Don't Trust The Boat (from Julie)

Have you ever been around someone who's faith in our Heavenly Father shines brighter than the pain you know they are in..........
Someone who has walked through one unchosen fire only to be ushered into another unchosen fire....
As onlookers we are saying 'Enough Lord...she's had enough'
But as she speaks 'Jesus' is all she say's...
'Jesus saw me through the recent death of my husband....he saw both of us through the 6 months of suffering he endured before going home to be with the Lord,'
'Jesus is seeing me through the Dialysis I hook myself up to each night'
'Jesus is seeing me through the imminent Kidney transplant I will be having in just a few short months...'
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.....

Julie is filled with Jesus- her focus is Jesus- her claim is Jesus
At Bible Study today she shared with me that once in awhile she will sit and write an e-mail to send out to encourage others- She shares things that she herself has learned and is learning as she walks through this season of unrelenting fire- the fire has not burned Julie in the way Satan has hoped but instead it has refined her in the ability to look beyond her present situation to a greater faith....

Thank you for sharing Jesus with those you meet Julie- For ministering to those around you as you lay in your hospital bed, as you go to one more doctor's appointment, as you hook up to one more dialysis, as you go through one more medical test....

Persevere my dear friend....our Jesus is using you to influence many.  

'Heavenly father I lift up precious Julie- Please guard and keep the Kidney Transplant she is about to receive. Please be with her sister who is donating the kidney....please be with Julie's girls as they stand by their mom's side.  Please give the doctor's and nurse's wisdom and guidance.....Thank you Lord for Julie's steadfast walk in her faith...'

 

DON'T TRUST THE BOAT by Julie

"You of little faith," He said, "why do you doubt?"
Matthew 14:31

We are all familiar with this story about Jesus and His disciples. After Jesus fed the 5000,  He told the disciples to get in the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of the lake. While they were traveling across the lake, Jesus went up alone to a mountain to pray. The disciples soon found themselves in the midst of a violent storm. Jesus, seeing all that was happening walked out to them in the midst of the storm and when they saw Him, they were terrified! But Jesus said to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid!" At this point, Peter walks to Jesus on the water but as soon as he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!" That is when Jesus asked him why he doubted.

Oh, how like the disciples we are! We fear the storm around us, the circumstances that seem beyond our control. Have you ever felt like retreating in the midst of the storm-back to safer waters or pressing on no matter what to your destination?
Could Jesus have arranged for them to have smooth sailing to their destination? of course, He could! But it's during the storm that our faith becomes stronger and we learn to trust Him.
When are we the safest in the storm? When we're following Him and walking in obedience
Jesus comes to us when we need Him the most. The things that you fear and often leave you trembling-He has control over.
I don't know what storm you're facing today. Maybe financial problems, relationship issues, a devastating illness or maybe several things all at once and your world is spinning out of control.
Don't trust the boat! Trust the Lord.
Focus on Him and His power. He will get you through this storm and see you safely to the other side.

Julie and her beautiful daughters