What a Friend we have in Jesus,   All our sins and griefs to bear!

Hello GBC Family,

Our first webcast (of the Thursday Worship Service 3/19) was successful. Thanks for the words of encouragement so many sent in response. I am confident that we will successfully refine the process as we gain experience, moving forward with each worship service. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Sunday’s webcast will be launched later in the day on Saturday—and let’s participate together at 10:15 on Sunday!

I awoke this morning with the gospel account of Jesus calming the storm on my mind. (It is recorded in Mt.8:23-27; Mk.4:35-41; & Lk.8:22-25) I won’t unpack the entire story, just a few key points for now:

  1. Jesus and the disciples were in the boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. They were going somewhere with Jesus. Unless we are doing nothing, we are all going somewhere. Where are we going in our lives? Are we going with Jesus? Think about that for a moment before proceeding.

  2. A storm came up, the boat was being swamped with water, and they were afraid. We were all living our lives (hopefully going somewhere with Jesus), when the corona virus came up. As the pandemic continues to gain momentum, infecting more people and claiming more lives, it is as though our boats are being swamped. Virtually everyone is concerned. Some are downright fearful—even for their lives.

  3. Jesus was asleep. He was in the boat, but the storm was not troubling Him. Let us be reminded that the Sovereign of the Universe is with us. He has not abandoned us. And He is not afraid because He is in control of every detail of everything.

  4. The disciples cried out to Jesus with their fearful lament. Let us spend more time praying and less time fretting over every piece of bad news we hear. I think of the hymn

What a Friend we have in Jesus,   All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry   Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,   O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry  Everything to God in prayer!

I’ll continue this next time…

Stay well. Stay connected. Stay tuned for more.
Errol

All photography provided by Grace Bible Church.