faith

Answered Prayer

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”   Matthew 14:30-31  

When Peter began to sink beneath the waves; he didn’t consider even for a moment trying to swim back to the boat. Instead he just cried out; “Lord save me!” and it was done. God is delighted to answer prayer but He is waiting for us to give him our biggest problems; ones beyond simply blessing our food and giving us a good night’s sleep. Sadly when I think of this story I realize how little I have really lived it. Maybe it is because I am afraid of a God who is too real and too big for me to handle. But oh how I am missing out on the immense value of answered prayer.

Are you like me, sinking in your struggle with an ocean too big for you to handle? Then instead of just saying words and then trying to swim why not cry out; “God I’m in trouble – I need your help right now!” God is listening and waiting to hear our voice. He knows the path ahead and His amazing plan is to walk it with us!

God’s Invisible Things

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As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

When Jesus sat down for dinner with a well-dressed and wealthy Pharisee their pleasant meal  was harshly interrupted by a weeping woman who burst into the room and began kissing the feet of Jesus and wiping them with her hair. Simon was shocked! It was well known in his community what flagrant sins this woman had committed. How dare she enter his house, and furthermore how could Jesus allow himself to be touched by someone like her?

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Yet Jesus saw the circumstances quite differently than Simon or you or I. He didn’t focus on the fine tableware or savor the gourmet cuisine. He hadn’t been impressed by the beautiful columns or the handcrafted door at the entrance of Simon’s home. What Jesus saw was the coldness of Simon’s heart. Jesus had noticed that Simon had not given him the customary kiss on his cheek, or offered water for his feet to be washed. But Jesus saw quite clearly the repentance and gratitude of this woman and He treasured that.

God does not see things as we see them and as we enter this 3rd month of societal shutdown. He does not focus on our abilities, resources of political party.  Instead He sees the worthlessness of the things that I cling to and the value of the people that I avoid. Two years ago during an eye exam I learned that my eyesight was deteriorating because of  pterygiums which were blurring my vision. For those who are unfamiliar with the term those are things that happen to people like myself who spend most of their time outdoors. We have literally just seen too much! But after surgeries to both eyes I am thankful that I can see clearly. Maybe we need to ask God for a spiritual eye exam because the challenges that we face demand 20/20 vision. Even if it means spiritual surgery and a painful recovery it will be worth it when we come out seeing clearly and treasuring the invisible things that Jesus values most of all!

God’s Great Faithfulness

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Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul “Therefore I hope in Him!”  Lamentations 3:23-24

The book of Lamentations tells us that God is a Father who never gives up on His children. His people had rejected Him and yet even as they were being led away as captives to Babylon; God was already planning for the return of their children and grandchildren. After times of failure and disappointment in my life I have found encouragement by the  verse that says, ”He is not ashamed to call them brethren” Hebrews 2:11. In spite of our failures, sins and weaknesses Jesus never turns his back on us just as he didn’t give up on the children of Israel while they were in Babylon. No matter where we are Jesus is always faithful, willing to forgive us and help us find our way home.

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When my father passed away and I had to put his financial affairs in order I was surprised to discover that he had put my name on the title to his home. He did this to give to me all that he had. In that same way God is my portion because He has through Jesus Christ put my name and yours on the title to His house. There in heaven waiting for us is a place that is ours because in His great faithfulness He has become our portion and our eternal inheritance.

Maybe this morning you need to just take a moment as you listen to this song again.  God remains faithful in the middle of whatever you are facing or wherever your pathway may lead. May God bless and keep you as you trust in Him and His great faithfulness to us all.