Day: July 27, 2019

Luke 8:22-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

It seems like every day each of us face something that is directed at disturbing or overwhelming our faith or confident trust in God’s integrity. “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses] (Heb. 11:1 amplified). The enemy is busy all the time using tangible “storms” to assault our senses; he knows the weakness of our humanity. Fear causes us to doubt God’s love and decrease our confidence is his care for us. But, we are carriers of the Living Christ; he is in our LIFE vessel. Our response to every storm must be to call on the name of the Lord: 1) praise Christ for being with us, 2) confidently pray and exalt Christ to work in our behalf, 3) invite the Spirit to help us speak faith and exalt God’s integrity, and 4) trust and obey. With our words we either express faith or fear; we either empower Christ or the storm.

In our passage today, Jesus takes the disciples on a boat ride. While on the journey with Jesus, the disciples face a storm. The storm is real, the water is rising, their senses alert them to danger, and all of a sudden fear usurps their faith. They know Jesus is with them, but they cannot seem to get their eyes off the storm or the conditions they face. After all, Jesus is silent in this moment; he has allowed the storm as a way to teach them the power of faith.

Luke 8:22-25 Jesus Calms the Storm
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for understanding how fear works and for your Word to help me use my faith against it. You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, faith, and a sound mind. That means I must place my faith in your integrity and look beyond the storm to the good you intend to bring my life. Every storm I have face in life has actually gotten me closer to you. Be glorified! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Last year for Mother’s Day, my kids bought me an infusion pitcher for water. It motivates me to drink more water, because I can add any fruit, veggie, or herb to flavor it. This morning I went to my little herb garden and picked some fresh mint to infuse the water. I will spend the day drinking this pitcher of water, because my body needs the hydration to stay filled. The process of infusion reminds me of an important spiritual truth for me to remember. Infusion is more than just a steeping of herbs in liquid like I did this morning. Infusion is an inward flow that helps to fill something. An infusion of the Spirit is how God’s sons and daughters remain filled with strength and power.

In our passage today, David is singing a song of praise to God. He cannot praise enough. He is humble and grateful for God’s love and provision. There is nothing God cannot do; David sees it so clearly. Every time David calls out, the Lord answers and meets this worshiper’s need. In verse 3, David praises God for infusing his soul with strength. The Spirit of the Lord brings an inward flow of strength when David needs it most. My friends, God wants to bring an infusion of strength to your soul, as well. Find yourself in a posture of worship, and call out to be filled.

Psalm 138:1-3 A song of David.
1
To You, Lord, I give my whole heart, a heart filled with praise, for I am grateful;
before the gods, my heart sings praises to You and You alone.
2
I bow before You, looking to Your holy temple,
and praise Your name, for Your unfailing love and Your truth;
for You have placed Your name and Your word over all things and all times.
3
On the day I needed You, I called, and You responded
and infused my soul with strength.

Prayer: Lord, I worship you; I need you. Please hydrate me through your Spirit; infuse my soul with your River of Life. Cause me to be filled in the power of your strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.