Riding the Wave

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the calamities in our world? I do. Not usually in fear for ourselves but in our concern and care for those suffering. And it is wonderful when, in a small way, we can help by supporting those Christian organisations who go into the devastation caused by natural disasters and bring practical help, provision, medical aid and rebuilding of communities.

But sometimes, it just seems too much. When all of us have the threat of this corona virus hanging over us, and meeting those who are losing their means of a livelihood, then the reality hits - this is not someting far distant - this is you and me having to weather the storm.  (Do scroll down and read the previous 2 posts, if you have come into this for the first time.) 

I read some time ago about Sir Francis Chichester, who sailed round the globe single-handed. When his small yacht was faced with a towering wave off the Cape of Good Hope, notoriously dangerous seas where 2 oceans meet, he looked at the wave threatening to overwhelm and eclipse his boat and drown him, and said, "We will go over!" And, indeed, his boat rose up on to the top of the mighty wave and then slid down the other side. He said that instead of this being a terror-filled experience, he was elated - it was exhilirating!

I often think of this when facing a difficult situation. Those who enjoy surfing will know a similar experiece, riding on a wave. And then others dive through a wave! GOD WILL take us through these present difficult times. He, Who walked on water, will always be by our side. Put your hand in His and trust in Him  - He is totally reliable!

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor 1:9 (Amplified Bible)

 ... the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, .........5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 (Amp)

Daffodil through the Storms

One brave daffodil in my garden bloomed on February 7th! Since then it has experienced hailstorms, violent winds and torrential rain! But, apart from bending gently in the wind, it is still standing upright and smiling brightly, cheering me every time I look out of my window!



God has spoken to me through that small delicate flower. Although there may be storms and even hard hailstones falling, I can stand in God's grace ~ He will give me strength and peace. There is only one thing needed from me - to just lean into Him - ie: trust Him! To trust what He says in His Word.

Look again at that verse from Hebrews which I shared yesterday: 
        "For God Himself has said .... therefore we may boldly say .... " !
 When God says something, it is sure and certain. He is unchanging and totally to be relied upon. Therefore we can say it too, and as we speak God's Word out, faith grows. AND our roots go deeper into Him, so, that like that daffodil, we can stand during the trials, and even bring encouragement and blessing and hope to others.

I keep a pile of file cards by my bed, all with verses I have written on them, and I read a few every night before I go to sleep. The ones I have collected over the years are all promises for strength, health and healing, and about God's love and care for me. These scriptures sink in deeper than mind level, and come part of my being, and it is amazing how trust and faith in the Lord grow and flourish. I am sure that many of you reading this, who have been in the Word for years, know what I am talking about. 

This is definitely a time to reaffirm our trust in our loving faithful God, to tell Him we trust Him, to sink back into the arms of the only One Who will be able to keep us in these days.

I took a neighbour to a garden Centre today, to shop and have lunch together. It was interesting to hear from someone who would not call herself a believer, talking about the fear of the corona virus and also the anxiety. Her daughter and son-in-law run a business which depends on imports from China. The factory in China is closed and they have not been able to find any similar outlet in this country. This is an anxious worrying time for those who have a living to earn. I was able to share with her a little about the peace Jesus gives and will print out some scriptures for her, but, without Christ, people are fearful and their only hope is that it might all go away!

Yesterday was a global Day of Prayer, and we can truly believe that our heavenly Father will work. At the same time, we need to take every opportunity to get our own lives entrenched in the Word of God, and in His love and protection - but more on that tomorrow.

Meanwhile be a daffodil where you are. Stand in the grace of Jesus. Bend gently in the wind of the Spirit, and bless your family, your friends and your neighbours, schoolfriends and colleagues. 

"He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down, relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!   So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, 
                     The Lord is my Helper ......"   Heb 13:5b, 6

"and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith."            1 John 5:4

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us." Romans 8:37

Are You Afraid?

We are living in the days before Christ's coming! I know that the early church could have said that too nearly 2000 years ago! But we are certainly closer to that Day now, and surely all the signs are pointing to His near coming and Jesus warned us to watch out for them and be READY to welcome Him coming in His glory.One thing He said in this context was, 

" ... you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled or afraid or terrified ... " Matthew 24:6 and Luke 21:8.
 The New Living Translation translates it as "Don't panic!"

Well, as I write this blog, there is fear all around the globe because of the spread of the Corona virus. There have also been other disasters over the last months ncluding catastrophic fires in Australia and California, and now terrible floods in English towns, destroying homes and businesses, and covering huge areas of farmland, preventing the planting of spring crops. So many reasons to naturally be afraid. And let's be honest - fear so easily creeps in when we hear the news, and do not know at this stage whether there will be a global pandemic or not.

BUT "DO NOT BE AFRAID!" is the constant echo throughout the Bible. I have been writing out scriptures today and will use some of them in a series over the next few days. But I do recommend to all who read this, to start your own search for verses from the Bible which tell of God's protection and keeping for His children.

If you need assurance that you are His child, please click on the labels menu beside this blog on the title "Becoming a Christian". This article will tell you how to be sure that you are safe in Father's arms and accepted into His family through what Jesus Christ has done for you.  

I leave you today with the following verses from Hebrews to meditate on and take into your heart, and tomorrow will continue with more encouragement in this time of stress and often anxiety for ourselves and our families.

Hebrews 13: 5b,6 in the Amplified version of the Bible:

...be satisfied with your present circumstances and with what you have; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down, relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!

6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm. I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me?