“See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2
May we praise him from the depths of our gratitude today!
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong[a] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:28-31.
Have you ever started out with something with the best intentions in mind only to discover half way through that good intentions began to falter? Sometime our faith does falter. This doesn’t mean we have failed. When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Christ, the only one who could help, he said “Save me Lord”. He was afraid, but he still looked to Christ. When we find ourselves apprehensive about troubles, problems, pain, and doubt, God is present and willing to help – may we remember he is always with us and is the only one who can really help.
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41)
We know the disciples were afraid of the storm because Jesus asked them, “Why are you so afraid?” What is truly amazing is that after Jesus calmed the storm, they were “terrified.” They didn’t know who he was completely, but they knew they were in the presence of someone other, One who ruled over nature itself.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
The disciples anger with Jesus was fueled by their fear and their lack of faith, and Jesus took that personally. His inclusion of the word “still” in his second question indicates that by this time he expected them to know him well enough to trust him. He wanted to know why they did not yet trust him.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)
Before he left this earth, Jesus promised his followers his peace. If we ever wonder what kind of peace he was talking about we can remember how it is illustrated here. It’s a peace that controls, quiets, and calms the tempest. But will we allow his peace and power to calm the storm within?
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Rom 15:7)
Romans has lots of directions for building community addressed to “one another of the same kind.” These are specifically addressed to Christians. Here the call is to acceptance of others in the way that Christ accepted us. What might your community look like if you began to treat others that way?
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)
Paul prays that the Ephesians might know the hope, riches and power found in Christ. He then spends what we call the first three chapters of Ephesians unpacking that three part list of things found in a relationship with Christ.
Idyllwild Pines is counting down the days until Christmas. Day 7, symbolic of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.
Click here to view Maura’s Christmas video.
We wish you Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.