The Rest of Your Life

PRESENCE The Rest Of Your Life The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NIV Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NIV Life is not always green pastures. Even in our dark valleys our shepherd is with us. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:10-13 NIV “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 NIV But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:34b-41 NIV But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Mark 4:34b-35 NIV Sometimes Jesus will ask you to leave a place your are comfortable because he not only wants you to know him with your mind but with your heart. Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. Mark 4:35 NIV There were also other boats with him. Mark 4:36 NIV A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:37 NIV Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. Mark 4:38 NIV Storms don’t shock the one who made the waves. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark 4:38 NIV Being honest with God is better than lying to yourself. ” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Mark 4:39 NIV “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40 NIV They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41 NIV We need to learn He is here, and He is present Reflection and Discussion 1. How does trusting God as our Shepherd provide comfort and assurance when we are in life's dark valleys? 2. What does it mean to walk through dark valleys without fear, and how does God's presence help us overcome that fear? 3. How do God's discipline and guidance bring comfort and peace when we are facing hardships or uncertainty? 4. In what ways does God provide for us, even in the midst of our struggles and challenges? 5. How can we trust in God's goodness and mercy, even when we can't see a way out of difficult or dark situations?