Jesus is with you in the storms of life

Master Text (Matthew 8:23-27 / Mark 4: 35-41, Luke 8 )And when he was entered into a ship, his disciplesfollowed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempestin the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered withthe waves: but he was asleep.And his disciples came to him, and awoke him saying,Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Whyare ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he aroseand rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was agreat calm.The above is an account where the disciples were insea and a great storm arose and the waves begun tothreaten their lives. There cried out to Jesus to savethem. On the surface it would seemed their concern wasperfectly justified yet Jesus rebuked them for lackof faith.It would appeared that Jesus rebuke seemed harsh orunreasonable ? A careful study of the various passagesrevealed the following:1. The disciples actually had the words of JesusIn both the gospel of Mark and Luke we see Jesus said"Let us pass over to the other side" Mark 4:35. " Letus go over unto the other side of the lake. And theylaunched forth. Luke 8: 22 Before they started thejourney and launched forth it was Jesus idea and planto go over the other side of the lake. Jesus had beenwith them all this while and was their micracleworker, healer, provider, teacher and master. Jesushad never failed in one instance on anything Heattempted to do. He always knew what He was to do andwant to do. This occasion was no exception. But thedisciples forgot His opening words before theylaunched forth " Let us go over to the other side."When they saw the waves they panicked and became fearful. Likewise for ustoday who follow Jesus. Let us remember the times we decided to follow Jesus.Perhaps He has spoken many words to you before.Perhaps there were times you heard his voice and youlaunched out as the disciples did. Perhaps you readhis word and know his Word coming to your life to livefor Him, serve Him and follow Him. As you launched outin the great journey of life into the sea of theaffairs of this life , do the waves at times looked fearfuland overwhelming ? It is needful to remember the FIRST WORDS OF THEMASTER he has spoken to you when He first called you.2. The disciples forgot they were with Jesus or ratherJeus was with them in the boat. Think for a moment ifJesus were to drown in the sea. The Father'sredemption plan would have failed. It is unthinkableif something were to happen to Jesus. The disciplesforgot the master is with them in the storm.They sawthe waves and became fearful. Focusing on the naturalwill always defeat us. Faith looks to the Master who isthe authuor and finisher of our faith.We need aconsciousness of the presence of God in our lives thatHe is indeed with us and all that we endeavour to do.3.They forgot they are in the perfect will of God.It was Jesus who told them to go over to the otherside.It was Gods idea.It was God s perfect will forJesus ( and therefore them as well since Jesus toldthem to cross over) to be in the boat. They were inthe perfect will of God. What can we learn from this ?Even though it may be the will of God for one to be ina certain place,doing a particular tasks, or work,ministry , the storms of life will come.The reasonJesus was at peace in the boat was because He knew Hewas in the perfect will of God . His life was totallysurrendered to the Lord. The knowledge that one is inthe perfect will of God and doing what He wants bringsgreat peace. Let us be encouraged that with Jesus inthe boat of life with us we are safe and secure. Thestorms may rage at the outside (circumstances) but wehave peace in the inside (heart) because Jesus is reigning in our hearts. Contratry , the ungodly mayhave much earthly goods where all looks well on theoutside, but tempest rage in their hearts.Storms are raging in their hearts because of sin,guilt, conflict and unhappiness. Only JESUS can givethe peace in the hearts because HE is the Prince ofPeace.4. Jesus spoke to the storms to be still When one slife is filled with the Word of God,His life will befilled with faith and courage. With faith filledwords in his heart and on his mouth, he exercisedominion over the circumstances of his life.He beginto believe the promises of God in his heart and begin tospeak God s promises in his mouth. He begin to saywhat God said concerning his life, finances,health.The Word of Faith when believed in the heartand released on his mouth bring miracles to hiscircumstances and prayers. As Jesus spoke to thestorms,faith speak the Word of God in prayer, and this brings miracles to your life.In His Love,

BINDU