Isn't it good to praise the Lord?!?! (Did you say yes?!? Ok Great! Then start off your study today by... praising the Lord!!!) :)

Yesterday we took a look at counting the cost. We laid the groundwork for being resolved for the long term. Today we're going to pull it in a little closer to home... and really get to see some of more God's love for us! Ready to dive in?

Please read: (Keep an eye out for where each scene takes place.) Matthew 4:18-20, Matthew 8:14-15, Matthew 8:23, Matthew 9:1, Luke 5:3

We've already gone through most of these passages, haven't we. We started talking about what it means to really follow Jesus. We've spent a great deal of time thinking about the outcome of things, the big miracles, and even the cost of following Jesus.

But where do we start?

Well Simon was a fisherman. He was going about his business... he was in his boat when he first encountered Jesus. Jesus talked to them right where they were. He gave them the call of a lifetime, right where they stood, fishing in their boats. Simon's mother in law was healed in his own home. Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and calmed a life-threatening storm with a word. Jesus used their fishing boats to move forward to other towns to reach more people. And finally in Luke, Jesus used a fishing boat as a pulpit!

What is your boat?

Your kitchen? Your house? Your place of business? Is Jesus there with you? [That's the bottom line, afterall!]

The place was common and far from spectacular. The man was ordinary. The Savior was extraordinary.

Do you hear Jesus voice in your home?

Do you find healing and growth in your home as you follow the Lord?

Have you seen miracles in your home?

Do other people hear about Christ in your home?

It seems to me that's our calling. We do have a SAVIOR in our boat, after all! Remember who you are. And remember who Jesus is. Do you think Simon ever dreamed of seeing the things that would happen take place in his boat? I don't think so. What a wonderful Savior!

Check out Matthew 8:27 again. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him.” What did the disciples learn on that day? They learned that Jesus could control the wind. They learned that Jesus could make the waves obey them. They learned that Jesus was in control of their very lives. Jesus mastered every situation that their boat could throw at them. This was a lesson that Simon would remember and one day act upon once again. No storm had more control on their lives than Jesus did.

But they had to invite Him to be in control of the boat.

So. What is your boat? And who's in it? Are you willing to follow, whether you're in your boat or called to jump outside for a little while?

For discussion: Do you really believe that Jesus can do extraordinary things in you? In your home? In your surroundings? Why or why not? And if so... what holds us back from “taking hold of our hope...”

Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it on to completion.