Jesus And The Storms Of Life
JESUS & THE STORMS OF LIFE
Sunday (11/19), gather with your church family as we turn our attention to Matthew 14:22-36. Jesus, with opposition increasing against Him, while grieving over the death of John the Baptist, took time to minister to the multitude who had followed Him.
Knowing that they were tired, hungry, and in the middle of nowhere, he performed the miracle that all four gospels record of HIs feeding five thousand men plus women and children with five loaves and two fishes.
Afterward, Jesus commanded the disciples to go and collect the leftovers. As they did, Jesus perceived the crowd was murmuring, among themselves, that He was the One the Old Testament had prophesied that would come to save Israel.
Jesus knew the purpose of His coming was to die on the cross for their salvation. And He perceived the multitude was looking for a political Savior. Knowing His disciples would be distracted by their zeal, he directed them into the boat and crossed to the other side.
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus took the opportunity to commune with His Father. There was much He needed to discuss. And by doing so, He set the example for believers today. When our hearts are heavy, and decisions need to be made, we should consult our Lord and wait for Him to answer.
The disciples got into the boat, not understanding why the command, and spent several hours fighting the wind and rain. The storm was fierce; no matter how hard they rowed, they could not progress. As their muscles ached, their bodies shivered from the rain, and their emotions and thoughts frayed, it changed when they saw Jesus coming toward them, walking on the raging sea.
Panicked by what they thought was a ghost, Peter stood up and beckoned if He was Jesus to have him walk on the water. As a bold move and a genuine step of faith, Peter climbed out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus.
Everything was going well until Peter took his eyes off His Savior. Suddenly, Peter shrieked in fear and cried out to Jesus to save him. Immediately, Jesus reached down His hand, grabbed Peter, and pulled him up to safety. Once they were in the boat, the rains and wind stopped, and the ship landed safely on the shore.
There are many lessons for us in this narrative. I am praying the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us the truths He wants us to walk away with, remembering these words He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com).
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Sunday (11/19), gather with your church family as we turn our attention to Matthew 14:22-36. Jesus, with opposition increasing against Him, while grieving over the death of John the Baptist, took time to minister to the multitude who had followed Him.
Knowing that they were tired, hungry, and in the middle of nowhere, he performed the miracle that all four gospels record of HIs feeding five thousand men plus women and children with five loaves and two fishes.
Afterward, Jesus commanded the disciples to go and collect the leftovers. As they did, Jesus perceived the crowd was murmuring, among themselves, that He was the One the Old Testament had prophesied that would come to save Israel.
Jesus knew the purpose of His coming was to die on the cross for their salvation. And He perceived the multitude was looking for a political Savior. Knowing His disciples would be distracted by their zeal, he directed them into the boat and crossed to the other side.
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus took the opportunity to commune with His Father. There was much He needed to discuss. And by doing so, He set the example for believers today. When our hearts are heavy, and decisions need to be made, we should consult our Lord and wait for Him to answer.
The disciples got into the boat, not understanding why the command, and spent several hours fighting the wind and rain. The storm was fierce; no matter how hard they rowed, they could not progress. As their muscles ached, their bodies shivered from the rain, and their emotions and thoughts frayed, it changed when they saw Jesus coming toward them, walking on the raging sea.
Panicked by what they thought was a ghost, Peter stood up and beckoned if He was Jesus to have him walk on the water. As a bold move and a genuine step of faith, Peter climbed out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus.
Everything was going well until Peter took his eyes off His Savior. Suddenly, Peter shrieked in fear and cried out to Jesus to save him. Immediately, Jesus reached down His hand, grabbed Peter, and pulled him up to safety. Once they were in the boat, the rains and wind stopped, and the ship landed safely on the shore.
There are many lessons for us in this narrative. I am praying the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us the truths He wants us to walk away with, remembering these words He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com).
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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