Today's Passage - Luke 8:22-25

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 8:22-25   "One day Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let's go over to the other side of the lake.'  So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep.  A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!'  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples.  In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.'"   While there will always be unpredictable storms in our life that make us lose faith and hope, never forget the promise of the Lord.  Someone has said that when you are in darkness, don't ever forget the promises that the Lord gave you when you were in brightness.  When you possess the Lord's promise, hold on to it and keep on going, because storms will always pass but word of the Lord lasts forever.   People often can't feel the presence of God during the storms, but God's presence will never be taken back!  As children we loved to sing "when the Lord is on my boat I shall not be afraid of the wave...  Until we reach our heavenly home."  From this scripture we see that when storms came, the Lord was onboard, but the disciples reacted with fear and awe.  Jesus, however, was sound asleep because He knew God's will and plan, and He knew God's promise through Him.  Therefore, before the time comes, God won't take His life.  Peace of the Lord was not based on the environment, but rather the word of God.  As long as your peace is based on the word of God, you will enjoy peace and joy during any storm in your life.   Jesus also rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, beginning with their faith in God's word.  When the Lord said "Let's go over to the other side of the lake," that's exactly what he meant, so they wouldn't drown to death half-way.  Also, it's their lack of faith in God's deeds; when Jesus rebuked the winds and waves and asked them to subside, disciples fearfully asked "Who is this?"  They actually already knew that He is the son of God, ruler of the universe, all things are under His authority, and nothing is impossible in Him.  During our storms in life, may God give us faith in His word and His deeds.  We will then be able to make the storms in our life subside by the authority of the Lord.                Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you because you are the Lord who calms the winds and waves, and you are the faithful God.  When you tell us to go to the other side, we shall believe that we will end up on the other side.  You will accomplish it as you promised and by your zeal.  Please encourage us once again to believe and to depend on your word.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!