With all that’s going on in our country and world and the depressing news media, I pray and keep receiving the same story imprinted on my heart about Jesus taking a nap in the storm.
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I don’t know about you, but there are nights where I haven’t been able to sleep due to worrying about the panic that is happening in seemingly high places. đđ #IllCatchUpOnMySleepInHeaven
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But let’s imagine how the disciples feared for their lives about the storm and undulating lake. I bet some of them even heard stories of being sunk by such storms and I bet their “news media” of the day (aka gossip and word of mouth) told them all the possibilities of drowning and/or dying. Heck, they probably even had the story of Jonah being swallowed by a whale–in the back their minds (there probably weren’t whales in the lake–but fear does funny things to our imagination). đ
I’m not going to lie–I would’ve been a basket case. I may have even tried shaking Jesus awake. #SonofGodWakeUp #DoYouSeeThis #TheresAStormBro #BeamUsUpToHeaven
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And yetâŠ.Jesus slept through it. Man, I wouldn’t even doubt if he snored.
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Was Jesus trusting on his own knowledge of boats and sea? Was he listening to the people’s past stories that invoked fear?
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No, He knew the power of God. He knew God would make a way for Him. He just needed to take a stand and rebuke the wind and waves.
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“23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, âLord, save us! Weâre going to drown!â
26 He replied, âYou of little faith, why are you so afraid?â Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, âWhat kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!â Matthew 8:23-27
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So, the beauty of this story is that storms will comeâŠbut God has a way for us. He has already given us the power through faith and through His Son’s holy name.
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God’s been telling me to work on my faith muscle instead of my worry one (which can probably bench press 500 lbs of news media). đ
đ€ŁđȘ
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How do we build-up our faith?
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
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Starting the day in the Word, listening to podcasts about the Word and ending the day with the Word.
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When that storm comes knocking, may we be filled so much with faith–that fear has no entry. đ§ĄđȘđ May we have the courage to rebuke the storm and have that smooth sailing of peace and calm.
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P.S. I like definitions so, I’m going to put this one here.
Rebuke: to reprimand : to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority
Tag: Jesus
Focus…
Words I Speak
Walk With Me
I went for a walk this morning on my family’s property. Our backyard is not too big but it is not too small (2 1/2 acres), this area is just the perfect size for us. đ
There is a footprint path in the dirt and it is in a complete circle from our constant “strolls.” You could say that we would know this path pretty well, but I put this to the test this morning…
 As I was taking each step forward, God and I were having a conversation, and I was wondering what it would be like to COMPLETELY lean on Him. You see, I feel that I am not putting trust in God with some areas in my life. So anyway, I had this “idea” to close my eyes (while I was walking) and let God guide me the rest of the way. I was not putting God to the test, but instead, putting myself to the test to see if I would listen or “chicken out”. This self-test became trickier and trickier as I put one foot in front of the other.
 My pace slowed as the fear grew inside of me. I just knew that I was going to run into a tree, a fence, and possibly one of our donkeys, but I continued on. Though there was just one problem…My eyes wouldn’t stay shut! I was used to “seeing” for myself.
  Doubt seeped into my mind and many thoughts fought against me. This is foolish. What do you need to prove? Why close your eyes when you can see? You know that you’re going to fall….
 I felt exasperated as I continued to try and try…
 My eyes raised and I looked sheepishly into the sky. God, I don’t know if I can do it. Help me to trust in You.
 Wow. God’s answer painted the picture that I wasn’t seeing. This wasn’t a test at all, it was a lesson.
 The path that I thought I knew so well represents life.
  The first steps that I took were shaky and slow because I was unsure of God’s ability (sad, but I realize that it was true).
  The voice of doubt was the enemy.
  My eyes kept opening because I wanting to trust in myself instead of trusting God.
   I found out that as I kept trying and trying, I got better and better. Talk about finding God with your eyes closed…I was just happy to find the gate! đ
  It all comes down to this…“Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7
onthecliffoflife.com 