Joy Lutheran Church

09/07/2026

09/05/2026

There are moments when our faith feels shaky.
Moments when we wonder if we're going to make it.
Moments when we feel like Peter—sinking beneath the waves and crying, “Lord, save me.”

And maybe that's exactly when we need to remember that our hope isn't ultimately about how tightly we can hold onto Jesus.

It's about how tightly Jesus holds onto us.

“Jesus is holding on to you and pulling you back up into the boat.”

You may feel like you're barely holding on today. That's okay.
Jesus is holding on to you.

09/05/2026

Where is Jesus when you're afraid?
He's with you.

Where is Jesus when life feels overwhelming?
He's with you.

Where is Jesus when your faith feels shaky?
Jesus is holding on to you.

Jesus never promised that we wouldn't face storms.
He promised we wouldn't face them alone.

If you're walking through a storm right now, remember this:
Your Savior is by your side.

09/04/2026

Everyone knows what it's like to wonder:

Do I fit in?

Would God really want someone like me?

Jesus' encounter with a Canaanite woman gives a surprising answer that still changes lives today.

Join us for the final message in our series:

Where Is Jesus...?
When You Don't Belong

Sunday • 10:00 AM
Lunch follows worship, and there's always room for one more.

09/04/2026

We often want God to calm the storm.
And sometimes he does.

But sometimes the greater miracle is that God meets us in the middle of it.
He doesn't promise that every storm will disappear. He promises that we won't face the storm alone.

“God's promise is not necessarily to get rid of every storm. God's promise to be with us in the middle of every storm.”

If life feels stormy right now, remember: Jesus is with you.

09/03/2026

Jesus Reaches for You
Peter wasn't saved because he had perfect faith.
He wasn't saved because he figured everything out.
He was saved because Jesus reached out to him.
That's good news for all of us.

Because there will be times when our faith feels strong, and times when it feels shaky.
Jesus doesn't stop being faithful when our faith gets weak.

He reaches for us.

09/02/2026

Read these words from Peter today (1 Peter 4). Lord, let these words impact how we live & love!

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”

09/02/2026

Sometimes faith gets confused with pretending everything is okay.

But Peter didn’t pretend the storm wasn’t real. He cried out, “Lord, save me.”

Faith doesn’t mean denying the storm. It means knowing who to call when the storm comes.

“Faith isn't pretending the storm doesn't hurt. Faith is crying out to Jesus.”

Whatever storm you’re facing today, you can cry out to Jesus.

09/01/2026

What do you do when the storm doesn't stop?

We've all experienced storms that have nothing to do with the weather—family struggles, health concerns, financial pressure, grief, loneliness, anxiety, uncertainty, or those seasons when it feels like everything is coming at us at once.

In Matthew 14, Peter finds himself sinking in the middle of a storm and cries out, “Lord, save me.”

And Jesus reaches for him.

That's the part of the story I keep coming back to. Peter isn't saved because his faith is perfect. He isn't saved because he figures out how to rescue himself. He's saved because Jesus reaches out and grabs him.

Sometimes Jesus calms the storm. Sometimes he calms us in the storm. And sometimes he simply meets us in the middle of it and reminds us that we are not alone.

If you're in a storm right now, this week's reflection is for you.

**Where Is Jesus When the Storm Doesn't Stop?**

Read the full article and, if someone you know is struggling right now, share it with them.
https://allrevedup.substack.com/p/where-is-jesus-when-the-storm-doesnt