December 8th, 2025 Devotional

LIVING WATER VINEYARD DEVOTION

Monday — “The First Step Into the Boat”

Matthew 8 • Mark 4 • Luke 1

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INTRO — WHEN THE DUST TURNS TO MUD

Yesterday was an amazing and sacred service.

Tears everywhere.

Hearts soft.

Jesus close.

We talked about the difference between being a fan and a follower —

how fans cheer from the shore,

but followers actually get in the boat when Jesus says:

“Let us go over to the other side.” (Mark 4 / Mark 5)

Scripture points out something easy to miss:

“His disciples got into the boat… and the crowd stayed behind.”

Fans stay where it’s safe.

Followers step into obedience.

And we talked about what happens after you step into the boat…

because storms always come.

The Sea of Galilee is famous for sudden violent squalls —

winds that drop between the steep cliffs,

waves that rise taller than the boat,

storms so deadly that even seasoned fishermen were terrified.

This was not a gentle rain.

It was a fear storm.

A storm so powerful they cried,

“Lord, don’t You care that we’re about to die?”

Here’s the truth every pastor learns walking with people through real life:

You’re either in a storm,

just coming out of a storm,

or a new wave is forming that you don’t see yet.

And yet Jesus keeps inviting us to follow closely —

so closely that we walk in the dust of our Rabbi.

But when you’re in the boat,

and the wind hits,

and the water rises,

and life gets messy…

that dust can quickly turn into mud.

Mud from tears.

Mud from fear.

Mud from waves you didn’t see coming.

Mud from the “other side” Jesus is leading you toward.

But even muddy disciples are still in the boat with Jesus.

Fans stay dry on the shore.

Followers get wet in the storm.

And Jesus meets followers in the waves.

With that in our hearts… we look at Mary.

Because before any disciple faced a storm on the Sea of Galilee,

a young girl in Nazareth faced a storm of her own.

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THE STORY — MARY’S LEAP OF FAITH (Luke 1)

Before we ever see the disciples in a storm…

before the waves rise…

before Jesus sleeps in the boat…

The Bible shows us a young teenage girl from Nazareth facing a storm of her own.

Mary is poor.

Mary is unknown.

Mary is planning a normal life with Joseph.

And then heaven breaks in.

Gabriel appears:

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary is troubled — because she knows that when God calls someone “favored,”

He is about to ask them to trust Him at a level that feels impossible.

Gabriel tells her she will carry the Messiah.

Mary knows exactly what this means:

• The loss of her reputation

• The confusion of Joseph

• The whispers of her village

• The death of her carefully imagined future

But Mary senses what every follower of Jesus eventually learns:

If God invites you into the boat, He will be in the boat with you.

So she answers with faith that still echoes across history:

“I am the Lord’s servant.

May Your word to me be fulfilled.”

Mary steps into the boat.

The crowd stays behind.

And the waves begin to rise.

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THE STORY — AMY CARMICHAEL AND THE RESCUE THAT ALMOST COST HER LIFE

Thousands of years later, another young woman heard the same kind of invitation.

Amy Carmichael grew up in a Christian home in Northern Ireland.

She was weak in health, rejected by multiple mission boards,

and had every excuse to stay safely on the shore.

But Jesus kept calling.

So she stepped into the boat and sailed to India — alone, unsupported,

and unaware of the storm she would soon face.

THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED

One day, a trembling 7-year-old girl named Preena appeared at Amy’s door.

Preena had been forced into temple slavery — a “temple servant,”

which meant ritual sexual exploitation.

She had tried to escape multiple times.

The priests beat her, branded her, and locked her in darkness.

Yet somehow… she ran until she found Amy.

Barefoot.

Bruised.

Terrified.

“Please… don’t send me back,” she whispered.

Amy knew the truth:

To shelter a temple child was illegal

and considered an attack on the entire religious system.

People were killed for less.

This was her Sea of Galilee.

This was her furious storm.

Two options lay before her:

• Stay on the safe shore

• Or get in the boat with Jesus… and face the waves

Amy gathered the little girl into her arms and said words that nearly cost her life:

“Child, I will never send you back.”

THE WAVES CRASHED

The fury came quickly.

Temple leaders stormed her home.

Crowds gathered to intimidate her.

Authorities sued her.

Enemies attempted to poison her.

Mobs searched for her.

Her coworkers begged her to run — to escape — to stop.

But Amy prayed:

“Jesus, if You got into this boat with me,

I will not step out of it.”

The case went before a judge.

To everyone’s amazement, he ruled in Amy’s favor —

the first known legal release of a temple child.

Preena was free.

And a ministry was born.

THE OUTCOME OF HER COURAGE

• Amy rescued more than 1,000 children

• She founded the Dohnavur Fellowship

• India eventually outlawed temple prostitution

• Her community still exists today

Like Mary, Amy said yes.

Like Mary, she stepped into the boat.

Like Mary, she discovered that obedience invites waves —

but it also invites the presence of Jesus.

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THE DEVOTION — THE FIRST WAVE ALWAYS COMES

In Matthew 8 and Mark 4, the disciples learn a kingdom principle:

The moment Jesus asks you to get into the boat… the waves begin to rise.

Not because you’re out of God’s will,

but because you’re in it.

Mary said yes — and faced misunderstanding and fear.

Amy said yes — and faced lies, threats, and violence.

The disciples said yes — and faced the most violent storm of their lives.

But here is the promise:

No storm can sink the boat Jesus sits in.

He doesn’t promise no waves.

He promises His presence.

And His presence is enough.

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THREE REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR TODAY

1. Where is Jesus inviting me to step into something uncomfortable or risky this week?

(What “boat” is He asking me to get into?)

2. What waves am I facing that make me question whether I heard God correctly?

(Have I confused storms with disobedience?)

3. How can Mary’s “Let it be to me according to Your word” shape my response today?

(Where do I need to surrender?)

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WORSHIP SONG FOR TODAY

“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” — Hillsong United

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CLOSING PRAYER (Personal Version)

Jesus, thank You that You are the One who calls me into the boat

and the One who rides every storm right beside me.

Today I choose to say what Mary said:

“Let it be to me according to Your word.”

Give me the courage to obey,

the faith to stay in the boat when the waves rise,

and the peace to trust that no storm is stronger than Your presence.

When I face fear — calm my heart.

When I face opposition — strengthen me.

When I face uncertainty — speak Your word to me again.

Thank You that You never abandon me.

Thank You that Your voice is louder than the wind around me.

Thank You that Your love brings peace into every storm I face.

I step into this week with You,

eyes on Your face,

my heart surrendered,

and my hands open.

You are enough for me.

Amen.