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Psalm 46:1-11 "God is our refuge and strength. " 46:1. Amid the storms of life, the scripture points us to the safest place, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give away. " Difficulties come to us in many forms, but God outlasts them all, if we follow Him. God can not be shaken.

Matthew 8:3 "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing ', he said. 'Be clean! ' Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. " Why did Jesus touch the leper ? By touching the "untouchable" Jesus demonstrated his authority over the law. He cared more about people's needs than about religious ritual.

John 20:24-29 "See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. John 20:27. When Jesus appeared after His ressurection, He brought His scars. John writes Thomas wanting to see "the nail marks in his hands" and Jesus inviting Thomas to "put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side". In order to demonstrate He was the same Jesus, He rose from the dead with the scars of His suffering still visible.

Matthew 16:21-28 "On this rock I will build my church. " Matthew 16:18. God uses our struggles as opportunities to equip us to continue working for Him. Peter's life was marked by inexperience and mistakes. His faith faltered as he tried to walk on water. He wasn't sure if Jesus should pay the temple tax. He rejected Christ's prophesy about the crucifixion and resurrection. Through each issue, Jesus taught Peter about who He was. Peter listened and learned what he needed to know to found the early church. Likewise, if we are discouraged by failure, we should remember Jesus would lead us forward. Jesus continued to work with Peter despite his shortcomings.

"Psalm 39:1-7 But now, Lord what do I look for? My hope is in you. " Psalm 39-7 David 's broken spirit caused him to reflect : "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days, let me know how fleeting my life is". Amid his renewed focus, David didn't despair. He had nowhere else to turn. "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you ". David would survive this personal battle and go on to serve God. Father, our hope is in You. We are in the best place we can imagine when we go to God in prayer.

Matthew 8:17 "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah : 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases'. " Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. When Christ died, He bore our sins in his body on the cross. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, who died to give us life.

2 Corinthians 2:17-3:6 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, and read by everyone. 2 Corinthians 3:2 Paul didn't require a letter of recommendation when he spoke to the church in Corinth, they knew him. In his second letter to that church, Paul wrote that he preached the gospel out of sincerity, not for personal gain. As we follow Jesus, this becomes true of us too, our lives tell the story of the goodness of the gospel.