Monday June 10, 2013

[GinNJ]

Matthew 14:22-33

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

James 1:6-8

But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.

So, ‘when evening came’ the boat that the disciples were in was already taking a beating from the waves. It wasn’t until ‘the night was ending’ that Jesus came to them. Many might ask…”well, why did Jesus wait so long?”…the real question is “why weren’t they calling for Him?”...or, even better…”why weren’t they expecting Him?” The fact that that they were frightened when He did show up indicates that weren’t expecting His help in the storm. They had just seen Him heal the sick and feed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. You would think at the first sign of the storm they would have been calling out for Him but they didn’t. So, after He comes to them walking on the raging seas and reminds them that they don’t have to fear Peter decides to…wait for it…test Him. You have to love Peter! Still not completely willing to trust Jesus, Peter wants proof that Jesus really can sustain him during the storm. Jesus simply said “Come”. And Peter did...conquering his fear and being elevated above the storm until he took his focus off of Jesus and put it back on the storm. The moment that he took his eyes off of Jesus he became afraid again and while sinking cried out for Jesus who saved him and then calmed the storm. In the end they worshipped Jesus and proclaiming Him as the Son of God! Sounds to me like their faith increased!

See, often we say that God allows storms into our lives in order to increase our faith. What God teaches us in this portion of scripture is that it isn’t about the storms it is about trusting Him during the storms. That is what increases our faith. Who do we look to first at the first sign of a storm? Is it Jesus? And do we hold on to Him and stand on His word and His promises throughout?

Tropical storm Andrea made its way up the East Coast this weekend. While the rains had stopped Saturday in NJ the Atlantic Ocean was still churned up from the storm and it was a ‘no swimming allowed’ day at the beach because it was too dangerous. It’s the kind of day the surfers live for and they were out in full force. As I was meditating on the verses above and listening to the song posted below I was captivated by them like I had never been before. The surfer’s relationship with his board is really amazing…what God showed me was amazing! For starters, they were already on their boards before the waves came. Being out in the ocean they were expecting waves to come and were prepared. Being out in the world we know that trouble will come. Are we prepared? Imagine if a surfer was out in the stormy seas without his board and then tried to get back to shore to find it once the wave came at them. They would be tossed about and crushed. Do we bring Jesus out into the world with us? Do we leave Him in church on Sunday? Are we already abiding in Him in preparation of our stormy seas so that we are prepared when a huge wave comes at us?

Then as soon as the waves started to come the surfers immediately stood on their boards. They jumped up on their boards…not to run away from the wave but to ride it out. As it rose, crested and broke they had to adjust their bodies but their feet never left the board. Once they got on a wave they had no idea where it would take them, how big it would get or how long they would be on it. All of their effort revolved around keeping their feet on the board…on STANDING! As long as they kept that focus ‘where’, ‘how big’ and ‘how long’ didn’t matter. What do we focus on when a wave is coming at us? God’s word is filled with promises of how He intends to lead, guide, care for, comfort, strengthen, heal, and protect us. Are we focused on there?

Now, some had more experience than others, you could tell. Some fell off and were tossed about for a bit (it really was rough out there) but the cool thing was that they all had cable wrapped around their ankles that was attached to the board. Even when the waves got the best of them and they fell they already had a plan for how to reconnect with their board quickly. They planned to never be separated from their boards for long. Doing that over and over they gained more experience and were better prepared each time they faced a new wave. We know we will stumble and fall…we know we will all fall short…what is our plan when we do? Do we have one? Do we get right back into prayer, the word and fellowship with like minded believers to gain more experience and grow our faith?

Watching this process, it was clear that Jesus is our surf board and sooooo much more! He is the Good Shepherd who takes care of His sheep, the Great Physician, The Comforter, the Great I Am…the Messiah! He has overcome the world! He loves us so much He willingly gave His life for us…He loves YOU so much He willingly gave His life for you. No storm is too big for Him.


Song for the day…

Stil - Hillsong

Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

[Miami]

This helped me.

Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Jesus was in the boat with His disciples, heading for the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly, a storm swept across that lake, known also as the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, some of whom were seasoned sailors, were terrified. They had weathered many storms, but they were convinced on this occasion that they were finished. Frantically, the disciples tried to keep the boat afloat, but it was no use. The water was coming in faster than they could bail it out. While the disciples desperately sought to save themselves, Jesus slept. They were irritated, and finally awakened Jesus. They told Him, "We're going to drown!" Undaunted, Jesus spoke to the winds and the sea and they were instantly calmed.

There are three dramatic changes that Luke records in this short text. The first is the change from storm to stillness, in but a moment of time. This was surely a miracle. It was a miracle to still any storm, but it was a greater miracle to still one instantly, so that the waves and the wind suddenly ceased, making the sea like glass.

The second change is that which took place in the outlook of the disciples toward their circumstances. They were initially frightened, panic stricken, thinking only of themselves and of what seemed to be imminent death. Inwardly, they were as troubled as the sea. And suddenly, they were stilled in their souls.

The third change in the disciples is their change in attitude toward Jesus. While the text cannot convey the tone of voice of the disciples, I think we can surmise that they were initially perturbed with Jesus. Here they were, in grave danger, trying as best they could to bail out the water and to keep the ship afloat, and there Jesus was, in the stern of the boat, sound asleep, aloof to their plight, and uninvolved. I think that whoever spoke to Jesus spoke with irritation in his voice. I think that someone may well have shaken Him to arouse Him, and probably not too gently. Their initial attitude toward Jesus was agitation. And suddenly this, too, changed. In the same time it took for the storm to be calmed, the disciples, who were once overcome with worry, fell to their knees in worship. And rather than being mad at Him for not acting as they did, they marveled among themselves as to who He really was.

Jesus very quickly exposed the problem, and the solution. Their problem was fear, and the solution was faith. Jesus rebuked His disciples for their fear and for their lack of faith? Why? I think that the answer is simple and very relevant. The disciples were fearful because their focus was on what was going on around them. There was a storm, and the waters were coming over the side of their ship. They were about to go under. All of this was true. But what they had not taken into account was even more important, and that was Who it was who was with them in that storm. When Jesus stilled that storm, the disciples were reminded once again of something which was evident throughout the life of Jesus, something which He Himself claimed -- He was no ordinary man; He was the Son of God.

The Problem and Solution haven't changed. We need to focus on the solution.

One of my Fave Hymms
THE LIGHTHOUSE

There's a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea.
When I'm tossed it sends out a light that I might see.
And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home,
If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin,
He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see.
If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?

Everyone that lives around us, says tear that old lighthouse down,
The big ships don't sail this way anymore, ain't no use in it standing round.
But then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light
With the light from that old lighthouse, that stands there on the hill.

And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin,
He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see.
If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?