Never Abandoned or Orphaned by God...

Bible readings... 
“No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you.” John 14:18
“Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.” Psalm 48:14
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Hello everyone and welcome back this week, to Sunday Inspiration…through the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so glad that you stopped by today and my prayer for you; is that you will truly feel the depth of God’s love for you, as we spend this time together with Him!
 
Isn’t it amazing, how our circumstances can make us feel so alone and even abandoned by God? These difficult times we face can make us feel as if we are an orphan…all alone…sitting on the sidelines of life, while life continually passes us by.
 
I don’t know what you are facing today; but I remember a time in my own life, when I felt as though I was lost at sea. In the depth of my despair, I began to see myself, as if I was all alone on a troubled sea. The skies around me were black as night and as I sat on a piece of wood…floating in the middle of the sea, the waves began to toss me around, as I clung to what was left of my life at that time.
 
As I looked off into the horizon, there was no one in sight to care for me and these became the moments, when I felt completely abandoned. As I cried out to Jesus, I began to ask Him, if He had left me too. You have to understand that these moments in my life that I was facing, truly brought me down, to a place where I felt like a piece of nothing.
 
As I continued to ride out this terrible storm, I began to see someone off in the distance…walking on the water in my direction. Within a short time, I noticed it was Jesus. As He drew closer to me; He stepped out of the water and stood on this small piece of wood; that I was floating on and then from there, He took hold of my hand and reassured me that I wasn’t alone; but that He had come to ride out the storm with me.
 
Once this terrible storm subsided; the troubled sea became calm and the skies began to clear. As we reached shore together, He pointed me in a new direction and ever since, I have been following Him, as I work to share His love to others…the love that He first shared with me.  
 
This may seem like a story or an imaginary thought to you; but these were the feelings I felt, while walking through long years of depression and a painful past. As I began to connect more deeply with Jesus, rather than my problem; He began to show me in my heart; that He had not abandoned me; but that the problem had made me feel abandoned by Him. In other words…I was allowing the problem to have control and by doing so; it began to convey a message of defeat, rather than a message of hope.
 
Today, you may be walking through some tough times and the path you’re on may be attempting to convince you; that you have been abandoned by Jesus…but I’m here to let you know; that way beyond the fog of your problem; the light of His presence is shining brightly around you and if you will but reach back to Him…He will take hold of your hand and be with you, until the storm subsides.
Blessings on your Sunday!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
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