Purpose

Marlin McPhail on November 11, 2026

 

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”

Luke 8:38-39

 

PURPOSE

Years ago, my Sunday School class used Rick Warren’s world-renowned book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? It was an interesting study, and many of the participants realized that God likely had a plan for their lives that differed from their personal thoughts and desires.

As a coach, have you given it much thought? What is your purpose for being where you are right now?

  • Is it to put the school on the map?

  • Is it to connect with alumni and raise money for the program?

  • Is it purely to win games and bring home championships?

  • Or is it much, much more than any of those things?

Just as in the parable “Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man,” one’s purpose in life should be influenced by their faith in Jesus. Once freed from being demon-possessed, the man wanted to pick up and follow Jesus, but Jesus had another purpose for him.

He needed the man to speak the truth about what had happened. The townspeople had mixed emotions about it, and the man’s purpose would be better served by discipling right where he was already planted—telling his story and sharing how Jesus had saved him.

All players come to a program or school with thoughts and desires about how they intend to impact it. It is your purpose to guide and coach them, both on the field and off. Their purpose may need redirecting.

Who and what they become as players and people can be heavily influenced by you and your purpose.

If it is just about wins and the success of the program, your influence on and connection with these players will likely end when their time on campus ends.

If you want to truly invest in them as people, you can gain their trust by using Christlike characteristics in your coaching and exposing them to your faith. With that approach, you stand a good chance of impacting them for a lifetime!

Jesus was meek, not weak. He showed love; sometimes it was tough love. He challenged his disciples, but he also showed compassion. He taught with self-control and caught with character.

So, what is your purpose? As you read this right now, consider these questions:

  • How many current and former players know your testimony?

  • How many care enough about you that, if you passed away right now, they would attend your funeral?

Chasing dreams and being successful is wonderful, but eternity is forever. Impact someone’s eternity.

Serve a purpose!

Be Well. Build Well. Serve Well.

Marlin

Marlin McPhail worked in professional baseball for 44 years before retiring in 2025.  He played ten years with three different teams in the minors and then spent his final 34 years with the New York Mets as a Minor League Coach and Amateur Scout.  Marlin resides with his wife Terry in Irmo, S.C. and has two grown children and five grandchildren. 

Digging Deeper – For My Good and His Glory

Avatar photo David Griffith on November 11, 2026

 

And they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He had come out onto the land, He was met by a certain man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 And seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had been commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard; and yet he would burst his fetters and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And  he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 And they were entreating Him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain, and the demons entreated Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out from the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned. 34 And when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.  35 And the people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons and gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.’ And he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. 

Luke 8:26-39

 

FOR MY GOOD AND HIS GLORY

 

Do you think that you are a good person? If you are a good person, then there was no need for Jesus to die to pay the penalty for your lack of goodness (sin). Right?

I am confident that the demoniac was considered to be a good person at some point in his life. After all, he had a house to go home to; the townspeople were making every effort to keep him from harming himself; they knew him in a personal way. He must not have always been demon-possessed! But he found himself in this state of uncontrollable rage brought on by Satan’s minions, meaning brought on by Satan!

So I ask again, are you a good person apart from what Jesus has done in your life personally to make God the Father see you as good, to see you as He sees His Son?

If you think you are good, the Word of God (seed) begs to differ with you.

Romans 3:10-12:

“There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; 12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” (See also Psalm 53:1-3.)

In my personal experience, when I have thought of myself as being “good,” when difficult times came, I sent up a compulsory prayer and then went to work.

Just like I believe the disciples did when the storm came upon them on the Sea of Galilee!

They probably thought, “This is not good, and Jesus could probably help, but we have professional fishermen on this boat, and Jesus is exhausted, so we can handle this storm ourselves.”

Who knows how long they strained at the oars and bailed water until the fear of nature (or the enemy, which are sometimes the same thing) took over and they cried out to Jesus for help?

I mean, Jesus was in a DEEP sleep, so it must have been a while that they struggled (unless Jesus slept like my wife sleeps; “Good night,” and she is out like a light; but I digress, and I am NOT bitter about it).

Bottom line, the disciples thought they were good enough to handle the storm without God’s help. The ship was literally sinking by the time they woke Jesus up and asked Him the most incredible question, found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4, verse 38:

“And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’”

I mean, who would ask such a question of God the Father, or His Son, or the Holy Spirit, for that matter? I mean, who would do that? Of course God cares, right?

I would, and I have, and I know Him fairly well. They would, and they did, and they knew Him VERY well!

FEAR makes even believing people do stupid things.

And there are different kinds of fear, aren’t there? There is fear of loss (life, position, possessions, relationships), and there is fear of consequences or of authority.

In the parable of Jesus calming the sea, we see the disciples’ fear of death, or loss, AND the fear of authority. In the story of the healing of the demoniac, we see the fear of God’s authority.

But God’s authority can bring either peace or fear, and it changes us.

The demoniac had a healthy fear of Jesus’ authority over his life, and it brought him so much peace that he wanted to follow Jesus.

The townspeople had great fear of what they had seen Jesus do, a true miracle, but the fear made them want Jesus to leave. They were not changed at all.

Fear does not always change us for the better; in fact, sometimes I think it can make us bitter.

The bottom line is this: IT IS GOD ALONE THAT CHANGES A HEART!

In fact, we have no ability in and of ourselves to understand the things of God apart from His Spirit allowing us to. (Remember Ephesians 2 from yesterday.)

1 Corinthians 2:14 says it best:

“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”

So once again, if you are feeling the hand of God on your life; if He is tilling the soil of your heart; if He is exorcising your demons; then you are His, and He will use you for your good and His glory.

Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7), and you will be changed.

Tomorrow, we will look at God’s perfect sovereignty!

He loves you so much forever!

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – The State of Our Heart

Avatar photo David Griffith on November 10, 2026

 

And they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He had come out onto the land, He was met by a certain man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 And seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had been commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard; and yet he would burst his fetters and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And  he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 And they were entreating Him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain, and the demons entreated Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out from the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned. 34 And when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.  35 And the people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons and gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.’ And he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. 

Luke 8:26-39

 

THE STATE OF OUR HEART

 

It’s story time, boys and girls, so get your coffee and settle in because this will be a humdinger for sure!

When I was 12, my parents purchased a farm near Salem, MO, to retire. My dad was in the military for 25 years. Well, the farm was a really good deal because it had belonged to an aged couple and had been let go maintenance-wise.

We had a lot of work to do, starting with the hay fields. We had to start on the fields before the house or the barns because the hay seed needed to be planted in March if we were going to have any hay to cut that summer and fall for our cattle. The house and barns could wait until the crop was planted.

Only one problem: the fields were overgrown with weeds, small oaks, cedar trees, and multiflora rose bushes. It was very rocky soil and had no calcium or nitrogen. The field we needed to plant our seed in was not ready.

So, what did we do? We went to work preparing the soil to receive the seed we intended to plant (fescue mixed with lespedeza, for you farmers reading).

We used tractors and hand tools and elbow grease to prepare that soil for seed. God uses life experiences and trials and storms and sleepless nights to prepare our hearts for His Word.

The analogy holds. Soil does not prepare itself for planting; that is the job of the farmer (God). In a way, the soil of our fields was “dead soil,” the same way we find our hearts before God goes to work on us.

Ephesians 2:1-2 says it this way:

“For you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

Does this sound familiar? Does it sound like the demon-possessed man from Luke 8? Does it sound like your heart before He prepared it for His Word? Does it sound like your heart in its hardened and unprepared state?

Preparing soil is not easy work (though God CAN do it in an instant if He wants to).

We first cut all of the weeds with a bush hog behind our tractor. Then we came in and pulled up all of the scrub oaks and cedar and wild rose bushes by the roots and burned them. Then we went to work on the rocks…thousands of rocks, thrown into the bed of a dump trailer to be hauled up and separated for use on the house.

Only then could we put down nutrients for the soil that would soak in when it rained. Then we were ready to disc and plant the seed.

God does the same thing with us. He cuts, and He pulls, and He removes all of the obstructions to the seed He soon will plant.

And it hurts, doesn’t it? Because all of those obstructions are the sin which so easily entangles us (see Hebrews 12:1-3).

Jesus did the hard work! The painful work of preparing our hearts for the truth, so that when the seed was sown, it WOULD be received, implanted, and yield the crop that was intended when He started the process.

Ephesians 2:10:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

If you are feeling Jesus working on your heart, Christian or not, that means He has plans for you, and His plans will come to fruition.

Do not resist the Farmer’s hand as He prepares you for His purposes. It is what you were made for before the foundation of the world.

Tomorrow, we will look at how God promises to change us!

He loves you so much forever!

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – God Knows Me!

Avatar photo David Griffith on November 9, 2026

 

And they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He had come out onto the land, He was met by a certain man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 And seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had been commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard; and yet he would burst his fetters and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And  he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 And they were entreating Him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain, and the demons entreated Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out from the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned. 34 And when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.  35 And the people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons and gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.’ And he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. 

Luke 8:26-39

 

GOD KNOWS ME!

 

This week, we are going to take a trip from the farm, to the sea, to the other side of the tracks (sea). The trip is necessary for us to understand what Jesus is teaching us through these events and parables. You see, sometimes Jesus told stories, and sometimes Jesus just worked, and the people were amazed. It is like the adage, “Truth is mostly caught, not taught!” Well, Jesus did both.

These three events are related in that it is Jesus who is responsible for each outcome. Jesus prepares our hearts! Jesus calmed the storm! Jesus set the demoniac free. It is always 100% Jesus.

This week, Mike spoke about the demoniac who was set free from his sin (demon possession). So, here is the summary of the parable, the sea voyage, and the miracle of the cleansing of the demoniac.

GOD KNEW THE DEMON-POSSESSED MAN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (see Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Jeremiah 1:5; and Psalm 139:13-16 for support).

And Jesus has known you and me from before the world began, too!

And if God knew the man before the world began, then He also knew that he would be demon-possessed and tormented…and Jesus made a point of sailing through a potentially deadly storm (that I believe was created by Satan to kill the Son of God; see Job 1:18-19, where Satan shows he has control of the weather) in order to intentionally set the man free from his shackles.

JESUS WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE, WHERE GOOD JEWS NEVER TRAVELED, IN ORDER TO SAVE THIS MAN! (Not uncommon for Jesus; remember the Samaritan Woman in John 4.)

The demon-possessed man did not BREAK FREE from his sin; no, Jesus SET HIM FREE!

And let’s spend a minute on what it means to be enslaved to our sin.

The chains of sin make us:

  1. Less sensitive to the feelings of those around us and to propriety itself (nakedness).

  2. Our sin can make us feel dead inside, resulting in a lack of desire to accomplish the “good” (living amongst the tombs).

  3. Our sin can make us want to isolate ourselves from those who care about us and want our best (driven to the desert).

Jesus knew it all and had been using all of it to prepare this man’s heart (his soil) since before he was born; and He did it for me, and He did it for you if you are His.

If you are not, and this message and Mike’s sermon are gnawing at your soul, then God is drawing you (actually, the word for “draws” in John 6:44 is “to drag”) to Himself, so give in and take up a place at the feet of the saver of your life. It is the best place in the world to spend your time.

Then go home to your people and tell them what God has done for you!

Tomorrow, we will take a deeper dive into the state of our hearts (the soil of our farm)!

He loves you so much forever!

 

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper: Future Storms

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on November 6, 2026

 

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.

Luke 8:24 (NLT)


FUTURE STORMS

 

If there is one thing life has taught me, it is that things can change in an instant.

You can wake up believing you know what the day will bring, only to receive a phone call that changes everything. You can feel secure in a relationship, a job, or a plan for the future, and then suddenly find yourself facing uncertainty.

Life does not always give us time to prepare our hearts for what comes next.

And when the unexpected happens, our first instinct often reveals something important about what we depend on.

Do we immediately panic? Do we start trying to control every detail? Do we replay every possible outcome in our minds until we are exhausted?

Or do we pause long enough to remember that we aren’t facing this moment alone?

I ask myself these questions because I know how easy it is to become overwhelmed. I begin trying to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s strength. I imagine the worst possible outcome and begin carrying the emotional weight of something that has not even happened.

Maybe you know that feeling, too.

The story of Jesus calming the storm gives us an opportunity to consider how we might respond differently the next time life takes an unexpected turn.

Notice that Jesus didn’t ask the disciples to calm the storm themselves. They could not command the wind to stop or the waves to settle. They had reached the limits of their own control, and they needed Him.

There are moments in our lives when we need to recognize that same truth.

We can take responsible action. We can seek wise counsel, make necessary decisions, and do what is within our power to do. But we cannot control every outcome or prevent every disappointment.

Maybe that’s one of the most meaningful lessons in this story. The disciples began the journey with Jesus, encountered a storm they could not manage, called out to Him in fear, and witnessed His power in a way they would never forget.

Their experience challenges us to examine our own hearts.

Let your past become a reminder of His faithfulness, your present become an opportunity to practice trust, and your future become something you place in His hands one day at a time.

I pray, as you close out your week, that you remember that you do not have to face unfamiliar waters in your own strength.

Prayer

Lord, when we find ourselves in the boat and the storms begin to rise, help us remember that we can call on You. Help us trust You with the journey, the timing, and the outcome. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can place tomorrow in Your hands.

The storm may be part of our story, but it does not have to define our faith.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

 

Digging Deeper: Who are You?

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on November 5, 2026

 

“Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Luke 8:25 (NLT)


WHO ARE YOU?

 

After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples asked a question that I find interesting.

“Who is this man?”

I wonder what was going through their minds. Hadn’t they already seen Him perform miracles? Hadn’t they witnessed His authority in other situations? Hadn’t they listened to His teaching and watched Him minister to people in need?

Why were they so amazed now?

I think the answer may be that there is a difference between knowing what someone can do and experiencing the full weight of who they are.

The disciples had seen Jesus work, but now they had watched Him command the wind and the water, and the storm obeyed Him. They were confronted with a power that reached far beyond anything they could fully comprehend.

They knew Jesus, but they were still discovering Him.

And isn’t that true for us?

We can spend years in church. We can read our Bibles, memorize Scripture, attend Bible studies, and talk about God’s goodness. We can tell stories of how He has worked in our lives and encourage other people to trust Him.

Yet there are moments when God reveals something about Himself in a way that makes our hearts pause.

Sometimes we discover His comfort in a season of grief. Sometimes we experience His provision when we cannot see how the bills will be paid. Sometimes we find strength to forgive someone who hurt us deeply. Sometimes, in a season when we thought we would fall apart, we discover a peace that we cannot explain.

Those experiences don’t mean we suddenly know everything about God. They deepen our understanding of the One we have been learning to trust all along.

I think about the difference between telling someone that God is a comforter and experiencing His comfort when your heart is broken. There is a difference between saying God is faithful and looking back over a difficult season, realizing that He sustained you through every single day.

We may enter a difficult season asking, “Lord, how am I going to get through this?” But after walking with Him through it, we may find ourselves asking a different question: “Lord, how could You be so faithful to me? How could You give me strength I didn’t have? How could You meet me in a place I thought I would have to face alone?”

We may not understand why every storm comes, but we can keep discovering the heart of Jesus through every season.

Prayer

Lord,

When we look back over difficult seasons, help us see not only what we endured but also how You sustained us. Remind us of the strength You supplied, the wisdom You gave, and the moments when Your peace met us in the middle of uncertainty.

May we never stop being amazed by Your love, Your power, Your mercy, and Your faithfulness. I pray that the things we learn in our own storms become a source of encouragement to someone else who is struggling.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

 

Digging Deeper: If You’re Right Here, Why Am I Afraid?

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on November 4, 2026

 

“Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”’ The disciples were terrified and amazed.

Luke 8:25 (NLT)


IF YOU’RE RIGHT HERE, WHY AM I SO AFRAID?

 

This question Jesus asks the disciples makes me stop and examine my own heart.

“Where is your faith?”

I can almost imagine the scene. The waves are crashing against the boat. The wind is fierce. Water is filling in, and the disciples are terrified. They shake Jesus to wake Him, crying out for help because they believe they are about to die. And where is Jesus? Right there. In the boat with them.

He is not watching from the shore. He is not somewhere far away, unaware of their trouble. He is close enough for them to reach Him, close enough to hear their cries, close enough to stand and rebuke the wind and the raging water. He literally could not have been any closer, and still, they were afraid.

If I’m honest, I might have been afraid, too. It’s easy to read this story from the safety of our own homes, knowing how it ends. We know Jesus will calm the storm. We know the disciples will survive. But they didn’t have the benefit of reading the final verses while the water was rising around them. They were experiencing the danger in real time, and isn’t that how life often feels?

When we are in the middle of a difficult situation, we feel the pressure of the moment, and fear can become louder than everything we know about God.

I sometimes wonder how many times I’ve done the same thing as those disciples. I’ve known God’s promises. I’ve experienced His goodness. I’ve watched Him make a way before. Yet, when a new challenge appears, I sometimes start to worry like He has never helped me before.

Sometimes we believe in God and still feel anxious. Sometimes we pray and still cry. Sometimes we know that God is able, but we struggle to understand what He is doing.

The presence of fear does not automatically mean the absence of faith. What matters is where we turn when fear comes.

The disciples turned toward Jesus. They woke Him and called for help. Even in their panic, they brought their fear to Him. That gives me hope.

I don’t have to pretend that the storm isn’t frightening. I don’t have to silence every anxious thought. I can bring Jesus the trembling, uncertain, overwhelmed version of myself and ask Him to help me remember who He is.

Faith is not pretending the waves aren’t high. Faith is remembering that the waves are not greater than the One who is riding them out with you.

Prayer

Lord, sometimes we don’t understand ourselves. We know who You are. We know the ways You have provided, protected, strengthened, and comforted us. We can look back over our lives and see evidence of Your goodness. Yet, when another storm comes, we can find ourselves worrying as if we have forgotten everything You have ever done.

Forgive us for the moments when our fear becomes bigger in our minds than Your faithfulness. Help us remember that You are near, even when we can’t see how things will work out.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

 

Paralyzed By Fear

Kevin Burrell on November 4, 2026

 

One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” Jesus asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”

Luke 8:22-25

 

PARALYZED BY FEAR

Every coach knows the feeling. The season is slipping, a key player goes down, the parents are restless, and your job feels like it’s hanging by a thread. You’ve done everything right, and the boat is still filling with water.

The disciples knew that feeling all too well. Jesus Himself had told them, “Let’s cross to the other side.” They were exactly where He wanted them, and the storm hit anyway. Obedience doesn’t exempt us from fear. Even experienced fishermen, men who knew that lake, were certain they were going to drown.

So when life gets scary, what do we do?

1. Shout Out to Jesus!

The disciples didn’t wait until they had it figured out. They woke Him up and shouted, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” It wasn’t polished, but it was honest. Coaches are trained to project confidence, and we often carry our fears silently so our players won’t see them. Jesus isn’t asking for a game face. He’s asking for your voice. Bring Him the fear, the doubt, and the sleepless nights.

2. Lock Eyes with Jesus!

After He calmed the storm, the disciples asked, “Who is this man?” Fear shrinks our vision until all we see is the waves. Sitting in the boat was someone who commands wind and water, and they were only now beginning to see it. When the pressure rises, resist staring at the scoreboard, the standings, the fans, or the critics. Look at Jesus. Lock eyes with Him. Read about what He has done, remember what He has already brought you through, and let your picture of Him get bigger than your problem.

3. Make Jesus the Focus of Your Faith!

Jesus’ question, “Where is your faith?” wasn’t meant to shame them. It was an invitation to point their trust at the right place. Coaches put faith in many things: a game plan, a roster, a recruiting class, a group of assistant coaches, and a win-loss record. All of those can fail, and all of them will change. Jesus doesn’t.

Listen Closely —

Your players are watching how you handle the storm. A coach who cries out to Jesus, looks closely at Him, and keeps trusting Him teaches something no playbook can: peace isn’t the absence of storms; peace is the presence of Christ in the middle of the storm.

What storm are you facing right now? Have you actually told Jesus about it?

If not, He’s waiting to hear from you.

Tell Him today.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: Familiar Waters, Unfamiliar Challenges

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on November 3, 2026

 

So they got into a boat and started out.

Luke 8:22 (NLT)


FAMILIAR WATERS, UNFAMILIAR CHALLENGES

 

Sometimes God calls us into something familiar. We know the work, understand the expectations, and feel reasonably confident in our ability to handle what lies ahead. We’ve been there before. We know how to navigate the responsibilities, how to make the decisions, and how to keep things moving.

But then there are those other times.

The times when God seems to be leading us into unfamiliar territory. A new responsibility, a difficult conversation, a season of waiting, a change we didn’t ask for, or a challenge that feels bigger than anything we’ve faced before.

And if we’re honest, those are the moments when our confidence can begin to crumble.

The disciples were familiar with boats and lakes. Some of them were experienced fishermen. Yet, when the storm came, their experience wasn’t enough to keep them from becoming afraid.

If I’m being honest, I know what it feels like to enter a situation believing I can control it, only to discover that I absolutely am not in control. I know what it is like to have a plan that suddenly no longer works, to face a problem that can’t be solved with just a little more time and maybe a little more effort. And maybe that’s where God wants to meet us.

Sometimes He allows us to recognize the limits of our own abilities so that we can discover the sufficiency of His.

There is nothing wrong with being prepared. There is nothing wrong with using the gifts, wisdom, and experience God has given us. But we need to be careful not to confuse our ability to handle familiar circumstances with our ability to control every circumstance.

Faith does not require us to feel adequate for every assignment. It requires us to depend on the One who is adequate.

Think about the things you are facing right now. Maybe you’re stepping into a role you never imagined having, trying to rebuild something that has fallen apart, or learning how to live in a season that looks nothing like the one you planned.

You don’t have to pretend that you have it all together. You can take the next step with Jesus, even if your confidence hasn’t caught up with your calling.

The disciples launched the boat before they knew what the journey would bring. Sometimes, that’s what faith looks like for us, too.

Not having every answer. Not feeling completely ready. Just being willing to move forward with Jesus.

God does not always call us because we are capable of handling what lies ahead. Sometimes He calls us so we can learn to rely on Him in ways we never have before.

Maybe this is your prayer for today:

God, You know how much I like to feel prepared. You know how often I try to think through every possibility, anticipate every problem, and find a way to make everything work. You also know the moments when I feel completely inadequate, when the responsibility feels too heavy and the road ahead seems unfamiliar. Help me trust You in those moments.

Give me the courage to step into the places where You are calling me, even when I feel uncertain. Help me use the wisdom You have given me while remembering that my ultimate security comes from You, not from my own abilities.

Teach me to lean on You instead of allowing fear to keep me from stepping out into the boat.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

 

Digging Deeper: Peace in the Boat

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on November 2, 2026

 

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.

Luke 8:22 (NLT)


PEACE IN THE BOAT

 

I find comfort in the fact that the disciples were not out on that lake because they had made a poor decision. They weren’t wandering around, trying to figure out which direction to go. Jesus had told them what to do. He said, “Let’s cross this lake together.” And they followed Him.

Sometimes, I think we mistakenly believe that when we are walking in God’s will, everything should fall into place. We expect the road to be smooth, the decisions to be clear, and the journey to unfold without too many surprises. We think obedience should somehow protect us from the unexpected. But the disciples were obedient, and the storm still came.

Maybe you’ve experienced something similar. You prayed about a decision. You asked God to guide you. You did your best to follow His leading, and yet here you are, facing circumstances you never anticipated. Maybe a relationship became difficult, a door closed, a financial burden appeared, or someone you love began walking through a season of pain. And you find yourself asking, “Lord, I thought I was following You. Why is this so hard?”

I’ve learned that following Jesus doesn’t mean I will never encounter a storm. It means I don’t have to face the storm alone.

When Jesus invited the disciples to cross the lake, He knew the journey they were about to take. The wind that surprised them did not surprise Him. The waves that frightened them did not diminish His authority.

That is where my peace must begin—not in the belief that everything will go exactly as I planned, but in the confidence that Jesus is trustworthy even when it doesn’t go the way I thought it would.

When I look back at past experiences, I can identify moments when I thought I wouldn’t make it through. There were seasons when I couldn’t see a way forward, when my heart was heavy, and when the answers I wanted did not come as quickly as I hoped. Yet, somehow, by God’s grace, I made it through those moments. He sustained me, strengthened me, and carried me when I didn’t have the strength to carry myself.

I’m sure you can look back at moments in your life and say the same.

You may not have understood every twist and turn, but you can remember His faithfulness. You can remember the prayers He answered, the strength He supplied, and the moments when peace found you in the middle of uncertainty.

So today, as you step into whatever lies ahead, carry peace with you. Not because you know everything will be perfect, but because you know the One who goes with you.

You don’t have to know how the journey will unfold to trust the One who invited you on it.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being faithful, even when life doesn’t unfold the way we expected. Thank You for every time You have carried us through a difficult season and for the strength You gave us when we felt weak. Help us remember that following You does not mean we will never face a storm. It means we can trust You in the middle of it.

 

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.