Today, and Yet Reflections on Jesus

by Sharon Dalton Will iams

!!!!!!!!!!!! !

Dear Reader,

My prayer for you as you read this booklet is that you will see Jesus in new ways and come to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He loves you supremely, that He is on your side, that He will never leave you or forsake you, and that He wants you home with Him forever.

May you be blessed and encouraged by our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus. In Him, Sharon !!!!!!!

Unless!otherwise!noted,!Scripture!references!are!taken!from!the!New!King!James!Version!(NKJV).!

Scriptures!noted!as!NLT!are!taken!from!the!New!Living!Translation.!

Scriptures!noted!as!AMP!are!taken!from!the!Amplified!Bible.!!©!2009

1!

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

2!

Today I"feel"heavy"with"sin,"burdened,"filled"with"guilt".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"does"not"turn"His"back"on"me."Instead"He"opens"His"arms"

wide"and"beckons"me"to"come"to"Him"

and"live. !

!!!And"she"will"bring"forth"a"Son,"and"you"shall"call"His"

name"Jesus,"for"He"will"save"His"people"from"their"

sins."

" " " " Matthew"1:21"

For"God"so"loved"the"world"that"He"gave"His"only"

begotten"Son,"that"whoever"believes"in"Him"should"

not"perish"but"have"everlasting"life."For"God"did"not"

send"His"Son"into"the"world"to"condemn"the"world,"

but"that"the"world"through"Him"might"be"saved."

" " " " " "

" " " " John"3:16,"17!!

3!

Today I"feel"unworthy,"as"though"there"is"no"reason"why"God"would"

look"upon"me"with"favor".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"looks"upon"me"with"love"and"says,"“Come,"believe"in"Me"

and"I"will"be"worthy"in"your"stead.” !

!For"He"made"Him"who"knew"no"sin"to"be"sin"for"us,"

that"we"might"become"the"righteousness"of"God"in"

Him."

"

" " " " 2"Corinthians"5:21"

"

I"will"greatly"rejoice"in"the"Lord,"My"soul"shall"be"

joyful"in"my"God;"For"He"has"clothed"me"with"the"

garments"of"salvation,"He"has"covered"me"with"the"

robe"of"righteousness,"As"a"bridegroom"decks"himself"

with"ornaments,"And"as"a"bride"adorns"herself"with"

her"jewels."

"

" " " " Isaiah"61:10"!!

4!

Today I"am"happy"and"dancing"in"newness"of"life"in"Christ".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"does"not"frown"at"my"giddiness."Instead"He"throws"back"His"

head"in"laughter"and"joins"the"dance. !

!!!You"have"turned"for"me"my"mourning"into"dancing;"

You"have"put"off"my"sackcloth"and"clothed"me"with"

gladness."

"

" " " " Psalm"30:11"

"

The"young"women"will"dance"for"joy,"and"the"men—

old"and"young—will"join"in"the"celebration."I"will"turn"

their"mourning"into"joy."I"will"comfort"them"and"

exchange"their"sorrow"for"rejoicing."

"

" " " " Jeremiah"31:13"(NLT)"!! !

5!

Today I"have"sinned"and"wonder"whether"I"am"truly"saved".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"criticize"me"for"stumbling"and"falling"in"the"pit."

Instead"He"gently"picks"me"up,"cleans"

me"up,"and"holds"me"tight. !

!!!If"we"confess"our"sins,"He"is"faithful"and"just"to"forgive"

us"our"sins"and"to"cleanse"us"from"all"

unrighteousness."

"

" " " " 1"John"1:9"

"

Therefore,"if"anyone"is"in"Christ,"he"is"a"new"creation;"

old"things"have"passed"away;"behold,"all"things"have"

become"new."

"

" " " " 2"Corinthians"5:17"

"!!

6!

Today I"feel"unloved".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"dismayed"by"my"feelings."Instead"shows"me"His"hands"

and"feet"and"says,"“You"are"loved"

beyond"measure.” !

!!!"

The"Lord"has"appeared"of"old"to"me,"saying:"“Yes,"I"

have"loved"you"with"an"everlasting"love;"Therefore"

with"lovingkindness"I"have"drawn"you.”"

"

" " " " Jeremiah"31:3"

"

Can"a"woman"forget"her"nursing"child,"And"not"have"

compassion"on"the"son"of"her"womb?"Surely"they"may"

forget,"Yet"I"will"not"forget"you."See,"I"have"inscribed"

you"on"the"palms"of"My"hands."

"

" " " " Isaiah"49:15,"16a"

"!

7!

Today I"am"hungry;"I"am"empty".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"criticize"me"for"my"hunger."Instead"He"says,"“Come,"

eat."I’ve"prepared"good"things"to"

satisfy"you.” !

!!"

"

For"He"satisfies"the"longing"soul,"And"fills"the"hungry"

soul"with"goodness."

"

" " " " Psalm"107:9"

"

He"will"feed"His"flock"like"a"shepherd;"He"will"gather"

the"lambs"with"His"arm,"And"carry"them"in"His"bosom,"

And"gently"lead"those"who"are"with"young."

"

" " " " Isaiah"40:11"

"!!! !

8!

Today I"am"thirsty."I"have"looked"everywhere"for"water,"yet"all"is"dry".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"disappointed"in"me."Instead"He"offers"me"His"water"so"

I"will"never"thirst"again. !

!!!But"whoever"drinks"of"the"water"that"I"shall"give"him"

will"never"thirst."But"the"water"that"I"shall"give"him"

will"become"in"him"a"fountain"of"water"springing"up"

into"everlasting"life."

"

" " " " John"4:14"

"

And"He"said"to"me,"“It"is"done!"I"am"the"Alpha"and"the"

Omega,"the"Beginning"and"the"End."I"will"give"of"the"

fountain"of"the"water"of"life"freely"to"him"who"thirsts.”"

"

" " " " Revelation"21:6"!

!!

9!

Today all"is"dark"and"cloudy."I"see"nothing"but"gray;"no"color".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"frustrated"by"what"I"see."Instead"He"looks"into"my"

eyes"and"smiles,"and"His"light"shines"

into"my"dreary"day. !

!!"

The"Lord"bless"you"and"keep"you;"The"Lord"make"His"

face"shine"upon"you,"And"be"gracious"to"you;"The"Lord"

lift"up"His"countenance"upon"you,"And"give"you"peace."

"

" " " " Numbers"6:24b26"

"

The"people"who"walked"in"darkness"Have"seen"a"great"

light;"Those"who"dwelt"in"the"land"of"the"shadow"of"

death,"Upon"them"a"light"has"shined."

"

" " " " Isaiah"9:2"!

!!

10!

Today I"am"grieving"and"sorrowful".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"offended"by"my"feelings."Instead"He"wraps"His"arms"of"

comfort"around"me,"holds"me"close,"

and"cries"with"me. !

!!“I,"even"I,"am"He"who"comforts"you.”"

"

" " " " Isaiah"51:12a"

"

Therefore,"behold,"I"will"allure"her,"Will"bring"her"into"

the"wilderness,"And"speak"comfort"to"her."

"

" " " " Hosea"2:14"

"

Blessed"be"the"God"and"Father"of"our"Lord"Jesus"

Christ,"the"Father"of"mercies"and"God"of"all"comfort,"

who"comforts"us"in"all"our"tribulation."

"

" " " " 2"Corinthian"1:3,"4a!

!!

11!

Today I"am"lost,"and"I"can’t"find"my"way"back"to"Jesus".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"isn’t"angry"that"I"made"a"wrong"turn."Instead"He"finds"me,"

lovingly"takes"my"hand,"and"says,"

“Follow"Me,”"as"He"leads"me"home. !

!What"do"you"think?"If"a"man"has"a"hundred"sheep,"and"

one"of"them"goes"astray,"does"he"not"leave"the"ninetyb

nine"and"go"to"the"mountains"to"seek"the"one"that"is"

straying?"And"if"he"should"find"it,"assuredly,"I"say"to"

you,"he"rejoices"more"over"that"sheep"than"over"the"

ninetybnine"that"did"not"go"astray."

"

" " " " Matthew"18:12,"13"

"

These"are"the"ones"who"follow"the"Lamb"wherever"He"

goes."

"

" " " " Revelation"14:4b!

!!! !

12!

Today I"am"afraid".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"does"not"shake"His"head"in"exasperation"at"my"fear."

Instead"He"holds"my"trembling"soul"

and"says,"“Fear"not;"I"AM.” !

!!"

"

"

"

They"were"terrified,"but"He"called"out"to"them,"“Don’t"

be"afraid."I"am"here!”"

"

" " " " John"6:19b,"20"(NLT)"

"

Fear"not,"for"I"am"with"you;"Be"not"dismayed,"for"I"am"

your"God."I"will"strengthen"you,"Yes,"I"will"help"you,"I"

will"uphold"you"with"My"righteous"right"hand."

"

" " " " Isaiah"41:10"!

!

13!

Today I"am"in"trouble"by"my"own"doings".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"condemn"me"for"my"foolishness."Instead"He"races"

from"heaven"and"rescues"me. !

!!"

"

"

In"my"distress"I"called"upon"the"Lord,"And"cried"out"to"

my"God;"He"heard"my"voice"from"His"temple,"And"my"

cry"came"before"Him,"even"to"His"ears."…"And"He"rode"

upon"a"cherub,"and"flew;"He"flew"upon"the"wings"of"

the"wind."…"He"sent"from"above,"He"took"me;"He"drew"

me"out"of"many"waters."…"He"also"brought"me"out"into"

a"broad"place;"He"delivered"me"because"He"delighted"

in"me."

"

" " " " Psalm"18:6b19"!

!

14!

Today I"am"in"battle,"fighting"enemies"more"numerous"than"I"can"count".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"indifferent."Instead"He"steps"in"and"fights"the"

battle"for"me"defeating"my"enemies. !

!!Do"not"be"afraid"nor"dismayed"because"of"this"great"

multitude,"for"the"battle"is"not"yours,"but"God’s."

"

" " " " 2"Chronicles"20:15b"

"

And"Moses"said"to"the"people,"“Do"not"be"afraid."Stand"

still,"and"see"the"salvation"of"the"Lord,"which"He"will"

accomplish"for"you"today."For"the"Egyptians"whom"

you"see"today,"you"shall"see"again"no"more"forever."

The"Lord"will"fight"for"you,"and"you"shall"hold"your"

peace.”"

"

" " " " Exodus"14:13,"14"!

!!

15!

Today I"am"agitated;"everything"is"in"turmoil".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"reproach"me."Instead"He"says,"“Come,"My"child,"sit"

with"Me"a"while.”"And"His"presence"

stills"the"chaos"inside. !

!"

"

"

Peace"I"leave"with"you,"My"peace"I"give"to"you;"not"as"

the"world"gives"do"I"give"to"you."Let"not"your"heart"be"

troubled,"neither"let"it"be"afraid."

"

" " " " John"14:27"

"

You"will"keep"him"in"perfect"peace,"Whose"mind"is"

stayed"on"You,"Because"he"trusts"in"You."

"

" " " " Isaiah"26:3"!

!! !

16!

Today I"am"confused,"and"I"don’t"know"which"way"to"go".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"distressed"by"my"confusion."Instead"He"says,"“Don’t"

worry;"I"will"show"you"the"way"

Myself.” !

!"

"

"

I"will"instruct"you"and"teach"you"in"the"way"you"

should"go;"I"will"guide"you"with"My"eye."

"

" " " " Psalm"32:8"

"

Your"ears"shall"hear"a"word"behind"you,"saying,"“This"

is"the"way,"walk"in"it,”"Whenever"you"turn"to"the"right"

hand"Or"whenever"you"turn"to"the"left."

"

" " " " Isaiah"30:21"!

!!

17!

Today I"am"tired;"I"am"bone"weary".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"scold"me"for"wearing"myself"down."Instead"He"

leads"me"to"a"quiet"place"where"He"

and"I"can"rest"together. !

!"

"

"

Come"to"Me,"all"you"who"labor"and"are"heavy"laden,"

and"I"will"give"you"rest."Take"My"yoke"upon"you"and"

learn"from"Me,"for"I"am"gentle"and"lowly"in"heart,"and"

you"will"find"rest"for"your"souls."For"My"yoke"is"easy"

and"My"burden"is"light."

"

" " " " Matthew"11:28b30"

"

Thus"says"the"Lord:"“Stand"in"the"ways"and"see,"And"

ask"for"the"old"paths,"where"the"good"way"is,"And"walk"

in"it;"Then"you"will"find"rest"for"your"souls.”"

"

" " " " Jeremiah"6:16"!

18!

Today I"am"weak;"everything"seems"insurmountable".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"frustrated"with"me."Instead,"He"lifts"me"up"and"says,"

“Lean"on"Me."I"will"be"strong"for"you.” !

!"

And"He"said"to"me,"“My"grace"is"sufficient"for"you,"

for"My"strength"is"made"perfect"in"weakness.”"

"

" " " " 2"Corinthians"12:9"

"

My"flesh"and"my"heart"fail;"But"God"is"the"strength"of"

my"heart"and"my"portion"forever."

"

" " " " Psalm"73:26"

"

“Not"by"might"nor"by"power,"but"by"My"Spirit,”"Says"

the"Lord"of"hosts."

"

" " " " Zechariah"4:6b"

!!

!

19!

Today I’ve"wandered"away"from"God,"again".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"doesn’t"scold"me"for"roaming."Instead,"He"leads"me"back"to"

His"path"and"says,"“Stay"with"Me,"and"I"

will"keep"you"from"wandering.”!!"

Behold,"I"send"an"Angel"before"you"to"keep"you"in"the"

way"and"to"bring"you"into"the"place"which"I"have"

prepared.""

" " " " Exodus"23:20"

"

The"Lord"is"your"keeper;"The"Lord"is"your"shade"at"your"

right"hand.""

" " " " Psalm"121:5"

"

My"soul"follows"close"behind"You;"Your"right"hand"

upholds"me.""

" " " " Psalm"63:8"

!

20!

Today I"am"feeling"abandoned,"as"though"no"one"is"with"me".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"irritated"with"me."Instead"He"holds"me"close"and"

whispers,"“I’ll"never"walk"out"on"you."

I’m"always"hovering"by"your"side.” !

!"

"

Even"if"my"father"and"mother"abandon"me,"the"Lord"

will"hold"me"close."

"

" " " " Psalm"27:10"(NLT)"

"

The"Lord"of"Heaven’s"Armies"will"hover"over"

Jerusalem"and"protect"it"like"a"bird"protecting"its"nest."

He"will"defend"and"save"the"city;"He"will"pass"over"it"

and"rescue"it."

"

" " " " Psalm"31:5"(NLT)"

!!! !

21!

Today I"feel"so"alone".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"displeased"with"me"for"feeling"this"way."Instead"He"

holds"me"tight"and"assures"me"He"is"

near"and"will"never"leave"my"side. !

!"

"

"

The"Lord"is"near"to"all"who"call"upon"Him,"To"all"who"

call"upon"Him"in"truth."

"

" " " " Psalm"145:18"

"

For"He"[God]"Himself"has"said,"I"will"not"in"any"way"

fail"you"nor"give"you"up"nor"leave"you"without"

support."[I"will]"not,"[I"will]"not,"[I"will]"not"in"any"

degree"leave"you"helpless"nor"forsake"nor"let"[you]"

down"(relax"My"hold"on"you)!"[Assuredly"not!]"

"

" " " " Hebrews"13:5b"(AMP)"!! !

22!

Today I"realize"I"no"longer"belong"in"this"world;"it"no"longer"holds"me".".".""

And yet"""Jesus"is"not"surprised."Instead"He"scoops"me"up"in"His"arms"

and"eagerly"says,"“It’s"almost"time"to"

go"home!” !

!"

For"here"we"have"no"continuing"city,"but"we"seek"the"

one"to"come."

"

" " " " Hebrews"13:14"

"

Let"not"your"heart"be"troubled;"you"believe"in"God,"

believe"also"in"Me."In"My"Father’s"house"are"many"

mansions;"if"it"were"not"so,"I"would"have"told"you."I"go"

to"prepare"a"place"for"you."And"if"I"go"and"prepare"a"

place"for"you,"I"will"come"again"and"receive"you"to"

Myself;"that"where"I"am,"there"you"may"be"also."

"

" " " " John"14:1b3"

"

23!

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am

coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20

!