Post by Woody Williams on Aug 10, 2008 7:06:04 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead
to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had
dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat,
battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was
against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them
on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they
were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I;
do not be afraid.’
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on
the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started
walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the
strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried
out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and
caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat
worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
Devotional
----------
Jesus had gone to the deserted place to grieve the death of his
cousin, John the Baptist. Crowds came and he healed and fed them. Now
he was alone. He prayed from evening to early morning. Meanwhile, the
disciples were fighting a storm in their boat. Jesus came to them
walking on the water. Peter desired to join him on the water and
Jesus encouraged him to come. Peter did, but was overcome with fear
as he focused on the waves and not Jesus. Jesus stilled the storm.
This is one of those stories that makes me wish I had been there.
But, the test of faith is to believe that Jesus is this day
continuing to pray for us and inviting us to get out of the boat and
walk by faith. And if we weaken and are overcome, we can believe that
Jesus is there to stretch out his hand toward us.
Prayer
-----------
Lord, I believe, help me reach to you beyond and above my fear. Amen
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead
to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had
dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat,
battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was
against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them
on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they
were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I;
do not be afraid.’
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on
the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started
walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the
strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried
out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and
caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat
worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
Devotional
----------
Jesus had gone to the deserted place to grieve the death of his
cousin, John the Baptist. Crowds came and he healed and fed them. Now
he was alone. He prayed from evening to early morning. Meanwhile, the
disciples were fighting a storm in their boat. Jesus came to them
walking on the water. Peter desired to join him on the water and
Jesus encouraged him to come. Peter did, but was overcome with fear
as he focused on the waves and not Jesus. Jesus stilled the storm.
This is one of those stories that makes me wish I had been there.
But, the test of faith is to believe that Jesus is this day
continuing to pray for us and inviting us to get out of the boat and
walk by faith. And if we weaken and are overcome, we can believe that
Jesus is there to stretch out his hand toward us.
Prayer
-----------
Lord, I believe, help me reach to you beyond and above my fear. Amen