Psalm 91:14 NIV “Because he^[a] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name

We should not be not afraid of anything, if we have made residency in God’s presence.  Our trust is in God: almighty, creator, sustainer, and rock.  God has provided a refuge or a safe place for us. God is aware that there are things that may be intended to harm us, but we do not need to fear.  God is there to help us in any situation we may face, because we dwell in his protected presence.

Hebrews 9:13-14 ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,^[a] so that we may serve the living God!

Have you ever thought about how significant blood is?  As humans we need the blood in our bodies to sustain life, and bring nutrients to different parts of our body so that they can keep working.

More powerful than the blood in our bodies is the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for our sins.  Jesus shed his blood on the cross as a sacrifice for payment to redeem us back to God.   Through faith in this shedding of the blood, we have eternal life.  There is no other blood powerful enough to wash away our sins.

The hymn writer declares; “The blood that Jesus shed for me way back on Calvary, blood that gives me strength from day, today, It will never loose it’s pow’r.”

We thank God for the blood of the lamb (Jesus the Christ).

Luke 23:42-43

Several years ago I took a vacation on a cruise. It was breath taking to see the light from the ship shine on the waters in the still of the night. There was such peace on the ship, and for the few days on the cruise I had no concerns about the responsibilities at home. To me that time on the cruise was like paradise.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the men dying to the cross beside Jesus said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (vs, 42)”, Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise (vs. 43).
Paradise in this text was symbolic of heaven. One day all of us who are saved will go to heaven and live eternally with God. Heaven will be better than any cruise.

Philippians 4:6-7 ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

When something has you worried or afraid, it can produce emotional and physical symptoms.  Some people become: nervous, angry, and sad.  Some physical symptoms may include: lack of sleep, no appetite, or increase of appetite, headaches, and chest pains.

There are a lot of people that are getting sick from the Covid-19 virus, which includes some of our youth.  We must not allow what we see, hear, or experience to cause us to worry.

Talk to God in your own way about everything.  Be specific in your prayers and give thanks.  Receive God’s peace that may not make sense.

Don’t worry it is going to be okay!

^{1 Corinthians 12: 18-20,27} 

¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

God has some unique gifts in each of you that are born again believers in Christ.   Every gift is important in Kingdom building.  As a part of the body of Christ we should never think that one gift is more significant than the other.  God has a purpose for each gift. There are some gifts that are not visible, but they are still important.  You are important to the body Christ.

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

Light is very important in order that we can receive direction or clarity.

Just as we recognize the necessity of light in our everyday lives.  We must realize how important spiritual light is needed if we are walking in darkness.  Spiritual darkness is the humans’ state without a relationship with Christ.

In the gospel of Matthew Jesus explains to his disciples that they have light, and it is important that others see the light.  The only way our light can shine is through: our belief in the resurrected Christ, and following his example.

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12 NIV).

Many people are searching for light in all the wrong places and in all the wrong people.  It is important that we let our light shine.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

God will always be with us no matter how difficult the situations may be.  God is aware that we sometimes face overwhelming decisions, and we don’t know what to do.  We need to remember that God is there to guide us in the right direction.

In Psalms 23 God is pictured as the shepherd and we are the sheep.  God will make sure that we receive everything that we need. God knows our cry.  What we need may not be clear to us, but the almighty God knows the desires of our heart.  We will lack nothing when we rely on the Shepherd.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his Glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

Philippians 2: 3-5

³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

People who are not believers often look at the behavior of confessing Christians.  As we are on our journey of faith, we must strive to live a life that demonstrates behavior pleasing to God.

Paul encouraged believers in Philippi to imitate Christ in humility in the way they treat one another.   It is not necessary to boast about being a disciple for Christ, but it should be demonstrated in the life you live.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35 NIV).

As Christians, we must daily examine ourselves to see if we are imitating Christ.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

There are four divisions of seasons that are marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours.  We call these seasons: Spring,  Summer, Fall/Autumn, and Winter.  In the  Spring is when things bloom and the weather begins to be warmer.  In the Summer is when the weather is sometimes very warm, and in some cases drought occurs.  In the fall is when the leaves turn colors, and the weather is beginning to be a little cooler.  In the winter is when we experience the cold weather, and some areas may experience some snow.

There is also four divisions of Life’s seasons.  These seasons are marked by situations that we have in our lives. Spring brings new beginnings, and a fresh start.  The season of summer may be when things appear to be difficult because of the heat of trials and tribulations.  The season of Fall is when those close to leave.  You are now pressing forward to the future.  The season of winter is when there appears that nothing is happing. There appears to be no progress in the goals that you have started.

God knows where you are in life’s seasons. God will be with you through all of your seasons.  Whatever season you are in embrace it with prayer.    Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Rest is being relaxed or released from stress.  Rest can be accomplished by placing hope, trust, and confidence in someone.

Many times people have said that they need to get away to their favorite vacation spot at the Beach or Mountains for rest.  This rest is only temporary if we have not found the rest in Jesus Christ.  This rest is a peace that calms worries and concerns.

In the 11^th chapter of Matthew is where Jesus invites all to come to Him if they are weary             ( mentally and physically exhausted).  Weariness comes by trying to handle problems on your own.  Not just your problems but everyone else’s problem.

Come to  Jesus not just if you are weary but if you are burdened.   Burdens are the troubles of life.   Burdens can be anyone or anything  that causes you to be bound,  and hinders your walk of faith.

Jesus gives us “rest”.