Divine Note #18 - May 4, 2009
Luke 8:22-25 (New Living Translation)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!”
Isn’t it amazing how many of us spend our lives in relationship with Jesus, doing good things for the church and our families, but when life’s storms arrive, we bail out of the boat? Come on now, do you believe in your heart that Jesus can still do miracles like He did for the disciples and countless others during His short ministry on Earth?
I do.
On the afternoon of Friday, April 17, 2009, Jackie (my 18-year old daughter) and I were driving back to Houston from Austin. It was the weekend of the popular MS150 bike ride and the first leg of the bike ride was cancelled because of the treacherous thunderstorms, lightening and flooding that hit the LaGrange area while we were on that road. My friend Angela had warned me about the weather but I didn’t think anything about it. Jackie dozed as I listened to worship music and engaged in deep conversation with the Holy Spirit. But I was shocked into reality when I glanced to the side of the road and saw that underpasses and many trees were under water.
Terror set in when I realized that our car might become submerged in one of those dips on the hilly road, so I prayed, “Sweet Father please keep us safe, I have your precious daughter in the car!” The relentless downpour and thunderstorms continued and I kept asking Jesus to save our car because I could hardly see the road or other cars in front, beside or behind me.
Then it happened.
The pavement dried up 50 feet in front of and 50 feet behind my car in my lane only! My eyes kept blinking in disbelief (and I almost crashed!) because my mind could not register what was happening! This continued for several minutes until I shouted for Jackie to wake up while the rain kept pounding on the windshield and on all surfaces on and around the car except for the road ahead and the road behind us! She busted out laughing and shouted, “Mom - He does miracles, why does this surprise you?”
Really this shouldn’t surprise me because I’ve been the recipient of His grace my entire life, but for many years I didn’t acknowledge Him until that fateful day three years ago. I had shoved Jesus into the trunk and occasionally allowed Him into the back or passenger seats of the car when I had a crisis – and it felt as if my life consisted of one crisis after another. I didn’t have personal peace.
If you are reading this note and you are not allowing Jesus to steer your life, STOP IT NOW! You are missing out on a relationship with a powerful yet tender God who will meet you where you are. When you walk in the power of His Holy Spirit, He will calm life’s storms with indescribable peace. Don’t miss out on the ride of your life!
Have a week full of Big God Hugs! :-)
Love,Blanca
Luke 8:22-25 (New Living Translation)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!”
Isn’t it amazing how many of us spend our lives in relationship with Jesus, doing good things for the church and our families, but when life’s storms arrive, we bail out of the boat? Come on now, do you believe in your heart that Jesus can still do miracles like He did for the disciples and countless others during His short ministry on Earth?
I do.
On the afternoon of Friday, April 17, 2009, Jackie (my 18-year old daughter) and I were driving back to Houston from Austin. It was the weekend of the popular MS150 bike ride and the first leg of the bike ride was cancelled because of the treacherous thunderstorms, lightening and flooding that hit the LaGrange area while we were on that road. My friend Angela had warned me about the weather but I didn’t think anything about it. Jackie dozed as I listened to worship music and engaged in deep conversation with the Holy Spirit. But I was shocked into reality when I glanced to the side of the road and saw that underpasses and many trees were under water.
Terror set in when I realized that our car might become submerged in one of those dips on the hilly road, so I prayed, “Sweet Father please keep us safe, I have your precious daughter in the car!” The relentless downpour and thunderstorms continued and I kept asking Jesus to save our car because I could hardly see the road or other cars in front, beside or behind me.
Then it happened.
The pavement dried up 50 feet in front of and 50 feet behind my car in my lane only! My eyes kept blinking in disbelief (and I almost crashed!) because my mind could not register what was happening! This continued for several minutes until I shouted for Jackie to wake up while the rain kept pounding on the windshield and on all surfaces on and around the car except for the road ahead and the road behind us! She busted out laughing and shouted, “Mom - He does miracles, why does this surprise you?”
Really this shouldn’t surprise me because I’ve been the recipient of His grace my entire life, but for many years I didn’t acknowledge Him until that fateful day three years ago. I had shoved Jesus into the trunk and occasionally allowed Him into the back or passenger seats of the car when I had a crisis – and it felt as if my life consisted of one crisis after another. I didn’t have personal peace.
If you are reading this note and you are not allowing Jesus to steer your life, STOP IT NOW! You are missing out on a relationship with a powerful yet tender God who will meet you where you are. When you walk in the power of His Holy Spirit, He will calm life’s storms with indescribable peace. Don’t miss out on the ride of your life!
Have a week full of Big God Hugs! :-)
Love,Blanca
Glory to God! I too have experienced His miracle working power in my life. Oh my! Jesus You are EVERYTHING!!! Thank you so much for sharing this testimony! God bless you, Blanca! *hugs* Cheryl Selby :)
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