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Week 4: Letting Jesus in the Boat

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: Matthew 11:28–30

The miracle doesn’t end when Peter is rescued. It ends when Jesus gets into the boat.

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.” (Matthew 14:32)

Peace didn’t come when Peter tried harder. Peace didn’t come when the storm explained itself. Peace came when Jesus was fully welcomed in.

So often we cry out to God for help, but once the crisis passes, we try to take control again. We invite Him to rescue us, but hesitate to let Him stay. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

When life feels heavy, we sink. When we exchange our burdens for His, we find rest. Letting Jesus into the boat means allowing Him access to every part of our lives:

the fear, the frustration, the confusion, and the healing. Not just the polished moments.

He is close to the brokenhearted. He stays when the storm ends. And He is still saving, not just from sin, but from every storm we face.

Discussion Questions

What does it look like to let Jesus stay in your “boat”?

Where do you still try to take control back?

Application

Ask Jesus to be Lord over one specific area you usually keep guarded.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this time today, and we invite You fully into our lives. We invite You into everything we do. We do not want to keep any part of our lives hidden from You, because we desire for You to remain at the center of all things.

Today, Lord, we choose to exchange our burdens for Yours. You have promised that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light, and we thank You for the rest our souls find in this exchange. Teach us what it means to stop striving and to truly rest in You.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are close to us. Thank You that You are not only with us in the storm, but that You remain with us in every season of life—the good and the difficult alike. You stay when the storm ends, and You continue to lead, guide, and carry us through all that we face. We give You all praise and glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for taking part in this study! If you would like to review the complete 4-week study or complete it in a group, click HERE.

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Week 3: What Keeps Us Sinking

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Peter 5:6; Romans 10:13

Peter didn’t start sinking because he stepped out in faith. He started sinking because he shifted his focus. The storm didn’t change—his attention did.

Scripture gives us a clear framework for how God rescues His people in moments like this:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Peter lived this out in real time. He humbled himself—admitting he couldn’t save himself. He prayed—calling out to Jesus. He sought Jesus—not the boat, not the crowd. And he had to turn—from fear, doubt, and distraction.

But there are things that keep us sinking longer than necessary: pride, silence, comparison, and sin. God’s rescue is available—but we have to let go of what’s pulling us under..

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

Discussion Questions

• Which of these areas is hardest for you?

• How has silence kept you isolated in the past?

Application

Confess one area where you’ve been carrying unnecessary weight and release it to God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

If there is any area in our lives that is causing us to sink in the midst of the storm, whether pride, silence, comparison, or sin—we ask that You would reveal it to us. Give us the humility to see it clearly and the wisdom to know how to deal with it. We

choose to humble ourselves before You. We pray to You, we seek Your face, and we commit to turning away from the sins and the weights that are entangling us. We ask for Your help, Lord Jesus, because we cannot do this on our own. Thank You that we can cast our cares upon You, knowing that You care deeply for us. Help us to turn to You when we are struggling. Help us to turn to You when we feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. We trust that You are our answer, our peace, and our comfort in every storm.

We love You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Week 2: Lord, Save Me

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: Matthew 14:27–31

Peter does something remarkable in the middle of the storm. He steps out of the boat. For a moment, he does the impossible. He walks on water—until fear takes over. The wind becomes louder than the voice of Jesus. The waves feel stronger than his faith. And then he begins to sink. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30)

That’s his prayer. No explanation. No justification. No long speech. Just honesty.

Sometimes we think prayer has to sound a certain way—calm, confident, put-together. But this prayer came from panic and desperation, and Jesus responded immediately. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” God is not waiting for polished words. He’s listening for honest ones. “Lord, save me” is enough when you don’t have the strength to say anything else.

Discussion Questions

• Why do we sometimes avoid asking for help?

• What keeps you from praying honestly?

Application

Practice praying simple, honest prayers this week. No polishing. Just truth.

Prayer

Father God, Today we come before You as Your children, carrying needs, requests, emotions, and burdens that feel heavy and overwhelming. In the middle of our storms, help us remember that we can come to You with confidence, knowing we don’t have to have the right words or perfectly formed prayers. You know our hearts. You know our desires. You know our needs even before we speak them. Your Word reminds us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans we cannot understand, and we are so grateful that nothing we carry is hidden from You. Lord, thank You that in the storm, we can cry out to You. Thank You that a simple, honest prayer—“Lord, save me”—is enough. Thank You for the relationship we have with You, for being near, and for responding with compassion when we reach out. We love You, and we trust You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Week 1: When the Storm Hits

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: Matthew 14:22–26

Storms have a way of catching us off guard, especially when they arrive right after something good. In Matthew 14, the disciples had just witnessed one of the most incredible miracles of Jesus’ ministry. Thousands were fed with a few loaves and fish. God’s power was undeniable. Spirits were high. Faith felt strong.

And then they got into the boat.

“Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.” (Matthew 14:25)

By the time Jesus reached them, they were already battling a violent storm. They were exhausted, afraid, and feeling alone. That detail matters.

Storms don’t always come because we did something wrong. Sometimes they come right after moments of obedience, faith, and victory. A storm is not proof that God has abandoned you. It’s not evidence that you missed His will.

Jesus already knew where they were. And He was already on His way.

If you’re in a storm right now—emotionally, spiritually, or physically—know this: You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. And you are not navigating this alone. Storms may shake us, but they do not remove us from God’s care.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever experienced a storm right after a season of growth?

• What storms are hardest for you, external or internal?

Application

This week, identify one storm you’re currently facing. Write it down and acknowledge it honestly before God.

Prayer

Our most gracious God and Father, we thank You that You care deeply about us. We thank You that Your Word reminds us in John 16:33 that we can take heart, because You have already overcome the world. We know that in this life there will be trouble and trials, but You came so that we could have peace. So today, God, we speak peace over the hearts and minds of Your children. If anyone reading this is walking through a storm, we speak to that storm now, and we command it to be still in the name of Jesus. We thank You, Lord, that You are with us in the storm, that we are not alone, and that we will not be overtaken. We trust that You will carry us through, and that we will come out victorious, because of who You are and what You have already done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Lord, Save Me

Listen to the full message with presentation HERE!

There’s a moment in Scripture that feels almost too honest to gloss over.

Peter is walking on the water. He’s doing the impossible. And then suddenly, the wind catches his attention. Fear takes over. His feet begin to sink beneath the surface, and he cries out one simple prayer:

“Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

That’s it. No long explanation. No fancy wording. Just desperation and trust wrapped together in a few words.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

This story has always reminded me of something that happened with my son years ago. He was running up the stairs at full speed like kids do, and suddenly we heard a loud boom. I called out, “Are you okay?” and he meekly answered, “I’m okay.” But I knew better. I asked again, and after a pause, he burst into tears and said, “I’m not okay. Somebody call 911.”

We still laugh about it now, but the truth is, we do the same thing as adults. We walk into church, into work, into conversations carrying stress, fear, grief, and overwhelm—and when someone asks how we’re doing, we say, “I’m fine.” Sometimes it feels like it’s not okay to admit that we’re struggling. We think that real faith means pretending we’re always winning, always strong, always unshaken.

But Scripture tells a different story. It’s not a sin to be overwhelmed. It’s not a failure to need help.

Peter Needed Saving and So Do We

In Matthew 14:22–33, the disciples find themselves in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. This wasn’t a small inconvenience. These were experienced fishermen, and they were terrified. What makes this even more striking is when the storm happens.

It comes right after one of the greatest miracles they had ever witnessed—the feeding of the five thousand. They had just seen Jesus provide supernaturally, and yet now they were fighting for their lives. Sometimes the greatest storms come right after great spiritual victories.

Storms don’t mean God is absent. They don’t mean you missed something. They don’t mean you failed. Jesus already knew exactly where they were—and He was already on His way.

Look for Jesus in the Storm

When Jesus approached the boat, walking on the water, the disciples didn’t recognize Him at first. They thought He was a ghost. How often does Jesus show up in ways we don’t immediately recognize? Sometimes He looks like a friend checking in.
Sometimes He sounds like a Scripture that won’t leave your heart. Sometimes He’s the conviction that stops you mid-sentence.

Jesus said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Look for Him in the storm. You’re not in it alone.

How Do We Survive the Storm?

Peter shows us exactly how to respond. The answer actually reaches back nearly 900 years earlier, when God gave King Solomon a clear prescription for times of crisis.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Peter did all four.

He humbled himself.
Admitting you need help is hard. Pride tells us we should be able to handle it. But Scripture says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) Peter later wrote those words—after living them.

He prayed.
“Lord, save me.” That was his entire prayer. Prayer doesn’t have to be long to be powerful. It just has to be honest.

He sought Jesus.
Peter didn’t turn back to the boat or to the other disciples. He turned to Jesus. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

He turned from doubt.
Jesus caught him and asked, “Why did you doubt?” Doubt doesn’t disqualify us—but we can’t stay there.

What Keeps Us Sinking

Some things will keep us stuck in the storm longer than necessary:

  • Pride — thinking we can handle it ourselves
  • Silence — refusing to cry out for help
  • Comparison — measuring our lives against others
  • Sin — carrying weight Jesus already paid for

Scripture reminds us: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

But you have to call.

Exchange the Weight

Jesus invites us into something better: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28–30) When things are too heavy, we sink. When we release them to Jesus, we float. And notice how the story ends—Jesus gets into the boat with them. It’s not enough to cry out once and then push Him away. He wants to be part of every part of your life: the storms, the victories, the confusion, the healing.

He is close to the brokenhearted. If you’re sinking today, you don’t need perfect words. Just this one prayer will do:

“Lord, save me.”

COMING SOON!!

If you’re in a storm—or coming out of one—I don’t want you to walk through this alone. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be releasing a weekly study based on this message, breaking it down piece by piece so we can walk through it together. My prayer is that each week gives you space to reflect, be honest with God, and experience His rescue in a fresh way. Come back each week and let’s do this together.

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Right Place, Wrong Time: Lessons from the Life of Joseph

Listen to the full message with presentation HERE!

Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Like no matter how much you were trying to do the right thing, life just wasn’t lining up the way you expected?

That question came to mind when I was studying a familiar story in the Bible—Joseph, starting in Genesis 37. Joseph’s story covers 14 chapters, which is a lot compared to other people in Scripture. Some figures we meet for a verse or two, some get a chapter, but Joseph’s life unfolds in detail.

I can’t cover every verse here (though it’s worth reading Genesis 37–50 straight through—it’s one of the most gripping narratives in the Old Testament). Instead, let’s pull out a few lessons from Joseph’s journey.

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1. Not Everyone Will Be Excited About Your Dreams

Joseph was already on thin ice with his brothers. He had a special coat, he was his father’s favorite, and yes—he was a tattletale. (The Bible literally says he brought a “bad report” about his brothers back to their father.)

Then Joseph shared his dream about his brothers’ bundles of grain bowing down to his. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t go over well.

Here’s the lesson: not everyone is going to celebrate your dreams. Sometimes the people closest to you—family, friends—may not understand or support what God is doing in your life.

And that’s okay. Their lack of excitement doesn’t cancel God’s plan.

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2. Obedience Doesn’t Mean Easy

Joseph obeyed his father when he went to check on his brothers. He was doing the right thing, but obedience didn’t keep him out of trouble. His brothers saw him coming and immediately plotted to kill him.

Being in God’s will doesn’t mean smooth sailing. Paul obeyed God and still ended up shipwrecked (Acts 27). Sometimes obedience comes with setbacks. But setbacks don’t mean failure—God is still at work.

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3. God’s Blessing Isn’t Limited by Circumstances

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. From the outside, it looked like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Genesis 39 tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did.”

Potiphar noticed. Joseph rose to the top in his household.

This shows us that God’s favor isn’t confined by our situation. You may be in a job you dislike, surrounded by people who don’t share your values, or in a season that feels heavy—but God’s blessing is not limited by your circumstances.

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4. God Is with You, Even in the “Wrong Place”

After refusing Potiphar’s wife, Joseph ended up in prison. From slavery to prison—it seems like a downward spiral. Yet the Bible says, “The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.” (Genesis 39:21)

Even there, Joseph prospered.

This is a powerful reminder: no matter how “wrong” your situation feels, God has not abandoned you. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”

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5. Your Success Comes from God, Not People

Joseph helped interpret dreams for Pharaoh’s cupbearer, who promised to remember him—but forgot for two whole years.

Two. Full. Years.

Joseph wasn’t overlooked because God forgot about him. He was waiting on God’s timing.

Psalm 75:6–7 says, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor the west… but God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”

Your promotion, your breakthrough, your open door—ultimately, it doesn’t come from people. It comes from God.

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6. Our Gifts Are for God’s Glory

Finally, when Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he could have boasted. After all, he correctly interpreted dreams before. But instead, he said, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16)

That’s humility. That’s perspective.

Our gifts aren’t for self-promotion—they’re for God’s glory. 1 Peter 4:10–11 reminds us that every gift we have is meant to serve others and point back to Him.

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Final Thought

Joseph’s story is full of ups and downs—family betrayal, slavery, false accusations, prison, and eventually, leadership in Egypt. Through it all, we see a God who is faithful, present, and sovereign over timing.

So if you feel like you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, remember Joseph. Obedience doesn’t guarantee comfort. People won’t always celebrate your dreams. But God’s presence, blessing, and timing are never off.

He’s with you. He has good things for you. And He will make everything beautiful in His time.

Reflections

As we move into a new week, let’s remember that every small act of faithfulness adds up. Sometimes progress feels slow, but God is always working behind the scenes. Our role is simply to stay faithful, to show up, and to trust Him with the results.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of a new week. Help us to walk in Your strength and not our own. Remind us that even in the small things, You are present and working for our good. Give us endurance when we feel weary, peace when we feel overwhelmed, and joy in every moment. May our words and actions bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Spiritual Spring Cleaning

”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I woke up this morning and did what I always do first thing: made my coffee. After that, I usually stand in front of the window to let the sun hit my face and to prayer silently for a few moments.

This morning, I heard birds chirping, which is a sound I miss during the sometimes long winters here in Wisconsin. But the birds are back earlier this year thanks to a record breaking warm winter.

Spring has come early and for many people that spurs the urge to do some spring cleaning. I try to keep a good handle on the house and send old things out as new things come in but I have some spring cleaning to do also.

I don’t know what it is about spring that gives us the motivation to start getting rid of things but it reminds of Hebrews 12:1. “Let us throw off everything that hinders…”.

Spring cleaning is a chance for many to throw out physical things that hinder. Maybe they hinder access to a part of a room or the ability to comfortably have guests over. Maybe they hinder us from moving forward from a painful past. But our homes aren’t the only thing in our lives that need regular maintenance.

God wants us to throw off the spiritual things that hinder us. He wants us to do a sweep for unforgiveness, jealousy, negativity, and a host of other things that clutter our spirits.

We can only do this with the help of the next verse. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” When we fix our eyes on him, we can focus on who he is and strive to be more like him.

This year, if you plan to clean out the attic or garage or basement, take some time to ask God what areas of your spiritual life could use some spring cleaning so you can run the race he’s naked out for you.

Have a great week!

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All You Need

I like to plan. I make a to do list for the month, week, and day. I wish I was more spontaneous but this is how God made me. I don’t like when things pop up in the week that are not on my list already and as a result, sometimes struggle to adapt.

Last week, my son fractured his toe at taekwondo. It was a pretty rough fracture but he is doing ok now. Thank God he doesn’t need his toe to game! But handling all that went with his injury was a lot of stress for me. Not just because it wasn’t on my to do list, but I don’t handle my kids being in pain very well. I probably cried more than he did by the end of it!

But as I was in the middle of everything last week and feeling overwhelmed, this verse came up in our daily scripture calendar. “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others,” 2 Corinthians 9:8.

I know Jesus told us to ask God for our daily bread, but often I want to know the meals for the whole week. This scripture reminded me that whatever happens, planned or not, God is in control and he’s given us everything we need to handle what each day brings. I was able to encourage my son with this as he was having his toe readjusted and was afraid.

We don’t know what the day will bring but God does and he is faithful to walk with us every step of the way. I think of Shadrach, Meschack, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. God didn’t just yell in to the fire, “You’ll be ok!! Just wait it out!”. He got in the fire with them. And he is with us. It’s who he is. Emmanuel.

Have a wonderful week!

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Happy New Year

I love beginnings. The beginning of the day, week, month or year all get the same amount of excitement from me. I’m one of the weird people that wake up Monday morning, ready to go!

Like most years, I’ve set a few intentions for 2024. One is to become more consistent on this blog. But I have a good reason as to why it’s been on the back burner. I just published my first book at the end of last year and am working on a launch in March. I wrote in my last post that you can do everything you want, just not all at once.

Now that the book’s done, I have a little more time for creative writing and insight. I’ll be sharing the book here soon! I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I pray God’s best for you in 2024!

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Starting Again

I haven’t blogged in almost a year. And I’ve missed it. Life has picked up and blogging and podcasting have been on pause. But I’m ready to slowly add them back in. I firmly believe we can do everything we want to do. Just not at the same time.

I can be a homeschooling mom, volleyball coach, worship leader, marathoner, podcaster, blogger, author, or any other hats that I wear with pride. I just can’t be them all at the same time. We have to prioritize what we can handle in each season, otherwise, we will begin to despise the roles we have chosen.

Over the past few months away, I have been focusing heavily on finishing my book, kids’ activities and homeschooling. And have been making great progress in these areas. They are a bit on autopilot now which is allowing me to slowly incorporate blogging and podcasting again.

I don’t know how often I will write or record, but I’m starting again. Starting again or starting over can be hard. It’s hard not to compare to what’s already happened and easy to fear what might. But I’ve decided I’d rather start and see than wait and wonder.