Devotional Thoughts

Matthew 14:34-36     " And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;  And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole."   Jesus came walking on the water to the ship where the disciples were. After Peter’s faith grew weak and Jesus saved him from drowning, they entered the ship where the rest of the disciples were watching what had just transpired. All that were in the ship were moved to bow down in reverence to Jesus. They testified that He was truly the Son of God. Once Jesus entered the ship, they finished crossing the sea. It is estimated that this crossing would have taken three to four hours under good conditions. Jesus came to the ship during the fourth watch, which would have been between three o’clock and six...

1 Samuel 3:1-4     "And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.  (2)  And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;  (3)  And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;  (4)  That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I." " And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." There are many thoughts going through my mind concerning this point of history which speaks of the condition of man. "The word of the LORD was precious." It was considered very valuable, a prized possession. But we aren't told how widespread its value went as far as the total nation was concerned. We know from the instance of Elkanah and Hannah that people went to the house of the Lord each...

Matthew 14:28-33     "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?   And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." The disciples had departed in a ship at Jesus’s command. A dangerous wind came up, and the ship was being tossed about on the waves. In the fourth watch, Jesus came to them walking on the water. In their initial fear, they assumed He was a ghost. Jesus spoke to them over the wind while He was still some distance from the ship and t...

1 Samuel 2:18-21     "But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.  (19)  Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.  (20)  And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.  (21)  And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD." Eli, the priest, allowed Samuel to help in the ministry of the tabernacle. We don't know at this point exactly what Samuel was allowed to do, but he was dressed for the part as he went about serving Eli. It is thought that this was a special honor granted to Samuel by Eli because of the grace of God that had been bestowed upon Hannah. Eli realized the particular manner in which Samue...

Matthew 14:22     "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." As soon as the disciples had gathered the twelve baskets of fragments after Jesus had blessed them to feed the multitude on five loaves and two fishes, Jesus immediately sent the disciples away. He insisted (compelled) that they get into a ship and leave without Him. On...