Community Devotions

Sense Defying Faith

SCRIPTURE

 Matthew 14:29-31

 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

OBSERVATION

Jesus said, everything is possible with God.  Peter is the living example of God’s power and frailty of our faith.  It is one thing to read about the eyewitness account of Jesus, the Son of God, walking on water but it is entirely another issue to learn about what Peter, a mere fisherman, was able to do.  Here was the catch – Peter walked on the water so long as he had faith in Jesus. 

I can picture Peter, as he got out of the boat to walk to Jesus.  He was an impulsive man.  He probably climbed out of the boat without much deliberation in his mind.  Now that he was out of the boat, Peter was all in, or all out.  It dawned on him just then, what he was doing was pretty crazy.  Yet, Peter had seen all the miracles to date.  Peter fixed his eyes on Jesus, as if there was a lifeline that he was holding on to, because that was who he had trusted when he climbed out of the boat.  It was when his faith was tested by all that was around him, he started sinking.  Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started paying attention to the wind that caused the waves to be treacherous and rocked the boat.  So, it made perfect sense to be afraid of the wind since the apostles were already having a tough time inside the boat.  It was reasonable for Peter to trust his senses.  After all, God gave him eyes to see and ears to hear, right?  But it was that sense-defying faith enabled Peter to walk on the water.

So everything in the world can tell me that what I am doing is not useful or even senseless, like Peter walking on water.

APPLICATION

I can only do what is not possible when I fix my eyes on Jesus.  It is through his power that I can accomplish my impossible goals, knowing that Jesus demonstrated his power throughout his ministry.

Doubt, although inevitable, is the greatest obstacle to the miracles that are promised through Jesus.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for your demonstration of your divinity in the flesh in Jesus. I am encouraged to know that I can do all things through your son, Jesus.  Bless and protect Michael, Joshua and Daniel today.  Watch over them, guide their hearts and protect them against all evil.  Bless Chris as she goes about the day.  I love you Father.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.

Sustained Leadership

SCRIPTURE

1 Samuel 11:6, 8

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.  8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

OBSERVATION

Every leader has his moment.  Saul’s moment was when Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead.  Nahash was not only going to attack to seize Jabesh Gilead but was intent on total humiliation of the Israelites living there by demanding that every man plucks out his right eye in return for their life.  It was going to more than a life-long humiliation since a story will be told of such atrocity for years to come.  To this, Saul became angry enough to overcome his reluctance and insecurity to rally his people to attack and defeat the Ammonites.  It was a just anger for his people and got him to get out of himself to lead his people.  Saul also showed grace and mercy when his proponents wanted to punish those who initially opposed his kingship.  But ultimately, Saul could not sustain his leadership – succumbing to his followers’ pressure and making bad decisions.  His insecurity got the best of him when David became more popular than him and pursued David to destroy him for the remainder of his reign. 

APPLICATION

Sustained leadership:  It’s not enough to surge for those situations that require bold leadership - though it is necessary – but also need God’s wisdom during those times when extreme circumstances don’t exist where they can be used to rally your team.  It requires daily walk with God.

Be secure in God: Samuel clearly anointed and blessed Saul, to install kingship on him.  We will always have opposition to good work that we get to do, no matter how worthy they might be.  A leader must have complete trust in God who called him to do good work, for His own purpose.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for countless leadership lessons that you chose to preserve in the Scripture.  Open my spiritual eyes and give me a teachable heart daily to learn from good and bad leadership examples and do serve you better.  Protect and bless Michael, Joshua and Daniel.  I ask for the Holy Spirit to continue urge their hearts to yearn for your presence every day.  Bless Christine as she prays for our children with other moms.  I love you, Father.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.