in our trials, so that we can learn how to comfort others.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

So, take heart if you’re going through a difficult time. Your heavenly Father knows all about it. He is right there beside you and he wants to see you grow. He wants to produce a work of art. The trials you face are working for your good.

Romans 8:28

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Do you love God? Then it will work for good. Do you seek to do God’s will? Then it will work for good. Do you submit to God’s leading? Then it will work for good.

The trials that he sends will work for good.

If the threads or the fabric resist our hands as we stitch, the pattern won’t turn out like it should. If there is resistance, the picture becomes marred, skewiff or just plain messed up! The resistance results in a tapestry that is not as beautiful as it was meant to be. It’s not the same as the original design.

And so it is with us, if we resist God’s working in our lives. Through trials and tribulations, God seeks to mold us and beautify us. He wants to rid our lives of the sin, the bad attitudes, the ungodly character, but if we fight against him, things don’t go to plan. He is not able to weave the picture he has in store for us. Not only is the underside ugly, but the right side is not so pretty either.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

It's so hard to get to the place that the Apostle Paul was able to come to. It’s not easy to take pleasure in our trials. But God promises that his grace is sufficient. And he also promises that when we are weak, he is strong. And not just when we are weak. God is always strong. His power is abundant and everlasting.

I recently heard this quote:

“Either God is God, or he’s not. And either God is good, or he’s not”

And we, as Christians, know that God is God, and we know that he is good. So why do we fight against his workings?

Do you believe that God is God? And do you believe that God is good?

Then, believe dear sister, that he has it all under control.

Your trial, your sickness, your heartache, your burden, your betrayal or whatever else you may be going through right now.

God is God and God is good! He will do what he knows is best.

And the tapestry he is weaving will be beautiful. God will bring beauty from ashes. We can choose to view the right side of the trial. We can choose to turn it over. Our circumstances may not change, but our view will. The storm may still rage about us, but God will bring the calm. He can and will bring peace.

Isaiah 61:3

 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.                                                         

 

 

 

 

Stop Filling Your Mind With Junk!

 

Can I be real with you for a few minutes? I’ve had just about all I can take of the Covid news, posts, memes, videos, conversations and so on!

This morning, as I read my Bible, it was like something just snapped. A little voice inside my head said, “Enough is enough!”

And straight away, some very well-known verses in Philippians came to mind.

Philippians 4:6-8

 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Now, I haven’t said a whole lot about this crazy pandemic, but I feel like it’s gotten to a point where I want to put my two cents in, for what it’s worth.

I have to be honest with you, I am sick and tired of hearing about Covid related talk from well-meaning Christians, who after listening to a good and Godly sermon and sharing in a time of worship together, seem to have nothing better to do than discuss the latest news stories and mandates and lockdowns.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I know we have a serious situation on our hands, and I’m not trying to downplay it in anyway.  I know that we need to be informed. I understand that it’s important that we stand for what we believe in and obey the commands of the Lord, but is anybody out there feeling like somewhere, along the way, the Devil has used this whole pandemic thing to distract us and take our focus off things of eternal value?

The Devil is a cunning and deceitful being, who loves nothing more than seeing Christians lose their focus and their God-given roles and start putting all their energies into other things that are not as important as winning the lost.

I feel like the Devil is looking around, gleefully rubbing his hands together, watching the discouraged, distracted Christians spout their opinions to anyone who’ll listen, instead of just focusing on preaching to a very lost, and on their way to hell, world!

Hey, I’m not perfect and there are times when I don’t redirect the conversation back to the things of the Lord when I probably should, so I’m preaching to myself as well.

Anyway, back to the verses in Philippians. I think that all the news we hear on a daily basis is making so many people, Christians included, fearful and anxious. But these verses remind us to bring our requests to God and he will bring the peace into our lives and hearts that we so desperately crave.

We are not to be anxious about anything! We’re to pray about everything! And how do we do this practically speaking? By filling our minds with the right things. Stop filling your mind with junk!

Philippians 4 verse 8 gives us a list of what we should be thinking on.

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Just have a look at the list in light of the Covid news feeds and endless misinformation.

Is it TRUE?    Nope!

Is it HONEST?  Huh! Not likely!

Is it JUST? RIGHTEOUS? VIRTUOUS?     Definitely not!

Is it PURE?    A no brainer! Nope, again!

Is it LOVELY?   No. Not at all!

Do you get the point? The Bible tells us to set our minds on good things if we want to find peace. If we want to rid ourselves of the anxiety and fearfulness we are feeling, we have to tip out the junk in our minds, and replace it with good, hearty, Godly things! We need a diet change.

Endless news feeds, overwhelming stories of despair and hopelessness are not the things we should be continually dieting on.

Meditating on the Word of God is paramount now, more than ever before!

The lost world is in need of words of hope. They don’t need to hear Christians continually talking about the pandemic. This world is in a pandemic alright. It’s called SIN. It’s a sin pandemic. You don’t even have to look out your back door to realise that!

What the world needs is Jesus!

I was not only convicted by these verses, but also a little bit steamed up when I began to think of the testimony that some, not all, Christians are portraying.

I, personally, want my daily walk to be one that draws the lost, not repels them. I want them to see something different in me. I want them to see that I don’t live in fear. I want to be able to give the world words of hope.

1 Peter 3:15

 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The world is sick of hearing about the pandemic too! What they need to hear from a child of God is a reason for the hope that is in us. But why would they even ask if all they see is despair and debate and disunity?

So, here’s a challenge for you? The next time you are fellowshipping after church, see if you can make a conscious effort to NOT mention ANYTHING about Covid at all, and steer any conversation about it, back to the things of the Lord. Talk about what you heard in the sermon that day, or what God has been teaching you in your personal quiet time, or maybe share a blessing you were given that week.

I dare you! Have a Covid free, God honouring, Bible based discussion with your fellow brethren, and see if maybe, just maybe, you leave church with a spring in your step and joy in your heart!

Philippians 1:27-28

 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

                                                                                    

Psalm 136

A Song of Praise

 

If you’re wondering why I haven’t written as many blog posts over the past 2 weeks, it’s because, not only were we quite busy with our workload, but also my parents were able to come over to the NT for a visit.

It was great to see them and let them spend time with their great-grandkids and experience a little of our daily life here.

On the day they flew into the NT, I found myself sitting at a truck stop in Darwin for a couple of hours while waiting on Dave to arrive, as I had dropped my truck off at the mechanics.

Not wanting to waste my time mindlessly surfing the net, or scrolling through Instagram, I found myself reading Psalm 136. Now, I have to confess, this is not a psalm that I’ve spent a lot of time studying, as I tend to get caught up in the “his mercy endureth forevers” and gloss over the rest of the psalm as I drift off into a daze over the repetition.

But this time, I actually READ it. Really read it. It’s amazing how God’s word can come alive to you at the strangest places, if you just take the time to read it, open your heart and let the Word of God speak to you.  

Read it with me and then I’d love to share with you some things I found. (You might want to grab a cuppa, because I fear this post will be a lengthy one! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

Psalm 136

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

² O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

³ O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁴ To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁵ To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁶ To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁷ To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

⁸ The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

⁹ The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹⁰ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹¹ And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹² With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹³ To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁴ And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁵ But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹⁶ To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

¹⁷ To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁸ And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²⁰ And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²¹ And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²² Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²³ Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

²⁴ And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²⁵ Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

²⁶ O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 I know that was a long passage to read, but so full of amazing truths about God.

Firstly, I want to explain a little about why there is so much repetition in this Psalm.

We see that in each verse the phrase ‘his mercy endureth forever’ is sung. This is a beautiful example of what was called responsive or antiphonal singing.

As God’s people gathered together to worship, a Levite, or leader, would call out or sing a reason to give God thanks, and then the congregation would respond with, ‘his mercy endureth forever’.

In Jewish tradition, this particular Psalm was called the Great Hallel or Great Psalm of Praise. It was a worshipful time of rehearsing God’s goodness aloud and God’s people being encouraged to praise him for his love.

What an amazing sight it must have been and what a beautiful sound would have echoed through the air, to hear God’s people singing God’s praises with all their hearts. Praising him for his goodness to him. Back and forth the song went. What a pity we don’t have many songs like this in our church services today.

We don’t know exactly who wrote this Psalm, although many attribute it to King David. We do know that it was sung many times in history. One instance was at the dedication of Solomon’s temple.

2 Chronicles 7:3, 6 KJV - And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. ...

And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

It was also sung in David’s psalm of praise.

1 Chronicles 16:7, 34 KJV - Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. ...

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

It was also used at least 4 other times in scripture. It was a popular hymn among God’s people. Maybe it was like the favourites we sing in our church services today. The ones that get picked every Sunday night and sung loudly, and played enthusiastically by over excited pianists (not mentioning any names)!

Whatever the case, it was a song of worship and one full of truth.

Let’s look at another verse that mentions it.

Ezra 3:11 KJV - And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Here, it was sung at the dedication of Ezra’s temple. But notice, that whenever it was sung, it was always in the context of public praise or declaration.

Now, onto the truths I found while studying through the Psalm, at a truck stop in Darwin, surrounded by the sounds of coffee machines, cups clinking, trucks rolling by, automatic doors opening and closing, phone in hand, Bible app open and a handy piece of scrap paper to scribble on. Let’s get to it!

In verses 1 to 4, we read of who God is. We learn something of his character.

He is good. He is God of Gods. Lord of Lords. He does great wonders.

In verses 5 to 9, we see his work as Creator.

By wisdom he made the heavens. He stretched out the earth above the waters. He made great lights. The sun to rule by day and the moon and stars to rule by night.

In verses 10 to 15, we read of his mercy to his people.

He smote the firstborn child of the Egyptians and brought the Israelites out of Egypt with a strong hand and a stretched out arm. He divided the Red Sea and made Israel pass through the midst of it. He overthrew Pharoah and his army.

In verses 16 to 22, we see God’s mercy from the wilderness to the promised land.

He led his people through the wilderness. He smote great kings and slew famous kings even Sihon, King of the Amorites and Og, King of Bashan. He gave their land for an heritage.

And lastly, in verses 23 to 26, we see God’s mercy and ongoing deliverance to the people of Israel.

The verses tell us that he remembered the people in their low estate and redeemed them from their enemies and gave food to all flesh.

Can you see now why the people responded so joyfully with, ‘his mercy endureth forever’? The people realised that God’s mercy, his grace and love was never-ending and would always be given to his people.

The Israelites had so much to praise God for. He had come through over and over and showed his might and power in such astounding and miraculous ways, that there was nothing to do but to praise the Lord. His mercy really did endure forever. Despite their failings and shortcomings, God’s mercy and love was still present.

And it is still true today. We could replace the reasons with our own and end with the phrase, ‘his mercy endureth forever’, and we would have our own personalized worship song to sing unto the Lord.

How awesome would it be if some of our creative writers were able to pen a Psalm of praise like this, that really resonated with our modern life, and we were able to sing it worshipfully to God in our song services?

A reason to give God thanks would be sung out and the congregation would answer with a declaration of praise to God. We have our own stories of deliverance in this present day and age. God still works in the lives of his people today and his mercy is still enduring and will endure til the end of time when we will sit at his feet, humbly, awestruck and worshipful, giving all praise to him. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to sing this beautiful Psalm to him in person!

I want to end with an interesting little story about this Psalm. God bless.

And never forget….

“His mercy endureth forever”

 

“One night in February 358 A.D. the church father Athanasius held an all-night service at his church in Alexandria, Egypt. He had been leading the fight for the eternal sonship and deity of Jesus Christ, knowing that the survival of Christianity depended on it. He had many enemies – for political even more than theological reasons – and they moved the power of the Roman government against him. That night the church was surrounded by soldiers with drawn swords. People were frightened. With calm presence of mind Athanasius announced the singing of Psalm 136. The vast congregation responded, thundering forth twenty-six times, ‘His love endures forever.’ When the soldiers burst through the doors they were staggered by the singing. Athanasius kept his place until the congregation was dispersed. Then he too disappeared in the darkness and found refuge with his friends. Many citizens of Alexandria were killed that night, but the people of Athanasius’s congregation never forgot that although man is evil, God is good. He is superlatively good, and ‘his love endures forever.’” (Boice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take Comfort In Knowing 

Who Walks Beside You

Psalm 23:1-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23 is such a well-known, beloved psalm. I think it is a passage that has been so thoroughly taken apart and written about and studied and preached on that sometimes we just gloss over it.

But it is such a beautiful and comforting psalm.

Just yesterday I was listening to a sermon online and something I heard made me take another look at it.

Have you ever thought that although we don’t get to choose where the shepherd leads us, in green pastures, by still waters or even through the shadow of the valley of death, we do get to have him walk beside us?

Let me say that again.

Although you don’t get to choose where the shepherd leads you, or what he takes you through, you DO get to have the great shepherd walk beside you!

We don’t have to fear when we walk through dark times, this psalm reminds us of that.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me”

God is with us when the days are bright and all is going well, and he is still with us when the darkness begins to descend, and we stumble and fall.

So, as you look around you at all the world’s chaos and you find yourself fearing the future, remember that God is with you.

Hebrews 13:5b “…..for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Right now, the world is a scary and unpredictable place, and it’s easy for us to take our eyes off the Lord and look around at the circumstances that are screaming for our attention.

Take comfort in knowing who it is that walks beside you. God, the creator of heaven and earth, the Saviour of our souls, cares enough about you, his precious sheep, that he won’t desert you in your hour of trouble. He is near. And he is faithful and always keeps his promises.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV - But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

One of the meanings of the word stablish in this verse means to strengthen. God will strengthen you. He will give you the power you need to go on.

And I love the meaning of ‘keep’ here in this verse. It has the idea of guarding, keeping watch, protecting and caring for.

Although this present world we live in is evil, God will guard us from the evil that surrounds us. He will keep us. He will protect us. He will gather us in his sheltering arms and hold us close to him.

He is ever present and always near.

We may not know where the shepherd will lead us and what dark roads may lie ahead, but we can rest in the promise that he will walk beside us and watch over us, like a loving shepherd does his sheep.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..

You don’t need to fear the storm as long as you have the Lord Jesus in the boat with you. It’s not the strength of the boat or the power of the storm that matters, it’s who you have with you in the boat.

Don’t live in fear. Live in faith!

Trust God!

 

Matthew 28:20b  …and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.