READ Psalm 107:23-31
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
-- Psalm 107:29-30 (NIV)
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay entitled “Self-Reliance” contains some very famous lines such as: “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist;” “For nonconformity[,] the world whips you with its displeasure;” “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string;” “A man is to carry himself in the presence of all opposition as if everything were titular and ephemeral but he.”
Suppose a person is paddling a kayak in the middle of an ocean and a cruise ship comes alongside. The captain calls down with a megaphone and says, “We have plenty of room. Would you like to come aboard?” The person in the kayak responds, “Naw, I’m good.” The captain replies, “According to the weather forecast, a major storm is coming this way.” The kayaker responds, “That’s okay. I’ll take my chances.”
In the spiritual realm, God is the captain of the cruise ship and we are the kayakers, paddling in our own strength, oblivious to the dangers that lurk ahead. We rely on ourselves and don’t think we need God or anyone else’s help, but don’t realize that destruction awaits anyone who has not made peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. God pleads with us, using the megaphone of earthly suffering and trials, to come to him. Some listen and get to their desired haven, while others reject his offer of forgiveness and take their chances.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rely on God, not self.
Prayer: Father in heaven, please help us to trust in you more than ourselves.
Prayer Focus: BOATERS
Rick Stockwell retired from a career in information technology, teaches Sunday school for first graders, served as an elder at his church, has been married for thirty-five years, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Rick is the author of two novels in his Heavenly Realms series called The Wall and The Battle. Audio, eBook and paperback versions are accessible via this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
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Assurance of Salvation
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Knowing
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Choose Wisely
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Merry Christmas
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Two by Two
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No Root
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Watchman
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Book Binding
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Meeting Together
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Weak and Strong
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Repentance
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Discipleship
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Already Chosen
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Withered Hand
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Traveling Mercies
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Doomscrolling
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Working Toward Heaven
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Foxes
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Self-Reliance
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Flawless
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The Scripture Cannot Be Broken
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Friends
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Love and Respect
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Guardian Angels
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Invictus
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Living Water
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Burning Brightly
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Time
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The One I Esteem
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Swimming Lessons
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Hard Heart
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The Narrow Path
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Bleach
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Impressions
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Running Uphill
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Are We Listening?
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Impressions
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Running Uphill
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Racial Healing
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