Get IN the Boat!

Letter

Building One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Get IN the Boat!

Dear Friend,

There is a wonderful story about Jesus who sends his disciples ahead of him in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Later that night, the disciples see what they think is a ghost, but its Jesus who tells them to take heart.

Jesus invites Peter to get out of the boat – and we have all heard fine sermons urging us to hear our Lord calling us to a new adventure and to take courage, trust God and get out of the boat!

However, there another story of Jesus in a boat with his disciples when a great storm erupts on the scene and Jesus is sound asleep. The disciples wake him up, he calms the storm and the lesson often taken from this is to remember Jesus is in your boat!

There is another way to think about this, suggested by the wonderful Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Suddenly it hits you, Jesus isn’t just “in” your boat, my boat or our boat, Jesus IS THE BOAT! The refuge, strength and help of our lives.

Given whatever is going on in your life today, know that more than being in your “boat,” Jesus is your boat and you may entrust yourself to his love and power!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Joy to you -- E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

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Show Notes

When you think about the "boat" of your life, are you aware of Jesus in the boat with you - do you trust that in a deeper sense, he is the boat, the one you trust to be with you through the normal days and the storms of life?

To learn more about the boats in the days Jesus was on the Sea of Galilee, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Galilee_Boat

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Photo: stock 165587996 MasaruHorie