Red Letters

When Jesus and His disciples were on the boat to cross to the other side of the sea, a fierce storm came and waves were so high that the boat was about to be swamped. The disciples, with fear and trembling, woke Jesus up! He rebuked the wind and it became perfectly still. Perfectly calm.

Likewise, when we experience troubles, the natural reaction for that stimulus is to feel anxious, worried, or restless. When we experience triumphs, we feel excited and over the moon! It is normal to feel that way because we are built-in with emotions. However, we can choose a better way to respond to circumstances in our lives. God encourages us to BE STILL.

When Jesus was praised by the people as they witnessed how He made miracles, never was He overcome by people's applause and admiration. When he was scorned, beaten, and mocked, never did He raise a hand of revenge. When He was questioned before Pilate, He remained to be STILL.

When we are struggling with fear, anxiety, and tragic circumstances, we tend to panic. We lose the chance to hear God in the stillness. When our lives are overflowed with blessings and favor, we tend to yell with excitement. We lose the chance to hear God in the stillness. God, in His sovereignty, commands us to BE STILL.

It is in the stillness we can know and see who God really is. Then we begin to see that He is far and above the storms of our lives.

It is in the stillness we can distinguish what matters more. Then we would know that the blessings might give us pleasure, but there is a different kind of joy we experience when we focus on the Giver of the blessings.

This only means that the supernatural happens in stillness. When the disciples witnessed how Jesus calmed and stilled the storm, they exclaimed, "Truly, you are the Son of God!"

Today, be still and deeply know that He is God.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
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Let this amazing Hymn by Annie Johnson Flint encourage you today. No matter what you are going through, God's grace will always be greater.

Lyrics taken from: https://hymnary.org/text/he_giveth_more_grace_as_our_burdens

By the River

Such a feeling of hope and freshness
Soothes the spirit, cures the sadness
As you embrace the waters by the river
Remember the love of your mother and father.

The current flow can be wild and strong
Ensure your foothold like a brave metal song
The current flow can be weak and loose
Swim around, put the steady waters into good use.

The river gives life to its surrounding lands
From the deep springs to the open sands
That every tree will thrive and not wither
When it is deeply rooted by the river.

God is the river: Comforter, Guide, Life-source
Those who follow Him are trees by the river
As in Psalm 1:3 (here, in Amplified Version)
“And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].”
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See blog here:
https://bibleredlettersph.wordpress.com/2020/11/17/by-the-river/