Calming Wind and Water

My reading  today encompassed the story about how Jesus calmed the wind and the water.

                                            Matthew 8: 23 - 27 
talks about how his followers were fearful of the storm that came up very quickly.

You see in this story is a group of men that had gotten in a fishing boat with Jesus. Jesus was exhausted from his time of teaching and preaching, so he fell asleep. A storm comes up and the wind begins to blow hard and the water begins to churn violently.

These followers became so afraid, they yelled at Jesus to wake up and do something. Can you see these men trembling and fearful in the midst of this storm?

How many times have we gotten fearful in our lives because difficult issues have developed and we have screamed out to God to 

                                     DO SOMETHING!

In the midst of the storm, there can be fear, there can be exhaustion due to stress and anxiety.  

Jesus shows us very clearly how we should act when we are facing the rough waters of life.

Stand up and say to the circumstances...Be Still!  

Many of you may say that is so easy to say but so hard to do! I agree! It is so much easier to say than do!  Many of us may have the urge to run as fast as we can from life and the craziness that life can bring our way.

Jesus tell us "Be Still and Know that I am God"
                                                                        Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

Are you ready to let God still the wind and waves in your life? Are you ready to be still and understand that God is with you, no matter what you are facing?

Hope so.  

              Give it a try and see how God works!

Walking With God

Many people wonder what it means to walk with God. Some people think it is all about worship on Sunday mornings, some believe it is all about forms and styles of worship services. Others believe it is certain forms and styles of prayers.

I would encourage you to read the gospels found in the New Testament. Jesus teaches us very clearly what walking with God is about!

First we must fall in love with Jesus, who came to this earth as a human; to live , die and be resurrected for our sake. Second we must learn to fall in love with God's Word. We need to yearn to read and gain understanding of the stories told in the written text. Third we need to learn to love one another, just as God loved us first!

Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. ..." (NRSV)

Luke 11:28

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (NRSV)

Ephesians 6:24

May grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ forever.(CEB)

What do we learn from the generations of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!

Deuteronomy 7:9 "You know that the Lord your God is the only true God. So love him and obey his commands, and he will faithfully keep his agreement with you and your descendants for a thousand generations." (CEV)

LET'S TAKE A WALK!

Until next time,

Rev. Patti