“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29-31
"Splash Day is here!" as my son shot out of bed, he excitedly screamed.
As I drove them to school, I gave them last minute tips on being extra careful. 'Don't run around the pool' 'Your floaties should be all the way up' 'Make sure to put more sunscreen' 'If you feel like your drowning, take a huge breath and push your feet off the floor to come back up.'
My son very matter of factly said "we'll have our floaties, so we won't drown Mom. Going in without our floaties would be crazy!"
Yes it would son, it would be absolutely crazy to be in an unfamiliar place without something to save you when things go awry. However, I admit that I have left my "floaties" aside when things have gone south.
It usually takes a powerful sermon, a devotional with perfect timing, or wise words from God's very Word to pick me up and face the world head on. At that very moment I feel like I can do anything, as God will be by my side.
Then Jesus calls my name and says "Come child, come to me." As I take my first step out of my comfort zone, I begin to realize the situation around me becomes real. It is no longer just the sound of the howling wind I hear. Now it is the raging wind tossing me like a ragged doll from side to side. It is now the pouring rain drenching me in a second. The roaring thunder now makes me walk cowardly towards my Savior, and before going any further, I begin to sink.
I am so fortunate to have a Savior who stands true to His name. He saves me from going completely under. He pulls me up with His hand. His next words pierce my heart. 'You of little faith. Why did you doubt?'
At that point I could imagine sputtering many words to try to justify me, 'But Lord, the waves and the wind and the thunder, it was just too much!'
What would Jesus' answer be to that? I think we all know. Phillipians 4:13 gets right to it 'I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.'
It's not most things, not little things, not a couple of things, it is ALL things.
Our faith in Christ, knowing that He can carry us and that He can calm the storm, is what will keep us from drowning into despair, desperation, and hopelessness. It is what we need to walk steadily with our eyes fixed on Him all the way. The storm around us may still go on. The wind will still toss the boat around, the thunder will still break through the clouds, the rain will pour even harder, but the storm that He will be sure to calm will be the one within. He will reach into your heart and give you an overwhelming sense of peace and strenght to steadily walk towards the One who saves. Jesus Christ, King of my heart. King of all.
PRAYER
Dear Father, we come to you tired and weary. We come to you with tear stained cheeks. We come to you offering the broken pieces of our hearts. We come to you because we know that you are the only One that can save. The waves of life Lord, are so tough to bear. Remind us that only through you Father we can find the peace to calm our storm.
5/27/2011
5/25/2011
18, Naive But Willing To Commit
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 (AMP)
Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be
confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 (AMP)
I remember being eighteen and wanting so badly to marry my boyfriend at the time; my husband today. However, my parents, like most parents, thought we were too young and thought I needed to pursue a career before I could I pursue a marriage. When you are eighteen and in love, everything seems so easy, as if you could reach the top of Mount Everest within minutes. You feel so wise as if all that your parents are saying are just tactics to make you re-think your plans. I actually thought I had it all together when I sat down at the table, ready to present a spreadsheet to my dad of both my husband and mine income, expenses we would have and the grand total we would have left over every month. “We will have at least, three-hundred dollars left over each week to spend on groceries and gas and stuff we crave, dad!” I argued. He knowing more than I, grinned and said, “Not now, let’s give it some more time.”
I prayed every day, took as many classes at school as I could and committed my plans to God, believing that if I
did so, they would come to pass. I turned 19, 20, and finally at 21, I got married. My notebook filled of pen-written-plans, did not play out like I had planned. In fact, those three hundred dollars that were to be left over were actually so desperately needed to make ends meet. But I was married, I was happy, my dreams were accomplished, maybe not all, but those most important were. Did the plans I committed to God, establish because of my obedience to this promise? Kinda. I believe that when I started committing (def:to put into charge or trust) my plans, dreams, and hopes to God at age 18, my dad was not the only one grinning, and saying, “Not now, let’s give it some more time,” God was too. See because committing your plans to God is not telling Him that you are going to do them, rather it is asking Him, to review your “spreadsheet,” asking Him to edit any typos, asking Him to look over that rough draft and make it into the final draft. It is waiting till He hands it back to you, whether it is a year or 3 years from now, like it was for me. It is like the amplified version of Proverbs 16:3 says, [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”
Did you grasp that? He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will! At age 18, I cried, I stomped my feet, I could no longer wait not even one more week to be married, but when I prayed, when I handed the Master of my life, my plans, He caused my thoughts to become agreeable to His will. And that my friends, was the most amazing plan ever.
Father, whatever plans we have, grab our hands, and take us to a quiet place, where we can kneel down, and commit them to you. Trusting, that the changes you make, will be the changes we will be ecstatic over. God, help us hear from you so we can know when it is the right time to put forth these plans. In your name we pray, Amen
Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be
confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 (AMP)
I remember being eighteen and wanting so badly to marry my boyfriend at the time; my husband today. However, my parents, like most parents, thought we were too young and thought I needed to pursue a career before I could I pursue a marriage. When you are eighteen and in love, everything seems so easy, as if you could reach the top of Mount Everest within minutes. You feel so wise as if all that your parents are saying are just tactics to make you re-think your plans. I actually thought I had it all together when I sat down at the table, ready to present a spreadsheet to my dad of both my husband and mine income, expenses we would have and the grand total we would have left over every month. “We will have at least, three-hundred dollars left over each week to spend on groceries and gas and stuff we crave, dad!” I argued. He knowing more than I, grinned and said, “Not now, let’s give it some more time.”
I prayed every day, took as many classes at school as I could and committed my plans to God, believing that if I
did so, they would come to pass. I turned 19, 20, and finally at 21, I got married. My notebook filled of pen-written-plans, did not play out like I had planned. In fact, those three hundred dollars that were to be left over were actually so desperately needed to make ends meet. But I was married, I was happy, my dreams were accomplished, maybe not all, but those most important were. Did the plans I committed to God, establish because of my obedience to this promise? Kinda. I believe that when I started committing (def:to put into charge or trust) my plans, dreams, and hopes to God at age 18, my dad was not the only one grinning, and saying, “Not now, let’s give it some more time,” God was too. See because committing your plans to God is not telling Him that you are going to do them, rather it is asking Him, to review your “spreadsheet,” asking Him to edit any typos, asking Him to look over that rough draft and make it into the final draft. It is waiting till He hands it back to you, whether it is a year or 3 years from now, like it was for me. It is like the amplified version of Proverbs 16:3 says, [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”
Did you grasp that? He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will! At age 18, I cried, I stomped my feet, I could no longer wait not even one more week to be married, but when I prayed, when I handed the Master of my life, my plans, He caused my thoughts to become agreeable to His will. And that my friends, was the most amazing plan ever.
Father, whatever plans we have, grab our hands, and take us to a quiet place, where we can kneel down, and commit them to you. Trusting, that the changes you make, will be the changes we will be ecstatic over. God, help us hear from you so we can know when it is the right time to put forth these plans. In your name we pray, Amen
5/23/2011
Love That Never Falters.
'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. ' Isaiah 54: 10
Things for the most part are made to last. A vehicle is made with an engine to run a good ten years or more.
A house with a 30 year loan should at withstand that.
Our bodies made with life span average of up to 100 years, should feel vigorous in health longer than 50 years.
Things are made to last, yes. However, for them to last maintenance is required on our part.
That vehicle without routine oil changes, will begin to break down.
That house without preventative care, might suffer costly mold, rodent, or termite damage.
The body that we have been given might not last past the 70's without proper nutrition and fitness.
For things to last, we must put effort on our end for that to happen.
It is with great joy that I tell you today, there is one thing that will endure ages without our control over it.
It is God's love for us.
His love is beyond any kind of love that ANYONE will be able to offer, because it is unconditional.
There is absolutely nothing that we can do, or fail to do, that will change how the Father loves us.
Sadly many today hesitate in coming into His presence fearing rejection because of wrong choices that have been made in the past.
The recent prophesy made of the Messiah's return being on 05/21/2011, made me aware of how many do not know of that love that He has to offer. Many do not know, because they have not been told!
Hearts are aching, souls are parched in seeking acceptance that can only be found in His embrace.
No matter if the world falls apart, if mountains fall before you, His love for His creation - us, will never diminish, change or cease to exist.
Share those news to the four winds today. Allow for others to feel that comfort that our Heavenly Father has to give. God's amazing, steadfast love is ready to carry those of us that need to be loved unconditionally. If you friend, have ever felt that His love for you has left your side, allow God to tell you today: ' I love you. Always have, always will.'
5/18/2011
Throwing a Pity Party
"Therefor thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God's faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. [But do not yield to them.] Let them return to you--not you to [the people]." Jeremiah 15:19
Can I tell you a secret? I enjoy attention. No, not attention from people, attention from God. He knows it very well too. I am constantly wanting and needing His eyes, His ears, and His words directed straight towards me. Call me a drama queen, but when dark, gray clouds position themselves above my head and follow me wherever I go, I make sure God knows, that's not fair, with pouty lips and all. I do not actually utter the words, "It's not fair, but through my non-stop tears, upset and even angry thoughts I never speak out to Him, or the sarcastic replies I give to family and friends when they say, "God will answer soon," or "He has a purpose," all show God I am believing this difficult trial or situation to be unfair!
To be honest, sometimes I feel that if I cry louder or cry for a really long time, then He will relent and position bright clouds, flowers and a shiny bright sun above my head, instead.
Jeremiah the prophet is known as, "The weeping prophet." What is really striking about this nick name, is that his name, Yirməyahu, in Hebrew, really means, "Yahweh Exalts!" In the book of Jeremiah however, we find what seems like the opposite is happening. Jeremiah was beaten, threatened, and hated for preaching to a nation who had forgotten God's laws. His duty was to turn this nation back to God and have them repent. But God was exalting Him. He was God's mouthpiece, what a privilege, however, like me, the pain got a hold of him and we hear him complain and even question God's faithfulness in Jeremiah 15: 15-18. He is doubting if God is really a merciful God and throws a pity party for himself in front of almighty Yahweh.
He achieves getting God's attention and God's conversation shifts from telling Israel to repent to telling Jeremiah to repent. God is upset at Jeremiah for his tone of distrust and despair. His unworthy suspicions towards God's faithfulness, shows the people changing Jeremiah instead of the other way around.
Are you getting this? Wow, Today God is not only pointing the finger to an ungodly nation, but to a people, like you and I, who are meant to draw people back to God's heart thru our actions, thoughts, and heart. He is wanting us to stop whining about our unfair circumstances and remember how these trials are for His divine purpose! He wants us to stop questioning His faithfulness, and like always, our amazing Father, promises a reward. If we would keep from doubting and being in despair, he will give us a settled place of quiet and safety! Is that not true my friend? The times that we've let go and trusted God with our problems, we find ourselves in a settled place of safety and quiet. And when in a gloomy day if a ungodly friend asks "what if God won't ever answer you?", don't give in to their thoughts;draw them instead to the truth. The truth that proclaims that God is a God who never forsakes the righteous!
PRAYER
Father, I repent, I repent for doubting and allowing myself to drift from green pastures to crashing waves if confusion and fear. Help me to stay in this settled place for as long as these trials last. Amen.
5/16/2011
Unspoken Praises
'I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.'
Psalms 34:1
"Good morning.", "Hello", "Excuse me", "I'll pick you up later", "I'll have the Grande latte, please.", "Yes.", "No."
The average human being speaks approximately 4,000 - 5,000 words a day. Between exchanging instructions with your family in the morning about the day, holding numerous conversations with co-workers, to speaking with strangers at the store, bank or restaurants, our mouth is constantly at work.
What I find funny, is that at the end of the day, my feet and/or head feel the tiredness. My mouth however, is not painfully throbbing in the least from all that talking. What gives?
Perhaps my mouth still had a coupe of thousand words left to say.
It had many words of praise that were left unspoken. Praise where we might think it not applicable, however, a must to display Him in our lives.
Did we praise Him with words of patience toward our kids instead of angry shouts?
Did we bless His name with words of true forgiveness towards our spouse, instead of with a vengeful, snapped remark?
Did we display His love with words of kindness to the homeless man with sadness in his eyes, instead of looking away?
Did we follow His footsteps by genuinely asking the bank clerk 'How are you?' instead of caring less in what they had to say.
Did we carry His light in our face to shine on others with a smile, instead of selfishly hiding it away?
Blessing His name and singing His praises are not limited to intimate prayers or a church service.
Continually having His praise in our mouth, is sharing His identity through our words.
The same mouth we use to praise the Holy Lord, should be constantly used for that alone as the angels in heaven do.
As we start off yet another week, may we be reminded, to choose words that bless His name.
Physically our mouth even then won't tire, but what's more is that our mind, body, and soul will feel renewed.
PRAYER
Father, forgive us for not praising and blessing your name as we should. You show us forgiveness, grace, kindness, and love constantly and in turn our words should be filled with praise.
Let our words be of a blessing to those who need to hear you speak. Let our words build and not destroy. Let our words reach and not push away. Blessed is your name, forever and ever.
Amen.
Psalms 34:1
"Good morning.", "Hello", "Excuse me", "I'll pick you up later", "I'll have the Grande latte, please.", "Yes.", "No."
The average human being speaks approximately 4,000 - 5,000 words a day. Between exchanging instructions with your family in the morning about the day, holding numerous conversations with co-workers, to speaking with strangers at the store, bank or restaurants, our mouth is constantly at work.
What I find funny, is that at the end of the day, my feet and/or head feel the tiredness. My mouth however, is not painfully throbbing in the least from all that talking. What gives?
Perhaps my mouth still had a coupe of thousand words left to say.
It had many words of praise that were left unspoken. Praise where we might think it not applicable, however, a must to display Him in our lives.
Did we praise Him with words of patience toward our kids instead of angry shouts?
Did we bless His name with words of true forgiveness towards our spouse, instead of with a vengeful, snapped remark?
Did we display His love with words of kindness to the homeless man with sadness in his eyes, instead of looking away?
Did we follow His footsteps by genuinely asking the bank clerk 'How are you?' instead of caring less in what they had to say.
Did we carry His light in our face to shine on others with a smile, instead of selfishly hiding it away?
Blessing His name and singing His praises are not limited to intimate prayers or a church service.
Continually having His praise in our mouth, is sharing His identity through our words.
The same mouth we use to praise the Holy Lord, should be constantly used for that alone as the angels in heaven do.
As we start off yet another week, may we be reminded, to choose words that bless His name.
Physically our mouth even then won't tire, but what's more is that our mind, body, and soul will feel renewed.
PRAYER
Father, forgive us for not praising and blessing your name as we should. You show us forgiveness, grace, kindness, and love constantly and in turn our words should be filled with praise.
Let our words be of a blessing to those who need to hear you speak. Let our words build and not destroy. Let our words reach and not push away. Blessed is your name, forever and ever.
Amen.
5/14/2011
The Apple of His Eye
“For thus said the LORD of hosts; After the glory has he sent me
to the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of
his eye”. Zechariah 2:8
(After the glory - After your glorious deliverance from the
different places of your dispersion; He hath sent me unto the nations which
spoiled you, that they may fall under grievous calamities, and be punished in
their turn.)
Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel all had two
things in common, a problem and a hero. Each one found themselves in a time of
despair and needed someone to come and rescue them from their doom. Unfailingly,
these strong, brave prince charmings, would appear at the precise moment to
save these princess’ from their troubles.
I am no princess. I do not have long shinny hair, or wear a size
2 dress. Unlike these princess’ mentioned above, my voice is not soft and pleasant
but rather unpleasant and have been told I even mumble! When I scream at my troublemaker
toddler, I feel like the evil witch rather than a sweet, princess.
But you know what? I may be no princess, but troubles, troubles
I have. I sometimes find myself in desperate moments needing a prince charming
to rush to my rescue. Luckily, I also have a prince charming. He has written so
many love stories to me and promised that when I call, He will answer and save
me.
One night before I fell asleep, I called out to that prince
charming. I was feeling unworthy and needed Him to save me from my foolish
thoughts and fears. The next morning when I awoke I read Zechariah 2:8. I had
heard this saying before but did grasp the whole idea, until I read what the author
wildolive.com explained.
He said that in Hebrew, “the apple of your eye,” is known as “the
pupil” The pupil is the smallest circle in our eye. God is saying here that you
will be protected like that part of His eye. He wrote, your eyelid, closes at
lightning speed at the first sign of harm, calamity, or threat. The pupil is
the most protected part of your body.
God promises to not only save you from your doom, but protect
you like the apple of His eye. If anybody or anything touches you, this great
and majestic hero, will punish them and you will be saved, like a princess calling
out to her hero.
Whatever your doom may be this morning, remember you are not
alone. There is a Hero who will save you time and time again.
“In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.”
Deuteronomy 32:10
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for your words of love and salvation that
your promise to me. Like David prayed, I also pray, “Keep me as the apple of
your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalms 17:8
to the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of
his eye”. Zechariah 2:8
(After the glory - After your glorious deliverance from the
different places of your dispersion; He hath sent me unto the nations which
spoiled you, that they may fall under grievous calamities, and be punished in
their turn.)
Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel all had two
things in common, a problem and a hero. Each one found themselves in a time of
despair and needed someone to come and rescue them from their doom. Unfailingly,
these strong, brave prince charmings, would appear at the precise moment to
save these princess’ from their troubles.
I am no princess. I do not have long shinny hair, or wear a size
2 dress. Unlike these princess’ mentioned above, my voice is not soft and pleasant
but rather unpleasant and have been told I even mumble! When I scream at my troublemaker
toddler, I feel like the evil witch rather than a sweet, princess.
But you know what? I may be no princess, but troubles, troubles
I have. I sometimes find myself in desperate moments needing a prince charming
to rush to my rescue. Luckily, I also have a prince charming. He has written so
many love stories to me and promised that when I call, He will answer and save
me.
One night before I fell asleep, I called out to that prince
charming. I was feeling unworthy and needed Him to save me from my foolish
thoughts and fears. The next morning when I awoke I read Zechariah 2:8. I had
heard this saying before but did grasp the whole idea, until I read what the author
wildolive.com explained.
He said that in Hebrew, “the apple of your eye,” is known as “the
pupil” The pupil is the smallest circle in our eye. God is saying here that you
will be protected like that part of His eye. He wrote, your eyelid, closes at
lightning speed at the first sign of harm, calamity, or threat. The pupil is
the most protected part of your body.
God promises to not only save you from your doom, but protect
you like the apple of His eye. If anybody or anything touches you, this great
and majestic hero, will punish them and you will be saved, like a princess calling
out to her hero.
Whatever your doom may be this morning, remember you are not
alone. There is a Hero who will save you time and time again.
“In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.”
Deuteronomy 32:10
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for your words of love and salvation that
your promise to me. Like David prayed, I also pray, “Keep me as the apple of
your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalms 17:8
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