Category Archives: Life

Recognizing Jesus

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Jesus often appears to us under strange circumstances, conditions in which we do not expect to see Him.  At those times our immediate, unneccesary reaction can be fear.  Eventually, however, He makes Himself known to us, our fear subsides and all is well.  Consider the experience of the disciples in the boat:

Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” – John 6:19-21 (NKJV)

The trick in our situation is to remember that He is with us always (Matthew 28:20).  He’s just as much there when we don’t expect Him as when we do.  If we’d keep that in mind, the initial, unproductive response of fear would be lessened.  Our minds would be at ease; our hearts would be at peace. 

The next time the wind blows and the sea rises, and you wonder what happened to Jesus, remember that He is there.  He’ll soon say, “It is I; do not be afraid,” and you’ll immediately get where you’re going.

All Things That Pertain to Life and Godliness

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There is so much more in the words of our title than our finite minds can grasp. As believers we already have everything that pertains to life and godliness. Why do we so often live like spiritual paupers? What more do we really need? In possessing all things can we possibly not have enough? Oh that He would help us to better take hold of our spiritual possessions; that our lives and character would reflect His perfect will.

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” – 2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

The key to being the kind of people God wants us to be is in putting to use all that which He has already given. The believer stuck in the swamp of sin is living below his or her capabilities. Living a godly life would not be that difficult, if we would learn to draw upon His resources. Growing in godliness is not a matter of obtaining something new, but of using what we have in Christ.

“If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)

The Value of Preparation

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The Lord often teaches us when things go wrong.  So it was for His first disciples and so it is for us.  A valuable lesson on preparation is found right after the Transfiguration.  Jesus, Peter, James and John get down from the mountain to find a crowd gathered and Christ’s other disciples in the midst of a dispute.

And He asked the scribes, ‘What are you disputing about with them?’ Then one of the crowd answered and said, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to You, because he has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and gnashes his teeth, and he becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they might cast it out, but they were not able.'” – Mark 9:16-18 (M-Text)

So Jesus, as usual, solved the problem, but the disciples were left wondering as to just why they fell so short. 

And after He entered into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why were we not able to cast it out?’ So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.'” – Mark 9:28-29 (M-Text)

Opportunities for ministry often come at unexpected times.  When they do, it’s important to be ready.  Fasting and prayer should not only be something we engage in at a time of great need – though there is nothing wrong with that.  It should be a form of preparation for the needs that are yet to come.

Encouragement from the Lowest Pit

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Bad experiences make us twitchy.  The more of them we have, the more we tend to expect them.  The more often we fall, the harder it is to look up.  The lower we get, the more we need some form of encouragement – someone to give us a reason to be brave.  If people cause our bad experiences, people begin making us twitchy.  As bad experiences multiply, so do our fears.  If we have a wide assortment of difficulties, it’s easy to believe that God Himself is behind them.  With relief we can say that He’s not.

When things were at their worst – and then got even worse than that, our hero Jeremiah prayed and heard God’s voice in response to his desperate cry.  As he shares his story, if we identify with his trouble, may we also take courage as we share his encouragement.

My enemies without cause
     Hunted me down like a bird.
They silenced my life in the pit
     And threw stones at me.
The waters flowed over my head;
     I said, ‘I am cut off!’
I called on Your name, O Lord,
     From the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice:
     ‘Do not hide Your ear
     From my sighing, from my cry for help.’
You drew near on the day I called on You,
     And said, ‘Do not fear!'”
                    – Lamentations 3:52-57 (NKJV)