1/25/12 JESUS CALMS THE STORMS
1/25/12 JESUS CALMS THE STORMS
Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Luke 8:22-25 Key Verse: 8:25
“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Dear Lord heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace in my life. Thank you for helping me to find your wisdom and direction when I needed it the most. I pray that I may follow you closely. I pray that I may raise those who will also follow you. Help me to break and make a difference in this world for Jesus. I pray that you help me to have wisdom on how to help my kids to follow Jesus Christ. May they be servants of God. May they be shepherds and Bible teachers of your flock. May they take personal responsibility for the flock of God. Please help me to reach out newly to NIU students. I pray for your word to move my heart. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
1. Where is your faith? (22-25a).
Verses 22-25a, “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples….”
Jesus advised his disciples to sail to the other side. While they sailed, he took a deep nap. Meanwhile, a squall came down and nearly capsized their boat. The disciples were so scared and woke Jesus. In their fear, they came to Christ for help. He made all things calm. However, Jesus rebuked their lack of faith. They were full of fear even though Jesus was there with them. They needed to learn deep-rooted faith in God and his direction when times are in upheaval and even dangerous.
I need faith that Jesus can calm my storms in life. I don’t have any financial storms, mainly because Julie handles our finances and she always makes sure that we have a roof over our head, food in the fridges, cars that run and computers that run. I have storms in life, when I feel unsatisfied with human relationships, when there are squabbles and when I see those close to me appears dispassionate towards Jesus and the gospel I get despaired, and this causes a storm in my life. But I must always come to Jesus and place all my hope and faith and trust in Jesus. He can calm my storms and he can bring peace to my heart. He can calm my stormy seas.
2. Who is this? (25b).
Verse 25b, “… In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
They were amazed at Jesus’ power and control over nature. Jesus is the Creator God who made us and loves us. He controls nature, history, and our lives in his almighty and loving hands and so we have peace.
God is the sovereign Lord. He controls my emotions. He is control of my relations with others. He is in control of my kids’ life and faith and future. I have to trust this. Jesus is in control of the economy. He is faithfully providing all things for me to live and survive. I have a great job and he provided for Jenn’s four years at college, if she wants to accept the gift from God. God has given us strength and health and has provided all things for us so that we can live as a Jesus centered house church ministry. I think that Jesus will always provide. Jesus will provide faith for me to walk by faith all the days of my life until I enter into the kingdom of God. I thank God for faith in the sovereignty of God in my life. Without God I would be all alone. But with Jesus I can ride out any storm of life.
Prayer: Lord I fall into fear and anxiety when I experience a lack of control, lack of knowledge and/or experience, or utter helplessness. Help me trust in you, my Creator, with your guidance and power, and make me calm.
One Word: Who is Jesus that he calms the storm?
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