Lesson From the Boat: You Have Authority Over the Storm.

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With Jesus in and beside me, I can quiet the storm, Amen.

God is with you through every single moment of your life. Because He is constantly present, we do not need to give in to fear or anxiety. Even when we are experiencing the consequences of our own choices, we can trust that Christ is protecting us and look to Him for how to respond.

When Jesus was in the middle of a raging storm, He experienced complete peace. He calls us to adopt that same mindset. When we step into Christ’s peace, our anxiety fades, our bodies relax, and we gain the mental and spiritual clarity to decide our next steps.

The Gospel accounts in Matthew 8, Mark 4, and Luke 8 show us how Jesus handled the storm. While the disciples panicked over the crashing waves, Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and sea to be quiet and still. Through His authority, the chaotic environment had to submit. Because Christ lives in us, we also have the spiritual authority to speak peace over our situations and tell the chaos to stop.

I learned this firsthand as a school administrator working in a high-tension neighborhood. On mornings when I prayed for God’s peace to cover the campus, the day was consistently calm and orderly. On days I forgot, the surrounding community’s chaos would quickly creep into the school. The moment I realized my mistake, I would pause, enter into prayer, and watch the atmosphere shift. Even now in retirement, as president of my HOA, I see the same pattern: when I fail to surrender my morning to God, tension builds; when I stop to pray, peace returns.

If you are currently navigating a storm—even one brought on by your own mistakes—do not simply give up and accept the chaos. Step forward in faith. Treat the situation for what it is: a storm that must yield to the Lord. Speak to it with the authority given to you through Jesus Christ.

Remember His promise in Mark 11:23: if you speak to the mountain in faith without doubting, it will be moved.

Scripture Summaries

Matthew 8:23–27: Jesus gets into a boat, a great storm arises while he sleeps, the disciples wake him to save them, and he rebukes the wind and the sea to create a great calm. 

Mark 4:36–41: Jesus is in the stern sleeping on a cushion when a fierce squall swamps the boat; he wakes up, commands the waves to “Quiet! Be still!” and asks his disciples why they lack faith. 

 Luke 8:22–25: Jesus and his disciples set sail, a storm fills the boat with water, they cry out that they are drowning, and he orders the storm to stop.

Essay: Life’s Teachers by Maria Shriver

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https://www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/lifes-teachers/

Life’s Teachers is an insightful and refreshing article inspired by a preschool teacher’s graduation speech. In it, Maria Shriver reminds us of the importance of looking for the good in others and embracing the lessons life offers through everyday experiences. I hope you enjoy this thoughtful piece as much as I did.

A bit about Maria Shriver

The Gift of Wisdom

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Good Day From Los Angeles .🌞.

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It’s sunny and warm, but not hot like the desert.

We all lack wisdom when needed most. When things become challenging, we tend to overlook the fact that we have God given wisdom and simply need Him to direct us. This verse simply reinforces that we have wisdom and need to calm down, take a beat, reconnect with our source and allow God to direct us.

When do we receive the gift of wisdom?

We were gifted with wisdom when we became Christians and received Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Have a blessed day🙏🏽.

Playing Your Part in God’s Unfolding Story

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Is there a way I can speak of the Lord’s faithfulness throughout my life to someone I meet today? Lord, may I be sensitive to the opportunities I may have with people I meet today. (Lectio, May 27, 26) Are you struggling to do your part in God’s unfolding story?

We long to play our part in God’s unfolding story—but how can we step into that calling if we do not truly know who we are? So many of us have allowed others to define us. Our identity became shaped by labels spoken over us—some careless, some wounding, some simply untrue. We learned to live as the version of ourselves others expected, not the person Christ redeemed.

Yet in Christ, we put on our true name. A name rooted not in brokenness, but in belovedness. A name spoken by the One who formed us, called us, and set His Spirit within us.

Today is the day to lay down every false label, which are the things that are the opposite of what He says we are.

God said we are special, chosen, lovely and unique, we are strong, courageous, smart, kind, compassionate, trustworthy, giving, dedicated, loving and have self control.

Today we release the labels/identities that were never ours to carry and to step into the truth of who Christ says we are.

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Romans 12:2 instructs us not to conform to the pattern of the world. What patterns was Paul telling us not to confirm to? The patterns are the labels placed upon us. Paul said to transform through the renewing of your mind so that we will no longer be captives of the false narrative.

We can find comfort in transforming from who we thought we were to who we truly are because God’s truth empowers us, it sets us free, and is anchored in His unconditional love.

When we begin to walk in the identity God gave us before our birth, we become strengthened to take our rightful place in His unfolding story. Shame loses its grip. Fear loosens its hold. And we find the courage to share our lives—and our faith—with others. Once we are no longer held captive by our false narrative, hiding from who we are, we can speak openly of who Christ is within us. With confidence, humility, and joy, we step into the role God has written for us in His great and beautiful story.

Resting on Galatians 5:16,17

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Today’s devotional focuses on Galatians 5:16, 17.

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” ~ Galatians 5:16-17 NLT

In these verses, the Apostle Paul offers the ultimate solution to overcoming selfish and sinful tendencies. It focuses on three main concepts:

Walk by the Spirit: To “walk” means to live, conduct your life, and make daily decisions. To “walk by the Spirit” means relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power rather than your own strength.

The Flesh: This refers to human nature apart from God—our natural, selfish inclinations, compulsions, and desires that lead to sin.

The Promise: Paul presents this as a cause-and-effect relationship. As you actively focus on and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading, you lose the drive to fulfill the desires of your sinful nature.

The verses acknowledge an ongoing internal struggle (detailed in verses 17-23) between what your natural self wants and what God’s Spirit desires.

Paul’s message is that victory does not come from strictly following a list of rules; rather, it happens naturally by cultivating a daily relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

  • Continue to deepen your relationship with the Lord through short prayers and expressions of gratitude throughout the day.
  • Tether yourself to the Holy Spirit who lives in you. He is not a guest; he is a resident.
  • Resist your earthly desires. It will require prayer and positive self-talk.
  • Listen to the Holy Spirit who will serve as your cheerleader as you separate your wants from your spiritual needs.

 Have a blessed day.

 

My Mouth is Filled With Your Praise

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I learned through BSF that praising God throughout the day profoundly changes the atmosphere around you. I know this because I witnessed it beautifully lived out in the lives of so many women whose faith, joy, and unwavering trust in God reflected His presence even in the midst life’s challenges.

Again and again, I listened to testimonies from women walking through incredibly difficult seasons, yet they still smiled, greeted others warmly, and lifted up the name of the Lord. At first, I wondered, how can they still radiate joy while carrying such heavy burdens?

Over time, I realized their praise was not based on circumstances — it was rooted in faith. They chose to focus on God’s goodness, His faithfulness, and His presence instead of allowing hardship to define their hearts. Watching them praise the Lord in both challenging moments and praise-report moments was deeply humbling, inspiring, and life-changing.

In closing, Psalm 71:8 declares, “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.” This verse reflects a life committed to continual worship and gratitude, regardless of circumstances. It reminds us that praise shifts our perspective — from fear to faith, from discouragement to hope, and from struggle to the splendor of God’s enduring love and strength.

Check In

To reflect on an earlier devotional, have you recently ended a conversation by saying, “Have a blessed day”? Did you notice even the slightest change in the other person’s demeanor? Those simple words have a way of breathing life into the soul, reminding people they are seen, valued, and covered by God’s grace.