I want to apologize for not writing any new blog posts over the last several months. The beginning of this year has been extremely difficult for me and my family. It started with Linda, my wife, passing away at the end of February. She had been losing strength for some time, which ultimately resulted in the end of her life here on earth at the age of 71. We are confident she is in a better place with God, but we would appreciate your prayers for us as we move forward. I have been praying a lot, asking God to assist us in this tragic time. And I will say with no question He has been with us in ways I could not imagine. He made sure all our needs were met regarding the body preparation all the way through the actual burial. Everything took place with no issues due to my being an Air Force veteran. The funeral home did all the preparations including setting up a place in a veterans cemetery for us. This was not an easy time, but God has worked wonders in helping us through this entire time; both in the funeral process as well as working through the loss of Linda for all the family.
It is important for everyone to understand that at some point in our lives we will experience difficult times. Some more difficult than others, but difficult none the less. However, for believers in God and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, we have someone who will help us all through these times of trials. The scriptures are full of verses letting us know He will always be with us through these times. Here are a few I have selected that have helped me through my hard times.
“Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the sound of my pleading. The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart triumphs, And with my song I shall thank Him. The LORD is their strength, And He is a refuge of salvation to His anointed.” Psalm 28:6-8.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
“For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:10.
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4.
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7.
“And the LORD is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.
And lastly these verses in Romans 12.
“Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:9-15.
God loves us beyond anything we could ever imagine. He is our strength during times of weakness. He knows when we are going through difficult times. He sees all that has and will be happening to us, and He is always there to assist us. So in humility, call on Him during any time of trials.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11.
And because He loves us, we can trust Him to help us through any troubles we may face in this life. And He is always there with us to help.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.
And in Philippians we read the following.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
All the verses above and many more tell us that no matter our circumstances, God will always be by our side. This does not mean our situations will always be easy. but that we can trust him to be alongside us, bringing us through whatever this world brings forth.
In closing, I want to let everyone know our family appreciates the prayers and encouragement we have received from so many. We are working through it all, and I ask for continued support as we progress. I am sure that some of you have been through similar situations. This world is not easy, and as we move forward, the world will become even more difficult. In the gospel of John, he writes an important message from Jesus to His followers, and it is important for us to understand this and prepare for it.
“’These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. On that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.’ His disciples said, ‘See, now You are speaking plainly and are not using any figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and that You have no need for anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came forth from God.’ Jesus replied to them, ‘Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.’” John 16:25-33.
I needed these verses Bill
.Thank you