April 5, 2018

Into the Storm

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. – Matthew 14:22-24

This is the passage of Scripture that begins with a boat ride and ends with Peter walking on water. We get so enthralled by the image of Peter walking over the churning water toward Jesus. We lament that he took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink. We cheer when Jesus reaches out and catches him, remembering again that we’ve no reason to fear when Jesus is near.

It’s a beautiful story of risk and faith. Sometimes we even remember the 11 who stayed in the boat. You know. The other disciples who played it safe while Peter, bold and impulsive, jumped out of the boat and headed toward Jesus.

What we sometimes miss is that Jesus sent them into the storm. Jesus knows all things. He knew that by sending His disciples ahead, He was sending them out into dangerous waters. Literally.

Peter, James, John and Andrew were experienced fishermen. They understood the sudden storms that could occur. They weren’t likely to be easily frightened by wind and waves. But some storms are harder than others. Some storms make us feel as though we won’t survive until morning.

Has Jesus ever sent you into the storm? Have you ever prayed and prayed about something, then believing you’ve heard a clear “yes”, step out in faith only to have it blow up in your face? Yeah. Me too.

It’s difficult not to be angry with Jesus, isn’t it? After all, it’s one thing to do something and expect Jesus to bless it after we’ve already done it. We shouldn’t be surprised when He throws up His hands and leaves us to our own mess. But when we are trying to follow Him, to do His will, and find that He’s lead us toward the storm, well, that’s hard.

How can a God who wants good things for us, let us be hurt unnecessarily? That’s how it seems, anyway. We can somehow grasp cancer and heart disease and other illnesses. We can somehow make peace with violence and job loss and accidents. But to be heading straight toward Jesus and find ourselves in the middle of a mess? Well, that’s tough.

We live in a fallen world. We’re quick to say that but do we really understand what it means? We are under constant attack from Satan and his followers. We never know when the next knock will come, when the next challenge will present itself, when the next heartbreak will make us want to retreat. But Jesus knows. And still He sends us into the storm.

A sweet friend explained that sometimes it really isn’t about us. Sometimes it’s about being an example for another person, ministering to someone else, causing another person to pause and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Maybe He’s just using us for a greater good. Okay. But it sure does hurt, doesn’t it?

Maybe it is about us. Maybe Jesus has decided to completely break us so He can rebuild us. That’s not a fun thought, is it? Who wants to invite pain into their lives? Surely, there’s another way – especially when we really want to do His will.

When Peter saw the wind, he began to sink. The wind became his focus instead of Jesus and Peter was frightened. It was in that moment that Peter cried out to Jesus. And what happened?

Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt.”

– Matthew 14:31

Indeed, why doubt the journey when the One who created us all is in charge? There’s always a reason for the storm. Our job is merely to ride it out, focused on the One who has all the answers and a purpose for every bit of our pain.

May 26, 2016

Cry Out To Jesus

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. -- Matthew 14:13-21

It was one of those heartbreaking Facebook posts. A young woman posted that she was tired and worn out but she had to get over it and go get supper together for her kids. She and her husband are separated. He is in another state. She is struggling to be enough for her kids.

Have you ever been there? Maybe not exactly the same circumstances but where you are struggling to meet your obligations and responsibilities? Are you ever so tired and worn out that you just want to lay down and cry?

In this story, the disciples didn’t see how they could possibly feed all those people with two fish and five loaves. Well, they couldn’t. But Jesus could. Jesus gave thanks and multiplied it so that everyone had plenty and there was some leftover.

That’s what Jesus will do for us if we give it all to Him. Because even though we are not enough, He is more than enough. We have to merely rest in Him, to trust Him to see us through.

Sounds easy doesn’t it? There’s nothing easy about it. Satan works hard to keep us from the arms of Jesus. There is guilt and condemnation. There are the needs of children and spouses and work and home care. There are just so many people demanding attention.

That’s when we need to take a deep breath and cry out to Jesus. It doesn’t have to be a loud, audible cry. He hears our cry that rises up from deep within. He strengthens and comforts and helps us. We have only to ask. He is there.

April 28, 2016

Trust Jesus To Provide

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. -- Matthew 14:15-18

The other day we were heading South when we spotted some teenagers waving signs to advertise a yard sale. Have I mentioned I love yard sales? We did a U-turn and headed back to the church.

The people were wonderful. Teenagers were everywhere helping, right along with the adults. Prices were reasonable. We were happy to buy more items we didn’t need.

They were raising money to send their youth to summer camp several states away. They collect items all year and have one large yard sale. They do it every year. One man noted that they always have enough money, with a little left over.

God provides. Always. We ask for His guidance. We work hard. And we leave the results to Him.

The disciples lived with Jesus day after day. They watched Him perform miracles. They saw Him interact with others. They heard Him teaching again and again. And, yet, their first plan was to send the people away to get food.

They didn’t have enough. They weren’t enough. And they didn’t think to ask Jesus to provide. They did what we all do. They did what was reasonable. They came up with a plan and presented it to Jesus, expecting Him to go along with it.

Just like we do.

I wonder what would happen to our lives if we simply gave Jesus all we had and expected Him to provide the rest? I wonder how our lives would change if we really understood we could count on Him to provide everything we need to follow His plan?

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. -- Matthew 14:20

Amazing what Jesus can do if we only trust Him to provide what we need.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Reach Out Like Jesus

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

-- Matthew 14:15-16

We’re really quick to point out what someone else needs to do. We’re not so quick to step up and do it ourselves.

A few months ago several people mentioned a woman plagued with multiple health issues. Our church delivers meals one night a week to the homebound and she had ended up on the list. She isn’t a church member but she is in need. Besides, she pays for her meal.

As often happens, her health issues have gotten worse. Now she requires dialysis three days a week -- but she doesn’t have transportation. Somehow that need has ended up with me.

It shouldn’t. I’ve talked with her a few times on the telephone. I don’t really know her. And goodness knows I’ve already got more than I can get done. But no one else is doing anything and she hasn’t been able to find transportation on her own.

Naturally, I’ve stepped on a few toes. We’ve got a transportation committee within the church. Or so I was told. I called a couple of members. No one was available or seemed inclined to help find someone else.

There’s also a committee that deals with outreach and such things. Fine. I’ll be glad to have them take care of her needs. Oh. No. There’s no one who could do that sort of thing.

So here we are again. People want credit for doing good without actually doing anything. And somebody else’s problem isn’t their concern. Especially if they don’t know the person. Especially if the person isn’t a member of the church. And especially if it isn’t anybody important.

But, you see, she is important. To Jesus. To me. To all those who understand that she is one of the least of these that Jesus referred to when He told us what to do. She needs help, not from some nameless person who might emerge to take over but from those of us who see a need and try to be Jesus for her.

She told me the other night that she’d about lost hope. Her burdens are so great and she is so alone. Why are we here if not to meet her where she is and help her as we can? It’s what Jesus would do. And it’s what we should do.

So stop crumbling and complaining. Stop worrying about committees and assignments and who’s a member or not. When you see a need, don’t pass it off to someone else when you can help. You do it. You be Jesus’ hands and feet.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Face Your Fears

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“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 14:25-31

What would it take to give you the courage to step out of the boat and walk on water?

Seriously. Oh, come on. You know I’m not talking about literally walking on the water. I’m referring to stepping out in faith and actually doing whatever it is that God has called you to do.

Maybe your excuse is that you don’t know what God wants you to do. Most of us say that when we don’t really want to do what we secretly think God wants us to do.

So, let me ask you again: What would it take to convince you to get out of that boat? Don’t you realize it was difficult for Peter too? There was a storm. They were afraid. And, yet, there was Jesus and He said “Come,” and Peter followed Him. And when Peter started to sink, he cried out to Jesus and Jesus caught him. You read that part didn’t you? Jesus caught him. Peter didn’t drown that day, even when his faith faltered. Because Peter was following Jesus.

If you’re like me, you rarely set foot on a boat. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t sitting in one right now. Think of the boat as something that’s comfortable and, maybe, convenient. It sure is easier to make excuses than it is to face your fear and step out in faith.

Of course, maybe that boat does good things. Maybe you’re comfortable being a high school teacher but you feel God calling you to work with disadvantaged youth. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mother and you feel God calling you to become a foster parent. Maybe God wants you to go on a foreign mission trip or coach a church sports team or work with the elderly. And maybe you don’t want to do what you’ve never done or go where you’ve never gone or give up your free time and maybe even a little of your money.

Do it anyway. Get out of the boat. Take a chance. Trust God’s call on your life, knowing that He will bless you beyond anything you could imagine simply for doing whatever it is He’s called you to do. And trust Him to catch you, to sustain you, and to guide you. He didn’t call you to walk on the water alone. He’s right there with you. So go ahead and take a stroll.

Friday, March 2, 2012

In The Storm, Cling To The Savior

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” -- Matthew 14:27

The warning sirens preceded the ominous clouds off to the southwest. My dog and I hurried toward the house. Raindrops began to fall as I reached the backdoor.

Inside, my parents seemed oblivious to the darkening sky. The game show blared as I yelled for them to turn the television to the news. They hadn’t heard the sirens and the weather radios were upstairs. A tornado had already touched down in the neighboring county and it was headed our way.

We were fortunate that time. Not only did the tornado go north of us, but no one died. It isn’t always that way. In fact, more and more it seems that loss of life goes along with destruction of property. It’s just scary.

On that night so long ago, the disciples were afraid too. They were on a boat when a strong wind arose and, along with it, heavy waves. They saw Jesus walking on the water and thought He was a ghost. The Bible tells us they screamed in terror.

Then Jesus’ voice came to them, calming them. He was there with them. Jesus is with us, here in the midst of these storms that threaten us in the night. I am grateful because I am afraid when the rain pelts down and the wind howls its fury.

Life can be that way sometimes. Everything is going along just fine and suddenly the world as you know it crashes down around you. Nothing is the same and you can’t make sense of it all. And you’re afraid of the unknown that awaits every new minute.

Jesus is there. In those moments when everything is uncertain and you don’t know what to do or where to turn. He reaches out to take your hand. A safe haven in the storm of life.

It comes down to faith. Do you trust Jesus to carry you through the storm? Peter walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and saw the high waves. He was terrified and started to sink.

Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. -- Matthew 14:31-32

When the storms of life howl around you, cling to the Savior and you’ll be safe.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Stay Focused On The Savior

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!”

-- Matthew 14:29b-30

The sky loomed black as night ahead of me but I had no choice but to continue on the interstate toward it. I was a little nervous. The wind had picked up considerably and I was thankful to be in a solid car.

The rain started pelting that solid car. I kept both hands firmly on the steering wheel. The wipers, both front and back, were at top speed. Before long I hit the flashers. So did just about everyone else around me. Two lanes of traffic moved at about 25 mph. The storm lasted for mile after mile. Would it ever end?

I prayed. Again and again, I prayed. Because no matter how solid the car or how good the road, only God can save us. I prayed for my own safety and also for the safety of the two men following closely behind me. Over and over again, I prayed. Focused on the road and on Jesus.

I wish I could have that kind of intense focus every moment of every day. No. I don’t want to drive through too many storms like that one. But I do want to keep my mind and thoughts focused on God. I want to be so intent on following His path that I never veer to the left or right, but rather stay firmly focused on whatever path He’s set out for me.

I certainly didn’t expect to encounter that storm. I though I might see a little rain but nothing serious. I was sure wrong. Isn’t that how life usually works? We expect a few disappointments and even a little heartache. But when a severe storm blackens the sky around us, we can’t see the way out. It would be easy to panic, to give up. We feel alone and afraid. But we’re not alone and there’s no need to be afraid.

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” -- Matthew 14:31

Peter learned a lesson that day on the water: Stay focused on the Savior and you’ll never sink in the storm.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Expect The Impossible

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" -- Matthew 14:31

Peter wanted to walk on water. And he did. Peter got out of the boat and headed toward Jesus. He was doing fine -- until he got scared. Then he started to sink. Jesus caught him anyway and then asked Peter why he'd doubted.

What is it you want to do today? What do you want Jesus to help you accomplish? Don't limit yourself. And don't limit Jesus. He can do anything. Really. Anything. So throw out the excuses because when it comes to Jesus those excuses really have no meaning.

We really do tend to underestimate Jesus. We categorize Him just like another person, putting our limitations on to Him. It seems ridiculous but we do it anyway. Maybe we assume that if something isn't humanly possible then He can't do it either. How silly is that?

Recently a man lay in the hospital getting weaker and weaker as the doctors tried to correct a heart condition. Other organs started failing. The situation didn't look good. The family said they needed a miracle. Prayers went up. After all, Jesus is all about miracles. The man came home from the hospital last week. He's doing just fine.

But Jesus doesn't limit Himself to life and death matters. Do you need a new job? Is your car about to fall apart? Are you facing a broken relationship with no hope of reconciliation? Don't give up. Ask Jesus to intervene. Ask Jesus to provide. Ask Jesus to lead you where He would have you go.

Jesus loves his sheep. You, me, and everyone else. He loves us. And He wants good things for us. Give Him control of your life. Ask for His help. Don't look around and think that there's no way something wonderful can happen. Look to Jesus and know something wonderful will happen.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Stay Focused On Jesus

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"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?"

Peter reminds me of all of us. We want to know God's will for our lives. We plead for some sort of sign, some word or signal that will let us know the path we should take. Then God let's us know which path to take. The disciples were afraid and Peter, being Peter, wanted Jesus to give him a sign. Peter didn't just ask for anything. He wanted to walk on the water like Jesus. And he did.

At least, he did until he took his eyes off Jesus. Then he started to sink. Just like us. We start confidently on the path we know that God has called us to walk. Then we stumble. We hear a little criticism. Things don't go as smoothly as we thought they would. We take our eyes off Jesus and start looking around. And we start to doubt. And we start to sink.

Then just like Peter we cry out to Jesus for the safety and security that only He can provide. And He does. Every time. He reaches out to us and pulls us close, whispering into our hearts, "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?"

Monday, November 22, 2010

Time Alone With God Strengthens Us

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," -- Matthew 14:23

Solitude is such a wonderful experience. I love spending time alone with God. I don't need to be doing anything. I can just sit patiently before Him. Oh, I read my Bible and pray. But I also just like to listen for His voice. It brings me great peace to know He's there with me.

Jesus sought out time alone with His Father as well. Jesus gave so much to us all, but He found strength through time spent with God. We see it several times in the Bible. He even told His disciples to get away from the crowds to refresh themselves. See, we can't be all we need to be to those around us until we take care of who we need to be in Christ.

Some days life reminds me just how weak I am without Him. People crowd around, each taking small pieces. I want to give. I love to give. But I know I only have so much to give and them the well goes empty. Only God can refill it. And only when I spend time with Him. That's just how it is.

There is such a difference between solitude and being lonely and alone. I had a friend once who needed to occupy every moment with activity. He couldn't stand the quietness. He was running from himself. We all saw it but he refused to face it. He raced toward inevitable disaster because he wasn't willing to see his life as it was -- and as it could be.

That's the thing about being alone with God. Sometimes it gets uncomfortable. He doesn't hold back, especially when it involves his children -- that would be you and me -- and what He knows is best for them. It isn't always easy to hear what He has to say. I've learned that when I'm avoiding time alone with God it means that I'm resisting His will. It brings me back again. I know He is right. I know He loves me. I know He is my safe haven and my biggest supporter.

I crave time alone with my Father just as any child wants special time with a parent. We're blessed that way. We can have His undivided attention any time we want. All we have to do is look up and say His name. There He is. Waiting patiently to spend time alone with us.