Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' presence in our lives, especially during turbulent times, as illustrated in the stories of the disciples in the storm. He reminds us that even when we face life's storms, we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who has the power to calm the chaos around us. Beach encourages believers to understand the greatness of Jesus and His unwavering control over all circumstances, urging them to seek Him for strength and peace. He highlights that God allows shaking in our lives to reveal what is truly unshakable—our faith in Christ. Ultimately, he reassures us that we will one day see Jesus face to face, which is the ultimate hope for every believer.

In Matthew chapter 8, verse 23, it starts out, When he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves, but he himself was asleep. And they came to him and awoke him, saying, Save us, Lord, we are perishing. And he said to them, Why are you timid, you men of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds in the sea, and it became perfectly calm. And the men marveled, saying, What kind of man is this, that even the winds in the sea obey him? And the one thing that really strikes me about that passage is, they had the very Son of God in the boat with them, yet they were afraid and they didn't realize, you know, and who they had with them. This was the God who created the whole earth, the God who was ruler over the storms. You know, and they marveled after him and said, You know, who is this, that even the winds in the sea obey him? And they were even stating that, you know, they hadn't even realized who he was. And another passage in, I lost it, Matthew chapter 14, Jesus sent them ahead in the boat, and he wasn't with them. It says in verse 22, And immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of them on the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. But the boat was already many stadia away from land, battered by the waves, for the wind was contrary. And the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were frightened and said, It is a ghost. And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. And he said, come. And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him and said, Oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped him saying, You are certainly God's son. And I was just reading these two stories as an introduction really, because they exemplify, I think, our lives, where we have all kinds of storms and uncertainties in our lives. And we don't realize that Jesus is going through them with us. He's right there all the time. And, you know, Jesus isn't afraid of the storm. Jesus isn't concerned about it. In a moment, he could just speak and the storm's over. You know, but I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that he's with us and who's with us. And we lose sight of the great power and control that Jesus has over everything. And I think, you know, sometimes we need to realize who's going through it with us and that, you know, Jesus is with us and, you know, we're not gonna be destroyed. Our boat's not gonna turn over in the midst of, no matter how big the waves and the storms are. You know, and I think sometimes we have to, like Peter did, you know, keep our eyes on Jesus. And, you know, we can walk right on top of the storm and not sink. You know, and the scripture says that when he, you know, looked at his eyes on the storm, that's when he began to sink and he cried out and Jesus picked him up again. And they got into the boat and the winds all stopped. And I think sometimes we have to, you know, ask Jesus to come into our boat with us and the winds will stop. In Hebrews chapter 12, verse one and two, I'm gonna read a lot of scriptures. It says, therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down the right hand of the throne of God. And this is the main point of what I wanted to say today was that in the midst of our struggles, no matter what they are, whether we've lost our job or our cars are breaking down or if we're battling sin or whatever is keeping us down or weighing us down, that God wants us to look to Jesus and keep our eyes fixed on him. He's the goal that we're pressing towards. Paul said that he forgot the things that were behind but fixed his eyes on what was ahead and that he pressed toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. And he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus ahead of him. Later on down in chapter 12 here in verse 25, it says, see to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking. Okay, I was in the right place. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less shall we escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven? And his voice shook the earth then, but now he is promising yet once more, I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven. And this expression yet once more denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken as of created things in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable sacrifice with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire. There's a lot of shaking going around in the world today. There's wars and rumors of wars and it seems like war is gonna break out in the Mideast anytime and the economy looks like it's going to pop. Many people are unemployed and others are worried about their jobs, you know, but the Bible says here that, you know, God is in control. He's causing everything to be shaken. He's the one shaking our lives, you know, but his purpose isn't to destroy us. You know, it says here that he's shaking it so the things which cannot be shaken will remain. All the things that can be shaken, all the things that we put our hope and our trust in that we look at as if they're so firm, God wants us to see that those things aren't firm at all. We look at our jobs, we look at the government, we look at so many things as if they are solid and as if they're unshakable, but they're not and God wants to shake all that. He wants to shake all that in our lives so that we'll see how unshakable Jesus is. Even when everything else shakes, he's totally unshakable. In John chapter 16, verse 33, Jesus said, these things I have spoken to you that in me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. Once again, Jesus is saying, you know, when we find our rest in him and our peace is in him, we'll have peace. In the world, there's gonna be tribulation. It's always gonna, from the beginning of time, there's always been tribulation in the world. There's always been a shaking. You know, and I believe, you know, these are the last days and the shaking is gonna increase and we're gonna see, you know, more and more things that seem so solid being crushed. But Jesus said he overcame the world. You know, he's greater than anything in this world that seems to be shaking in front of us and crumbling in our hands. In Colossians chapter three, I know I'm jumping from scripture to scripture a lot, but hopefully in the end, it'll all tie together. If you then have been raised up with Christ, keep sinking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Also read in Hebrews chapter four, verses 14 to 16. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Both of these scriptures, I've got a whole list of them here. I'm not gonna read them all, but that we're being exhorted no matter what's going on in the world around us, and no matter what seems to be shaking in our very souls to fix our eyes upon Jesus. And I think the reason that we have so much fear, either from what's in the world around us or in our relationship with God is that we don't really realize who Jesus is and just how much he cares for us. You know, Jesus said in the Sermon of the Mount that not one sparrow falls to the ground that the heavenly father does not watch. And he said, be of good cheer. You are of more value than many sparrows. And you know, that just speaks to me how with all the shaking going on, we don't have to be afraid because God values us so much just because of his love for us that he's gonna bring us through and he's gonna do whatever it takes so that our soul will be kept in him. And that's what God is trying to do through all the shakings in our lives, to work in our soul and just draw it onto his heart. And I just wanna look at a few more scriptures here about who Jesus is, because this is what I believe the Lord really wants us to get a revelation of that will bring us through the hard times, that'll give us the strength to throw down our besetting sins, to lay aside every weight, or to just hang on and endure when our world seems to be crushing around us. In John 1, it's a familiar passage. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by him, and apart from him, nothing came into being that has come into being. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for a witness that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not that light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. There was the true light, which coming into the world enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. He came into his own, and those who were his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believed on his name, who were not born of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. And on Colossians chapter one, verse 13. For he delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him, all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things have been created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He also is the head of the body, the church, and he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might himself come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in him and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Therefore I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Hebrews chapter one, verse one. God, after he spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken unto us in his son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the world. And he is the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his nature and upholds all things by the word of his power. When he had made purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, as having become as much better than the angels as he inherited a more excellent name than they. Isaiah chapter nine says, for a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us and the government will rest on his shoulders. His name will be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, eternal father, prince of peace. There'll be no end to the increase of his government or of peace on the throne of David over his kingdom to establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Now there's many, many, many more scriptures in the Bible that just speak to us of the greatness and glory of God's son, Jesus. You know, and we can take confidence knowing that he's so mighty and he's so great that none of the things that shake us and cause us to be afraid affect him in any way, but he's above it all and he looks over it. And you know, whatever our situation is, if we have loved ones in the Mideast where there's great armies amassing, getting ready for war, you know, we can have confidence that, you know, our loved one isn't gonna get hurt and killed because God couldn't do anything about it. You know, because God's so much greater than all that. You know, he can protect his own through anything. You know, and if God does choose for our loved one to be killed or whatever, it's not because he couldn't do anything about it, but because of his love and his wisdom is so much higher than ours that he saw that it would be the best for us and it would be the best for our loved one to, you know, bring their soul into him now. I just love the scriptures that talk about the glory of God. I just wanna read about five more scriptures, but they're life to me, they really are. They're all different scriptures where, you know, they're all in the New Testament where people had seen Jesus and it was such a glorious thing that, you know, I believe that if God by his spirit can work in our hearts and we can see Jesus, you know, the way he really is portrayed in the scriptures and we could really see how great he is and how beautiful and how glorious he is that, you know, our hearts will never be the same. In Matthew chapter 17, it says, and six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun and his garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with them. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I'll make three tabernacles here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and behold, a voice out of the cloud saying, this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. And when the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were much afraid. Revelations chapter one, verse 12. And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands and the middle of the lampstands, one like a son of man, clothed with the robe reaching to the feet and girded across his breast with a golden girdle. And his head and his hair were white like wool, like snow, and his eyes were like a flame of fire. And his feet were like burnished bronze when it has been caused to glow in the furnace. And his voice was like the sound of many waters. And in his right hand, he held seven stars and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as a dead man. And he laid his right hand upon me saying, do not be afraid. I am the first and the last and the living one. And I was dead and behold, I am alive forevermore. And I hold the keys of death and of Hades. And so it's a glorious thing when Jesus reveals himself. I mean, I just love this passage here. I'm not even thinking about what does this mean and what does that mean, all the symbolisms or whatever. But just to read how his head and his hair were like wool and like snow, and his eyes were like a flame of fire. And his feet were like burnished bronze when it has been caused to glow in the furnace. And his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand, he held seven stars and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was like the sun shining in its strength. I mean, that's just the glory of God personified in Jesus. Revelation chapter five says, and I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and on the back sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals. And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, stop weeping, behold the lion that is from the tribe of Judah the root of David has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals. And I saw between the throne with the four living creatures and the elders, a lamb standing as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he came and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb, having each one a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song saying, worthy art thou to take the book and to break its seals for thou was slain and thou didst purchase for God with thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And now has made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God and they will reign upon the earth. And I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders. And the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice, worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing and every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea and all things in them. And I heard saying to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation chapter 19, verse 11. And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse and he who sat upon it is called faithful and true. And in righteousness he judges and wages war. And his eyes are a flame of fire and upon his head are many diadems. And he has a name written upon him which no one knows except himself. And he is clothed with the robe dipped in blood and his name is called the word of God. And the armies which are in heaven clothed in fine linen and white and clean were following him on white horses. And from his mouth comes a sharp sword so that with it, he may smite the nations for he will rule them with a rod of iron. And he treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the almighty. And on his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, king of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation chapter 22. And he showed me a river of the water of life clear as crystal coming from the throne of God and of the lamb. In the middle of its street and on either side of the river was the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruit yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall no longer be any curse for the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it. And his bondservant shall serve him. And they shall see his face and his name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall no longer be any night for they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor of the light of the sun because the Lord God shall illumine them and they shall reign forever and ever. This right here is the, you know, what we have to look forward to. You know, when our struggles get us down and when times get hard and, you know, sometimes we just feel like giving up. We can, you know, even just come back here and read the scripture. You know, what our goal is, the goal that's set before us, you know, what God has prepared for those who love him. You know, Jesus said that, behold, I go and prepare a place for you. In my father's house, there are many mansions. You know, people have questions whether or not they're literal mansions or not, or it's abiding places or whatever. And, you know, it doesn't really matter because, you know, in this scripture here, it says, and there shall no longer be any curse and the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it. And his bondservant shall serve him and they shall see his face and his name shall be on their foreheads. And that's the most glorious thing that we have to look forward to. You know, the day is gonna come when we're gonna see his face. And we're just not gonna read about it anymore, but it'll be the same face that, you know, John saw and all the other people saw. And they, just from the glory, they fell down as dead men. You know, we're gonna see that face. You know, he's the one who died on the cross for us, the lamb that was slain, the only one who's worthy to open the book, the only one who's worthy to unloose the seals. You know, when the scripture says, we're gonna see his face and his name will be on our foreheads. And that's, you know, that's what God has set before us. That's why we're here. That's why we're, that's why we come together to seek the Lord and to know him, you know, because the day is coming when, you know, it will all end, it will all be over and we'll see his face, we'll see his face and we'll spend eternity with him. You know, and the scripture says that we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. You know, we're not gonna all be little Jesuses. We're not gonna be gods. Some people have taught that, but you know, this corruption shall put on incorruption. We'll no longer, you know, in the presence of Jesus, we'll no longer have death. We'll no longer be bound by all the things that bind us now in this world, all the things that get us down. They're not gonna matter anymore because we're gonna see his face and we'll be in his presence forever and ever. And I just wanted to encourage you to, you know, just ask the Lord to give you a revelation of Jesus and, you know, just to put it in your heart when, you know, no matter what you're going through, just to help you to fix your eyes on him and whenever you have to make tough decisions or whatever that, you know, you're tempted not to do things God's way, just to take a moment and stop and think of what's set before us. You know, we're gonna see his face one day. And, you know, just to look at that face, the glorious face of the Lord Jesus and to hear him say, well done, thou good and faithful servant, it's gonna be worth more than anything in this world. So don't be turned aside. Don't be turned aside to anything. Just let the Lord put it in your heart to seek his face. And, you know, we have a promise here that one day we're gonna see it. One day we're gonna be with him forever and ever and we're gonna see his face. You know, we're gonna live in that city that, you know, doesn't need a lamp or any light because the Lord God shall illumine them. You know, the light from the presence of Jesus is gonna be the only light we need for all eternity.