Water Walking Weather

Its that time of the early morning that is still counted as night.  The general population rests easy in their beds, yet one group of men are afloat in the midst of the sea.  Having grown up in and around the fisherman's trade,  they were seasoned seamen.  As the cool wind began to sweep across the waves,  the need to reach the shore became more pressing;  a storm was coming.  It was not that long ago that they had seen Jesus command the wind and waves into submission, but he was nowhere to be found.  Or so it seemed.  The ship was tossed back and forth by the boisterous waves, and the wind was contrary.  In our mind's eye we see Peter shouting instructions.  "Every man to his station!" Until something caught his eye.  "Peter,  what are you....?"  As every eye turned toward a mysterious figure approaching the boat.  No,  they had never seen anything like this before, and these disciples no older than the average high schooler,  cried out in fear.

When Jesus identified himself, Peter called out, " Lord if it's you,  bid me come to you on the water." And Jesus said, "Come." While his focus stayed on Jesus,  he defied nature's law.  But when his sight shifted, he was once again in need of rescuing.  Jesus saved him,  rebuked his limited faith,  and when he was come into the ship,  the wind ceased.

You probably have heard the story or even read the Matthew 14 account for yourself.  As we review these passages,  we discover truths that are identifiable within the character of each of us.  This account of Peter shows us that even the greatest of storms are nothing more than water walking weather.

1.  Fear:  You Will Always See What You Search For.
The Bible lists two types of fear.  That which we have in reverence and honor for the Lord, and fear that is folly to motivated action.  Had the disciples feared God more than the unsettling image in front of them,  they each might have stepped out on the water.  But before they had the opportunity to identify God in their storm,  they cried out afraid of what they did not truly recognize.  You will always find what you are looking for.  If you are searching for God, you will find Him.  If you are searching for problems,  you will always find them.

2.  Christians Will Question What They Cannot Conceive.
It does not make sense that a man would be walking on the water. And even if he could, he wouldn't in this weather!  So how do I know that this voice calling out claiming to be Jesus really is?  What if it's all part of my imagination?  Peter's response confirms his doubt yet commands faith as he makes a bold, daring request.  "Lord if it's really you, then tell me to come out there!"  Why was there even a question?  Could anyone else have accomplished this great feat?  But because of the perplexing nature of this encounter,  rather than pursue, Peter would rather provoke.  What if believers spent more time minding the commissions of Christ rather than questioning his credentials.  "...IF it's you..."

3.  Our Walk Should Always Center On The Word.
If I were Peter, I would have wanted an encouraging, maybe even coaxing speech.  Yet Jesus simply said, "Come."  Within that word, we find God's will for each of our lives.  Not to labor in all of the specifics and minute details, but simply to walk toward the Lord. Alfred Tennison said it best, "Ours is not to question why.  Ours is but to do or die."  "Come."  It wasn't an eloquent speech, nor did it explain how the feat would be accomplished...it didn't need to.  Even one word from God is more stable on life's sea than a thousand fellow-ships filled with men.

4. Worry About The Waves Will Wreck A Walk On The Word.
If you find yourself sinking in a sea of doubt and sin,  it is undoubtedly because you have allowed the waves about you to seem larger than the word that called you.  So long as Peter's focus was fixed,  no wave could have toppled him. But as his focus shifted to the storm,  the sea all but swallowed him up.  No wave of worry, pride, or even personality can sink a life that is fixated and faithful to the Word of God.

5.  At Times We Must Forsake Fellow-Ship To Follow. 
Jesus rescued Peter from drawing, and walked him back to the boat where stood awe-struck men.  Before we mock Peter for near-drowning,  we must not neglect 11 others who stood doubting.  Better to be rescued walk stepping out in faith than stagnant in a boat with fellow stalemates.  Many will never experience the greatness God has intended for them because they are worried about losing "fellowSHIP" with family, friends, even churches that refuse to support them.  Friend,  you may feel alone as you step over the side of that boat, but don't look back.  If you fall, Jesus is standing right there to pick you up.

6.  Fellow-Ship With The Lord Always Leads To Worship.
My great grandpa used to cleverly define "fellowship" as nothing more than two fellows in one ship.  11 men stood helpless in fellowship as Peter experienced faith like they never would.  Peter knew he had to face his fear and develop a fellowship with the master rather than stay in the boat with his fellows.  When Jesus and Peter were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  The reason there is turmoil about your ship, is because Jesus is not part of the fellowship. Peter's faith allowed the others cause to worship.  The storm in your life could be an opportunity to bring Jesus into the lives of others.

In your life,  is there something around you that you don't quite understand?  Does it cause your spirit to be unsettled as you cry out in fear?  Have you stopped to consider if it is the Lord? 

 Jesus always identifies himself, but our fear of the unknown can cause us to question him, and even count it as a righteous check.  One word from Jesus should elicit action and instill faith.  And even when you fail, He is there to pick you back up again.  

Who do you fear most?  The fellows in your ship,  or the Master of the Wind?  Could this storm be nothing more than water-walking weather?  You choose.  Walk on a word or get wiped by the waves.   Take that step!  Do something crazy!  Then, watch God use your walk to lead others to worship him.  

Identity Crisis

Luke chapter 8 sets the stage for a miraculous move of God.  Jesus returns to find a group of people glad to receive him, in fact, they had been waiting for him!  This was going to be a tough crowd to penetrate, as everyone wanted to get a glimpse of this man who was able to do miraculous works.  I imagine even those with simple ailments were excitedly calling out, "HEAL ME!!"  Suddenly a man of prominent position commands the attention of Jesus from his pleading position.  A ruler of the synagogue, Jairus steps forward to pray healing on his 12 year old.  Jesus would now direct his steps toward Jairus's house as one woman, makes her way through the press with one mission:  I've got to touch him.

Each time a name is listed in Scripture, we become expressly aware of their importance and relevance to the account.  Jairus is mentioned,  and many Jesus touched are also listed with the Book's pages,  but this woman's name cannot be found.  She was, as Mark recalls, a certain woman having an issue of blood.  No name, and really no need.  Her plague of 12 years not only diseased her, it defined her. 

Have you ever had a problem so great in length and size that it seemed to swallow up your identity?   This woman has been sick for 12 long years.  When the problem first attacked, we would have found a woman with means to overcome.  Scripture does not specifically identify each of these, but we can assume she had a husband and family to help combat this issue.  She had means by which she could pay doctors.  Her relationships with physicians that touted promises of miraculous healing were many.  But her problem had eliminated each of those.  Lingering problems leach until there is nothing left.

Many times we are incapable of believing God effectively when we have options.  Faith is born when man's ability dies.  Faith is ignited in my limitation.  The greatest lessons are not learned upon receiving the promise,  but by the road of the process. If God always gave us what we wanted, when we wanted it, we would miss the opportunity to learn!

This woman has maintained a disease for 12 laborious years!  I don't know about you,  but after I've had a problem for about a month,  I weary of it!  I begin to talk about it.  I pray at it. But when you start talking more about you problem than you do your promise, you are praising your problem!  Whatever you praise will be magnified in your life.  The more I magnify a problem, the more I minimize the physician to whom no problem can compare.  We never pray about things that are within our capacity to perform.  The bigger my problem becomes, the smaller God gets.  The more I magnify Jesus, the more insignificant my problems become.

This woman lost it all, to realize that Jesus was her ultimate solution.  "She said within herself,"  she purposed, she planned, and she prayed that she might just TOUCH Jesus.  This is what faith looks like.  Faith is more than a mystical hope.  Real faith is tangibly and substantially evidenced through our actions.  In the face of your problem, no matter how long you've had it,  it is time to purpose within your heart to touch the hem of His garment.  To get on your knees until they blister, and call out to the one capable of all things.  Realize that the answer has been delayed that you might be delivered through faithfulness and fervency.  Live a life consumed by your calling, not crippled by your crisis.  Every failure in life is a prayer failure.

A Forward Resolve: NOW FAITH

January is always a time of "new."  We are still somewhat fascinated with our new Christmas presents we opened days ago.  We reflect back on the old things of the year past,  and look toward everything different in a new calendar year.  There is something mentally magical about stepping into a new season;  new resolutions shed new light on the dimly lit circumstances of December 31st.  Gym memberships increase exponentially in this month,  diet plans are begun, and rough outlines are sketched for the way we will live out our day to day in a better way.  Fitness awareness, both spiritually and physically are at an all time high,  but for some reason will drop off in just a few short weeks.  Could our resolution increase if we changed the way we change?

In Daniel chapter 3,  we find three individuals resolute to be different.  Enveloped in a culture of idolatry and slavery,  these men were not hesitant to stand amid wave of adversity.  You see, the king had set up an idol, that upon the sounding music every person should bow and worship.  As every other face kissed the ground,  three men stood boldly.  Purposed.  Resolved.  As they were reminded of the coming punishment,  incineration in a hell-on-earth furnace,  they answered in a most peculiar way.

"Our God is able to deliver us from that fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand."  Seems like that would have been a great place to stop.  I mean, don't we "hipster Christians" just claim the victory in the name of Jesus?  But they continued on,  three words that will shape our 2014:  "But if not,  be it known that we will still not bow down."  In other words,  "we are so consumed in our faith that we believe God will deliver us,  but even if he doesn't,  we will still push forward."

This is faith to the extreme!  The American Christian defines faith as a belief or hope,  even quoting Hebrews 11:1 in the context of their misconception.  However,  faith is not a state of mind, but rather an active resolve.  Hebrews 11:1 speaks of NOW faith.  Faith for the moment.  Substantially Evident.

As you assemble your list of resolutions,  it will take great faith to bring them to fruition.  Paul writes in Philippians 3 "forgetting those things which are behind ... I press toward the mark."  A new year holds new challenges ahead,  but if our gaze is fixed on the past,  we will stumble over each new hurdle.  Remember the times you failed last year?  Forget those!  They do not define your new year.  Hey....remember those times you had great success last year?  Take a moment to let that inspire you....now forget those,  because they are in the past. How can I focus on today's challenges while saturated in yesterday's success and stumbling?  Besides...I don't want the same as last year,  I want God to do a new thing while developing new faith...now faith!

Here's how to keep your new year's resolutions:

1.  Let go of your past.
You can't control the past, because its gone.  But you can move in the moment.

2.  Know your goals.
Write them down.  Recite them.  Share them.  Be intimately connected with each of your goals.  How can you arrive at a destination you have not established?  When I learned how to ride a bike,  my dad told me to pick a spot, and look toward it until I got there, then pick a new spot ahead.  Same goes for driving.  Make some mini goals,  mini destinations that help you end 2014 well.

3.  Prioritize.  Destroy Distractions.
You will make time for what is important to you.  However cliche,  that is a fact!  Prioritize your life, then eliminate the distractions that don't help you accomplish your goals.  Destroy them.  Murder them with extreme prejudice.  Distractions are a disease that will plague you eternally unless you self-medicate.

4.  Stop being so insecure.  
For real, what are you afraid of?  Write those things down.  Now,  aren't they silly?  God doesn't make junk!  Adopt your insecurities as your greatest strengths....didn't the Bible say His strength is made perfect in our weakness?  So where I am weak...I'm actually strongest!  I jump from the platform of my fear into the arms of his all-sufficient strength.

5.  Find Accountability.
Accountability has such an inaccurate connotation.  It's not about having someone to point out all your faults.  While that is certainly applicable,  it is more about having someone to lift you up in the good times and bad!  Find a personal cheerleader who will pump you up when you succeed, and challenge you when you fall.

God makes all things move FORWARD>>>>>>>>>>>>
#Forwardin14