DO NOT BE AFRAID
Jesus Calling: April 20
Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Hear Me saying Peace, be still to your restless heart. No matter what happens, I will never leave you or forsake you. Let this assurance soak into your mind and heart, until you overflow with Joy. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, you need not fear!
The media relentlessly proclaim bad news: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A steady diet of their fare will sicken you. Instead of focusing on fickle, ever-changing news broadcasts, tune in to the living Word–the One who is always the same. Let Scripture saturate your mind and heart, and you will walk steadily along the path of Life. Even though you don’t know what will happen tomorrow, you can be absolutely sure of your ultimate destination. I hold you by your right hand, and afterward I will take you into Glory.
Mark 4:39
New King James Version
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Verse Thoughts – This is more than about simply calming a storm. This is about our lives, that we bring before the Lord continually. We come to him and he rescues us from our eventual death, sealing us with Him for all time, giving us the assurance that we will live for eternity with Him (I John 5:11-12). However crazy the storms occur in our lives, He is there. He calms the storms. He rescues us from the perils of life. He brings peace to us. This doesn’t always mean that we win the game. In our sports heavy culture, where we consider the outcome of the game that the winner walks off with complete peace, God does not work in this way. There is peace no matter the outcome, because He is in control of all. We can submit and surrender to Him and then He will give us strength through the outcome.
Deuteronomy 31:6
English Standard Version
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Psalm 46:2
English Standard Version
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
Psalm 73:23-24
English Standard Version
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
A SERIOUS MEDITATION
Luke tells us that Jesus said:
“The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out,
‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger
in water and cool my tongue, for
I am suffering torment in these flames.’”
Is this a consoling parable, or is it a threatening one?
Is it comforting or is it frightening? I do not want to stand
before the Lord and be sent to the place of torment
with flames that burn forever.
I access my life and review the precepts.
Think of others first; give to those in need with love and tenderness;
spend my time and efforts with those on the fringes
until they no longer need me and then move on to the next place of need;
give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty;
give until it feels good. In my evaluation of myself,
I can feel good, in that I have followed these precepts,
sometimes more graciously than at other times,
depending on my state of being at the time, but overall
I feel I am a candidate for a room in the Father’s House which has many rooms.
As I move on along my pathway I will work harder to do the right things
and carry my share of the cross. I want to earn my place in the netherworld,
a place where no torment will exist for me.
Stanski
April 16, 2025^
A SERIOUS MEDITATION
Luke tells us that Jesus said:
“The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out,
‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger
in water and cool my tongue, for
I am suffering torment in these flames.’”
Is this a consoling parable, or is it a threatening one?
Is it comforting or is it frightening? I do not want to stand
before the Lord and be sent to the place of torment
with flames that burn forever.
I access my life and review the precepts.
Think of others first; give to those in need with love and tenderness;
spend my time and efforts with those on the fringes
until they no longer need me and then move on to the next place of need;
give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty;
give until it feels good. In my evaluation of myself,
I can feel good, in that I have followed these precepts,
sometimes more graciously then at other times,
depending on my state of being at the time, but overall
I feel I am a candidate for a room in the Father’s House which has many rooms.
As I move on along my pathway I will work harder to do the right things
and carry my share of the cross. I want to earn my place in the netherworld,
a place where no torment will exist for me.
Stanski
April 15, 2025^
THE HORROR SHOW
We see it in front of our own eyes
So terrible we have to look away
Genocide or mass killings in Ukraine
Buildings ripped apart by explosives
People evacuating in the millions
There are over a million refugees
Why does Russia want Ukraine?
Reclaim some of the former
Soviet Union and of course,
Natural resources and slaves
This is war, not pretty or necessary
Ego and control are come into play
How many millions have died by
The hands of the Russians
This is so difficult to comprehend
And the sad thing is that this will
Not be the end. War never ends.
Unrest exists somewhere in the world
Hunger and thirst will be prevalent
None of this is necessary. Food is
Wasted or distribution interrupted
Someday there will be one flock and
One Shepherd. The angels will sing
The chaff will burn while the good will
Be given a room in the Father’s house
Stanski
April 14, 2025 ^
A MEDITATION
Jesus said: “the rich man also died and was
Buried, and from the netherworld, where he was
In torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham
Far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out,
‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus
To dip the tip of his finger in water and cool
My tongue, for I am suffering torment in these
Flames.’” (Lk 16:22-24)
How do we wish to live? We can be givers or takers
If we give, especially generously, we will not have to
Worry about being tormented. If we ignore warnings
And refuse to give and hold in contempt those who
Encourage us to change, we will be candidates for
Torment and when we review, if we have the sense
To do so we will have regrets that we were not
Generous to others. The right way is usually the
Easiest way and our rewards will be outstanding
Torment will be a foreign word. Be a giver.
Steve Haarman aka Stanski
April 13, 2025 ^
Steve Haarman 