Thoughts for Life: Walking on Water

The winds were light and variable on that perfect moonlit eve
As twelve of Christ's disciple boarded on the boat to leave
The day had been quite busy as Christ broke to them the word
But little did they realize they'd test the things they'd heard

For Christ was not among them as they set sail on that night

He told them He would meet them round about the morning light

And headed up into the hills to spend time with His Lord

Instead of joining with the men who wanted Him aboard

And as they pushed out on the Lake to make their way across

They felt the weight of slumber close their eyes as they were tossed

By little rocking motions from the wavelets on the sea

So peaceful and so restful to this weary company

But then before the sunrise from some place they did not know

A wind with gales like thunder fierce and dangerous did blow

And all the faith they'd mustered when their Lord was by their side

Was pressed and soon surrendered to the fear they felt inside

And then what seemed an omen out upon the turbulent sea

The image of a Person walked abandoned mild and free

Upon the waves that thundered loud upon their little craft

As He too was approaching as if they were in His path

Then as they feared and trembled struggling hard against the wind

They heard the voice of Jesus Whom they knew to be their Friend

Assure them by His presence death they feared was not to come

For He that walked among them knew just where the wind came from

And had not only power to walk firm upon the sea

But also power to calm the wind to let the waters be

And as He stepped among them in the boat that they were in

They suddenly were at the shore their work to start again

So friend if your life's facing turmoil like you've never known

From either outside troubles or some wild seed you have sown

Trust Him Who walked upon the sea to bring you peace as well

So you can have a testimony of His grace to tell

For He Who walked upon the sea and calmed the storm back then

Is just as faithful now today to calm your storm again

And soon will bring an end to all the winds and storms of strife

When He returns in glory to bring us eternal life

John 6:16-21; Mark 6:45-51

Walking on Water

Photo credit Teddy Thornton

Lee Forbes

Let's pray-

Father, as the disciples of Jesus found themselves in a fierce storm that caused them to have great fear, we sometimes do too. Our storms are what tests our faith, as it did theirs.

In the morning light, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the storm's waves, and it caused them to think that they were seeing a ghost. They'd wanted Him to join them when they'd set out on the trip in the boat, but He wanted to spend some time with His Father in prayer.

Though they'd heard Him teach of faith, their faith was then turned to fear. Upon hearing His voice, they knew this "ghost" was their Friend, and upon invitation, He climbed into the boat.

All was calm when Jesus spoke to the wind and waves to be still, and amazingly, they were! It reinforced the disciples' faith once again, and they found themselves at the shore they'd been heading.

May our faith be strengthened today, as we recall the Your Ability to calm waves of our stormy seas. We ask that You make our storms as nothing by applying Your calming power to them. In Christ Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Our Ambassador to Israel, Michael David Even's comments:

"God knows what you need even before you tell Him. But He loves you and wants to hear from you, and when you pray He will answer." [Michael David Evens]

Isaiah 65:23, 24 "They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking. I will hear."

461-465 one-line KJV Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more this week-

461- Ps. 44:8 "In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah."

462- Ps. 20:2 "Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion."

463- Ps. 73:26 "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

464- Prov. 21:21 "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor."

465- Ps. 9:2 "I will be glad and rejoice in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High."

Today's quote-

~ Mary Southerland- "Life is not a series of accidents but a succession of divine appointments. That interruption we complain about, that intrusion we resent is simply a window of opportunity sent by God . . . At the heart of most interruptions is the opportunity to encourage someone in need. There are those who suffer alone and in silence, unable to scrape up the courage to share their pain. Like many children, they have no advocate to sound the alarm on their behalf.

God delights in using people to reach out and love others who are helpless, paralyzed by their pain. I believe God will not only give us the discernment to see that pain; but He will also show us how to encourage and build up those who are hurting - if we ask Him."

Today's guest post-

Hershey Kisses

Mary Johnson- I struggle to learn obedience in eating. Addicted to food, I shove aside the spiritual for the physical.

I once kept Hershey kisses in the refrigerator. One afternoon, I was drawn to the kitchen—not hungry but either stressed or bored—with visions of chocolate dancing in my head. I stopped before opening the refrigerator door, and said aloud, “Ok, God, these kisses would taste great and make me feel so good. Can You do better than that?”

Galatians 6:9 NIV "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."