The Daily Devotional of The Upper Room in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A Simple Act of Faith" for Monday, March 6, 2017 with Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

The Daily Devotional of The Upper Room in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A Simple Act of Faith" for Monday, March 6, 2017 with Scripture: Matthew 14:22 Immediately he had the talmidim get in the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone. 24 But by this time, the boat was several miles from shore, battling a rough sea and a headwind. 25 Around four o’clock in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the lake! 26 When the talmidim saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear. 27 But at once Yeshua spoke to them. “Courage,” he said, “it is I. Stop being afraid.” 28 Then Kefa called to him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come!” he said. So Kefa got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Yeshua. 30 But when he saw the wind, he became afraid; and as he began to sink, he yelled, “Lord! Save me!” 31 Yeshua immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “Such little trust! Why did you doubt?” 32 As they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.

-------
When [Peter] 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?”[Matthew 14:30-31 (NIV)]
When things are going well, it is easier to be happy and to believe in God’s goodness and care. The real test comes when our good fortune or happiness suddenly changes — when like a stormy sea, life seems to turn against us.
All of us go through these experiences: disappointment and disillusionment, the pain of loss or betrayal, the agony of illness, the vulnerability of old age. Any of these can plunge us into a state of anxiety and despair. Like Peter in our reading for today, we can become overwhelmed and sink into doubt about God’s protective care.
But we can also learn from Peter’s actions by calling to Jesus. Then, even if we falter as Peter did, we can reach out to the One who walked on the sea and calmed the waters (Matthew 8:26). No matter how threatening or confusing our circumstances may become, the good and loving Shepherd knows us and has promised to lead and protect us even when we go through the valley of the shadow of death. (See Psalm 23:4.)
Remembering these examples, we are encouraged to act in faith and turn to God in prayer. Believers through the ages have testified that God will help us to deal with our challenges in new and hopeful ways.
The Author: Carel Anthonissen (Cape Town, South Africa)
Thought for the Day: With Christ I can face any problem imaginable.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to look beyond our own capabilities and to trust you to show us a more excellent way. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those making their living on the sea

-------

The Daily Devotional of The Upper Room in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "1st Sunday in Lent" for Sunday, March 5, 2017 with Scripture: Romans 10:8 What, then, does it say?

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.”[Romans 10:8 Deuteronomy 30:11–14] —

that is, the word about trust which we proclaim, namely, 9 that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered. 10 For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues toward deliverance. 11 For the passage quoted says that everyone who rests his trust on him will not be humiliated.[Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16] 12 That means that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — Adonai is the same for everyone, rich toward everyone who calls on him, 13 since everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered.[Romans 10:13 Joel 3:5(2:32)]

-------
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.[Romans 10:9 (NIV)]
Choosing God was the best decision I ever made. Looking back, I can remember a time when I felt alone and insecure about my future. I had more questions than answers and thought I had no one to help me fill the void in my life.
One day I had a life-changing experience: I accepted Jesus into my heart. I soon began to see a change within me and a change around me. The more I sought the Lord, the more I learned about myself: my gifts, how unique I am, and how much God loves me. My world went from being a blur to a much clearer picture.
Now, I tell my story so that I may invite others to seek the Lord with all their hearts. I challenge those around me to share their stories with others. When we allow God to direct us in everything we do, we encourage others to do the same.
The Author: Sally Perez (Washington, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will share my faith with someone.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for guiding us on our journeys of faith. Help us to show others the way to you. We pray as you taught us, saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13, KJV).
Prayer focus: New believers

-------