"IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID"!

"For THOU art with me". Psalms 23:4b. Yes, YOU ARE WITH ME! My friend, HE IS WITH YOU!! The creator is with me. YAHWEH is with me. You Lord, are in heaven and you rule the universe. You sit upon the stars and make your home in the deep. BUT You are with me, always!! When we are going through a storm and when we feel most separated from God, that's when He is teaching us a lesson. Bro: I have learned "wilderness is part of the landscape of faith, every bit essential as the mountain top experience". On the mountain top, we are overwhelmed by His presence, in the wilderness we are overwhelmed by his absence. But in both places it should bring us to our knees! In Mark 6:50, Jesus said "It is I; be not be afraid". See, God doesn't show up early. Usually He comes in the worst part of the storm when you think you can't take it anymore- BUT HE IS ALWAYS BE ON TIME! My friend, CAN'T YOU HEAR HIS STILL VOICE TODAY? "IT IS I"! This should calm your fear buddy!!

SINGS OR THUDS!

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of his evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil, for the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh". Luke 6:45. My friend, do you know when a potter bakes a pot he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the furnace and thumping it? If it "sings" it's ready. If it "thuds" it's put back in. Hey, your character is also checked by thumping. Late night phone calls, grouchy teachers, burnt meals, flat tires, traffic jams, long lines, empty mail boxes, dirty cloths on the floor, inheritance (greedy),..the list goes on.. How do you respond? Bro: Do you sing or thud? There is nothing like a good thump to reveal the true nature of a heart...the world will recognize it, above all your Lord is watching it. If your tendency is to "thud" more than "sing", TAKE HEART, you are undone. Hey Bud, Here is the outline of life: Tender Teens, Teachable Twenties, Tireless Thirties, Fiery Forties, Forceful Fifties, Serious Sixties, Sacred Seventies, Aching Eighties, Nappy Nineties.. Shortening breath,..DEATH. That's all. Our life is an opportunities to improve and may our efforts center on the things that count the most and last the longest!!! Did you get it? Change man Change!! Change!!!!

"DOUBT STORMS"!

"..Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I WILL NOT BELIEVE". John 20:25. "DOUBT STORMS", isn't it? New believers aren't the only ones who struggle with doubt, sometimes believers like you and I do too, right?Turbulent days when the enemy is too big, the task is too great, the future looks too bleak.. and the answers are too few, we will also have "Thomas' "DOUBT STORM"! Thomas asks the question we all ask when we're struggling. "If God is so good, why do I feel so bad? If His message is so clear why am I confused? If He is in control why I have this gut-wrenching problems? Why I have to pray with one eye open and wonder? Power of prayer? Christians in cancer hospitals? Well, God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways". Isaiah 55:8. See, God doesn't think like us. He sees the big picture and works towards the specific end. Bro: I've been there, and done it!! This is what I did my friend. 1) I called someone I love for support. Sometimes we are too close to our own illusions and dramas and lack of ability to regain perspective. By reaching out we will receive gift of love and clarity and peace. We will understand someone is with us through this. 2) Do something that is self nurturing. Be loving and compassionate with yourself when you're feeling vulnerable. Be open to see options and possibilities rather than seeing only problems. 3) Do an act of kindness for someone. I find that when I do something heartfelt and generous with the intention of being of service and contribution, feeling peace and joy push forward into my heart and mind. Hope this is helping you my friend. I love you and praying for you!!!