The Christian Journeyman (Mission Letter)

 

The Christian Journeyman

Pastor Gary Patterson

To all of God's people, all over the world!

I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to you with a heartfelt request on behalf of The Christian Journeyman.

For the last 18 years, our ministry has been dedicated to spreading the message of what it means to be faithful workers in the Kingdom of God. How to faithfully live the Christian life, and effectively serve the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:15 is our mission statement: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." We’ve been blessed to touch the lives of many, offering spiritual guidance and support to our readers.

To maintain our mission and expand our reach, we need your support. We would like to develop an out-reach to those who are in prison, and to those in our military.

Our constant out-reach is to fellow Christians, who strive to live the Christian life, and who labor for the Lord Jesus Christ, in the preaching of the gospel, spreading the good news that salvation, and eternal peace is only found in Him.

At the present time, we have three blogsites that are apart of our communication ministry of The Christian Journeyman.

1. The Christian Journeyman (Main Blog)

     https://cjour05.blogspot.com

2. The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line

     https://tcjwalkline24.blogspot.com

3. The Christian Journeyman's Journal

     https://tcjjournal24.blogspot.com

Your generous financial support will help us to devote full time to the work of producing online Christian Blog Posts, that we hope will be an encouragement to our fellow Christians, as well to people all over the world.

We humbly ask for your financial support. 

You can support the work of The Christian Journeyman, by purchasing the TCJ Blog Posts we have available. The cost for each TCJ Blog Post, is $ 5.00, per copy.

You can use this PayPal.me.com payment link, to process your payment quickly, and securely. 

https://paypal.me.com/tcjour23 

Thank you for considering this request. Your support means the world to us, and helps us continue our work in helping God's people, in their Christian walk, and work.

May God bless you abundantly.

In His Service,

Gary Patterson

Pastor, & Director

The Christian Journeyman

garypat53@gmail.com 

Christmas Challenges (Part One)

 

Christmas Challenges (Part One) 

The Challenge of Focus

There are those faulty misconceptions, selfish attitudes and actions, and worldly activities that challenge the biblical message, and meaning of Christmas. How does the birth of the Christ-Child cause us to think and act in the right way, during this Christmas season? There are challenges that we face as Christians, at Christmas, as well as all year long; that I want us to look at in this series entitled: Christmas Challenges. 

We will look at four of them: 

1. The Challenge of Focus 

2. The Challenge of Family 

3. The Challenge of Forgiveness 

4. The Challenge of the Future 

The Challenge of Focus 

"Has anyone ever asked you this question? "What did the pastor preach on last Sunday?" You smile, and cringe inside, racking your brain for the subject or verse he used. If you have never been caught in this predicament, what you were trying to remember was a blur in your mind. I think this happens to all of us, and we need to let it be a reminder, to stay focused on the preaching of God's Word. ("Staying Focused" By Terrie Chapell - January 30,2010 Ministry 127) 

When it comes to the message and meaning of the birth of the Christ-Child, we don't want to be like a camera out of focus. Our goal should be to have a clear, steadfast focus on the Biblical presentation and purpose of the angel's announcement to the shepherds, and to the world. 

"Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, "for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) 

I believe there are two words in the angel's announcement that should cut through the blur of the mis-conceptions, and the dominance of the worldly attitudes and activities at Christmas. Those two words are: 

"to you" This announcement is not just a prophetic message, it is a personal message. "For there is born "to you" this day...a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." 

Jesus came into this world to be a Savior for you, and for me. 

The challenge this Christmas, as well as everyday, is to focus on this heavenly gift to us. We need to accept this gift, believe the gift, submit and embrace this gift with all of our heart. 

 Let's not let the confusion and chaos at Christmas cause us to have a spiritual blur of what is most significant, and meaningful at Christmas, and everyday of our lives. If Jesus (as our heavenly gift) is to be Savior, and Lord of our lives. May it be the main focus of our hearts, and our lives. May it be seen in our lives, not only at Christmas, but every moment we live! GP 

 Photo: Pexels/9143 images/Pixabay License/Free to use under the Pixabay License/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com

To Order the complete series:

Christmas Challenges, email us @

garypat53@gmail.com 

If We Make It Through December

 

If We Make It Through December!

Introduction:

I remember when I was a teenager, I was listening to the radio, and hearing a song recorded by Merle Haggard, entitled: "If We Make It Through December."

I thought then, and even today, how true that song is, as it speaks of a man who was struggling to make ends meet for him and his family. If he and his family could make it through December, he felt things would be better in the new year. 

Maybe, at this time of year, you feel the same way.

"December can be a difficult month for many people due to a combination of factors including increased stress from holiday planning, financial pressures, family dynamics, end-of-year work deadlines, shorter daylight hours, and the tendency to compare one's own experiences to idealized holiday portrayals, which can lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation, especially if experiencing loss or difficult family situations."

(mentalhealthmatch.com)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

Why is is that no matter what the circumstances are, and no matter what month it is, the apostle Paul says that "we should not be anxious about anything?"

How can we do this? How can we totally free ourselves from the worry and anxiety of the challenges of this life? The apostle Paul came to know, as we should come to know, the Savior, Jesus Christ. And that in Him, we can find peace in the midst of trials. We can be assured that the Lord Jesus' presence and.providence in our lives, will see us through. "But in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." In essence Paul was saying, "give all of your troubles and anxiety over to the Lord, and be thankful for the fact that you can do this. We don't ever need to carry our burdens alone. Please read Matthew 11:28-30)

Perhaps you’ve participated in an experiment where you were given a phrase like “red car” and then were asked to put it out of your mind. But the harder you tried, the more the “red car” dominated your thoughts. This kind of exercise shows that we can never forget something by concentrating on it. Anxious thoughts, our natural response to the cares of life, are like that. Many of us spend sleepless nights trying to solve complex problems, and all we accomplish is fixing them more firmly in our minds.

The Bible says that instead of being weighed down by our concerns, we should give them to God. The apostle Peter put it this way: “[Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And in Philippians 4:6 (Our text)

(Our Daily Bread - Forget Worry - 2/1/2002)

Yes, we can make it through December, with its troubles and anxieties. We can make it through anything, as long as we abide in the love and care of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) GP

Photo: monicore - Pixabay.com 

A Christmas Rescue

 

A Christmas Rescue

"But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” (Genesis 3:9-10) "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

(Matthew 1:21)

Man-kind was in need of what I call "A Christmas Rescue." From what did we need to be rescued from? Without a doubt, we needed to be rescued from "SIN."

In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and realized the shame of their nakedness, and hid from Him. When we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and makes us want to hide from God. We don't want to talk to God, because of what He would say to us. And we may feel that God wants to talk to us, in order to condemn us. That is very far from the truth.

Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." I think of Zacchaeus, who climbed up in a sycamore tree to see Jesus, but I wonder if it was because he wanted to hide. ⁸Zacchaeus was hated by the people because he cheated them. But Jesus called for him to climb down out of hiding, and talk to Him, at his house, where salvation came his way. (Luke 19)

This Christmas, let's not hide from the Lord. He came to save us from our sins, and set us free from the chains of selfishness, arrogance and pride, immorality, anxiety and worry, and all of the worldly vices that threaten to destroy us physically, and most of all spiritually. And to think, that while God gave us, freedom of choice, this is the very thing that causes us to be enslaved to SIN. The very thing we need to be rescued from. And Jesus did just that willingly, and sacrificially.

Yes we are free to choose the path of sin and destruction, or we can choose Jesus to be our Savior, our Redeemer, and Lord of our lives. Today, will you let Jesus rescue you? If you do, you will be eternally blessed.

Photo: ATDSPHOTO - Pixabay.com 

Whatever Happened To Thanksgiving?

*Several years ago, a family traveled out east to spend Thanksgiving with their relatives. On the way, their car began giving them trouble. Fortunately they found a gas station open where a mechanic was on duty. But he didn't have the parts to make the necessary repairs, so they were delayed until he could locate them. They finally arrived late at night at the home where their loved ones were waiting anxiously. But their troubles weren't over. 
By morning most of them had the flu. When the time came to return home, they still weren't feeling well...to make matters worse, abut halfway home the baby also became ill. Worn out, discouraged, they continued on in silence. Then one of the children in the back seat piped up, "Hey, whatever happened to Thanksgiving? That is the way we sometimes react to adversities. When all is well, and all things are going our way, It's easy to praise the Lord. But when our plans are disrupted, bills pile up, our health fails, or disappointments come, thankfulness disappears. It's easy to allow problems and difficulties to crowd our thinking and emotions, and as a result we slip into discouragement and degrees of deep depression. (*Radio Bible Class/Our Daily Bread)

The Apostle Paul says to the Christians at Thessalonica (and us)
"in everything we are to give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:18) 

THE EXTENT OF THANKSGIVING (V.18a)
 "In everything we are to give thanks..." 

THE EXPECTATION OF THANKSGIVING (V.18b)
 "For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

Give me a spirit of thankfulness, 
Lord For numberless blessings given, 
Blessings that daily come to me 
Like dewdrops falling from heaven. --Dawe

Precious Thanksgiving Memories

 

Precious Thanksgiving Memories

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)

One the precious gifts the Lord has given me is a Thanksgiving memory illustrated in our post-article photo. I remember watching my grandmother meticulously cook and tend to the turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner. I remember the many TG dinners, where she cooked for a house full of family and friends. I hope you have good Thanksgiving memories as well.

As Christmas looms on the horizon, we focus on the gift giving at Christmas, in hopes that we find our loved ones that one and perfect gift. In our text, we can agree with James, that our best efforts at gift giving, cannot compare with the gifts that come from our "Father of lights."

Of course, what can compare to the gift of His Son, who was given, to meet our desperate need of salvation, and the hope of eternal life. (John 3:16)

But In looking back on the year, leading right up to Christmas, God has given me, and my family, the gift of His presence, and providence in our lives. He has not left any stone unturned. The apostle Paul writes, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

In God's way, and in His time, the gifts of His love, come pouring into our lives. 

This picture that reflects the love and sacrifice of my grandmother, not only at Thanksgiving, but in the days she was present in my life, reflects the love and sacrifice of our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. He came to this world, on behalf of the Father, to bring to us new life, and new hope. Precious Thanksgiving memories, how precious to sooth our souls! GP

Are You A Good Christian Soldier?

Are You A Good Christian Soldier?

Today is Veteran's  Day. (11/11/2024) A word of deep gratitude from The Christian Journeyman, to our men and women who sacrificed their lives, so that we could enjoy the freedoms, and blessings that come from being a citizen of this great nation. As I think of Veteran's Day, I think about what it means to be a soldier, and especially a Christian soldier. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy and instructs him to "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."(2 Timothy 2:3) I ask you today, do you look at yourself as a soldier of Jesus Christ? And to go a step further, are you a GOOD soldier, of Jesus Christ? The Ephesians 6:10-20, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are engaged in a battle.

A battle not "against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Gal.6:12) Because of this conflict, we are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God. Read what that consists of in (Galatians 6:10-20) But back to what the Apostle Paul's instructs Timothy. Two things he tells him he must do, to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. First: He must not entangle himself in the affairs of this life. He is to be totally committed and focused on His duty to Christ. And Secondly he is to please his commanding officer, Jesus Christ, who enlisted him into the service of the Kingdom.(2 Timothy 2:3-4) In fighting this spiritual battle it will call for faithfulness, and endurance. But we must remember that we could never fight this battle without the resources that the Lord Jesus gives us. So a big thank you to our Veterans, and a sounding word to my fellow Christians.
"Onward Christian Soldiers!" GP 

Photo: Clker-Free-Vector - Pixabay.com

What Is Your Choice?

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) 

Tomorrow is election day (11/5/2024) We as Americans will make a choice that will affect our future in this nation. But as important as this is, there is another choice that will affect our eternal future. And that is the choice to make God's Son, Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord of our lives.

In our text, Joshua challenged the people to make a choice, and live with that choice. Was it going to be, to worship the gods of their forefathers, or the gods of the Amorites, (or) the God of the universe, which was Joshua and his family's choice. "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (v.15c)

What it comes down to, for us today, is a choice between running after the things of the world, and putting God first and foremost in our lives. Will we allow Him to be our Savior, and Shepherd, all the days of our lives?  Will we live and serve Him all the days of our lives?

What future will you have with the world, compared to what God offers us? What peace, and satisfaction will we have with the world? Things may be good for awhile, but will it last? I think not!

Like Joshua, I challenge us to today, to vote for Jesus, and make Him a permanent choice for our lives, today, and forever! GP

 Photo ID 12773840 © Picsfive | Dreamstime.com

A Dissertation By Dr. Brian Patterson

A Dissertation By Dr. Brain Patterson 

The Binding/Loosing Of Satan In Jewish And Christian Apocalyptic With Special Reference To Revelation 20:1-10

Please Click Link Below!

A Dissertation By Dr. Brian Patterson

Photo: ibusca - www.pexels.com 

The Longevity Of Leadership

 

The Longevity Of Leadership 

 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, Who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you." (Isaiah 46:3-4) 

 No matter what the leadership responsibility is in the church, the key to having a fruitful ministry is "Longevity." 

 Those who we read of in the Bible who God called to "Lead" faced many challenges. Right at the start, Moses gave God a group of excuses for why he was not the person God should send to Pharaoh, to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. But once he committed himself to the task, he went the distance to lead the Jewish people to freedom. (Exodus 3-4) 

  Look at the prophet Jeremiah's excuse: "Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you." (Jeremiah 1:6-7) Even though it was hard, Jeremiah went the distance as well. 

 Too many in Christian leadership, throw in the towel too early. "When the going get's tough, the tough are to get going", but instead we drop out, we quit, and leave the work to others, when God called us to use our abilities to make a difference for Him. 

 I believe that we need as Christian leaders, to work on developing a strong maturity. Contained in this maturity, are the attributes of humility, sincerity, purity, commitment, and a desire to obtain longevity in ministry. 

 The apostle Paul, encourages the Christians at Corinth, and us today, with these words: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 

 (1 Corinthians 15:58) I like what Paul says here: "Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord." 

 Let us not just go part way, let's go as far as the Lord will take us. Yes, there will be rough times, yes there will be those times when we will want to quit. But we as leaders must stay the course, finish the race, and fulfill our ministry, no matter how rough it gets, or how far the opportunity presents itself for us to serve.

 There will be times, When we must rest, times when we will relocate, or be redirected, and yes retire, from the task at hand. But we are never, ever, to quit serving the Lord, until He says. "It's Time!" GP

Photo: JuliusH - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com

The Priority Of A Pastor

 

The Priority Of A Pastor 

"And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15)

I remember when I became a pastor, I heard these words. "Pastor's only work on Sunday," and "Church camp is a Pastor's vacation!" Well, it is a lot more than this!. 

"After the death of King Solomon in 931 B.C., Israel was divided into two kingdoms, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. While both kingdoms failed in their faithfulness to the Lord, Israel chased after other gods even more than Judah. So, in 722 B.C., the Lord judged Israel through the destructive power of Assyria. The Israelites were scattered, with thousands taken captive. This was the end of the northern kingdom."(Sheherds After God's Own Heart", Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling.Theologyofwork.org)

It is not so different today in the church, as it was during this divisive time with the people of Israel. As Pastors, or shepherds, we are to be among the people, feeding the people knowledge and understanding of God's Word. This is a Pastor's responsibility. Is Jesus the great Shepherd just standing up in front of people lecturing them concerning these things? No, the Lord Jesus Christ is among us. His presence is felt in our hearts, and seen in our lives. And as the disciples on the Emmaus road said in Luke 24:32, "They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Is this not the priority of a Pastor? To be with his people, and to share the Word of God? To encourage the people in his care, to walk the Christian walk? 

That is not to say that the people will listen, and take heed to the instruction and encouragement given. Just as it was in Jeremiah's time, the people did not listen, did not obey God, and suffered the consequences of their actions. As pastors we are not to embrace any kind of guilt, or discouragement concerning the unfaithfulness of the people. Pastors including myself, have done this many times. We are chosen instruments of God, to be the shepherds the people need in order to walk the path God has directed for His people. God does not intend for His leaders to carry the weight of the failure of the people. Pastors need to remember that. We are not called to be successful, as much as we are called to be faithful.

It is an awesome task, the work of a Pastor. And we cannot do it alone. We need the guidance and strength of our Lord Jesus, as well as the cooperation and support of the people. Please pray for your pastor, and encourage them every opportunity that comes your way. They definitely need it. GP

Photo: AstralEmber - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com

Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing!

"For just preaching the Gospel isn't any special credit to me---I couldn't keep from preaching it if I wanted to. I would be utterly miserable. Woe unto me if I don't." 

(1 Corinthians 9:16) 
To the Apostle Paul, it was a privilege to preach the Gospel. Whether he was paid to do it, or not, it was his main responsibility It is the same with us as Christians. We are to share the Gospel message to those who are spiritually dying. Because Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth, He commissions us to "go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To teach them to obey all the commands I have given you..." (Matthew 28:19-20) The main call upon our lives as Christians, is to share the Gospel. Which in essence is the message that the sin debt for man-kind has been paid, by Jesus' death on the cross.
We have the hope of eternal life, because Jesus arose from the dead, and made a way for us to follow that same path. As we journey though this life, so many things become important. But those things can never be as important, as this call upon our lives. So many people are needing this message.
If they don't hear it from us, who will they hear it from? To have people leave this life without hearing the Gospel, is like a doctor, knowing what medicine will help, but never making the patient aware that it exists. How important was the Gospel message to you? Did it change your life? It must be the main thing, or lives will perish forever.
It is a call to share, because we care,
That those who are lost, will come to Jesus.
It is a privilege to bear, a priority to wear,
To share the Gospel to all who are lost among us. ---GP
Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 23 August 2012 Stock photo - Image ID: 10098825
www.freedigitalphotos.net

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Sustaining Self-Control

 

Sustaining Self-Control 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "For what I am doing, I do not practice, what I hate, that I do." (Romans 7:15) 

The battle of not giving in to our fleshly desires, is a strong challenge indeed. This one fruit of the Spirit the apostle Paul names as self-control, is a hard one to sustain. I am not going to name the various vices to which man-kind becomes enslaved to; you know what you personally deal with. There are those vices that find their way into addictions, such as; the use of alcohol and drugs, the viewing of pornography, the activity of gambling, and over-eating, and several more. 

 But the question of this post-article is: "How can we sustain the fruit of the Spirit: Self-control? There are three things we must seek, if we are to sustain self-control. 

1. We are to seek a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ 

"But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:8) When Jesus becomes first place in our lives, that is when we will begin to sustain self-control in our lives. When we look at our own selfish fleshly desires as rubbish, compared to the desire to know all about the Lord Jesus, and His love, and His will for our lives; that is when we will allow the Holy Spirit to have control in our lives. And if it takes answering the question over and over again: What would Jesus have us to do? Than so be it! 

2. We are to seek a knowledge of ourselves. 

"Let us search out and examine our ways. And turn back to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40) We must do as James tells us in James 1:23-24, "for if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." When we look into the mirror of God's Word, we see what kind of people we are. We see our weaknesses, and the way our fleshly desires have led us down a path of sin and destruction. The perfect law of liberty will help us to see the changes we need to make. 

3. We are to seek a knowledge of the consequences of our sinful thoughts and actions. 

"....just as I told you in time past, those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God."(Galatians 5:21b) In the passage of Scripture prior to Paul's words here, he lists a number of sinful activities that come from walking according to the flesh.(5:19-21) 

If we continually do these things, the consequence is to not inherit all of God's blessings contained in His kingdom. In other words, we will not have the hope of heaven, but we will have the reality of hell. Is this what we want? I would not think so! And if this is not enough to frighten us concerning our eternal future, I don't know what will? 

Just like sustaining the other fruit of the Spirit, it takes discipline, and determination. It all begins with a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Do we have that today? If we don't, I pray that we will! GP 

Photo: Meruyert Gonullu - www.pexels.com

He Watches From The Shore

 

He Watches From The Shore

"Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by." (Mark 6:47-48)

The disciples did not always have a secure feeling, when they were out in their boat fishing. Out on the sea of Galilee, storms could come up quickly and violently. Here is some information I found that is pertinent to the disciples experience:

Storms on the Sea of Galilee could come up suddenly and violently due to a combination of factors, including: 

Location: The Sea of Galilee is 680 feet below sea level and surrounded by hills. 

Wind: Winds from the southwest can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. 

Air currents: In the evening, warm, moist air from the water rises, while cooler air from the hills descends, creating high winds at the water's surface. 

Water depth: The Sea of Galilee is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 250 feet, which can cause larger waves when wind speeds are high. 

I can see why the disciples were very anxious, when they got caught up in one of these squals. But the application I want to get to is this: While the disciples, who were supposed to be at Capernaum by now, were straining against the wind, Jesus is watching them from the shore. He sees their situation, and later He comes to them, walking on the water. Here's the question, does Jesus know where we are, and what we're dealing with in our lives? Indeed He does. He knows the trials and trouble we are experiencing. And when we pray, and ask for His comforting presence in our lives, He shows up. I have felt His strengthening presence in my life many times. The hymn that I posted an article about today, asks the question: "Does Jesus Care?" The answer: 

"Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares 
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary
The long night dreary
I know my Savior cares"

Today, Jesus is watching you from that eternal shore, and He sees the storms you are in engulfed in. Have faith, if you ask Him to come to you, He will, and through His presence, and providence, He will provide the help you need. GP

Photo: davidyonathan4 - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com