(On November 4, I gave the message at Mission of Hope’s Sunday Worship Service. This is Part 3 of this message. Parts 1 & 2 were posted yesterday and November 13.)
When the disciples were tossed back and forth on the waves in the boat, Jesus was on the shore by himself praying. Romans 8:34 says Jesus intercedes for us. He goes to God on our behalf with pleading and petitions. Yes, Jesus prays for us! He’s praying for us right now in the storms we’re in. He’s at the right hand of God sticking up for us. And at the right moment, He meets us in the storm, and will be the answer to His own prayers.
“Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.” Jesus went to his friends in the boat and reached out to them. He went to my friend Patty Monday through the storm. He is doing the same thing right now on the east coast through courageous first-responders. Through compassionate doctors and nurses. Through dedicated people working to restore power. Through neighbors, through churches, through those lending any sort of aid. Even through us who are praying for those who have been affected by Sandy.
And what happened when he climbed in the boat? The winds died. Interesting huh? Jesus restored life back to its peaceful state for his friends. He will do the same for you and for me when He climbs into our boat.
As I look back on my life, there have been many storms that Jesus has come to my rescue. When I was a teenager I was going down a fast path to nowhere. I was really living two lives…a life of following the rules and trying to please my parents on one side, and on the other I was living a rebellious, dangerous life that I tried to hide from my parents. I was hanging around people who introduced me to alcohol, cigarettes, parties and all the stuff that comes with those things. I see now that it was Jesus who protected me from a life of addiction and drugs. I was never offered drugs, but if I would have, there’s no doubt in my mind I would have tried them too. I’m so grateful He protected me, and that He saved me from that dangerous, rebellious life. He led me to a life of loving Him!
(To be continued in Part 4 tomorrow…)
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