Saturated in the Sp[irit

 

     One definition of the word “saturated” is to soak completely. Before we take another step into allowing God to change us spiritually and move us out in His purposes, let’s fill up, soak completely, until it overflows, with the living water of His Spirit. Bask in His love and allow His words to soak deeply into your soul.

  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:17-18-19

  Jesus said: “Whoever believes in me as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you, in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17 

 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  1 John 3:1 

      I pray you can read through those words a few times today. These words of love are extravagant, extreme, a love beyond our comprehension. Imagine, He delights in you and rejoices over you with singing. He lavished us with love and we are His children. I love the exclamation points in the verses from 1 John.  It is exciting!!

     His type of love is enough. It is satisfying. It quenches our thirst. If no one else around you right now is able to show you love, Your Heavenly Father will lavish you with it and delight in you. His love is so long and high and wide and deep, we can barely grasp it. And His very Spirit resides within us! That deserves another exclamation point!

 Dear Jesus,

How can we thank You for allowing us to be loved so completely, so unconditionally, that you would die for us and take on the sins of the world? We soak up the love You have lavished on us. Fill us up to overflowing until the day we are together forever.

Amen

 

Light Through It All

 

     Light, love, power, joy and peace. Those attributes belong to us through the Spirit that Christ gives to His believers. Fill up on His love today and feel His light wash over You. If you are going through a dark time of suffering whether physically, emotionally, relationally or financially, His light can penetrate. Even a tiny glimpse of light in a dark cave brings hope and comfort. Allow Him to bring His light to You today. He loved us enough to die for us.

     If this is a time of comfort and happiness, praise Him for health and wellness, for loving relationships, for food and shelter, for the breath of life. Let His peace and joy indwell you through the good times and the hard times and everything in between. Getting to know Him builds trust in all things. He gives us the power to persist through it all. And we know the end of the story. Glory and love forevermore.  He gives us all we need.

He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also along with Him, graciously give us all things?

Father,

You did not spare Your own Son, and You have given Jesus all things to share with us. I pray for us to be willing to rest in Your care, no matter where we are today, no matter our worries or our suffering. We place it all in Your capable hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Gifts of the Spirit

 

     Stop for a minute today and ask yourself what you would tell others about Jesus? What has He done for you? How would you share a testimony? As you think about an answer to those questions, think about everything the Bible promises us about the Holy Spirit. He is with you every minute of every day. When you have some time, read through the following verses and take in the presence of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit:

Convicts: John 16:8

Seals: Ephesians 1:13-14

Testifies: Romans 8:16

Creates: John 3:5 and  2 Corinthians 5:17

And the Spirit continues His work in us (Philippians 1:6) with:

Strengthening power: Ephesians 3:16

Teaching and Counseling: John 14:26

His truth: John 14:16-17

Intercession: Romans 8:26-27

Gifts: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4

And brings forth and grows the fruit: Galatians 5:22

     Feel the Holy Spirit’s comfort and intercession for you as He teaches and guides you into all truth, giving us just what we need every single day. Jesus is enough. He gives us all things. And the Spirit will speak and act through you to bring glory to the risen Son.

Jesus,

We praise You for the work of the Holy Spirit. Help us to listen for Your voice through Him today and please comfort and strengthen those in need on this day.

Amen

Freedom to Shine

 

     We have seen the Holy Spirit’s role in pointing to and glorifying Jesus. As the Holy Spirit within us continues His work in us, our image become more and more like Christ. It is a miraculous and, sometimes, painstakingly slow process! You may notice a check in your spirit after an angry word, or a compassionate heart for someone you used to despise. The slow progress is not our work but God’s work in us. Let that give you freedom. And let the following words encourage you as you live out the rest of your life. We are only getting closer to true life, not death.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces, contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:17-18

     Let that inner glory shine today, remembering it will be on the increase, even if we don’t feel it or recognize it in ourselves. I look forward to that. I pray these words will take away any fear of aging. Our inner life will grow ever brighter as we get closer to the full glory of God.

Jesus,

You tell us You are the light of the world, and as Your body in the earth, we reflect that glory. Show us how. Continue Your transforming work in each of us as we await Your coming.

Amen

 

The Holy Spirit

 

     Growing up in the 1960’s and 1970’s in a Lutheran church, my ideas about the Triune God were way off kilter. I imagined Father God as a fierce-looking old man with a long white beard, watching and waiting for me to do something wrong. Jesus was, of course, my friend. We sang, “What a Friend We have in Jesus” and “Jesus Loves Me.”  I loved having Him for my friend. With his long hair and sandals He fit right into the culture around me.

     Honestly, the Holy Spirit was rarely mentioned other than a vague reference to the “Holy Ghost.”. Sounded a bit spooky to me. Today the Triune God is made up of three distinct persons, all of whom I love deeply. Let’s look together at the Holy Spirit this week.

     He is alive and well, living in and working through believers.  He is our teacher, comforter, prayer warrior and His purpose is to bring glory to our Lord. Jesus explained the purpose of His Holy Spirit:                                                                                                

But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own. He will speak only what He hears and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify Me, because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.  John 16:13-15

     The Spirit will guide us into all truth. The Spirit will open our hearts to the wisdom of the word of God. He speaks what He hears from Jesus. He glorifies Christ in all He does through us. He makes known to us everything that belongs to our Father in heaven.

Father,

Thank You for the gifts the Holy Spirit gives us, the way He works through us, and the ways He brings glory to Your son, Jesus.

Amen

Agape Love

 

     Our word “love” covers a multitude of meanings. We love our food, our animals, a good book or a movie. The Greeks have several distinct and varied words for love. Here are three of them used throughout Scripture.

    The first type of love is philia which means brotherly love, the type of love you would have for a sibling or for a good friend. The second word for love is eros, a romantic love such as a husband and wife have for one another.

     Last but not least is the word, agape, the type of love Christ has for us. We may try to attain this type of love for each other, but it is beyond human capabilities. Agape love was demonstrated when God Himself was made sin for us. He laid down His life for us. He became a humble servant to all.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

     This love is self-less, unconditional, all-consuming and sacrificial. It is patient and kind, slow to anger, filled with loving kindness. It never gives up and never fails. (see 1 Corinthians 13) Unlike our human understanding of love, God’s love is a perfect love. God is love. He first loved us. Loving and believing in Jesus gives us full access to this agape love.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.  1 John 4:16

    And our loving Father is preparing a place for us. Believe in Him and His all-powerful, never-ending love.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:21-24

     Allow your heart to be at peace. Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in Jesus. Abide in His love.

Dear Father,

Your sacrificial love came to save us and one day we will be with You. Give us the peace that passes understanding as we live out our days on earth. Thank You for this precious gift of love. We do love You with all of our hearts, with all of our minds, with all of our strength.

In Jesus name

Amen

Abiding Love

 

     Here are two of my favorite sections of Scripture. It’s all about love this week. These are worth memorizing and pulling out as a reminder that:

1)    God will never stop loving us, not ever!

2)    Nothing can separate us from Him, not ever!

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

     This love from God is higher and deeper than any earthly love. It has conquered death and the schemes of Satan. It is the type of love that brings our heavenly God to lay down His life for us. It surpasses knowledge. It conquers fear. It is the kind of love that fills in the gaps of our souls. It is the everlasting, abiding love of Christ.

Dear Father,

Thank you for reminding us of the love above all other. You first loved us so that we may love others. We praise You today for Your love.

The love of a Father willing to give up His Son on a cross to save us.

Amen

Unfailing Love

 

     God’s love never fails. The definition for the word, “fail” includes, to become weaker and to cease functioning. The love of our God is strong. It is always alive and working. Here are a few verses for your hearts today.

In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed; in Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.  Exodus 15:13

But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.  Psalm 13:5

For I have always been mindful of Your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on Your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3

 Let Your face shine on your servant; save me in Your unfailing love. Psalm 31:16

How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  Psalm 36:7

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  Psalm 90:14

     Oh, how I want to keep typing. Each one of these verses is rich with meaning for us. This unfailing love is worth meditating on and remembering all the days of our lives. It satisfies us in the morning and causes us to rejoice all of our days. This love will lead us into the holy land of our God. This is the unfailing love that brought Jesus to die for us and conquer death.

     We can rejoice in it. We can trust it. It is priceless and satisfying.  Let this love shine on you today. Take it with you wherever you go. God’s unfailing love can be trusted above all others. Just one more.

“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.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your unfailing love. Remind us to begin each day basking in this love as it shines on us. Allow this love to give us strength and hope for each day of our lives. Show us how to share this love.

Amen

 

His Everlasting Love

 

     That amazing love of our God is an everlasting love. Look at these verses with me today:

The Lord appeared to us in the past saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalm 103:17

     Couldn’t we camp out on those verses all day? Beyond this life is an everlasting love. God has drawn you with loving kindness. He brings hope to our children’s children. He does not grow tired or weary even when we do. He understands so much more than our frail human minds can fathom.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9-10

     Can you place your life firmly in His capable hands? He loves you forever and ever. Stepping into heaven to experience an everlasting love with a compassionate, loving, holy God is a promise He will keep. In the meantime, He will never give up on you and me.

Dear Father in heaven,

Thank you for these beautiful words for us today. Your love is forever. Accepting the amazing grace of Your Son includes a reservation in heaven. It is everlasting.

In Jesus name

Amen

Atoning Love

      The love of Christ is beyond our human capacity to comprehend. Not one of us deserves His sacrifice. None of us could stand before a holy and just God. Love went beyond what we deserve. Love went beyond our total separation from God. Love conquered death and sin for us.

This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

    Jesus became one of us, but did not sin. He walked the earth, felt emotion, was tempted in every way and lived a life of perfect obedience.

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.  Colossians 5:21

But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.  1 John 3:5

     Imagine His love. He became sin for you and me. He came willingly for you and for me. Amazing love. Amazing grace. Let’s bask in His love today, tomorrow and forever. Let it wash over you. Feel His warm embrace.

Dear Jesus,

Never let us forget the magnitude of what You have done for us. You paid the price for all we deserve. Teach us how to love like that.

Amen

   

Eternal Hope

 

     Our ultimate hope is heaven. I pray our spiritual lives become more and more vibrant as we age. Our trust in Christ will shine through as our faith continues to grow. The privilege of growing older only brings us closer and closer to our real home. We will see Jesus in His full glory, receive our eternal bodies and live forever!  I believe we will remain the essence of ourselves, know each other and we will serve and use the gifts we have used in the here and now.

     It will be glorious. We are only here for a little while. As the Bible reminds us, our lives are like a vapor or a blink and then they are done. One of my favorite worship songs is, “When All is Said and Done.” When all is said and done, will we have lived the lives planned out for us before the beginning of time? My hope is that we all find our pure joy in Jesus. He has given us the kingdom, forever and ever.  Our eternal hope.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  Titus 3:4-7

Dear Father,

We struggle and strain and wonder and grieve. We laugh and cry and find joy and despair. Through it all, we have You and the hope of eternal life. Remind us that each day draws us nearer to the hope of our salvation, to eternal life. We wait expectantly. Show us a bit of the kingdom here on earth.

In Jesus name

Amen

Hope in the Darkness

 

     Depression and anxiety surround us. There are so many young children and young adults overwhelmed with so much. This last year has been a tough one for all of us. Several friends and family members are going through times of anxiety and depression. The darkness surrounds with seemingly no escape. We easily feel helpless. Depression and anxiety are often hidden from others under the mask of jokes and laughter or “I’m fine.” The show goes on, but what happens when the lights go dark? Emptiness remains

     Depression and anxiety can hit suddenly, without cause or warning. Platitudes like “Cheer up,” or “Count your blessings,” or quoting Scripture may strike a hollow note. Professional help is available. Medication might be necessary. Do I believe Jesus is able to help? Yes! I believe in prayer and I believe in the power of the written word of God.

     It happened to my brother. Jesus lifted his depression as his body was slowly closing down. He couldn’t control his hands, feet, legs or arms and his speech had become impaired, but the depression he lived with and suffered from for most of his life, lifted for the last two years of his life. He credited Jesus.  Yes, a true miracle.

     I wish depression and anxiety could be lifted in one moment of time, never to be experienced again. Let’s keep praying for those we know living with this darkness and fear. And, when appropriate share God’s word. He is there, always, with hope. And when no one else seems to understand, He does.

You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted. You encourage them and you listen to their cry.  Psalm 10:17

Dear Father in heaven,

We lift up to You this morning those suffering from anxiety and depression. You listen to their cries. Give them hope and give us ways to help. Give them hope and a future.

In Jesus powerful name,

Amen

Hope in the Wait

 

      The waiting and the watching can seem endless. We try to be patient and persistent in our prayers. But where is God? Has He heard us? When will an answer come? And will it be the answer we believe is the right one? Is there healing? Will she come home? Is he safe? Will they turn their lives around? Will I find a job? Is divorce the answer? How will I go on without him or her? Can we keep hope alive?

Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:30-31

     Hope when we are weary. Strength when we stumble. The Bible even goes so far as to say we are to count our trials as pure joy. According to Scripture here is the progression of our faith during a trial.  (Wish it always worked this way)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   James 1:2-4

     The Scriptures today bring us hope. All of us stumble and grow weary. Putting our faith in our Lord brings strength until we can walk and even run again. Test your faith. Is it in the power of Jesus? He has more than enough to spare and the Holy Spirit can fill you with peace and joy and hope in the very middle of the trial you are facing. Trust His goodness. The maturing of our faith takes time. When the persevering is done, we will be complete, not lacking anything. I want that. How about you?

Dear Jesus,

Give us glimpses of hope today as we persevere through our trials. Give us patience and the peace that passes understanding. We put our trust in You, the author and finisher of our faith.

Amen

 

Hope in Praise

 

    Praise God in hope today. Praising our God for His loving kindness, for His goodness, for our salvation, for His timing, for His footsteps and guidance moving ahead of our thoughts and emotions may be difficult. But, praise lifts us into the throne room of heaven, far above all that we see, hear and feel.

     Psalm 42 is filled with words of despair and heartache and crying out to God. Are you going through a time of heartache and grief? God can take all of our feelings and fears, our worries and weakness and there we find hope. As we read through the Psalms and hear David’s voice in the singing, the praises, the despair, the cries for forgiveness, we hear the humanity, the emotion in living life.

     Even in the midst and, most often, near the end of each Psalm there is always a turning to God, with phrases like, “even now,” “and yet,” “I will yet praise Him.” And in the middle of David’s cries, see how he turns again to his God.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:5

     Wherever you are today, praise God. Even if you feel hopeless and helpless, praise Him. Praise Him for His creation, for His love, for His forgiveness, for working ahead of you, for the hope of eternity. Sometimes praise is sacrificial. It may seem impossible. The writer of Hebrews understood this.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.  Hebrews 13:15

   God honors our praise as we trust Him through the darkness. The sacrifice of praise will give you hope when there seems to be none and we just may offer a witness and testimony to others.

Dear Lord,

We praise You for Your Son, for Your unending love, for Your understanding heart, for Your compassion. For all of these things and more, we praise Your holy name.

Through Jesus, our Savior

Amen

Hope

 

     Hope. What a beautiful word. No matter the circumstances, the grief, the hurt, the trouble, with Christ there is always hope. Definitions for hope…

1.     Feeling that something desired is possible.

2.    Confidence

3.    Looking forward with expectation

     Take your worry. Offer your doubts. Stand up to your fear. And believe in the unseen hope in Christ. Here is a memory-worthy verse for you.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

     Finding substance and evidence in things not seen is hard, but understanding our God can do more than we can hope for or imagine offers us the opportunity to trust Him, to have faith in Him, to place our hope in Him. Drop it in His lap and let Him take it over.

     Let’s use these verses as our prayer today.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Father,

You offer us hope. You are willing and able to do immeasurably more than all we ask. Give everyone reading this today hope in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Stepping In, Stepping Out

 

     My husband and I are early risers and often on Saturday mornings you will find one or both of us at the grocery store at the crack of dawn. One morning as we were taking our groceries out of the cart to be scanned, I noticed the cashier was sniffling and appeared to be quite miserable.

     I asked her if she was ok and she shook her head no. The poor thing, I thought to myself. I like to bag the groceries and I continued to watch her and pray for her as I went about my duties. My husband handed over the coupons and paid.

     In one spontaneous motion, as we were about to leave, I walked around behind the cashier and asked her if I could give her a hug. She looked puzzled, but nodded, and as I grabbed her in a big bear hug, I whispered, “I hope everything will be ok and I will be praying for you.” I said it quickly and courageously, hoping God would be pleased with this gesture of kindness.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.   Hebrews 11:6

     I let go of the poor girl and here is what she said, “Oh I’m sure I’ll be fine. My husband and I usually get a bug like this about once a year.”

     A bug?! She was sick?!

     My embarrassment continued as we walked out and my husband shook his head. He has seen me in action one too many times. He said, “She’s always like that, usually grumpy and complaining about something.”

     We continue to laugh about this little episode and I remember seeing her again a few weeks later. I’m pretty sure she averted her gaze away from mine. I like to think my hug and promise of prayer may have made a small difference in her life that day.

     You never know where faith will lead you. Keep your eyes and ears open in case a “grumpy” needs you. When Joshua and the Israelites came to the edge of the Jordan river. God promised He would part the waters for them, but first, they had to step into the swirling water. It took a step of faith.

     Stepping out brings more faith. God will do amazing things through your words and deeds with the power of the risen Christ. Step into the unknown water. When you are afraid, believe Jesus will lift you up. When you are exhausted, He may ask you to keep going for just a bit longer. When you are overwhelmed speak of your faith. Raise it up and trust. Wait and praise. Get your toes wet. When the waters finally part, walk through to the promised land of hope and glory.

And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord-the Lord of all the earth-set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap. Joshua 3:13

Dear Lord,

Give us the courage to step out in faith. Even when we don’t see results, you honor our faith in You. Keep our hearts open to the hurt around us. You have answers for a hurting world. The grumpies around us have been known to crack a smile with a little kindness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Stepping In, Stepping Out

 

     When we can’t find an answer, when we don’t know how to get through the grief, or how to help a loved one, or what to do next, we can place our complete trust in Jesus. He has the answers. He knows the way through. He has the words of comfort for us to use. He sees the next step and the one after that. There are millions of testimonies in history up to the present day reminding us and teaching us that God works through everything.

     The apostle Paul wrote several of his epistles from a dark, dank, smelly jail cell in Rome. He was chained to a guard at all times. All of these prison epistles are filled with gratitude to God, with an understanding that even then, the good news of the gospel would be preached.

     He and his other Christian cellmates sang songs of praise and joy, stunning their jailers and other prisoners. The book of Philippians is filled with verses about deep joy, about the peace that passes all understanding, and the call for believers to continue to shine as stars.  Here are a few verses to take with you today.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:15

Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again. Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

     The verses in the Book of Philippians are worth reading time and time again. Put them to memory and take them out when you are feeling weak and overwhelmed. Paul reminds us to spread the gospel no matter the circumstances in our lives, to continue to shine like stars in this warped generation, to rejoice always! God is good, all the time and He remains on the throne. Stay filled with His peace and joy as we continue to marvel at His mysterious ways.  Maybe, just maybe this time in your life will be used for our God.

Lord,

Thank You for the examples of faith both in Scripture and in life. Teach us by example to rely on Your great love and strength that will get us through life, all of it with peace and joy, always striving to shine with Your glory.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Stepping In, Stepping Out

 

      The fishermen were exhausted. They had been working all night and hadn’t caught a thing. They tiredly cleaned their nets on the beach in the early morning hours. Are you overwhelmed with exhaustion? Have you tried everything and come up empty? Surprisingly, Jesus gets into one of the empty boats and says,

“Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4b

    What would be our reaction? “I can’t.” “I’ve given it my best and nothing worked.” “I am too tired.” Here is Simon Peter’s reaction. It sounds familiar, but we might want to listen to the last portion of his response.

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5

     Have you been swimming in the shallow end of faith? When the answers aren’t immediate or your prayers aren’t answered in the way you expected, do you give up? Grow weary of the wait? Jesus challenges us to dive in a little deeper, to read the living water of His Words until eternity is etched in our hearts, until He is the answer to everything.

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:6

     Jesus is the answer to the emptiness, the loneliness, the unanswered prayer, the holes in the nets of our hearts. His love can fill and re-fill until our souls overflow. He challenges us to head to the deep waters and lower our nets. The abundant life is there for the taking.

Dear Jesus,

Take away our fear of diving in to the deep waters of trusting and obeying. You have the Words to eternal life. (John 6:68) Let our defeated attitudes change to saying yes to an overflowing life with You.

Amen

Stepping In, Stepping Out

 

     Each of the disciples had their own unique personality, just as each one of us is uniquely created.  Peter was impetuous, spontaneous, often acting and speaking before thinking. Did you know he took a leap of faith and jumped right out of the boat when he saw Jesus walking on the water? Peter spotted Jesus and asked Him to let him come to Him.  Jesus answered:

“Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29

     When Peter heard Jesus’ command, he obeyed immediately with no hesitation and the power of Christ was with him. What happens next is a lesson to all of us as believers, as we jump in to obey the calling of Christ on our lives.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30

     When we find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control, circumstances that bring fear and doubt, grief and unanswerable questions, we long to remain fixed on Jesus, keeping our minds and emotions in check as we continue to trust, to obey and to have faith in the One who saved us. But even when our eyes move away, even in the days we believe we are sinking, when our eyes move from Jesus to the overwhelming odds against us, listen to what Jesus does.

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat the wind died down.  Matthew 14:31-32

     When Peter doubted and began to sink, did Jesus leave him floundering around in his doubt and fear? No, immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught Him. When the doubts continue to plague and the deep waters are rising, call out for your Savior. He is faithful and trustworthy. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

     Focus your gaze on Him. His strong and mighty right hand is there to pick you up, time after time. He will save you from drowning in the swirling waters of despair, of grief, of doubt, of hopelessness. He is the God of hope and new beginnings. Listen to Him in the midst of the storms of life. And He says, “Come.”

Dear Father in heaven,

Help us through our unbelief. When the winds die down and the storms subside, You are right beside us in the boat. You’ve been there all along. Keep our eyes and hearts fixed on You in the midst of it all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Stepping In, Stepping Out

 

     My dad died over fifty years ago. I was fourteen. The skies had been blue and sunny for me growing up until that day. Lightning struck and thunder roared and my mom and I were left to build a new foundation. She became my rock. I was blessed to have a loving mom and she sacrificed so much to watch over me.

     For years I stayed on the surface of life, living selfishly, following every wave that came my way, never casting my anchor on anyone or anything satisfying and solid and trustworthy and pure. The year I found that something good in my future husband, I was diagnosed with an eye disease that would one day leave me legally blind and shortly after that, my mom was diagnosed with cancer.

     She went back into the hospital the week of our wedding, was unable to attend and died the next day. Shortly after our wedding, my husband lost his job. The storms of life come up unexpectedly and sometimes, simultaneously.

As for everyone who comes to Me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-48

     When I was drowning in despair and fear, I met Jesus. I had known Him on a casual, go-to-church-on-Sunday kind of way. Jesus has continued to build on that foundation within me for 35 years now. More storms have hit. They always do. Has one hit your foundation? Jesus is the cornerstone. The rock. Build your hope in Him. He will bring you in safely from the deep flood waters, and protect you from each and every storm on the horizon.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2

     My storms became my salvation. My tests became my testimonies and my mess became my message. Crazy how God works. He was there all along, but when I needed Him most, He saved me. And once you step into faith in Jesus, you become willing to step out.

Dear Father,

I pray for each reader this morning. I pray they will feel the warmth of Your embrace, the peace of Your presence, the power of Your unending love and the hope of heaven. Show us how to build the homes of our hearts on the firm foundation of Your Son, Jesus. He will be with us through every crashing wave.

Amen