A Daily Devotion for Thursday, April 16
Luke 8:22-25
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. 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.
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. “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.
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“
We have talked a lot about the tremendous store of peace Jesus is willing to share with us, just for the asking. My life as I know it, is due to that peace. It is hard for me to imagine going through life without the “anxiety fighting” tools Jesus has provided for me. My life verse is Psalm 138:3.
When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.
When I call out to God, he answers. Although prayers are not always answered as we hope and pray they will be, peace seems to be available always, at all times, just as the presence of the Holy Spirit is available, 24:7.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for all you provide, especially the peace you share so freely. May I never lose sight of you. Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 8:22-25.
The author of today's devotion reminded me of a similar incident we experienced last year. We were driving south to visit family. It was dark and it began to rain--light at first then VERY heavy. So heavy we could just barely see the cars ahead of us and often the lines on the road were obscured. All the traffic kept moving and so did we. Thank goodness I was the passenger not the driver. While Jerry concentrted on the road, I prayed. It help me to talk with God about the situtation. I could close my eyes and feel safer. When we are in places like this, to cocentrate on prayer gives our minds a plac…
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Jesus prepared the disciples for His departure, it was no ordinary farewell. : “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Rather than a routine worldly kind of peace, the spiritual peace that Jesus offers to His followers is a permanent gift. So I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. Jesus knew that the earthly journey…
Luke 8:22-25 / John 14:27
Being a bit of a nervous nelly when it comes to air travel (a control issue, I know), I found it difficult to relate to the Upper Room’s writer today. Fear and faith often spar but faith will always win. Whenever I am in a storm, whether it’s physical pain, facing surgery, fear for myself or my family or friends, I know I must turn to God. He is ever present and will guide me and calm me. I don’t always understand what he is doing, but I know he is doing!
Heavenly Father, when I am fearful, please remind me that You are there. Please help me to trust You even when things are…
Luke 8:22-25
Like the woman on the plane experiencing turbulence in this morning’s Upper Room, it sometimes requires concentrated effort to find and experience the peace of Christ. It seems that just when life quiets down a bit, a new challenge arises and must be met. Meeting those challenges confident that God has already made a way for us is a key aspect of finding peace while in the storm. Scripture reminds us multiple times God will never leave, nor forsake us. Truly believing this is the pathway to peace, even in the face of the turbulence of life.
Prayer - God of peace, may I never forget Your promise to be with me in all circumstances. Strengthen my faith…