Tag: Daily Devotional

“But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!’
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. But when he saw the strong 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?’” v. 27-31

Probably one of my favorite lessons/miracles Jesus performed because I relate so much to Peter.  Peter’s a guy that is willing to try anything Jesus asks of him.  In the midst of a storm, Jesus ask him to get out of the boat and walk to Him on the water through the waves and the wind and he does!  Peter takes a couple of steps on the water!!!  How awesome is that?  Taking his eyes off of Jesus, he realizes what he is doing and starts to focus on the fact that he is walking on water.  He feels the strong wind and looks at how big the waves are and begins to panic.  He starts to sink and cries out for help.  Jesus is right there and tells Peter,  “You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?”

I see myself in this story.  I have read and even experienced the power of Christ to do things that I think are impossible.  However, sadly there are many times that

1. I never get out of the boat!
2. I take my eyes of Jesus and panic!
3. I don’t have strong enough faith!

I know it may be hard to believe that I struggle with these since I am a pastor that works with teenagers.  But it’s the truth; some things come easy while other things are harder to do.

Today may we be people that keep our eyes on Jesus, growing in faith, knowledge, and love for Him!

“Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, ‘This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.’  Others said, ‘He’s the prophet Elijah.’ Still others said, ‘He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.’” v. 14-15

People were talking about Jesus.  They had heard what He said but still wanted to say he was someone else.  Sounds like our world today.  People hear about Jesus, but want to say something different about Him so they don’t have to deal with the reality He is who He says He IS!  I love what the NLT Life Application Study Bible says about these 2 verses.  Check it out:

Herod, along with many others, wondered who Jesus really was.  Unable to accept Jesus’ claim to be God’s Son, many people made up their own explanations for his power and authority.  Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life, while those who were familiar with the Old Testament thought he was Elijah.  Still others believed that Jesus was a teaching prophet in the tradition of Moses, Isaiah, or Jeremiah.  Today people still have to make up there minds about Jesus.  Some think that if they can name what he is – prophet, teacher, good man – they can weaken the power of his claim on their lives.  BUT . . . what people think does not change who HE IS!

Who do you say Jesus is?

“’Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.’” v32-33

In this passage Jesus is teaching His disciples about the persecution that was going to be coming their way because of their dedication to Him.  Because they followed Him and would be telling others about Him, they were going to experience difficult times that would include bodily harm and even death.  He encouraged them not to give up our to turn away under persecution.  He says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Today in America, we don’t understand persecution like Jesus is describing.  We get made fun of and once and think we have experienced hard persecution.  Yes, it is a form of being persecuted for Christ, but there are people dying everyday for His Names sake.  They aren’t afraid to say that they love Jesus even if it does cost them everything.

How about you?  Will you be a person that will stand for Christ in ALL circumstances, or will you be a person that is quiet and doesn’t let anyone know about your relationship with Jesus?

“’If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.’” v. 37-39