Courage, Dear Heart

“Then Jesus got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly, a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying,  ‘Lord, save us! We are going to drown!’   He replied,  ‘You of little faith, why are you afraid?’   Then He got up and rebuked the winds and waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked,  ‘What kind of man is this, that even the winds and waves obey Him? ’” (Matthew 8:23-27, NIV) When I read about the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament, I’m always partial to this one; it’s a reminder of the powerful God we serve. Even the winds and waves obey Him.  But lately...I’ve been one of those disciples.  If I’d been there on the boat that day, Jesus would have been speaking to me when He said, “You of little faith. Why are you afraid? ” As much as I hate to admit it, I can be so, so faithless.  I see and read about the mir...

I don’t know if there’s a biblical figure I relate to more than Peter. Peter was just a regular guy; a plain old fisherman called by Jesus to be one of His 12 disciples. In one of my favorite pieces of Scripture, Jesus asks the 12 who they believe He is; Peter confesses before them that Jesus is indeed the Christ and Son of God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus responds,  “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:17-18, NIV).  This is such an incredible revelation, but I’ve got to be honest...it’s not my favorite part. My favorite part comes directly after, when Jesus foretells of His crucifixion; that He must suffer and be killed, then be raised to life on the third day:  “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, ‘ Never, Lord! This shall never happen to You!’ Jesus turn...