Digging In - Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.”  Matthew 14:22-33 NLT

 I think often we read this story of Peter walking on water and we think “Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Why didn’t he trust Jesus?” I used to do that. Now, I realize I act like Peter on a pretty regular basis.

 One day, I’ll be really bold in my prayers. I say prayers like “Father God, I want to live for you! I want to do _________________. No matter what, please make my life what you want it to be.” 

Then things start to shift and change and my prayers become something like “I can’t do this. What are you doing? This is scary.” When I do this, I am Peter. One day I am bold and courageous, standing outside the boat. Next day I am insecure and afraid, jumping back into the boat. 

I love Jesus’ response to Peter. I don’t think he criticized him. He just asked the questions I so often hear in my spirit. “Why don’t you trust me?” I love how the Message puts it. Jesus says to Peter “Faint-heart, what got into you?” That’s me some days. Faint-heart. 

There are a few things that encourage me as I jump in and out of the boat. Jesus knows my inclination to want to feel “safe.” But because He loves me so very much, He’s working with me. Like Peter, he gently encourages me to trust Him. Can you imagine the conversation Peter and Jesus had as they walked back to the boat? 

Another thing that encourages me is Peter’s life. He went on to deny Jesus (guess he was jumping back into the boat at that moment). But, in 2 Peter 1:3-4 he says:

 “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (NLT)

 Peter figured out how to trust Jesus’ promises. Shortly after he wrote this, he went on to be crucified for his faith. History says that he asked to be crucified upside down. Guess in this moment he was out of the boat and he stayed there. He stayed out in the storm. 

 I am so thankful that Jesus never gives up on us. He keeps working with us…getting us to the place where we trust Him. Like Peter, I want to dig into the promises and know that no matter what, I can stay out of the boat because that is where I am truly safe. How about you?

A Minute In It - Feeding Your Faith

Ever get to the end of the week and feel spent? Everything is going along just fine when in the span of 24 hours a few balls drop that leave you discouraged and wondering. Wondering things like “Where are you God?” “Why do you not step in and fix this?” “Why can’t we just have some good news for a change?” “Why does this have to be so hard?”

That’s how I felt in the middle of yesterday. So, I prayed. I prayed and asked God all of those very same questions. And I ended with “I need to see you.”

God is so faithful. As I continued to go through my day, he spoke in very clear ways. Overall, the message was “Remember. Dig into my Word. Remember my promises. Feed your faith with Me, not your circumstances.” So today, we are going to do just that.

Here are just a few of the promises I found yesterday. I am sure you have some favorites. When you get discouraged and it doesn’t feel like Jesus is in the middle of it, dig in to his Word. It will help you remember that He is.

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NLT)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 46
3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you. (v 3-4)
9 Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish. (v 9-10)

He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever. Psalm 146:6

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Subtle Warfare

He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 1 Kings 19:14 (NLT)

Elijah had just performed an awesome miracle for God. The kind that should reinforce who God is and that he is definitely in charge. After he did, he began to hear the whispers. You know what I mean. The voices that tell you things about yourself and about God that are not true.

Even though they are not true. They are real and after hearing them for a while, the best of us believe them.

The voices that remind you of your past failures and insist that you have not grown past them. The talking about how you are not good enough to _____________________ (fill in the blank.) Each of our whispers are different.

For some, it’s about a past mistake. For others it’s about our physical appearance or our personality. The whispers can talk about our intelligence, our emotions, and our inabilities. These voices get particularly persistent as we grow deeper in our relationship with God.

I know this from experience. We’ve been doing a 40-day fast and the whispers have been non-stop. Relentless is the word that comes to mind. The thing that really distresses me is that normally, I can differentiate between God’s voice and the other guy. This time, it was very subtle and I struggled.

Elijah did too. He was a mighty God warrior and he began to believe what he was hearing. He was convinced that he was the only person left who followed God.

What should we do when the attack is real and the thoughts are negative? Go straight to the source of truth. God. Open your Bible and read. Read the promises. Write them down. Carry them with you all day long. When you hear the voices, repeat them out loud; over and over again. It is only by hearing the truth in our souls can we walk through this victoriously.

Elijah told God what he believed and God told him the truth. He said “Elijah, there are 7,000 others who have been faithful.” God will tell you the truth too. And when you hear it, believe it. Lean in to the One who loves you. He will never leave you or forsake you. That’s a promise!

When I Am Afraid....

David, the anointed one of God, was suddenly thrust into a life of chaos. He went from

living in the royal residence to living in caves
being served dinner on silver platters to hunting and scrounging for his food
being the favored one of Israel to being hunted
feeling safe and secure to never being able to relax

All because of Saul’s jealousy.

During these times, David wrote some amazing praises to God. Here are some of the words.

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
    don’t let me be disgraced.
    Save me, for you do what is right.
2 Turn your ear to listen to me;
    rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
    a fortress where I will be safe.
3 You are my rock and my fortress.
    For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,
    saying, “You are my God!”
15 My future is in your hands.
    Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
    In your unfailing love, rescue me. Psalm 31:1-3, 14-16 (ESV)

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
    He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
    he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:1-8 (ESV)

3 But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

When things are upside down, turned inside out, look to your fortress. Look to Jesus. He promises never to leave you or forsake you. Trust him. He loves you..

A Minute In It - He Watches Over You

A minute in Gods' word will change your life. There are some days when it is good to comfort ourselves in God’s promises. He is faithful.

1 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

I Prefer Safe And Sound

One day the prophet Gad told David, “Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.” So David went to the forest of Hereth. 1 Samuel 22:5 (NLT)

David was safe in his stronghold. It was his safe place. A place where he knew he could relax because he was protected there. And then God shows up through the prophet Gad and says "Go." He told David to leave his safe place and go out to where he was unprotected. He was to go where danger lurked because Saul was always hunting him trying to kill him.

If I were David, I might have spent some time in prayer asking "Can't I stay here? It is safe here. I am comfortable. I have everything worked out perfectly. No surprises. I know how to handle this." And maybe David did talk to God about this new command, we don't know. What we do know is that he went. 

And sure enough, Saul heard he was out and about and the chase began again. Story after story of Saul (and others) trying to kill David but God always worked it out. We know that eventually, Saul dies and David becomes King. We know that God was faithful and kept his promises. All throughout David's life he demonstrated that he trusted God.

But we don't know that about our lives. Or do we? When God asks us to do something and it seems kind of crazy and uncomfortable, how do we respond? Do we ask "Can't I stay here? It's comfortable and safe and I don't know what it looks like to do what you are asking." Or do we respond like David and go. 

Just like with David, God will be faithful to you and keep his promises. What he's asking you to do may sound scary and crazy but when you get to the other side, you'll know that it was the best plan. 

Get Out Of That Hole!

But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. Matthew 25:18 (NLT)

Do you ever feel like this guy? You have been given something to do and you are 100% positive you can't do it. The one thing you are really, really sure of is the knot in your stomach and the fear that follows you around telling you that you are not qualified to do the thing God has given you to do.

I have been there. And there are still days that I feel this way. It makes you stop in your tracks and become unable to move forward, no matter how much you want to. Those voices that whisper to you of failure....they really are crippling.....as long as you listen to them.

And there, my friend, is where you have a choice. The man in the parable of the talents made his choice. He buried the cause of his fear and walked away. You don't have to do that. You can turn to God and tell him about your fear and ask him for courage. You can turn to the Bible and read his promises. You can strengthen yourself by remember the amazing things he has done in the past.

And then, after you remember who gave you the assignment; that he is all powerful and that he promises never to leave you for forsake you; then you can dig up what you buried and take a step forward. 

Don't kick yourself for being afraid. Fear is normal. But don't be like the man who buried his life with his fear. Recognize it for what it is and ask God to give you strength. He has great plans for you but he can't fulfill them with you hiding in a hole.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

A Minute In It - Promises, Promises

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and as you are reading, note how God says "If you do this, I will do this." What are some of the promises you find in this chapter? What one thing will you do to facilitate those promises?

1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.

11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.