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"That day, when evening came, [Jesus] said to his disciples, 'Let us go over to the other side.' Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'"  Mark 4:35–38 (NIV)

THE DISCIPLES WERE IN THE STORM BECAUSE OF THEIR OBEDIENCE.

JESUS DOESN'T PROMISE TO KEEP ME OUT OF STORMS, BUT HE DOES PROMISE TO GET ME THROUGH THEM.

ACTION PLAN: Have you recently been in a storm? Ask God what he is trying to teach you. Whatever he is using to rock your boat, ask him to use this experience to deepen your faith. Pray for those who also have been impacted by this storm. Thank him that his awesome power is available to you today.

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'" Mark 4:39–41 (NIV)

WHEN YOU FEAR THE LORD, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO FEAR.

I CAN'T SURRENDER AND BE IN CHARGE AT THE SAME TIME.

ACTION PLAN: Four words Jesus gave his disciples when teaching them how to pray were words of surrender, "your will be done." Where have you given God permission to be in charge of your time, your energy, your money, etc? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the areas that you have not surrendered to him. Make it a practice to add the words, "your will be done" to every prayer as you learn to surrender everything to God.

"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it." Matthew 14:22–24 (NIV)

GREAT SPIRITUAL HIGHSARE OFTEN FOLLOWED BY DEEP LOWS.

"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
Matthew 14:25–31 (NIV)

LITTLE FAITH IS ENOUGH FOR A MIRACLE.

THE FAITH I HAVE IN JESUS RIGHT NOWIS ENOUGH TO GET ME THROUGH THIS STORM.

"And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'" Matthew 14:32–33 (NIV)

"The Lord has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." Nahum 1:3 (NKJV)

ACTION PLAN: Have you been caught in comparing your level of faith with someone else? Do a google search of "mustard seed" to get an idea of their size. Whatever you are praying for, remember to seek first Jesus, take courage and don't be afraid because the God who calmed the storm is listening to you. Pray, "Lord, sometimes the things I'm praying for are so big and my faith is so small. Help me to have faith that you'll use your power to take care of all my needs. In your name, I pray."