Greater Than The Storm

And when he was entered into a ship , his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. and his disciples came to him, and woke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.     Matthew 8:23-26

Prayer: O Lord, when the storms of life are blowing, give us increasing faith so we can be calm, while You calm the storm. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The title, scripture reading and prayer above are from a daily devotional in Rev. Kisenwether's book, A Year In The Life: Ministry and Memories now available on Amazon.com. Each daily devotional includes a theological reflection sandwiched between the scripture and prayer.

My Year Verse For 2017

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.     John 12:28

                Each year, while I do not make New Year’s resolutions in the popular sense that has come and gone as a major national exercise (which as TV street interviews with random folk show, many no longer see value in making resolutions or in making disciplined efforts to fulfill them), I continue a practice I began as a teenager. I choose “A Year Verse.” I select a verse that I hope will be a theme, or a growth process, in my life during the year ahead. For 2017 I have chosen the verse quoted above, John 12:28.

                In this passage Jesus says, “Father, glorify thy name.” As a follower of Jesus, I too want God, the Father, to get the glory in and through my life. I want to follow the Lord Jesus’ example in that way.

                When God, the Father, responded in this verse He said, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” I apply that to my own life joyfully also, as I can look back on my life I am grateful to be able to see that God has glorified Himself through me, and I have the hope that He will glorify Himself through me in the future as well. A hope all Christians have.