1-20-16 Be Not Afraid

⁴⁸ And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. ⁴⁹ But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: ⁵⁰ For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. ⁵¹ And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Mark 6:48-51 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

When troubles come to push you off your path,

And if it seems you’re rowing ‘gainst the wind,

The struggle that you face in all its wrath

Might leave your efforts moot and you chagrined.

Look through the dark of night and see Me there!

I am not just a thought inside your head,

Not just some passing need when you despair,

Nor ghostly spirit filling you with dread.

Be of good cheer! Have courage! It is I!

Be not afraid, I’ve come to bring you peace.

I’ve been here all along, I won’t pass by.

I’m right beside you now; the wind will cease.

In life when conflict blows with its attack,

Be not afraid, my child, I’ve got your back.

~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER: Even in the darkest of nights you will see Him near.

11-9-15 The Peace of Jesus

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

The peace that Christ bestowed unto His friends,

Before He walked the path that lead to death,

And sanctified as soon His blood would cleanse,

Could not be given by some worldly breath.

The moment you accepted Christ as Lord,

The Spirit of His peace did rest in you,

And though the beasts of chaos smashed and roared,

Don’t be afraid, His peace has seen you through.

The peace of Jesus calms the stormy sea,

It comforts men upon the battle field,

Descending on those struggling to be free,

And in your final moments is revealed.

Let not your heart be troubled – here is peace:

To know the love of Christ will never cease.

8-27-15 An Exhortation

Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,

support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~

We have our own responsibilities,

And that includes a call to help the poor:

The poor in heart, in mind, in strength are these

That need some extra care we can’t ignore.

Admonish those that step across the line:

The busybody, troublemaking sort.

Teach discipline and selfless service fine;

These diamonds in the rough, do not sell short.

Uplift the ones who struggle with the cross:

The simple and the slow to understand.

The weak need love who cannot bear a loss;

Please help them with their faith and to withstand.

Have patience with the souls who trip and fall;

Be one to help them up. See Christ in all.

~~~~~~~~~~~

sonnet #449

7-23-14 I AM With You

The trials that you face most ev’ry day,

The hurt, distress and torments in your life;

So now you feel forlorn along the way,

And there will be no end to all this strife.

Be not afraid, for you are not alone;

I’m with you, precious child, forever more.

Have courage, I am here, you’re not unknown.

I have great treasure still for you in store.

I’m with you through your loss, your grief, your pain;

I’m whispering to you ‘This, too, shall pass.’

Be strong, beyond your struggles I remain

To carry you ahead through this impasse.

Do not dismay, for I’m the Lord your God

To walk with you along this path you trod.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 KJV

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~