May 13, 2026

I love to read the Gospels in my chronological Bible.  The editors have put it together in such a way that all four writings are intertwined and read like a novel. I can see the whole picture and get all the details of the life of Jesus, without flipping back and forth through four different accounts. This year when I read them through, I was reminded that way before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples what was coming (see John’s account, chapter 16). He laid out the troubles that He would endure, and then he let them know that they were going to go through struggles as well. But He also reminded them that they would never have to go through anything alone. He would be with them every step of the way (see specifics in Matthew 28). He was returning to the Father, but once He was gone the Father would send the Helper (the Spirit of Truth, mentioned in John 16). He would help the disciples of Jesus remember what He had taught them and would give them supernatural strength and courage to endure the difficulties they would face.

I am so glad we are not alone in our struggles! When we are sick, our God is with us. When we are afraid, He is with us. When we are lonely, He is there. When we hurt, He hurts too – and He comforts us because He really does understand what we are going through. Our God gets the struggles we go through in this life because He went through them too! He was, and still is, God with us, our Immanuel. He is not just a cute Baby at Christmastime – He is a grown Man who lived and loved and suffered and died and rose again so that we could find new life through faith in Him. He is alive and powerful, seated in Heaven at the very right hand of our Father God, and the Scripture tells us that He spends His time interceding for us. For you and me! When the enemy of our souls comes into the throne room to drag our name through the dirt and reveal all our most embarrassing mistakes and failures, Jesus is there too, defending us. (See Romans 8:27 and Hebrews 7:25). He reminds the devil that all our sins have already been forgiven, covered completely and indelibly forever by His perfect blood. Nothing we do now can separate us from Him. Doesn’t this knowledge make you feel invincible?! That’s how it makes me feel!

I hope I see you at Salem this Sunday to worship our faithful Jesus! 

Careen

Worship Songs for May 17:

He Keeps Me Singing – Daniel Baptist Congregational – https://youtu.be/cJvxhLcscs0?si=43nXygtd2wvtEF0l

At Calvary – Daniel Baptist Congregational – https://youtu.be/2_zjTChqYXg?si=Mz_JKYcd-5d_9LeY

Living Hope – Phil Wickham – https://youtu.be/u-1fwZtKJSM?si=bKoCda1wZ3mItJWn

Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher – https://youtu.be/LuvfMDhTyMA?si=Dh7flmH8BZWhPQeB