Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ~ Romans 8:35-37 (NIV)
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Have you ever wanted to put a message in a bottle and throw it in the ocean, just to see if someone would find it and maybe contact you? We've all heard amazing stories of that happening, sometimes over thousands of miles' distance. It's astounding to see how resilient a corked bottle can be, even through the rough waters of stormy seas.
That's how it is to be a believer in Jesus Christ. We are riding the ocean of life, with a message inside of us that says, "I am yours, and you are Mine. I love you...God", and no matter how we get tossed by the waves or whisked along by the wind, we always surface again, because we're filled not only with the message, but with divine air. The air of the Holy Spirit. He keeps our soul buoyant and alive!....even when the clouds roll in and darkness overtakes our seas.
Ever feel like your bottle is sinking? I know you have, as have I. Troubles come, and we feel like we're gasping for spiritual breath. Feeling as if we're drowning. But God says, No, you're not drowning. You're really floating, with dives underwater here and there. You'll come up to the surface again soon. And don't forget my message inside -- that's important for you to remember, especially during the downtimes. Trust the Holy Spirit inside you to keep you afloat. He will never leave you, because I have given Him as a seal of my promise of eternal life, My life with you.
But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. ~ Isaiah 43:1-2
A uncorked bottle thrown in the ocean will sink like a rock. But putting a cork in it seals the air inside, and it floats along to parts unknown. Without Jesus, we are uncorked and unable to stay afloat in this life. But when Jesus seals the message of His love and forgiveness inside us and places His Spirit within us, we are changed. No longer sinking, but instead, we're riding the waves.
Don't let fear of the stormy waves cause you to doubt. Trust in the God who loves you and be a high-seas conqueror!
Love,
Joelene
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