Matthew 14:27- ....."It's all right," he (Jesus) said. "I am here! Don't be afraid."
What am I afraid of? That is a simple answer for me. I am afraid of the unknown. I'm afraid of what could happen. In chapter 14(v.22-36) of the book of Matthew, Peter steps out in faith and begins to follow Jesus, walking on the water during a terrible storm that is threatening the boat and the lives of the other disciples. Peter has no problem stepping out in faith. It's the staying on top of the water part that gives Peter trouble.The second he takes his focus off Jesus, Peter finds himself treading water. But before he can go under, Jesus grabs his hand.
For me, it's getting out of the boat. The thought of taking action, any kind of action, is what scares me.I have been paralyzed by fear most of my life, but it was when I gave Jesus my fear that things began to change. Slowly, I have learned each time that I feel fear, that I need to give that fear to Jesus and let him deal with it and guide me.
When I take my focus off Jesus, like Peter, that is when everything unravels. Instead, I mistakenly focus on my fears:the what if's, the what-could-be's,the how-will I ever get out of this question. This is exactly where Satan wants us-focusing on the possibilites that will never come to pass. Satan wants our thoughts on anything but Jesus.
If we focus on Jesus,everything else will fall by the waist side.
All we need when we are going through the storms of life is JESUS.
All we need is JESUS. Set out of the boat an walk with Jesus.
As I write this, like everything that I write, I am reminded to practice what I preach.
There is a question that I have written on a post-it note in my bible that says "Are you focused on Jesus?"
Are you?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Where do I go to pray?
Matthew 14:23- After he(Jesus) had dismissed them (the crowd), he went up on a mountainside to pray.
Mark 1:35-Very early in the morning,while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Why do you think Jesus went alone to pray?
The Bible tells us that he went to pray where there would be no distractions.
I believe that when we are in a quiet place, we are in a place to hear and experience God.
Where do I go to pray? I have a prayer spot at home, which is in front of a big window seal by our back door. It is usually early in the morning while everyone is still asleep.
I also pray while I'm driving, with my eyes open of course.
Sometimes I pray out loud in my car. God loves to hear our voices.
Sometimes I pray when I'm walking the dog and on occasion, and sometimes it can be distracting, depending on the mood and behaviour of my pooch.
I pray when I'm work,usually alone, because it is peaceful, although there distractions from time to time. (I do this at lunch, for those who are wondering if i should be working.) Lunchtime is the besr time to pray with total peace and free from distractions.
These are just a few places I find to talk to God.
What about you? Where do you pray?
Mark 1:35-Very early in the morning,while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Why do you think Jesus went alone to pray?
The Bible tells us that he went to pray where there would be no distractions.
I believe that when we are in a quiet place, we are in a place to hear and experience God.
Where do I go to pray? I have a prayer spot at home, which is in front of a big window seal by our back door. It is usually early in the morning while everyone is still asleep.
I also pray while I'm driving, with my eyes open of course.
Sometimes I pray out loud in my car. God loves to hear our voices.
Sometimes I pray when I'm walking the dog and on occasion, and sometimes it can be distracting, depending on the mood and behaviour of my pooch.
I pray when I'm work,usually alone, because it is peaceful, although there distractions from time to time. (I do this at lunch, for those who are wondering if i should be working.) Lunchtime is the besr time to pray with total peace and free from distractions.
These are just a few places I find to talk to God.
What about you? Where do you pray?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Gift of Friendship
Proverbs 27:17-Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
I am thankful to GOD for my brothers in Jesus Christ.I am not sure that my walk with Christ would be as strong today without them.
There is one in particular that I am most thankful for.I will not share his name for fear that I might embarrass him. I will just say that I am most thankful for his guidance and friendship that he has brought to my life. God has used him to strengthen my friendship with the greatest friend anyone can ever have-Jesus Christ.
I have learned that it is extremely important in these difficult times for a man to have a friendship with another man. Not just any man, but a GOD fearing, Christian Man.
Why is it so important? and why did I exclude women? It is important because men have such a difficult time sharing their feelings,unlike women, who have no problem. So when GOD brings someone into your life that you immediately connect with...well that is a powerful and precious gift.
Christian Men need each other to keep one accountable for the struggles that each goes through in life. Life is a little bit easier when you have such a man in your corner like my dear friend. But more importantly, he is an even greater man if he points you to Jesus Christ and encourages you to pursue a deep and intimate friendship with the one who knows us the best. Remember, Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we will spend eternity with him in Heaven,spending endless fellowship with our Lord and Savior. The thought of spending eternity with the greatest friend man will ever have excites me beyond anything that I have encountered in my life.
Why have so many denied eternal friendship with Jesus Christ?
This sounds like another interesting topic to discuss at another time.
May GOD bless everyone.
I am thankful to GOD for my brothers in Jesus Christ.I am not sure that my walk with Christ would be as strong today without them.
There is one in particular that I am most thankful for.I will not share his name for fear that I might embarrass him. I will just say that I am most thankful for his guidance and friendship that he has brought to my life. God has used him to strengthen my friendship with the greatest friend anyone can ever have-Jesus Christ.
I have learned that it is extremely important in these difficult times for a man to have a friendship with another man. Not just any man, but a GOD fearing, Christian Man.
Why is it so important? and why did I exclude women? It is important because men have such a difficult time sharing their feelings,unlike women, who have no problem. So when GOD brings someone into your life that you immediately connect with...well that is a powerful and precious gift.
Christian Men need each other to keep one accountable for the struggles that each goes through in life. Life is a little bit easier when you have such a man in your corner like my dear friend. But more importantly, he is an even greater man if he points you to Jesus Christ and encourages you to pursue a deep and intimate friendship with the one who knows us the best. Remember, Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we will spend eternity with him in Heaven,spending endless fellowship with our Lord and Savior. The thought of spending eternity with the greatest friend man will ever have excites me beyond anything that I have encountered in my life.
Why have so many denied eternal friendship with Jesus Christ?
This sounds like another interesting topic to discuss at another time.
May GOD bless everyone.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Follow The Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:16-16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
What happens when I Don't follow the Holy Spirit?
What happens when I don't listen to what the Holy Spirit is directing me to do with the life GOD has given me?
What happens or what results is chaos,turmoil and defeat. Before long you find yourself apart from the Holy Spirit.
When I find myself off the path of God,when I find myself seperated from God's Holy Spirit, which Is Jesus living in me, what am I to do then?
Repent. I ask God to bring to my attention what sin is running rampant in my life. I usually know the answer to that-most ofthe time.
When I ask God for forgiveness, I find myself back where God always intended for me to be-with Him, being led by the Holy Spirit.
Nothing good can come from my life when I am apart from God.
The key to follow God? Follow The Holy Spirit, who lives in us when we have confessed our sinful nature to God and confess that Jesus Christ is our Lordand Saviour.
Just watch in amazment where God will guide you.
Walk in The Holy Spirit.
What happens when I Don't follow the Holy Spirit?
What happens when I don't listen to what the Holy Spirit is directing me to do with the life GOD has given me?
What happens or what results is chaos,turmoil and defeat. Before long you find yourself apart from the Holy Spirit.
When I find myself off the path of God,when I find myself seperated from God's Holy Spirit, which Is Jesus living in me, what am I to do then?
Repent. I ask God to bring to my attention what sin is running rampant in my life. I usually know the answer to that-most ofthe time.
When I ask God for forgiveness, I find myself back where God always intended for me to be-with Him, being led by the Holy Spirit.
Nothing good can come from my life when I am apart from God.
The key to follow God? Follow The Holy Spirit, who lives in us when we have confessed our sinful nature to God and confess that Jesus Christ is our Lordand Saviour.
Just watch in amazment where God will guide you.
Walk in The Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Seek Refuge In The Lord
Psalm 2:12 (c)-Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 46:1-GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
It is such a blessing that we can take refuge in the Lord, especially in times of trouble.
But should we seek refuge only when we are experiencing trouble?
Psalm 119:10-I seek you with all my heart;Do not let me stray from your commands.
Doesn't trouble seem to occur or take over your life when your not seeking GOD with all of your heart and soul?
I would like to say that I am one of those who seek refuge in the Lord when things are going great. Sometimes this is true of me. Other times it is not true at all.
Just the other day, I strated back to boxing training with my coach after taking a year off. I found myself focusing on boxing and not focusing on GOD. My world quickly became out of focus.
That is because I was not seeking GOD. I took my eyes off of him for an instant and before I knew it everything in my life began to unravel.But when I returned my attention to GOD, he restored all the mess that I made. Praise GOD for that!
BOTTOM LINE-Focus on the Lord.When you don't, your life loses the GODLY perspective that he has for us.
Prayer- Father GOD,I pray that you will teach me to keep my attention on you and your Holy Word as I go about the day that you have laid out for me.
In Jesus' Holy Name I pray-Amen.
Psalm 46:1-GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
It is such a blessing that we can take refuge in the Lord, especially in times of trouble.
But should we seek refuge only when we are experiencing trouble?
Psalm 119:10-I seek you with all my heart;Do not let me stray from your commands.
Doesn't trouble seem to occur or take over your life when your not seeking GOD with all of your heart and soul?
I would like to say that I am one of those who seek refuge in the Lord when things are going great. Sometimes this is true of me. Other times it is not true at all.
Just the other day, I strated back to boxing training with my coach after taking a year off. I found myself focusing on boxing and not focusing on GOD. My world quickly became out of focus.
That is because I was not seeking GOD. I took my eyes off of him for an instant and before I knew it everything in my life began to unravel.But when I returned my attention to GOD, he restored all the mess that I made. Praise GOD for that!
BOTTOM LINE-Focus on the Lord.When you don't, your life loses the GODLY perspective that he has for us.
Prayer- Father GOD,I pray that you will teach me to keep my attention on you and your Holy Word as I go about the day that you have laid out for me.
In Jesus' Holy Name I pray-Amen.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Prayer Journal
1 John 5:14-15:
"This is the confidnece we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we sk-we know that we have what we asked of him."
How good of a Prayer Warrior am I? Or am I worthy to call himself a Prayer Warrior? What is a Prayer Warrior? Prayer Warriors are those who go to God in prayer for another person in need.
One of my dearest friends that God has given me in my life recommended strongly that I start keeping a prayer journal. He said that I would be amazed at all that the Lord has answered or has not answered (as of yet) in my life and for others in my life. I have been doing for about a week now and I am blown away at how The Lord has moved in my life and those that I have prayed for.
I have always known that prayer is a powerful gift that God has given us, but after journaling for only a week, I am realizing that prayer is more powerful than I could have ever imagined.
As a matter of fact, I urge everyone reading this to keep a prayer journal. You will truley be amazed at what God does in our lives and in others that we pray for when we pray.
Another aspect of praying is praying for those in need. This where we get the name Prayer Warrior.
Praying on behalf of others is a very powerful thing. Jesus says this about joining another person in prayer: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my father in Heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."-Matthew 18:19-20.
I have been praying for my buddy and his wife for months now, and he has really been an incredible influence on me on many things, but he has been especially influencial with the subject of praying.I know this might sound shocking to most people reading this, but before learning just how powerful talking to God can be, I really never prayed for my family. As a matter of fact, I would call myself a terrible prayer.
But now I am learning how to pray. Maybe perhaps one day I will be called a Prayer Warrior. That would be a pretty cool title. Right up there with "wonderful, beautiful child of God".
"This is the confidnece we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we sk-we know that we have what we asked of him."
How good of a Prayer Warrior am I? Or am I worthy to call himself a Prayer Warrior? What is a Prayer Warrior? Prayer Warriors are those who go to God in prayer for another person in need.
One of my dearest friends that God has given me in my life recommended strongly that I start keeping a prayer journal. He said that I would be amazed at all that the Lord has answered or has not answered (as of yet) in my life and for others in my life. I have been doing for about a week now and I am blown away at how The Lord has moved in my life and those that I have prayed for.
I have always known that prayer is a powerful gift that God has given us, but after journaling for only a week, I am realizing that prayer is more powerful than I could have ever imagined.
As a matter of fact, I urge everyone reading this to keep a prayer journal. You will truley be amazed at what God does in our lives and in others that we pray for when we pray.
Another aspect of praying is praying for those in need. This where we get the name Prayer Warrior.
Praying on behalf of others is a very powerful thing. Jesus says this about joining another person in prayer: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my father in Heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."-Matthew 18:19-20.
I have been praying for my buddy and his wife for months now, and he has really been an incredible influence on me on many things, but he has been especially influencial with the subject of praying.I know this might sound shocking to most people reading this, but before learning just how powerful talking to God can be, I really never prayed for my family. As a matter of fact, I would call myself a terrible prayer.
But now I am learning how to pray. Maybe perhaps one day I will be called a Prayer Warrior. That would be a pretty cool title. Right up there with "wonderful, beautiful child of God".
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Simple Life
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.-Proverbs 8:5
I have found that it is much easier for me to find wisdom and understanding when I am seeking GOD. When I chase after GOD, he in turn, supplies me with all that I need, whether I know this at the time or not. When I seek, or chase after GOD, I put myself in a position to recieve all the wisdom and understanding that he has for my life.
When I don't focus on GOD, when I don't seek him with all that I am, I put myself in a postion to focus on other things that GOD deems unworthy of my attention. This is where I get into trouble. This is where darkness creeps into my life, and soon, I am in total darkness, in a spirtual sense. And then, that darkness spills out into everything that I touch and everyone I come into contact with.
Why would anyone want to feel that way? Why would I want to feel that way? Why do I let this happen to myself? I don't have the answer for the first two questions, but I do have an answer for the third question, and that answer is what I have already stated: I DON'T FOCUS ON GOD.
Proverbs 1:7 says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and disipline." I have been that fool, and sometimes I still am.
Prayer: Father God, I pray that you will give me the wisdom and knowledge for what you would have me do with the life you have given me. I also pray for wisdom and knowledge for my family and friends. I pray that you will give the strength and courage to rise up and lead my family to greater knowledge of your love and plans for our lives.
In Jesus' holy name I pray,
AMEN
you who are foolish, gain understanding.-Proverbs 8:5
I have found that it is much easier for me to find wisdom and understanding when I am seeking GOD. When I chase after GOD, he in turn, supplies me with all that I need, whether I know this at the time or not. When I seek, or chase after GOD, I put myself in a position to recieve all the wisdom and understanding that he has for my life.
When I don't focus on GOD, when I don't seek him with all that I am, I put myself in a postion to focus on other things that GOD deems unworthy of my attention. This is where I get into trouble. This is where darkness creeps into my life, and soon, I am in total darkness, in a spirtual sense. And then, that darkness spills out into everything that I touch and everyone I come into contact with.
Why would anyone want to feel that way? Why would I want to feel that way? Why do I let this happen to myself? I don't have the answer for the first two questions, but I do have an answer for the third question, and that answer is what I have already stated: I DON'T FOCUS ON GOD.
Proverbs 1:7 says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and disipline." I have been that fool, and sometimes I still am.
Prayer: Father God, I pray that you will give me the wisdom and knowledge for what you would have me do with the life you have given me. I also pray for wisdom and knowledge for my family and friends. I pray that you will give the strength and courage to rise up and lead my family to greater knowledge of your love and plans for our lives.
In Jesus' holy name I pray,
AMEN
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