Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Eight in this series, seeking ten devotionals. Our focus falls upon “a certain day”.

What is the old expression, “the stars were aligned”. I find it rather entertaining that people who do not believe in God allow for the alignment of the stars to determine destiny. Maybe that is just a secular adoption of a spiritual belief. The three wise men followed a star to Bethlehem. Honestly it isn’t the only place listed in the bible. Prophesies abound in connection with stars from Daniel, Ezekiel, Amos, all the way thru to and including revelations.

God does make certain days special in how all the actors, circumstances and locations come to a point to define what some of us recognize as divine appointments. He doesn’t need a star to do that. One of the things Jesus said about the Jews was that they were always looking for a sign. Are we looking for a sign? Are we waiting on the Lord to show us a sign?

I will admit there were times I used a lack of a sign as an excuse to not join activities. “I don’t feel led.” “I am not called to do that.” Recently I joined an activity and was called out. I would say that it was better to act and find out I was not called than to sit around and do nothing.

Being gracious, being forgiving, being supportive, being encouraging, being prayerful isn’t a calling. It is who we are. We don’t have to wait on these things.

Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Seven in this series, seeking ten devotionals. Our focus falls upon “into the ship”.

Have you ever noticed how many spiritual messages have been delivered by ship or water vessel? There was Noah of course, Moses set in a basket upon the river Nile, Jonah trying to escape God, Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water to Jesus and even the apostle Paul’s voyages. It is apparent to me that the message and the passenger is more important than the vessel.

When I think of all the different types of boats, ships, even Moses’ basket, I lump them together into the term vessel. Are we not an earthen vessel? He is the potter, we are the clay. Are we not a vessel on which the words of His commandments are written on our hearts? Is not the Holy Spirit a passenger in this vessel? Are we not less important than the message and the passenger?

The ship takes a lesser position in the telling. It is humble.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

A ship, a service vessel.