STEPPING OUT OF THE BOAT

 

"You'll never walk on water if you don't step out of the boat." (Joyce Meyer)

My friends, we are all in a boat right now, a very rocky boat..... and many of us are depressed, fearful, angry and basically not coping with the way the world is going. It is daunting to think things will get worse but it truly will be so, if the scriptures are correct, and they are. We have also been warned by the living prophets for many years that this will be so, not to mention the warning signs the Saviour has given us through Doctrine & Covenants.

I believe the worst thing that is not allowing some of us to cope with such debilitating changes is non-acceptance of the signs of these last days. There are some things we cannot change because evil is prevalent in our day and it has gripped the hearts of many who are in charge of the masses. Through my personal experience, I have come to learn that the only way to peace is through faith and focus on The Prince of Peace.

Cast your minds on the night the Saviour was asleep in a ship whilst tempest was raging. After His disciples woke Him up and He stilled the sea He asked them: "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40) The following verse goes on to say that 'they feared exceedingly and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" An amazing one, that's what kind!!!

Don't stay in the boat fearful, clutching its' sides, because there is no safety in the security the world provides. There should be no fear of the storm when there is focus on The Prince of Peace while the storm is raging. Remember that fear is inverted faith and don't be afraid to step out of the boat. Your lifeguard is the one who walks on water.

Each day I seek Thee

Through the prayer of my heart;

I kneel at Thy feet and speak

The words of my enduring love.

I hear no voice,

I feel your absence in my sight;

You are so far and so high,

Yet I see Thee

Through the faith of my eye.

• Cathryne Allen

FEAR NOT THE WORLD

 

For the past year and a half I have allowed the state of the world and its' future to trouble me; so much so that it has started to emotionally and physically affect me. This morning as I studied Isaiah chapter 54, a ray of sunshine broke in on my vision of the whole situation and gave me clearer understanding. The chapter deals with the promises the Lord has made to the House of Israel in the last days.

My heart ached with vibration of words I heard the Saviour speak:

"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee...O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted.....In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.....whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.....no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper..."

The dawning of truth that came to me is this: we do not need to fear the world, because we are not OF the world. We are altogether a separate entity. This chapter speaks a lot about the Lord's protection of us, who are His inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9) and His favoured people above all the people of the earth (Deuteronomy 7:6). We might be scattered throughout the world and not be gathered into one country physically but we are spiritually gathered under the shadow of His wings. This is our heritage as His servants (Isaiah 54:17). This is our right and our promise. This is our life line wherein should lie our hope.

Fear not Israel, your God is with you......He has graven you on the palms of His hands......(Isaiah 49:16).

• Cathryne Allen

(Art by Yongsung Kim)