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Tuesday September 14, 2010 |
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Speaker: Ben Sigman Theme: Fear Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Over the World - Matt Redman, Holding Nothing Back - Jesus Culture, Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin, Hosanna - Hillsong Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-6 Think: Getting out on the water is a favorite activity around here. According to the State of Washington Department of Ecology, Puget Sound has the highest per capita boat usage in the country. Most of us have enjoyed boating in one form or another – lake sports, fishing, sightseeing, or even just ferry rides as a form of transportation. But when the weather turns foul, a fun outing on the water can become scary. Imagine being far from shore in a small fishing boat when a storm comes up at three o’clock in the morning. Take away the engine, radio, and cell phones, and things look even worse. This begins to give us an idea of what Peter and the other disciples were experiencing in the story from Matthew that Pastor related in his weekend sermon. The fear the disciples felt intensified when they saw a figure coming towards them across the water, and thought it was a ghost. Then, in the midst of this fear, Jesus brought about a miracle. Peter asked to walk on the water with Him, and Jesus called him out of the boat. Now, as scary as it was in the boat, can you imagine what is was like outside it? Still, Peter stepped onto the water. When he faltered, Jesus took Peter’s hand and saved him. Fear has an upside. Some point to unusual physical strength sparked by terror. Researchers have also shown the fear can boost cognition, and provide increased focus. Fear can motivate us to act. But the greatest benefit of fear comes when we, like the children of Israel entering the Promised Land, or Peter walking on the water, look to the Lord through our fear, and accept His help. Do: Hold someone’s hand for a moment today. As you do, think what it might have been like for Peter to take hold of Jesus’ hand. Are you ready to reach out to Jesus through your fear? Pray: Heavenly Father, you know I have things in my life that cause fear. Sometimes I focus on them and lose sight of You; sometimes I ignore them and lose sight of You. Today, I want to reach out to You through my fear, and learn to rely on You in every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, may it be so.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
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4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org |
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