It Matters to Hiim

As we move through this Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for all those who have provided support to Debbie and me over the time of my illness and recovery. Your prayers, financial support and encouragement has made all the difference in our lives. I am looking forward to great strides taking place in the coming year and am looking forward to what the future holds. Your continued prayers for not only my on going rehabilitation, but future plans that the Lord may have for me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Mark 4:38 (NLT)

I have been considering lately what we think, what we feel at times when challenges come our way. It may be the terminal diagnosis, it may be the debilitation condition, it may be that need we have prayed and sought the Lord about. Whatever the issue that seems to “rock our boat” the temptation is the same and that is to look at the Lord and not doubt that He is there or that He hears our prayer; the temptation is to believe that He doesn’t care. That it doesn’t matter to Him what we are going through.

That is exactly where the disciples were as they faced a storm on the sea of Galilee. Many of these were experienced fishermen. They knew the lake and they knew storms. They knew what was serious and what was not. As they did their best to control the ship as they bobbed like a cork on the tossing waves, they found Jesus asleep! There frantic cry was not just they were getting ready to die, but the sense of frustration that Jesus didn’t seem to care. The disciples already had determined what their fate was and didn’t want Jesus to be sleeping while it took place.

Jesus got up, rebuked the winds and the waves; as the wind stopped and seas calmed, He rebuked His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

I would just challenge you that if you are going through a storm, make sure that Jesus is in your corner! I believe we can say that peace without Jesus is more dangerous than a storm with Jesus with us. Then remember fear is the enemy of faith. Fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear for our family or our life. Jesus love comes into our lives to drive out fear.

Remember the words of 1 Peter 5:7  “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT) You matter to God and He cares for you and what you are facing. Keep trusting and confident that His presence will empower you to make it through the storm.