Jesus Leads Us Through the Storms of Life
It’s hard to watch someone struggle and when it’s appropriate, we offer to help. Other times, it’s necessary to watch the struggle. For example, it’s important to let the struggle happen when a child is learning to walk or ride a bike. They have to learn how to fall to get back up. They have to learn how to balance on their own so they can walk on their own.
So it is with our Heavenly Father. Our struggles in life only get worse as we get older. Our Lord watches from afar but is also with right next to us during the struggle. His compassion and love is steadfast. And, it has a purpose.
That purpose is to build us up. As we learn in today’s sermon, with suffering comes character and with character comes hope.
Here is today’s sermon text from Mark 6,
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
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Announcements
Bible Study: You are invited to join us! We have two classes every week. The first one meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in person and is topical. The second meets Wednesday nights at 7 pm via Zoom and is covering the Book of Colossians. If you would like to attend the Zoom class, please let Pastor know and he will add you to invite.
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