I was unable to post study notes for last week's reading, but the Lord has laid a familiar passage on my heart the past few days and after I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it, I knew I needed to share. Even though we are starting with chapter 10 this week, let's look back at Matthew 8 for just a moment. Many of us are familiar with this passage. It was taught to us as children. It's only five verses long, but it has such a huge impact. Let's look at the whole passage together.
Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey Him!" ~ Matthew 8:23-27 Let me start by saying, I am terrified of storms. They scare me to death. Especially if I can hear them or see the affects of the strong winds. Storms bother me now more than they ever did when I was a child. It's because I'm a mom. When storms begin to rage, my fear goes into overload and my mind immediately begins thinking about how I'm going to save all of my children and get them to safety if a storm turns deadly. (I also freak out when we drive over large bridges that cover large bodies of water. Although I'm a good swimmer and my children swim very well too, drowning scares me. Oh, and apparently I'm scared to death of snakes, they haunt my dreams, but that's a story for another time.) I think this is why this passage has stood out to me so strongly this week......because of my own fears. As I read this passage, the first thing that struck me was the disciples' fear. I found it odd. Jesus himself, complete in flesh, is with them in the boat. He is right there! God's Son is with them! How can they possibly be scared of anything? He was with them! And then it hit me. That's me. I am a child of God. I am His. I belong to Him. I have received Jesus as my Savior, therefore the Holy Spirit lives within me. All. The. Time. God is with me ALL THE TIME, yet I fear, too. At times, I let fear consume me and I'm not alone in this. We all fear something. Some of us fear death, not because we are unsure of our eternity, but because we are scared for our loved ones we leave behind. Some may fear disease and illness, others may fear tragedy and harm. The list can go on and on. We fear war, darkness, being alone, poverty, suffering, and so many other things, big and small. However, as believers, the Bible tells us we are not to fear. And here in this passage Jesus himself, says it's our lack of faith that causes our fear. Where is our faith? How strong is it, really? Is our faith in God, who is in complete control of all things? I would like to say my faith in God is very strong. I trust Him with everything. I trust Him with my life, with eternity, my finances, my marriage, my children, my prayers, our family size. I thought I had surrendered everything over to Him, but then a storm will rage and my fear takes over. Oh me of little faith! Don't let fear consume you, Sweet Sister, it is not of the Lord. Trust Him, lean on Him and have faith that He will protect you and take care of you. You are always in His hands and surrounded by His angels. Scripture tells us over and over, not to fear. Allow these passages to speak to You. Memorize them, so that when fear begins to strangle you, you can quote God's Word back to Him, knowing He is in control. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ~Psalm 23:4 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. ~ Psalm 56:3 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, my friends, God is in control! Joyfully His, Andrea
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For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. " AuthorHi! I'm Andrea, wife to my handsome hubby, homeschooling mama to my 7 amazing blessings, and daughter of the King of kings. I am so glad you have stopped by my little piece of the web. My prayer is that the Lord will use this blog to encourage you in your personal, daily walk with Christ. Archives
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