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Sometime
ago, I was doing some devotions and was reading John 6:16-24, the story
of Jesus walking on water. The disciples had set off across the Sea
of Galilee but a strong wind whipped up the waters and the sea became quite
rough. The wind and the waves were against them and they seemed to
be getting nowhere. Suddenly, Jesus appeared. I guess you can
say that it was a miracle that he was walking on water because they were
about 3-4 miles out on the water. The disciples were quite fearful
because they thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus said, "It is
I, do not fear." He stepped into the boat.
Now,
there is another miracle that occurred and I suppose you might say, "Oh
yea, all of a sudden, the waves became still. That's what I thought
also. But right at the end of verse 21 it says, "... and at once
they were at the shore to which they were sailing, that is Capernaum.
Isn't that strange that first they were 3-4 miles out in rough waters,
Jesus came, stepped into the boat, (it doesn't say the waves grew calm)
but they were now, at once, (immediately) on the other side of the Sea
of Galilee.
When I thought some more, it occurred to me that the
story is like what happens in our lives. We set in our mind to go
across life on our own sail. Suddenly, the winds roar, the water
whips up and we become afraid. Jesus soon comes our way and we might
even become fearful of who He is. We may be afraid of the supernatural
and what He might expect us to do.
I
heard a story on the radio of a man who was studying all of the religions
in the world. He was upset with Christianity because of many reasons.
His friend told him that he was a Christian but whenever the storms in life
were harsh and tried his faith, his faith actually strengthened. He
wanted this fellow to now study the Word and find out that if Jesus stepped
into his boat then many questions would be answered. I heard another story
of an inquirer who told the evangelist, answer all these questions first
and then I might consider who Jesus really is. The evangelist was
pushed for time as it was late so he told his friend, "First I would like
you to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and then I will answer your questions.
Is that a deal?" So the inquirer agreed and gave his heart and life
to Christ, saying the sinner's prayer. The evangelist than asked him,
"Now what questions did you want me to answer?" The inquirer was surprised.
He told the evangelist that he had no more questions because all of them
were met by meeting Jesus Christ personally.
Do
you get the idea? As soon as Jesus stepped into the boat, they were
suddenly there. That's the same in our lives. When he steps
into our boat we are at the place we were wishing to get to; we are at the
shore where we were heading. I'd say that is the real miracle.
Sure, it is a miracle that Jesus can walk on water but the real miracle
is that He will bring us across to the shore where we were headed on His
power though the waves might still exist. As David says, I will walk
through the valley of the shadow of death for You are with me. Your
rod and staff, they comfort me. |
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Surrender
your life to Christ now and enjoy being part of the ship where Jesus holds
the anchor!
 A
Prayer:
"Father God, I stand in Your presence, under Your name, in
the name of Jesus Christ, to lift up praises to You, my Father, and
give You thanks for all that You have done and are doing in my life
even now. You never cease to amaze me as to what You are up
to but it doesn't surprise me to see You at work because You told
me that if I seek Your face and Your will that You will bless me...and
You have. Thank You Lord. Thank You for WHO You are and
WHAT You are.
Many times, Father, I take my eyes off of You and
lose my way or flounder in my own cluelessness. You are always
there to reach down and catch me and pull me out of the drink of my
helplessness. You are always there to restore my walk and my
relationship and do so happily, constantly and faithfully. For
this, precious Lord, I am so thankful and so grateful to You.
I pray, Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, that You WOULD be with
me always, as You have promised, for I NEED You always.
O Calmer of my storms, thank You for Your control
and Your guidance, tempered with grace and assurance. Lord,
I pray and offer up all praises and all honor this day, in Jesus'
strong and beautiful name...Amen. " |
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