Shortly before dawn 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.” . . . Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:25-27,33
What are you afraid of? Failure, the future, loneliness, love, rejection, disease, death—everyone is afraid of something. But we learn from Jesus that, in him, we have nothing to fear.
Jesus’ disciples were sailing through the night across the Sea of Galilee. While they were still a fair distance from shore, wind and waves were pounding against the boat. As they were busy battling the elements, Jesus came strolling atop the water toward them. The disciples were terrified. But Jesus quickly took away their fears.
He gave them courage by reminding them of who he is. He is the LORD, the unchanging Savior God. He is the God who set boundaries for the waters of the earth, saying, “This far you may come and no farther” (Job 38:11). He is the God who used water to deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians. He is the God who made it rain after 3 years of drought during the days of Elijah. He is the God who gave Peter the confidence to walk on water and the faith to call on his Savior when doubt caused him to sink. He is God who stopped the waves from battering the boat without saying a word.
You have nothing to fear. Jesus is your God, your Savior. He is the God who stretched out his hands on the cross to save you from your sea of sins that would have pulled you under the waves of God’s righteous anger. He is the God who loosened death’s grip when he rose from the grave so that he could give you eternal life. He is the God who speaks courage into your heart when fear batters your spirit and faith into your heart when you are sinking in doubt. Because of Jesus, your God, you have nothing to fear.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you for delivering me from death, calming my fears, and removing my doubts. Amen.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. . . . Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-4,12
Dr. Wayne Dyer, a self-help author, once said: “A bar of iron costs $5, made into horseshoes its worth is $12, made into needles its worth is $3500, made into balance springs for watches, its worth is $300,000.” To be worth that much, iron must go through quite a trial by fire. The more it passes through the heat, is hammered and polished, the greater its value.
As a rule, we try to avoid going through the heat. We don’t like experiencing trials in our lives. But James, the half-brother of Jesus, challenges us to change our perspective. He says that God uses trials to make us better. In that sense, they are a blessing from God. Our gracious God has a good goal in allowing us to face all kinds of trials. Trials build and strengthen the character of our faith. The testing of our faith helps us to focus on the right things, eternal things.
The trials God allows us to face remind us that this is not our home. A better life now is not the goal. God has already prepared the best life for those who love him in the world to come. It is an eternal home with him that Jesus made possible for us by his life, death, and resurrection. He faced every trial common to humanity and persevered. And when he passed through God’s fiery wrath on the cross for our sin, he forged the crown of life for all who love him.
So, when God calls you to face all kinds of trials, don’t sigh and say, “Oh, boy.” Remember the goal that God has in store for you after you have passed through them, look up and say, “Oh, joy!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to be faithful to you in trials so I may receive the crown of life you have prepared for me. Amen.
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. Romans 9:1-5
In 1991, Teri Horton was looking for a gift for a friend. In a thrift store, she came across a large canvas covered with colorful drips and splatters. Even though Teri thought it was ugly, she bought it for five dollars. Her friend thought it was ugly too and gave it back to Teri. So, Teri tried selling the painting at a garage sale. An art teacher spotted the painting and suggested that it might be the work of the famous artist, Jackson Pollock. Teri responded, “Who is Jackson Pollock?” She had no idea that her five-dollar painting might be worth millions of dollars.
Many of the Jewish people living in the first century were in a similar situation. They had something extremely valuable but did not realize it. God had given the Jewish people a special place in his family and had promised that the Savior of the world would come from them. But when the Savior came, they saw no value in him. They rejected him and hung him on a cross. Even though Jesus proved that he was the Messiah, they doubted.
But the apostle Paul, a Jewish man by birth, knew the value of Jesus. His heart broke because his people rejected Jesus. They were rejecting God’s gift of undeserved love, free forgiveness, and eternal life. Paul loved his people so much that he was willing to give up those incomparable gifts if it would save them from eternal death.
But only One can save and has saved us. He is Jesus Christ. We are saved because of Jesus’ sinless life and his death for our sins. Trust him! His splattered blood beautifully covers over the sin-stained canvas of humanity. Don’t underestimate the value of Jesus. Believe it and celebrate it.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to know you and the value of your salvation. Amen.
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” . . . And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him. Exodus 14:13,14,31
The future was full of promise. School lay behind him. His career and his bride-to-be stood before him. But then came the terminal diagnosis of cancer. Going back couldn’t save him. Going forward seemed impossible. He was terrified. Why had God led him to this seeming dead end?
The Israelites found themselves in a similar place of fear. God was leading them from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. But then Pharaoh summoned his army and pursued the Israelites to the Red Sea. With the sea in front of them and Pharaoh’s army behind them, the Israelites were terrified.
That night, the Lord drove the Red Sea back and divided its waters to save the Israelites and drown their pursuers. When the Israelites saw God’s might in action, they honored the Lord and put their faith in him.
God still answers our fears. Doctors gave that graduate a grim prognosis. There was nothing he could do but quiet his heart and go forward. And the Lord fought for him. Within months, his cancer was gone. He has been happily married for 17 years and blessed with two daughters.
The Lord also fights for you. He already has. Jesus endured the cross and overcame its curse for you. By his resurrection, he opened a way through death to the Promised Land of heaven for you.
When there is no way back and seems to be no way forward, remember to honor the Lord by trusting him. The Lord fights for you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I am afraid, help me to trust that you will fight for me. Amen.
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13
At some point, we all struggle with our identity. We doubt our purpose. When God’s plans for us are puzzling, we question our relationship with him. Why does God seem far away and silent?
Elijah felt a similar doubt and discouragement. One of God’s Old Testament prophets, Elijah, had proven that the day’s popular idol, Baal, was a false god. But the people didn’t listen to Elijah. And when the queen put a price on Elijah’s head, he had to flee for his life. His faith was shaken. God seemed silent and far away.
So, Elijah confronted God. And God answered in a surprising way. He wasn’t in the violent wind, earthquake, or raging fire. He revealed himself in a gentle whisper. With that soothing sound of grace, God quieted Elijah’s doubts. Elijah wasn’t alone. He couldn’t see it, but through his work, God had preserved seven thousand who remained faithful. Everything was happening according to God’s good plan and purpose.
God still answers our doubts in the same way. Not with great signs and wonders, but with the soothing sound of grace in the Good News about Jesus. In Jesus, we find that we are free from the punishment our sins deserve. In Jesus, we find that God’s plan for us includes the glorious inheritance of heaven. In Jesus, we find our purpose, to declare God’s praises wherever he plants us.
Are you frustrated with your place and purpose in life? Is your faith in God shaken? Remember this simple truth: God is not silent. He is not far away. He is near you with his grace.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when I am troubled, quiet my heart to hear your gentle grace and to listen. Amen.
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.
Please note bulletin pages 12 & 13. St. John’s Lutheran Church–Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church–Mecan Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19 – July 30, 2020 Briefly, all indoor worshipers are required to hand sanitize, maintain social distancing and wear masks. Also, at all indoor services, a soloist will sing hymns and the congregation will be asked to refrain from singing. At our outdoor worship services on Saturday (weather-permitting), worshipers are asked to maintain social distancing, are not required to wear masks, and are invited to sing hymns. Thank you for your consideration. May God bless and keep us all safe.
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 379 Amazing Grace — How Sweet the Sound
*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
Please stand.
INVOCATION
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Be seated.
✠ T H E W O R D ✠
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON1 Kings 19:9-18
Summary: The Lord reassured Elijah
There he went into a cave and spent the night.
And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel– all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”
PSALM OF THE DAY 73
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
Surely, it is God who saves me;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.
I am always with you, O LORD;*
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,*
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?*
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,*
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
SECOND LESSON Romans 9:1-5 Summary: Paul’s sorrow for the unbelieving Jews
I speak the truth in Christ–I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit–I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY Hebrews 11: 1
M: Alleluia. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Alleluia.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSONMatthew 14:22-33
Summary: Jesus teaches us not to doubt his Word
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on 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.
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?”
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.”
Please be seated.
HYMN 405 Oh, for a Faith that Will Not Shrink
*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
SERMONETTE Luke 17:5
“Increase Our Faith!”
1. Listen like Elijah
2. Look like Peter
3. Love like Paul
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
*For your personal devotion at home.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER FOR A STRONGER FAITH & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Intercessory prayers listed on page 10.
LORD’S PRAYER
*Spoken by congregation.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
RITE OF TEACHER INSTALLATION Ms. Katlynn Tindall
*Spoken by pastor. Saturday service only.
SOLO Before You I Kneel (A Worker’s Prayer) by Keith Getty
*Sung by Lucas Stelter.
HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY
*Read by pastor. Please see page 10 for communion schedule.
Please be seated for the distribution.
At St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we practice close Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the service. See page 17 for communion schedule and distribution information.
Please stand.
CLOSING PRAYER
M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.
Amen.
Be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 439 Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
*Indoors: sung by soloist. Outdoors: sung by congregation.
We want to wish a big welcome our 3rd – 5th grade teacher!
Please shower our new teacher with thoughts, love and blessings as she begins her new journey with us. Located on our outdoor table/in the link way at St. John’s is a
“Welcome Card Shower” station.
If you wish to send a card, please mail to 313 E Montello St., Montello, WI 53949.
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St. John’s Lutheran Church Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church Mecan
Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19
July 30, 2020
When will we worship? An outdoor Saturday service is being added to help members worship in a safe environment. This service will replace the Wednesday evening service.
Saturdays @ 4:30 pm (Any St. John’s or Emmanuel members)-Beginning Saturday, August 15
Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s (St. John’s members 55 and older)
Online worship services continue found at stjohnsmontello.org
Where will we worship? Groups should be 50 or less indoors. To provide safe worship experiences, the new Saturday worship service will be held outdoors when weather permits.
Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary.
Sunday @ 8:00 am at Emmanuel in the sanctuary
Sunday @ 10:00 am at St. John’s in the sanctuary
How will we worship? Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued and new ones enacted immediately:
Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will currently be optional at all services (see below**) Masks will be available.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service. Some seating and a canopy may be available.
The congregation is asked to not sing for the time being.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The Saturday before the 2nd and 4th Sundays will also include communion. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.
**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies
As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word.
Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or pastor
Emmanuel Elders: Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 369-1790
St. John’s Elders: Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171, James Wachholz (608) 369-4006 – Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830
God’s Promises Create
And Strengthen Faith
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – A
God’s Word for Today
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith is a spiritual quality and accepts the gracious gift of eternal life from our Savior. But faith is not something we can achieve on our own. It is completely the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. With such a value attached to this gift, God provides means to strengthen that faith so that it will remain strong until the day of Christ Jesus. Lord, give us such a faith as this!
First Lesson (1 Kings 19:9-18)
Why was Elijah at Mount Horeb?
What did God mean to teach Elijah by appearing in a whisper instead of the other more astounding methods?
What reassurance does God provide Elijah in his loneliness?
Second Lesson (Romans 9:1-5)
Why is Paul grieving the state of his people?
Comment on Paul’s love for his people.
Was it too late for Israel to be saved?
Gospel (Matthew 14:22-33)
What enabled Peter to walk on water?
What caused Peter to begin sinking?
Answers:
Elijah was fleeing wicked Queen Jezebel who had vowed to execute him.
The whisper represented God’s patience with his people, as opposed to the violent destruction that the other responses indicated. It also reminded Elijah of the power of the simple word of God, living and active, that called all the worlds into being.
Elijah was not alone as he supposed; there were still seven thousand Israelites who remained faithful to the Lord and his promises.
As a nation, Paul’s people—the Jews—had rejected Christ and therefore were destined to face God’s wrath eternally.
Paul’s love was of the most selfless variety, a sacrificial love. Note that in verse three, Paul states that, if it were possible, he would rather face eternal judgment himself than to see his people perish. What a powerful model of selfless love this is!
Not as long as they were still alive on earth. Their teachers still held the books of Moses and the prophets, containing the promises of salvation. They were still living in a time of grace. (Note that their nationality and lineage would not be sufficient to deliver them from judgment.)
Peter’s Spirit-wrought faith trusting the invitation from Jesus to walk to him.
When Peter took his focus off Christ, the solid rock, he began to place his trust in earthly things. But Jesus lovingly forgives Peter’s weakness as he does so often with ours.
“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?” 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 14:28-33
Jesus is true God. He proved this by doing things that are impossible for humans to do. The Bible clearly states numerous times that Jesus did the impossible. He fed more than 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. He miraculously healed people. He raised people from the dead. And, as we hear in this section of Matthew’s Gospel, he walked on water toward his disciples who were struggling against high winds and waves.
The Lord also gave Peter the ability to walk on the water. Jesus told him to “Come!” and, trusting in the almighty power of Jesus, Peter did. But then the waves broke Peter’s “eye contact” with Jesus. Instead of focusing on the strength of Jesus’ promise, he focused on the size of the waves, and the precariousness of his position. Peter started to sink quickly.
What are the waves in your life? What are the problems that make you doubt his power and promises to still help and uphold you? Do you sometimes fear that you will not be able to keep your head above the waters of life’s adversities?
Peter changed his focus back to Jesus and cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus’ response was to pull Peter back to safety. When you feel like you are sinking, focus your attention on Jesus, the almighty Son of God. He promises to help you; he can and he will!
Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, 446)
I am trusting you, Lord Jesus, trusting only you,
Trusting you for full salvation, free and true.
I am trusting you, Lord Jesus; never let me fall.
I am trusting you forever and for all. Amen.
Shortly before dawn 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.” Matthew 14:25-27
The disciples had left Jesus and embarked in their fishing boat to get to the other side of the lake. But the strong wind and high waves impeded their progress. In fact, they were rowing for about 10 hours and had traveled only about half the distance they intended to go. Tired and scared, they must have wished for Jesus to be with them. They recalled how Jesus saved them from the storm on the lake only a few months earlier. On that occasion, he was with them in the boat and simply commanded the wind to be still, and it was so. But this time, as far as they knew, Jesus was still at the place they left him, several miles away.
So they were surprised when Jesus appeared, miraculously walking on the water toward them. Instead of Jesus, they thought that they were seeing a ghost. This increased their fear because they thought that the appearance of a ghost was an omen of something terrible about to happen.
But nothing terrible was going to happen to them because Jesus was there. He spoke above the whirling of the wind and sound of the surf. “Take courage. It is I.” The familiar voice of Jesus was enough to drive away their fear.
Jesus is close to us. His voice sounds clearly through his promises in the Bible that he is always with us and that he will never leave nor forsake us. No matter how strong the winds of adversity blow in our face or as challenging as the waves of trouble might be in our lives, we can take courage in our Savior’s continual presence. He loves us dearly and assures us that he will help us overcome our circumstances, no matter how great the need or the danger may be.
Take courage. Jesus is with you!
Prayer:
Jesus, lead me to trust your promise that you are always with me to help and encourage me through every ordeal and detail of my life. Amen.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” Isaiah 55:1-5
Do you click on those mouth-watering food pictures on social media? Have you noticed what happens? The companies who sell the food realize that you might buy something, so they arrange to show you more good pictures with links to purchase. They show you reviews of people who have bought, tasted, and enjoyed their food. They invite you to join a group of fans who love their product.
God offers you satisfying, rich spiritual food. He promises you the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation through faith in Jesus. He says you can live without guilt now because he has removed it. God’s food is free for you because Jesus has paid for it.
God invites you to read David’s review in Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
God invites you to see the splendor of people who trust him and to become a fan, no matter where you live. You can trust this offer because God is perfectly holy. You can enjoy this offer because God is love.
What are you waiting for? Listen to God and eat what is good!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for supplying me with my salvation without money and without cost, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Amen.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
People who become Christians in order to avoid hardship are going to be surprised.
Christians suffer hardship in spite of being Christian. They have problems in life, both personal and family troubles. They go through whatever their countries are going through, even war or famine.
Christians suffer hardship because of being Christian. They take moral stands that do not match what is socially acceptable. They believe things that are considered foolish. Sometimes their lives are even in danger.
But it is still worthwhile to become a Christian. How can that be true?
Christians receive the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. God loves them because of what Jesus did for them. Jesus was slaughtered for their sins. They are forgiven. Jesus faced death and hell in their place. They will go to heaven.
God’s love is so powerful that nothing is able to separate Christians from it. Time cannot dim God’s love, and evil things cannot talk him out of it. Through Christ Jesus their Lord, Christians are confident of God’s continuing love.
Does God still love them even when bad things happen to them? Absolutely and completely. Nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus their Lord.
Prayer:
Thank you for your love even through hardship, Lord. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
