WEBVTT
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My brothers and sisters Walt here with simple thoughts and simple prayers.
00:00:06.379 --> 00:00:10.189
Today we'll be covering the passage of Matthew 8, 23-27,.
00:00:10.189 --> 00:00:11.993
Jesus Calms the Storm.
00:00:11.993 --> 00:00:20.553
This scene vividly illustrates our common reaction to stress or our behavior under pressure and stressful situations.
00:00:20.553 --> 00:00:32.442
Shortly after the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus delivers a transformative teaching on interpersonal relationships, he performs a few miracles before he sets sail across the Sea of Galilee.
00:00:32.442 --> 00:00:36.512
When he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
00:00:36.512 --> 00:00:42.990
And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea so that the boat was being covered by the waves.
00:00:42.990 --> 00:00:45.533
But Jesus himself was asleep.
00:00:45.533 --> 00:00:52.411
And they came to him and woke him up, saying Save us, lord, we are perishing.
00:00:52.411 --> 00:00:54.073
He said to them.
00:00:54.073 --> 00:00:58.185
Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?
00:00:58.185 --> 00:01:04.805
Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea and it became perfectly calm.
00:01:04.805 --> 00:01:12.469
The men were amazed and said what kind of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him?
00:01:12.971 --> 00:01:18.489
Just think some of them had been fishermen for a lifetime, their lives personally intertwined with the sea.
00:01:18.489 --> 00:01:22.408
Storms were as familiar to them as the back of their hands.
00:01:22.408 --> 00:01:28.906
Yet in this moment, as their small boat was tossed about like a toy, fear had gripped their hearts.
00:01:28.906 --> 00:01:35.225
They had witnessed Jesus' calm attempt as before, but that had been a different kind of storm.
00:01:35.225 --> 00:01:45.466
It had been a storm of doubt attempt, as, within their own souls, they had seen Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons and even cleanse a man with leprosy.
00:01:45.466 --> 00:01:48.909
They had witnessed firsthand the power of God at work.
00:01:48.909 --> 00:01:53.409
And yet, when faced with a physical storm, their faith wavered.
00:01:53.409 --> 00:02:00.412
Jesus, sleeping peacefully in the stern of the boat, awoke at the sound of their cries.
00:02:00.412 --> 00:02:02.986
Why are you so afraid?
00:02:02.986 --> 00:02:06.606
He asked his voice, calm and assuring.
00:02:06.606 --> 00:02:09.193
Do you not yet have faith?
00:02:09.193 --> 00:02:17.443
His words were a gentle rebuke, a reminder that true faith is not merely belief in God's power, but trust in his character.
00:02:17.443 --> 00:02:22.454
As Jesus stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, the storm ceased.
00:02:22.454 --> 00:02:29.507
The disciples, filled with awe and wonder, were once again reminded of the power of their Savior.
00:02:29.507 --> 00:02:35.064
They had been tested, but they had also been taught a lesson, a valuable lesson.
00:02:35.064 --> 00:02:42.466
True faith is not about being free from fear, but about trusting in God even when fear seems to overwhelm us.
00:02:43.867 --> 00:02:46.453
I remember facing a life-threatening situation.
00:02:46.453 --> 00:02:53.522
I was traveling to work one stormy night, and my windshield wipers weren't quite equipped enough to weather the storm.
00:02:53.522 --> 00:02:57.352
On top of that, my tires were a lot balder than what I thought they were.
00:02:57.352 --> 00:03:05.149
I took a sharp left turn to enter onto the expressway and, before I knew it, my vehicle just gave out, completely hydroplaned.
00:03:05.149 --> 00:03:08.486
There I was completing a 360 in the middle of the road.
00:03:08.486 --> 00:03:14.021
Panic surged through my body, a cold dread that threatened to overwhelm.
00:03:14.823 --> 00:03:17.949
I remember the disciples in the storm, their fear and doubt.
00:03:17.949 --> 00:03:21.002
In that moment I felt a connection to their dilemma.
00:03:21.002 --> 00:03:25.752
I knew I had to remain calm, to trust in something greater than myself.
00:03:25.752 --> 00:03:34.294
With a deep breath, I gently turned the wheel, resisting the urge to overcorrect.
00:03:34.294 --> 00:03:42.681
As the car began to straighten, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer Jesus, take the wheel, I pleaded.
00:03:42.681 --> 00:03:57.149
The car seemed to respond, its course shifting slightly, but it was still heading straight for a wooden powerline pole, an intimidating threat that seemed to grow larger with each passing second.
00:03:58.629 --> 00:04:04.353
A mixture of memories and regrets and a desperate act of defiance.
00:04:04.353 --> 00:04:07.093
I grabbed the wheel and yanked it hard.
00:04:07.093 --> 00:04:09.895
The car swerved, barely missing the pole.
00:04:09.895 --> 00:04:21.637
To my astonishment, it swung into a narrow brick alleyway, a miraculous escape from a certain end.
00:04:21.637 --> 00:04:26.591
As I sat there, trembling and shaken, I realized that I had been saved, just like the disciples.
00:04:26.591 --> 00:04:29.204
I had faced a storm and emerged stronger.
00:04:29.204 --> 00:04:34.682
My faith had been tested and, in the face of adversity, it had prevailed.
00:04:34.682 --> 00:04:43.543
This moment with Jesus had echoed a truth that resonates deep within our souls Peace is not born of circumstances, but of faith.
00:04:43.543 --> 00:04:51.896
As believers, we are called to trust in the divine hand that can still the raging seas of our anxieties and fears.
00:04:51.896 --> 00:05:02.434
In the midst of our storms, let us remember that our Father is with us and his peace is a steadfast anchor to our soul.
00:05:03.274 --> 00:05:07.353
Let us pray is a steadfast anchor to our soul.
00:05:07.353 --> 00:05:13.781
Let us pray, dear Heavenly Father.
00:05:13.781 --> 00:05:15.384
Pray that in the moments that we face challenges, lord, that we return to you.
00:05:15.384 --> 00:05:19.312
We acknowledge that our life is filled with trials and sometimes they seem overwhelming.
00:05:19.312 --> 00:05:28.642
Lord, we pray for strength to endure and the wisdom to overcome.
00:05:28.642 --> 00:05:32.771
Would you grant us the courage to face our fears, lord, give us the patience to wait, the faith to believe in your plan.
00:05:32.771 --> 00:05:40.947
Help us see the lessons in every difficult time and to find hope even in the darkest times.
00:05:40.947 --> 00:05:51.947
Would you guide us through our trials, lord, may your strength emerge us, making us stronger, wiser and closer to you.
00:05:51.947 --> 00:05:54.552
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray.
00:05:54.552 --> 00:05:55.913
Amen.
00:00:01.500 --> 00:00:05.972
My brothers and sisters Walt here with simple thoughts and simple prayers.
00:00:06.379 --> 00:00:10.189
Today we'll be covering the passage of Matthew 8, 23-27,.
00:00:10.189 --> 00:00:11.993
Jesus Calms the Storm.
00:00:11.993 --> 00:00:20.553
This scene vividly illustrates our common reaction to stress or our behavior under pressure and stressful situations.
00:00:20.553 --> 00:00:32.442
Shortly after the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus delivers a transformative teaching on interpersonal relationships, he performs a few miracles before he sets sail across the Sea of Galilee.
00:00:32.442 --> 00:00:36.512
When he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
00:00:36.512 --> 00:00:42.990
And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea so that the boat was being covered by the waves.
00:00:42.990 --> 00:00:45.533
But Jesus himself was asleep.
00:00:45.533 --> 00:00:52.411
And they came to him and woke him up, saying Save us, lord, we are perishing.
00:00:52.411 --> 00:00:54.073
He said to them.
00:00:54.073 --> 00:00:58.185
Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?
00:00:58.185 --> 00:01:04.805
Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea and it became perfectly calm.
00:01:04.805 --> 00:01:12.469
The men were amazed and said what kind of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him?
00:01:12.971 --> 00:01:18.489
Just think some of them had been fishermen for a lifetime, their lives personally intertwined with the sea.
00:01:18.489 --> 00:01:22.408
Storms were as familiar to them as the back of their hands.
00:01:22.408 --> 00:01:28.906
Yet in this moment, as their small boat was tossed about like a toy, fear had gripped their hearts.
00:01:28.906 --> 00:01:35.225
They had witnessed Jesus' calm attempt as before, but that had been a different kind of storm.
00:01:35.225 --> 00:01:45.466
It had been a storm of doubt attempt, as, within their own souls, they had seen Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons and even cleanse a man with leprosy.
00:01:45.466 --> 00:01:48.909
They had witnessed firsthand the power of God at work.
00:01:48.909 --> 00:01:53.409
And yet, when faced with a physical storm, their faith wavered.
00:01:53.409 --> 00:02:00.412
Jesus, sleeping peacefully in the stern of the boat, awoke at the sound of their cries.
00:02:00.412 --> 00:02:02.986
Why are you so afraid?
00:02:02.986 --> 00:02:06.606
He asked his voice, calm and assuring.
00:02:06.606 --> 00:02:09.193
Do you not yet have faith?
00:02:09.193 --> 00:02:17.443
His words were a gentle rebuke, a reminder that true faith is not merely belief in God's power, but trust in his character.
00:02:17.443 --> 00:02:22.454
As Jesus stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, the storm ceased.
00:02:22.454 --> 00:02:29.507
The disciples, filled with awe and wonder, were once again reminded of the power of their Savior.
00:02:29.507 --> 00:02:35.064
They had been tested, but they had also been taught a lesson, a valuable lesson.
00:02:35.064 --> 00:02:42.466
True faith is not about being free from fear, but about trusting in God even when fear seems to overwhelm us.
00:02:43.867 --> 00:02:46.453
I remember facing a life-threatening situation.
00:02:46.453 --> 00:02:53.522
I was traveling to work one stormy night, and my windshield wipers weren't quite equipped enough to weather the storm.
00:02:53.522 --> 00:02:57.352
On top of that, my tires were a lot balder than what I thought they were.
00:02:57.352 --> 00:03:05.149
I took a sharp left turn to enter onto the expressway and, before I knew it, my vehicle just gave out, completely hydroplaned.
00:03:05.149 --> 00:03:08.486
There I was completing a 360 in the middle of the road.
00:03:08.486 --> 00:03:14.021
Panic surged through my body, a cold dread that threatened to overwhelm.
00:03:14.823 --> 00:03:17.949
I remember the disciples in the storm, their fear and doubt.
00:03:17.949 --> 00:03:21.002
In that moment I felt a connection to their dilemma.
00:03:21.002 --> 00:03:25.752
I knew I had to remain calm, to trust in something greater than myself.
00:03:25.752 --> 00:03:34.294
With a deep breath, I gently turned the wheel, resisting the urge to overcorrect.
00:03:34.294 --> 00:03:42.681
As the car began to straighten, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer Jesus, take the wheel, I pleaded.
00:03:42.681 --> 00:03:57.149
The car seemed to respond, its course shifting slightly, but it was still heading straight for a wooden powerline pole, an intimidating threat that seemed to grow larger with each passing second.
00:03:58.629 --> 00:04:04.353
A mixture of memories and regrets and a desperate act of defiance.
00:04:04.353 --> 00:04:07.093
I grabbed the wheel and yanked it hard.
00:04:07.093 --> 00:04:09.895
The car swerved, barely missing the pole.
00:04:09.895 --> 00:04:21.637
To my astonishment, it swung into a narrow brick alleyway, a miraculous escape from a certain end.
00:04:21.637 --> 00:04:26.591
As I sat there, trembling and shaken, I realized that I had been saved, just like the disciples.
00:04:26.591 --> 00:04:29.204
I had faced a storm and emerged stronger.
00:04:29.204 --> 00:04:34.682
My faith had been tested and, in the face of adversity, it had prevailed.
00:04:34.682 --> 00:04:43.543
This moment with Jesus had echoed a truth that resonates deep within our souls Peace is not born of circumstances, but of faith.
00:04:43.543 --> 00:04:51.896
As believers, we are called to trust in the divine hand that can still the raging seas of our anxieties and fears.
00:04:51.896 --> 00:05:02.434
In the midst of our storms, let us remember that our Father is with us and his peace is a steadfast anchor to our soul.
00:05:03.274 --> 00:05:07.353
Let us pray is a steadfast anchor to our soul.
00:05:07.353 --> 00:05:13.781
Let us pray, dear Heavenly Father.
00:05:13.781 --> 00:05:15.384
Pray that in the moments that we face challenges, lord, that we return to you.
00:05:15.384 --> 00:05:19.312
We acknowledge that our life is filled with trials and sometimes they seem overwhelming.
00:05:19.312 --> 00:05:28.642
Lord, we pray for strength to endure and the wisdom to overcome.
00:05:28.642 --> 00:05:32.771
Would you grant us the courage to face our fears, lord, give us the patience to wait, the faith to believe in your plan.
00:05:32.771 --> 00:05:40.947
Help us see the lessons in every difficult time and to find hope even in the darkest times.
00:05:40.947 --> 00:05:51.947
Would you guide us through our trials, lord, may your strength emerge us, making us stronger, wiser and closer to you.
00:05:51.947 --> 00:05:54.552
In Jesus' mighty name, we pray.
00:05:54.552 --> 00:05:55.913
Amen.
