What Are We Waiting For?

We’ve heard the story of Peter’s walk on water many times, but I wonder if this view has ever been considered? First the story;

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water. Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

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. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matt 14:25-33

I wonder what it might have been like to view the minds of those who were watching? If we could listen in, maybe it would sound something like this;

·         That boy done lost his mind, he is not Jesus and he’s going sink like a rock!

·         If I was you I wouldn’t go out there, that might not be Jesus.

·         Why is he always gotta be the one to prove something. Show off!

·         Shucks wish I’d been the one who thought of that.

·         You go Peter, I wish I had your faith.

It’s true, no one knows what was going through their minds at the time. As a matter of fact no one knows what thoughts we’re thinking right now.

When you think about Peter’s choice, faith is what it boiled down to. The same can be said for us, just how much do we trust God? Enough to risk stepping out of the boat? It’s a very personal question that no one can answer that but you; the bible tells us “Each man is given the measure of faith.” How far are you willing to stretch yours?

Is it your turn to step out the boat?

“Today, go out and feed some sheep!”

Thank you Lord for Home Depot…

Let me start by saying “Don’t be quick to judge!” I know some of my friends will say “Come on now, really?” But remember, the Bible does say “in everything give thanks!”

Those of you who know me, or who have read my book (What Happens After the Hoop?) know me to be a worshiper at heart. For those of you who don’t know me please allow me to share this excerpt from the book so that we may become acquainted;

“Finding the quiet time to get into position with Him has become a challenge for many of us because of our busy schedules. For others, it is the complexity that we have attached to the ritual concerning personal worship. Yet there are some who just don’t know how to get started, because they feel that there is some kind formula or that they have to become a twenty-minute prayer warrior like Deacon Jones.

Keep it simple, in both deed and place. Some of the best times I’ve spent with God have been in the shower! Worshiping Him for who He is in the comfort of early morning peace—tears streaming down my face, feeling His presence in the warmth of the water’s spray—what a wonderful way to start the day with the dew of the “morning rain” falling down upon me. It’s about simple conversation with Him.  Honor Him for who He is and for what He’s done in your life.”

Yes, I’m a shower worshiper.  Before you begin to analyze this consider the benefits: the shower is the one place where you don’t worry about others; the flow of water is comforting and if you cry, so what! The anointing can wash over you with the warmth of the water until they feel like one, and the echo makes your worship sound like it’s bouncing off the ceiling of heaven!

Now that you have the picture, let me share a bump in the road with you. In our master bath, the showerhead was up high and I liked it that way, however (ladies I’m sure you’ll understand) when I say high, it’s just high enough that it always wet my wife’s hair, which is why she tends to like the hand held option more.

So, as I’m walking through Home Depot, I see a shower head that has my big sunflower design where the middle comes out and is a handheld! Ok, I’m thinking problem solved, but little did I know just how solved it was. After installing it, I took it for a test drive and found that I could set the outer ring at one speed and the inner ring at another. Can you say Latter Day Rain come now! Thank you Lord, my worship felt as if it kicked into another gear.

If you still don’t get it, then the next time you get in the shower just take a moment to exhale and began to worship God and just let it all go. Then blog me back and tell what you think. I’ll be right here waiting.

(Go out and feed some sheep)

“Beware of doubt; it’s the hole in your bucket”

I remember a whimsical song from my childhood that said there’s a hole in the bucket dear Liza, and it told the story of a man who wanted to complain about the hole in his bucket but had an excuse for everything related to fixing it.

It is simular of the way we are sometimes during our Christian walk. Praying out of need but doubting out of lack of relationship. Believing in God requires that we spend enough time in study and prayer to develop a foundation that will support our belief.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”  James 5:5-8

 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11: 22-24

It doesn’t matter what the request is because God allows us to petition Him for the desires of our heart, however the qualifier is that the request be void of doubt. Doubt is the hole in the bucket of faith which creates a zone of weakness.

The word teaches us that each of us is given “the measure of faith” which would imply that we’re all given the same level of faith. Why then can we find ourselves questioning the depth of the faith that we possess? I don’t that there is one complete answer to that question but I do however believe that trust has a lot to do with it.

How can develop a deeper level of trust in God? One way would be to spend time reflecting at the end of each day and use that opportunity to reflect on the things that God has done for you. Know that there’s no such thing as luck! Review that accident you almost had, two seconds more and it would have been fatal.

The promotion? God’s favor!

The person you ran into that set the stage to open doors for your business? God!

That friend that came your way to give you an encouraging word when you were feeling down, alone, or out of it? God!

That person who came your way just when you were about to blow up and stick your foot in your mouth, who distracted you long enough for you to calm down? Definitely God!

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 13-18

What’s the best way to fix the hole in your bucket? Trust in the Lord with all your heart!

“Go out and feed some sheep today!”