God's message for me today
Trust in God. Believe in yourself. Dare to
dream.
Daily Reading & Meditation
Tuesday (August 7): "Take heart,
it is I; have no fear"
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33
22 Then he made the disciples get into the
boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And
after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to
pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was
many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was
against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking
on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were
terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But
immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water."
29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and
came to Jesus; 30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink
he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and
caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And
when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped
him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Meditation: Does the Lord seem
distant when trials or adversity come your way? It was at Jesus' initiative that
the disciples sailed across the lake, only to find themselves in a
life-threatening storm (see Mark 6:53-56). Although they were experienced
fishermen, they feared for their lives. While Jesus was not with them in the
boat, he, nonetheless watched for them in prayer. When he perceived their
trouble he came to them on the sea and startled them with his sudden appearance.
Do you look for the Lord's presence when you encounter difficulty or challenges?
This dramatic incident on the sea of Galilee
revealed Peter's character more fully than others. Here we see Peter's
impulsivity – his tendency to act without thinking of what he was doing. He
often failed and came to grief as a result of his impulsiveness. In contrast,
Jesus always bade his disciples to see how difficult it was to follow him before
they set out on the way he taught them. A great deal of failure in the Christian
life is due to acting on impulse and emotional fervor without counting the cost.
Peter, fortunately in the moment of his failure clutched at Jesus and held him
firmly. Every time Peter fell, he rose again. His failures only made him love
the Lord more deeply and trust him more intently. The Lord keeps watch over us
at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you
rely on the Lord for his strength and help? Jesus assures us that we have no
need of fear if we trust in Him and in his great love for us. When calamities or
trials threaten to overwhelm you, how do you respond? With faith and hope in
God's love, care and presence with you?
"Lord Jesus, help me to trust you always and to
never doubt your presence and your power to help me. In my moments of doubt and
weakness, may I cling to you as Peter did. Strengthen my faith that I may walk
straight in the path you set before me, neither veering to the left nor to the
right".
Psalm 85:8-13
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints, to those who turn to him
in their hearts.
9.Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will
meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will
spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12
Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him, and make his footsteps a
wayVISITATIONS: (Daily Contacts From His hearts to Ours by Miriam
Grosjean
Accept the mysteries of life in simple faith.
the finite mind is not capable of comprehending all the spiritual aspects.
Believing without seeing is great faith and will be honored by My father in
Heaven. My word is sufficient. If people would take time to study it, they could
untangle their complicated lives and find it easy to live one day at a time
applying My principles. Ask for My power, which takes you beyond your
capabilities, and it will be afforded you. Remember to give Me your troubles and
then act as if they do not exist. They will become minimized and some will even
disappear. Keep Me in the center of your life at all times.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he
will make your paths straight.
Prov.3:5-6
For I know the plans I
have for you, declares the Lord"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11
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