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We gather here today with open hearts and mind to grow in faith and truth.
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In every word we find the pages of the word alive and full of grace, inspiring faith with him as we seek his face by
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Bible bites, Bible bites, starring faith one bite at a time with every verse we
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Find our way to live our lives in his life and shine.
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Welcome to Bible Bites.
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I'm your host, Randy Black.
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The story of Jesus.
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Jesus walking on water is a extremely powerful demonstration of his authority over nature and his ability to meet his followers in moments of fear and uncertainty.
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Found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, this miraculous account emphasizes faith, obedience, and trust in the midst of life's storms
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Through this lesson from these scriptures, we'll explore how Jesus' presence brings peace, the importance of stepping out in faith
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And the assurance that even when we falter, He is ready to save us.
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As we do each week, before we dive into the Scripture, let's open up with a prayer
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Heavenly Father, thank you for your word that teaches us about your power and faithfulness.
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As we study the story of Jesus walking on the water,
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Open our hearts to receive the truth about trusting you in difficult times.
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Strengthen our faith
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Calm our fears and help us recognize your presence in every storm that we may face.
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May this three pieces of Scripture draw us closer to you and increase our confidence in your saving power.
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In your Son Jesus' name we pray.
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Amen.
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Matthew chapter 14 verses 22 through 33.
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Immediately he compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of
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Him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away.
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After he had sent the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray, and when it was evening he was there alone.
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But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, but battered by the
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Waves, for the wind was contrary.
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And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
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When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, It is a ghost, and they cried out in fear.
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Jesus spoke to them, saying, Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.
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Peter responded and said to him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.
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And he said, Come.
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And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came towards the water.
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But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.
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Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and took hold of him and said to him,
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You of little faith, why did you doubt?
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When they got into the boat, the wind stopped, and those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, You are truly God's Son.
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Mark chapter 6 verses 45 through 52.
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And immediately Jesus had his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side to Bethlehem.
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Zida, while he himself dismissed the crowd.
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And after saying goodbye to them, he left for the mountain to pray.
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When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea,
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And he was alone on the land, seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea, and he intended to pass by them.
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But when they saw him walking on the sea,
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They thought it was a ghost, and they cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified.
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But immediately he spoke with them and said to them, Take courage, it is I.
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Do not be afraid.
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Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped, and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened
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John chapter 6, verses 16 through 21.
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Now when the evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they
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They started to cross the sea to Capernaum.
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It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
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In addition, the sea began getting rough because a strong wind was blowing.
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Then, when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia,
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they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.
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But he said to them, It is I, do not be afraid.
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So they were willing to take him into the boat.
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And immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
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The story of Jesus walking on the water that we find in Matthew, Mark, and John gives us a
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amazing picture of faith, fear, and Jesus' saving power.
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Together, these accounts tell a story not just about a miraculous event,
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But about the presence and the faithfulness of Jesus in the storms of life, both literal and figurative.
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The disciples were in the middle of a storm, struggling against the wind and the waves, when Jesus approached them by walking on the water.
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At first, they were terrified, mistaking him for a ghost.
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This response shows how fear often blinds us to God's presence
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Even though the disciples had witnessed many miracles, including the feeding of the 5,000 just hours earlier on that day, they still didn't fully recognize the Lord in their distress.
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How often do we miss God's hand at work in our own difficult situations because we're overwhelmed by fear or by confusion?
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When Jesus identified himself saying, It is I, do not be afraid, his words were more than just a greeting.
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They were a call to faith.
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Peter's decision to step out onto the water shows us what it means to trust God in bold and risky ways.
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At that moment, Peter was willing to act on faith.
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But as soon as he shifted his attention from Jesus toward the storm, he began to sink.
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This is a vivid reminder of how easily fear and doubt creep in when we lose sight of Christ.
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Yet, even as Peter faltered, Jesus immediately reached out and saved him, showing that he is always near, ready to lift us up when we call on him.
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Each gospel account highlights the peace that Jesus brings.
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In Mark's version, the storm calms the moment Jesus steps into the boat.
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And in John's account, the boat immediately reaches the shore.
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Both details emphasize that inviting Jesus into our circumstances brings resolution and peace.
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Even when the situation seems out of control.
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Sometimes the storm doesn't end immediately, but his presence is enough to sustain us through it.
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Overall, the story reveals not only the importance of faith, but also the grace of Jesus when our faith falters.
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We'll all face moments when fear distracts us or doubt weighs us down.
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But when Jesus, he's always there, calling us back to trust him.
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His power over the storm assures us that no matter what we encounter, he's able to bring us through it.
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Recognizing his presence in our lives, especially in those storms
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gives us the courage to step out in faith, even when the waters look to be turbulent
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We have some key takeaways from these scriptures this week.
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The first is that Jesus is aware of our struggles, even when we don't see him.
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The disciples were fighting against a storm, unaware that Jesus had his eyes on them the entire time.
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Even though they were struggling and thought they were alone, Jesus came to them at the perfect moment.
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This teaches us that no matter how isolated or overwhelmed we feel, Jesus knows exactly what we're going through
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His timing may not align with ours, but he is never absent.
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His presence in our lives may be unseen at times.
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But he's always working for our good and is always ready to intervene.
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Our second takeaway is that faith requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in Jesus.
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Peter's decision to leave the boat and walk toward Jesus on the water demonstrates that faith involves action.
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True faith is not passive.
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It calls us to move forward even when we feel uncertain or afraid.
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Taking steps of faith might mean making tough decisions.
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It might mean facing fears.
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And it might mean that we have to embrace new opportunities with confidence in God's guidance.
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However,
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Stepping out can feel risky because the outcomes aren't always clear.
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This story reminds us that Jesus honors even imperfect faith.
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And that he is with us every step of the way when we place our trust in him
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Our third takeaway is that doubts and fears can arise when we take our focus off Christ, but he is always ready to save us.
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Peter's fear got the better of him when he focused on the storm rather than on Jesus, causing him to sink
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This moment highlights the reality that our faith can waver when we get overwhelmed by life's challenges.
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However, Jesus responded immediately when Peter called out, showing that our doubts do not disqualify us from his help
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Even when we stumble, God's grace reaches us, lifting us up and setting us back on course.
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What matters most is that we continue to call on Jesus, trusting in his readiness to rescue us.
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Our fourth takeaway is Jesus' presence begins or brings us peace and calm even in the midst of life's storms.
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When Jesus entered the boat, the wind stopped, and peace replaced the chaos.
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This detail shows that his presence is more powerful than the storms that we face
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It doesn't mean that life will be free of struggles, but it does mean that Jesus offers peace that surpasses understanding
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We may still encounter storms, but with him beside us, we can face them with courage and with assurance.
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His presence transforms our perspective, reminding us that we are never alone in our hardships
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And our last takeaway from these scriptures is that recognizing Jesus as Lord changes our perspective and strengthens our faith.
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The disciples initially failed to recognize Jesus, mistaking him for a ghost.
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However
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When they realized it was him, their fear turned into amazement and into trust.
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This transformation shows how recognizing Jesus' presence shifts our mindsets from fear to
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to faith.
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When we acknowledge him as Lord over all circumstances, we find strength to endure and to persevere
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Developing a habit of looking for God's presence, even in those unexpected moments, deepens our faith and brings renewed confidence in His power and His care.
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This story of Jesus walking on the water challenges us to think about what it means to live by faith and not by sight.
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Peter's bold decision to step out of the boat is a reminder that faith often requires us to leave our comfort zones.
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Trusting Jesus may mean walking into uncertainty, but it's in these moments that we experience his power most profoundly
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Reflecting on your own life, when have you felt called to take a step of faith?
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How did that experience shape your relationship with God?
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The storm in the disciples' journey mirrors the challenges we all face, those times when fear and doubt overwhelm us.
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Peter's experience of sinking as he took his eyes off Jesus is completely relatable.
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It reminds us of how easy it is to get distracted by life's difficulties and lose sight of God's presence.
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Yet, Jesus didn't let Peter drown.
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Instead, he reached out and saved him.
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Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by fear.
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How did you regain your focus on Christ?
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And what role did his presence play in bringing you through?
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The story also reassures us that Jesus meets us wherever we are.
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Just as he came to the disciples.
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in their moment of need.
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He comes to us in our struggles, even when we don't immediately recognize him.
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His presence brings calm, and his words It is I, do not be afraid.
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are a personal invitation to trust him.
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Reflect on how Jesus has shown up in your life during times of crisis
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How has his presence brought peace or clarity in situations that seem to be overwhelming
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Another lesson we see is the importance of living or inviting Jesus into our circumstances
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In both Mark and John's accounts, the storm ceased and the boat reached its destination as soon as Jesus got in.
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This invites us to think about areas in our lives that feel stormy or stuck.
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What might change if we fully welcome Jesus into those situations?
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Consider what it looks like to surrender your worries and fears to him today, trusting that he will bring peace and bring direction.
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And finally, the disciples' initial failure to recognize Jesus reminds us that God can be at work in ways we don't expect.
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Sometimes the challenge is not just having faith, but also being open to seeing God's hand in unexpected places.
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As you reflect on this, ask God to give you the discernment to recognize His presence and His guidance
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even when it comes in unfamiliar or surprising ways.
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Let's close out our study of the scripture with a prayer.
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Lord Jesus, thank you for the lessons we learn from your word.
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Help us to trust you with every part of our lives, especially in times of fear and of uncertainty
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Strengthen our faith to step out of the boat when you call and forgive us when we falter.
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May we always recognize your presence
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even in the midst of life's storms, and experience the peace that only you can bring.
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As we move forward,
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Remind us that you are with us always.
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Guiding and sustaining us
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In your mighty precious name we pray.
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Amen.
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That's podcasting two point org slash apps.
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We hope that with the work we do each week and writing, preparing, recording these lessons, these podcast episodes, that
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We are providing value to you.
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And
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That can come in three different forms is the way we line them out in the value for value model.
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And those are time, talent, or treasure.
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Time is as simple as listening to the show each week.
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Giving up your time to hear the message we're trying to convey.
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It can also include taking the time to share the episode with someone else.
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It has touched you in some way.
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You've found it to be profound in some way, and you want someone else to hear it as well.
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Talent would be something as simple as offering to help us to make cover art each week for our our our different lessons and episodes.
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It could be offering to
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Give us ideas for topics to cover, for scriptures to look at.
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It could be writing out an episode, a lesson for the episode
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And it could even be jumping in and offering to record with us or record an episode that we can put out on the show as we produce it
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And the last is treasure, and by its name, that does imply that there's something financial involved.
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Um, it does cost money to produce the show.
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We have to pay for hosting.
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Pay for software titles, uh, things that we use each week do cost money, equipment.
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You know, I I do use a Rodcaster Pro 2 as my main interface to record and
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It's a nice it's a n very, very nice piece of hardware.
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But it's an expensive piece of hardware that I had to purchase.
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Um but
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Offering to support us in some way financially can be another way to help.
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And we have different ways to do that.
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Uh you can also head to our website there.
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And there's a link to go to a page with Albi to make a donation, sorry, make to provide support to us that way, as well as a uh embedded, embedded uh
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piece there that you can use PayPal to send support to the show uh through the regular fiat currency that we have in the United States or wherever you're located.
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To learn more about the value for value model and how we apply it to what we're doing on the show, you can head to our website and read up on it by going to bible-bytes.
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com
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Slash V for V.
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That's Bible dash bytes with a Y, B-Y-T-E-S.
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com, slash the letter V
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The number four and the letter V.
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And that's the page where you'll find those links to support the show financially.
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If you have a prayer request, please reach out to the show.
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We have a form on our website on the contact page for prayer requests that you can fill out and send in.
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And we can share that on the show and use it to
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uh for the audience to lift those up together to the Lord as a unit so that we can hope for uh whatever whatever response the Lord has for us that meets his will.
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We have some prayer requests this week, just as we have for the last several weeks.
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First again, please continue to remember my dad.
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Uh he's had a uh MRI and bone scan done.
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Uh he's preparing to have something
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a small surgery to have something inserted as he prepares for treatment.
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And then the hope is to start treatment around around Christmas uh and be done with it um after about 28
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or so treatments.
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So about six weeks is what they're looking at.
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And that's the hope.
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Um again, continue to remember friend of the family, Greg Nance, Greg as well, is starting the process of trying to just determine for sure what's
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what's been going on uh with him and if if if he does have the diagnosis of cancer that they suspect.
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So please continue to remember him.
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Uh continue to remember me.
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I still have my my health issues going on.
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I had a procedure today, scheduled today for coming up very soon.
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Uh and I'm I'm I'm a little scared because they are gonna have to put me under um
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with anesthesia, so I do worry about that uh because of my sleep apnea.
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Um in the past when I've had to be put under because of the sleep apnea they've had to put a breathing tube and things in, uh which accounts for some of the
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Scratchiness that's in my voice is damaged uh from having a breathing tube inserted.
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We have a new request to add to our list this week.
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Um
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I don't know if many of you know or not, but I I have another podcast.
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It's called M2H2, and it's a value for value music show.
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And there are several of us out there doing these shows where we share this music from the value verse as we call it
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And we've actually got a group chat together through an app called Telegram.
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And one of the members of that group asked if we could lift up
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Her dad in prayer.
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Her name's Heather Larson.
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Heather asked for us to lift up her dad.
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He's got some health issues and things look good.
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They look really, really like he's going to be fine.
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But he's he's worried, he's stressed as as many of us get.
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So we're going to include Heather's dad in our prayer today in hopes that God touches him and
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Helps him to heal and to make sure that everything goes the way that the Lord wants in his will.
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So as we do, let's have one more prayer before we end the episode.
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Heavenly Father, we thank you again for this chance to come together and learn from your word.
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We lift up these requests to you
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myself, my father, Greg, Heather's father, that you can touch all of us and these and and meet these requests with
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An outcome that fits with your will because you are the one who holds those answers.
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We know there are members of our audience who have requests that they've not been able to speak and share
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And you know what those are, and we want to lift those up to you as well.
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We trust your wisdom in meeting these requests with the answers you provide, because it's all in your hands.
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We're handing it all off to you.
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We work each week here to share your word in hopes that someone out there
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Who doesn't know your Son Jesus as as their Savior can hear the word and feel compelled to accept him into their lives as their Savior.
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We want to see them have that opportunity to join you and your son and all of us who are saved in heaven one day.
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It's in your Son's name that we pray and thank you for everything.
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Amen.
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Join us next week as we continue our
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our look and study into the miracles of Jesus when we look at the 21st miracle recorded.
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And that's when Jesus heals many sick in Gennaseret as they simply reach out
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And they touch his garments.
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You can find that in Matthew chapter 14, verses 34 through 36.
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And Mark chapter 6, verses 53 through 56.
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Bible bikes.
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Bible bikes.
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In starting fake one bite at a
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With every verse we find our way To live our lives in his life and shine
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Bubble bites, bubble bites, inspiring faith one bite at a time.
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This podcast was produced at Johns Creek Studios in Milton, West Virginia.
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To learn more, head over to JohnsCreek Studios.
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com.
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John's Creek Studios, where podcast dreams come to life.