Sunday, October 26, 2008

Listen

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
In our current study of Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer, the point comes through loud and clear that we can expect God to speak to us. The Bible records many stories of God speaking to various leaders, prophets, kings, and even a boy, Samuel. However, the thought that He speaks to me is hard to get my head around. The more I read of His promises to speak to me, lead me, and show me what He has in mind, the more encouraged I am to view each day with excitement and anticipation. Reading God's Word takes on a new dimension when a verse pops out and I know it is just for me. During the sermon today, the pastor read a particular verse and tears suddenly sprang to my eyes. If I had been reading it, the words would have appeared in big bold type but even in hearing it, it seared my heart with sudden clarity. He answered the prayer of my heart and I knew it was truth. So, my dear ones, take heart. Be expectant. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart and soul. You are not alone. He will fight the battle for you. Listen! He speaks…today…to His children.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A Story of Obedience

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:27-29 (NLT)
During our church retreat last week, we considered the message of the book by John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk On Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. There are many water-walkers mentioned in the Bible; Abraham, Moses, and Joshua to name a few. But this book focuses on the Apostle Peter and his invitation from Jesus to meet him as He walked on a raging sea in the middle of a storm. Two things caught my attention in Peter's response, "If it is you, command me to come to you on the water." First, he wanted to make very sure that Jesus was the one issuing the invitation not a figment of his imagination. Second, he asked for direct leading or a command. This was not some foolish impulse on Peter's part or a story of risk-taking. It is a story of obedience. Peter got out of the boat and experienced the exhilaration of water-walking with his eyes focused on the Master's face. But what about the others in the boat? They didn't line up behind Peter but I think I know how they felt. There have been times in my life when I hid in the depths of the boat as my circumstances whirled out of control…afraid, cowering, and unwilling to move. I am sure all of them heard Jesus but only Peter chose to obey. One thing I have learned over the years is that I don't want to stay in the boat—I want to be a water-walker even when the sea is raging and pouring over the edge of the boat. I want the to see the face of my Lord and hear Him say, "Come, let's go for a walk." It may not be smooth but I look forward to a wild ride hanging on to His hand.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Higher Ground

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

   and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

   and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

   and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

   The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

   able to tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)

The prophet paints a very gloomy picture—sounds like he has been listening to my TV. The market is lower than it has been in years. A pivotal election is right around the corner. Some are still cleaning out and restoring their homes after a hit by a hurricane. It seems like nothing is easy. Why is life so difficult right now? The pummeling of bad news begins to wear and I wonder what is going to happen next. As much as I like to listen to talk radio and TV, today I want it off. However, God did not leave us in this pothole. Did you notice the second half of the passage? Even when the world collapses around me, God is there and gives me joy. He is the one that supports me and allows me to stand—even on shaky and unstable ground. He even equips me so that I can race surefooted between the boulders and rocks on the path as I head to the top of the mountain. I have a better perspective from higher ground where I can focus on the whole landscape rather than just my own small patch. Sometimes, God allows us to see what His plans are, other times, He asks us to trust Him. Today, the insecurity of our world demands that we turn to the One who made us and who knows our days from the beginning to the end for our security and comfort. He is bigger than all that threatens us. Go for the higher ground and take heart.