Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin January 18th 2026

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❄️ The Snowflake That Spoke of God’s Care — A True Winter Story

In the quiet mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado, winters arrive like a hymn—soft, solemn, and full of wonder. One January morning, Mrs. Eleanor Hayes, a retired schoolteacher known for her gentle spirit, stepped outside to check on the birds she fed each day. The night had been bitterly cold, and the world lay under a fresh quilt of snow.

As she opened the feeder, a single snowflake drifted down and landed on the sleeve of her coat. It was perfect—six‑pointed, delicate, shining like a tiny crystal crown. She paused, marveling at its beauty. In that moment, she remembered the verse she had read earlier that morning:

“He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.” — Psalm 147:16 (KJV)

Eleanor had been praying for weeks about her grandson, who was struggling with discouragement and drifting from church. She felt helpless, unsure how to reach him. But as she stared at that snowflake—unique, intricate, and crafted by the hand of God—she felt a quiet assurance settle over her heart.

“If God can design something this small with such care,” she whispered, “He can reach a young man’s heart.”

Later that afternoon, her phone rang. It was her grandson. His voice trembled as he said, “Grandma… I think I need to come back to church. I miss God. I miss peace.”

Tears filled her eyes. She looked out the window at the falling snow and said, “Honey, God’s been waiting for you.”

That Sunday, he walked into church beside her, and the congregation rejoiced. Eleanor kept the memory of that snowflake as a reminder that God works in quiet, beautiful ways—often in the very moments we feel most helpless.

Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©

🙏 A Prayer of Blessing on Our Church

Heavenly Father, Bless our church family with unity, warmth, and steadfast love. Let Your Word be our anchor, Your Spirit our guide, and Your presence our joy. Strengthen every ministry, every servant, every child, and every elder. May our worship be pure, our fellowship sincere, and our mission fruitful. Cover us with Your peace in every season, and let Your light shine brightly through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

💗 Words of Help and Love for the Sick & Troubled

To those who are hurting, weary, or walking through deep valleys—your church loves you, and God has not forgotten you. Winter may feel long, but the Lord walks beside you with unfailing compassion. His promise still stands:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee… I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.” — Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

You are held. You are prayed for. You are precious to God.

🙏 Prayer for the Sick and Troubled

Merciful Father, Stretch forth Your healing hand to those who are sick, suffering, or burdened with sorrow. Bring comfort to troubled minds, strength to weak bodies, and peace to anxious hearts. Let Your presence be a warm fire in their winter season. Surround them with love, restore their hope, and remind them that You are near to the brokenhearted. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

🌊 Short Sermon Outline — “Jesus in the Boat”

Text: Mark 4:35–41 (KJV)

I. The Storm Came Suddenly

• “There arose a great storm of wind…” (v. 37)
• Storms don’t ask permission.
• Even obedient disciples face violent, unexpected seasons.
• Following Jesus does not prevent storms — but it guarantees His presence.

II. Jesus Was Already in the Boat

• “He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow.” (v. 38)
• He was not distant, absent, or unaware.
• His presence is not proven by what we feel, but by what He promised.
• The storm did not wake Him — but the cry of His children did.

III. Fear Makes Us Forget Who Is With Us

• “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
• Fear exaggerates the storm and minimizes the Savior.
• The disciples saw waves, but Jesus saw an opportunity for faith.
• Panic asks, “Where is God?”
• Faith whispers, “He is here.”

IV. Jesus Speaks Peace Into Chaos

• “Peace, be still.” (v. 39)
• The wind obeyed instantly.
• The sea became calm immediately.
• The storm outside bowed to the authority of the One inside the boat.

V. The Storm Revealed Their Faith

• “How is it that ye have no faith?” (v. 40)
• Storms expose what sermons cannot.
• They show us where we trust God — and where we don’t.
• Jesus uses storms to grow us, not to crush us.

VI. The Final Question: Who Is This Man?

• “What manner of man is this…?” (v. 41)
• The storm became a classroom.
• The disciples learned that the One who rides in their boat rules over their storm.
• When you know who Jesus is, you stop fearing what storms can do.

🌟 Closing Thought

The miracle is not only that Jesus calmed the storm — The miracle is that He got in the boat before the storm ever began.

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🌊 Was Jesus Truly in the Boat During the Storm?

Yes. The Bible plainly says Jesus was physically present in the boat with His disciples when the storm struck the Sea of Galilee.

📖 The Key Passage (KJV)

Mark 4:37–38 “And there arose a great storm of wind… And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow…”

This is not symbolic or poetic — it is historical narrative. Jesus was literally there, asleep, while the storm raged.

🌬 Why This Matters

Jesus didn’t calm the storm from a distance. He didn’t shout from the shore. He didn’t send angels instead.

He got into the boat with them.

That means:

• He was present in their fear

• He was near when they panicked

• He was close enough to hear their cry

• He was the peace in the middle of their chaos

And when they woke Him, He rose and said:

“Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39 KJV)

The storm obeyed because the Creator was already in the boat.

🌟 The Devotional Truth

The miracle is not only that Jesus calmed the storm — the miracle is that He was with them before the storm ever began.

Just as He is with you, with your church, and with every believer who feels overwhelmed.

❄️ Just a Thought God Repeated

Some truths in Scripture are spoken once. Others are whispered again and again. But a few—those that reach deepest into the human heart—God repeats with unmistakable clarity.

“Let My People Go.” Those words echoed through Egypt not once, but many times. God repeated them because freedom mattered. Deliverance mattered. His people mattered.

Centuries later, Jesus repeated something too—this time not to a nation, but to one man whose heart needed restoring.

“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” He asked it three times. Not because He didn’t know the answer, but because Peter needed to hear the question. He needed to face his failure. He needed to rediscover his calling. He needed to know that grace still had room for him.

God repeats what heals us. He repeats what frees us. He repeats what restores us.

“Let My People Go.” “Do you love Me?”

Two repeated messages—one to break chains, the other to mend a heart. Both reveal a God who refuses to give up on His people.

And maybe today, He is repeating something to you. A call. A reminder. A gentle nudge. A truth you’ve heard before but needed to hear again.

Because the God who repeated Himself in Scripture still speaks with patience, mercy, and love.

Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©

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💗 Seven Trusted Quotes From the Heart

1. “When God holds your heart, no storm can steal your peace.”

2. “The Lord writes hope into our days long before we see the sunrise.”

3. “A prayer whispered in weakness reaches a God who answers in strength.”

4. “Even when life feels heavy, grace arrives light as a snowflake.”

5. “God’s love does not waver with the seasons; it stays warm through every winter.”

6. “Healing begins the moment a hurting soul remembers it is not alone.”

7. “Faith grows quietly—one step, one tear, one answered prayer at a time.”

Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©

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