Daily Devotional – October 2-8
October 2 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Luke 8:22-25, One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Prayer: “Jesus, may I obediently go where You ask me to go even if I don’t know why we’re going. In my obedience to You, I may find myself in some very difficult circumstances. These are opportunities for me to trust and go deeper in my walk with You. Be patient when I cry out in desperation and show little faith. Even with such a helpless cry, You respond and speak over the raging chaos. By the power of Your word, creation’s fury humbles itself and obeys Your sovereign authority. You are God. No one is greater. Praise be to Your name. Amen.”
October 3 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 8:22, One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “’Let us go over to the other side of the lake.’ So they got into a boat and set sail.”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
I call this simple obedience. Jesus asked them to go to the other side of the lake. They did. We don’t have record that they asked any questions or asked what the purpose of the journey was. That’s actually surprising because what we might not understand that they did understand was the other side of the lake was predominately Gentile. In fact, when they arrived there, they were met by a man possessed by a legion of demons. What all the disciples knew about this area is unclear, but what’s evident is that they willingly joined Jesus and went where He was going.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
Simple obedience willingly joins Jesus where He invites us to go without knowing all the details.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, I ask for obedience that willingly listens and wholeheartedly follows wherever You lead. Even though I may have many questions, give me the courage to get into the boat! Amen.”
October 4 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 8:23, As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
Write out the Scripture.
“As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.”
Observe what it is saying.
They had obediently hopped into the boat and gone with Jesus. Yet, they still faced this terrible storm that quickly developed and swooped down out of the hills down onto the lake. Does obedience bring bad storms into our lives? Not necessarily. However, we see it doesn’t prevent them either. No one had sinned to cause it. Storms happen to the righteous and unrighteous.
Relate it to your life.
I’d rather be in a boat with Jesus in a storm than without Jesus on a beautiful sunny day.
Do something.
“Jesus, I desperately want and need You in my life at all times. As a believer, You have come to dwell in me through the Holy Spirit. May I always cherish Your presence with me. Amen.”
October 5 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 8:24, The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.
Write out the Scripture.
“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.”
Observe what it is saying.
In their fear of dying, they woke Jesus who was soundly asleep. They still didn’t know who they had in the boat! Only God could sleep so peacefully in a raging storm. As God had spoken creation into existence out of chaos, so Jesus spoke peace into the chaotic storm.
Relate it to your life.
I can confidently call upon Jesus to speak His peace into my life’s storms and struggles.
Do something.
“Jesus, I ask you to speak Your peace into my life as I face the storm of ____________. Amen.”
October 6 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 8:25, “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples…
Write out the Scripture.
“’Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples…”
Observe what it is saying.
What a great question for them and for us. The disciples didn’t act in faith when they awakened Jesus. It was a desperate plea for their lives. Their faith was missing. They were still growing in their knowledge of who Jesus was, and as the verse goes on to say, they had no idea that He had authority over nature. Would a response of faith to the storm have been to let Jesus sleep or calmly wake Him and ask for help? The more we know Jesus the more trust we have in Him.
Relate it to your life.
We put our faith in that which we trust the most.
Do something.
“Jesus, I believe, help me in my unbelief. Amen.”
October 7 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 8:25, …In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Write out the Scripture.
“…In fear and amazement, they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.’”
Observe what it is saying.
The disciples were blown away with what they’d just experienced. When they awakened Jesus, what did they expect Him to do? Surely, they thought He’d do something, but they didn’t expect this miraculous calming of the sea. They’d seen Him work miracles, but this was the first that defeated creation’s rebel powers. Along with overwhelming awe, they had fear of Jesus’ authority and asked, Who is this? They were still on a steep learning curve of who Jesus was and what He could do. Discipleship is a process of learning more and growing deeper in trust.
Relate it to your life.
When I go to Jesus in prayer and ask for help, what do I really expect Him to do?
Do something.
“Jesus, I want to know You more and more and trust You the same. Amen.”