~ STORMS of Life !! ~

I know that as a Christian I need not fear the storms of life. WHEN I feel afraid, help me to focus my eyes on You, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

(Hymn CHORUS: 'Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.'
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace!)

Pause and think of that.

~ * "Real" GOLD ? ! * ~

Someone has said, "Sunshine all the time only makes a desert." We need the clouds, the dark days, the storms, and the rain just as much as we need the sunshine. And God, who is molding our lives, seeking to make us like the Lord Jesus Christ, knows what is best for us.

We hear Job saying: "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). Notice that Job does not say, "I know the way that He takes," but rather, "He knoweth the way that I take."

We would like to know what God is doing. We would like to pull aside the veil and see the end from the beginning. We would like to know the way that He is taking. But if we did, and if we could see, we would not need faith to believe and to accept God's way!

So Job, in the midst of all his deep afflictions, found comfort, not in the fact that he knew the reason and the answer for all of God's dealing with him, but in the truth that God knew what He was doing. "He knoweth the way that I take," he said confidently, and then his faith leaped over every barrier; and as he looked into the distant future, he cried, "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." ...

This tells us that we are to rejoice in the hope and the confidence that God's purpose is being accomplished in our lives. M.R. De Haan

* "STANDING ON THE PROMISES" .. !! *

1. STANDING ON THE promises of Christ my King, Thru eternal ages let His praises ring; Glory in the highest I will shout AND sing, STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD.
Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.

2. STANDING ON THE promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing of the promises of God.

3. STANDING ON THE promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.

4. STANDING ON THE promises I cannot fall, List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
R. KELSO CARTER , 1849-1928

* THROUGH the Storms !!

"SO, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you (*ISAIAH 41:10)."
"WHAT a beautiful sunny morning! It was one of those rare days in early June. But by early afternoon the clouds began to come up very fast. The sky grew darker and darker, so black that only the streaks of sharp lightning gave any light. IT was the most furious storm I had ever witnessed. The wind and rain beat against the house, and thunder rumbled until the earth shuddered.

A small, tearful voice called, "Mommy, are you afraid?" I held my child tightly in my arms, not wanting to admit that I was afraid. "Can we pray?" asked the small, trembling voice. SHE prayed a few simple words, telling Jesus that we were afraid and asking Him to take care of us. THEN, in a trusting voice, she said, "Now I can take my nap. Jesus will take care of us."

WHEN the storms of life OVERWHELM us, WHEN death robs us of the one we hold dear, WHEN loneliness sweeps in, WHEN we feel friendless, WHEN pain envelops us, WHEN our faith is faltering and we are fearful, how do we react? DO we cry out, "WHY has God permitted THIS affliction and pain? WHY has He taken my loved one? I DO not understand why my plans have been overturned."

HAS the sweetness vanished from life? ARE you troubled AND afraid? God longs to heal OUR hurts AND give Victory over our fears, but He waits for us to cry-out to Him. He responds to our MOST desperate needs as we TRUST Him during the storms of LIFE." MILDRED SCHLEH