Mark 6:45-51

"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished." Mark 6:45-51

Kari Beougher

My Dad preached on this passage this past Sunday morning and I have been thinking about what he said ever since. This passage shows the disciples in the midst of a storm that seemed unrelenting, and how when the Lord came, they "supposed that it was a ghost" and "were utterly astonished." My Dad made the point that the disciples were not really expecting to see Jesus; they were not expecting His deliverance.
  
This realization was extremely convicting for me. How often do we, when experiencing what we feel is an unrelenting storm, confidently expect the Lord's presence and deliverance?  The disciples had just seen the Lord perform miracle after miracle; surely they would have believed in and recognized His power to do all things. They had already experienced the fact that "even the winds and the seas obey him."  And yet, how easy it is to be so caught in the midst of our circumstances that our perspective and focus are on the storm and not on the One in control of the storm.

Throughout life, when we feel we are "straining at the oars," may this passage remind us that the Lord always knows and always arrives at just the right time. May we be convinced of His power to deliver us and His faithfulness to provide what we need.

The same yesterday, today and forever

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8, NASB). 

Last night, I thought about how God is simply a striking difference from me. I can miss chances to help someone, but His wisdom and love are ongoing. This morning, I read the verse above. It reminded me of Jesus' faithfulness and how much we need Him.

God's love is shown through Jesus' actions. Jesus, God's Son, was a blameless substitute for the price of our wrongs. God kept His Word about the Messiah - Jesus fulfilled this prophecy from the past. Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for us to be freed today from the grip that sin threatens to have on us. In Him, we can have a restored relationship with our Creator, by grace and through faith.

Kelli Martin

How is Christ changeless? Some thoughts that came to mind for me:

• As God, He is faithful and keeps His promises (Psalm 33:4, Isaiah 9:6)
• His sacrifice sets believers free from fear - our confidence is in Him (Hebrews 4:14-16)
• He vouches for us as our substitute (Hebrews 2:17-18)
• As we face hard times and doubts, He's a disciple's anchor - we believe in Him and His lead (Hebrews 6:19)

Let's thank God for His faithfulness. Let's pray we see times to share this changeless Christ with others.

Song: "Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat" by Sojourn Music 

A New Heart

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12, New American Standard Bible).

Did you get to see the Golden Globes a week or so ago? I admit that I love watching for the clothes that are new and that show a certain style. Most clothes fit the tone of the star studded, glamorous event.

What life style fits just right for followers of Christ? The books of Colossians and Galatians talk about those things. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, He not only forgives us but also continues working in us. He is able to give us the strength to live out who He first made us to be.

The Spirit helps us have hearts more like Christ, filled with:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience

I think I need help in all of those areas. That is completely okay, though - God has grace and is still working in me. Let's pray He continues to work in our hearts in the ways this verse described, now that we have been made new in Christ and have the Holy Spirit as our guide.

Lord, thanks for Your forgiveness and taking the old ways out of us. Grow us in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Help us overflow with Your Spirit to others around us. Amen.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB). 

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.skiptomylou.org.

Unmatched Faithfulness

"This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
-2 Timothy 2:11-13, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The last part of the verses above, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself," stood out to me.  God is unchanging in His character and virtue, and that is one of the things I love about Him.  He is faithful to us, and His grace is great.  Our God is both loving and just.

How can we love Him today?  How can we reach out and love others like He loves us?  My prayers after reading these verses:

• thanks to our God, who simply can't deny His character
• for the Holy Spirit to continue to transform our hearts to be more like Christ's
• that we see times to share God's unmatched faithfulness with others

What Faithful Looks Like

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth" Deuteronomy 28:1, ESV).

I think I'm on a tangent again. I keep running into people who want it all now. You know what I mean. They want something without paying the price for it. I might as well stop talking about what it means to be faithful with small and start writing it down. To be faithful with small means that we are faithful (loyal, obedient, trustworthy) to do the small things. For instance, let's say that someone wants speaking engagements and yet has not been faithful to have her time alone with God every day...that is not being faithful in the small things. I talked to a lady who was frustrated that she didn't have any good witnessing stories to tell and was sounding off about it. Hmm. I asked her how often she'd shared her faith. She said she had really never seen the big moment to do so. Hmm. That's what I'm talking about. If God can't trust us in the little things, why would He trust us in the big things? Why would one turn down a speaking engagement because it wasn't "big" enough and tell them to call her when they had more people? Really? Yes, really. I could go on and on.

I love this verse in Deut 28:1. IF we are FAITHFUL to do what God says to do (and gives us opportunity to do) TODAY, then He will allow us to bring honor to Him in even greater ways. It is incredible about how simple the Scriptures can be. What does faithful look like? It looks like you and me doing what we have committed to do - the big things and the little things. Faithful living is doing what He calls us to do...and doing it will excellence. It is going beyond the call of duty. We are to be loyal and trustworthy in all we say and do.
I didn't say it would always be fun, but it is what we are called to do. And trust me, I have a list of a few things that I need to be faithful in too. None of us are immune.

Lord, make me be faithful. Let me be faithful to bring glory to you...and not to bring glory to me. Make me into a faithful leader who is willing to out serve everyone else. May You get the glory!

God Is 4 You!

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing Himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else He wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us - who raised to life for us! - is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you, Lord. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's Love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."

Romans 8:31-39 msg

Since God is 4 me nothing will be able to drive a wedge between Christ's love for me...unless I let it!!! Beware Christian leaders that are on the front lines, the enemy knows that you are not a coward for Christ so he will try and use anything he can to cause you to doubt God's love....challenge for today: Sit down and type or write some powerful promises from God's Word until the very Words grab your heart in a fresh way and cause you to PRESS ONWARD towards the GOAL which is IN CHRIST JESUS ALONE!!! And do not forget to TAKE AS MANY OTHERS WITH YOU FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!!!!! AMEN!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNEdOZO-i98 (You Are For Me - Kari Jobe)

Build On The Solid Rock

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who build his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a fell with a great crash."
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

On a recent trip to the Oregon Coast to experience God's beautiful Pacific Ocean, we came upon a huge pile of drift wood on the beach. Within the piles of drift wood someone had made a house out of the wood upon the sandy beach. As we admired the work that it took to lift the large pieces of driftwood and arrange them into some kind of order that resembled a house, my heart turned to one of the greatest lessons God teaches us in His Word about The Wise and Foolish Builders.

As today's Christian women that are striving to build our lives upon God and His Word, it is beneficial to look at the blueprints from time to time what we are building our lives upon? Let's take a moment and evaluate the kind of evangelistic example and leadership that we strive to model! There are some simple questions we can ask ourselves as we evaluate:

• Who and What are we building our lives upon?


• Who and What are we modeling to others to build their lives upon?


• What are some of the Solid Rock evidences of our lives in Christ?


• WHEN the storms of life come into our lives, list some Solid Rock ways to respond?

As the tide rolls in and the storms of life come upon the drift wood hut in the picture above, we can imagine how this house will be swept out to sea, BUT just above the shoreline as I gazed upward there were many homes build upon the hard rock of CONCRETE that sustains each house through the same storms that beat against the shoreline! The Solid Rock foundation makes all the difference in the world!

On Christ, THE SOLID ROCK, we stand all other ground is sinking sand!

Thank You, Lord for being our SOLID ROCK, as we build our lives and ministry upon You, Lord and Your Word, we pray that we can Share JESUS with others that may be in sinking sand! AMEN!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQgD_Wg9DG4 (On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand!)

Thank You For Your Service!

"Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and have made a good confession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12 (HCSB)

"For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." Galatians 5:13 (HCSB)

On this day, Veterans Day (the 11th Day of the 11th Month) we pause to thank God for all that have served and sacrificed for the sake of Freedom...Freedom is not Free...many have paid a price we could not pay as we thank and remember all who serve!

As we thank God for those that have served and sacrificed much, let's evaluate our life in Christ, a life of service, and continue to "fight the good fight for the faith....to which you were called" until the Lord returns...

The word "veteran" is listed below from "dictionary.com"...as we read the meanings listed, let us take hold of each opportunity to thank God, honor His servants, and allow this day to cause us all to be found faithful in the good fight for which the Lord took hold of us as believers. Let us look around and share Jesus, as His servant witness, to someone that needs the Lord. Jesus is our ultimate example of a Veteran-Servant of all Servants! Will you join the few, the called, the forgiven and share Jesus with others? Praying for all veterans as we all strive to be servants for the Lord...here we are Lord, send Us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-dgz9Ykvo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WKAVJ3ifv8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzBMM37oB6U

(from dictionary.com)

"Veteran"

–noun
1. a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation, office, or the like: a veteran of the police force; a veteran of many sports competitions.
2. a person who has served in a military force, esp. one who has fought in a war: a veteran.
–adjective
3. (of soldiers) having had service or experience in warfare: veteran troops.
4. experienced through long service or practice; having served for a long period: a veteran member of Congress.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of veterans.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." –Matthew 6:21 (Holeman Christian Standard Bible)

Lately, a number of things have been reminding me of this verse. Rachel's fundraising story is one of them.

Recently, a girl that I babysit, whom I will call Rachel, added a new element to our game of school: fundraising. She asked me what city I was from again, and I smiled and said, "Houston, Texas." Rachel then explained that our next task was to raise money for the poor people in Houston. After she found an empty jar, she proceeded to imagine how we would raise the money to fill it. When her mom arrived home, she unveiled her plan!

Her excitement about the cause touched me. It made me question, "What are my time and efforts moving towards?" My first step should at least be spending less time scanning shopping websites!

The book Advanced Strategic Planning by Aubrey Malphurs (BakerBooks, 2005) suggests that churches look at their budgets and see in what categories their funds are allocated (p. 263). Malphurs points out that this is important for individuals as well (p. 258). This reminded me to evaluate my expenditures in time and money.

A verse that a friend reminded me of last night explains, "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow" (James 1:17, New Living Translation). How are we using our gifts? How would Jesus use them?

a life like Lottie

"I am sending you there to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." -Acts 26:17b-18, NIV

Yesterday, I attended a forum at Southern Seminary about Lottie Moon. Her story inspires me. Charlotte Moon, known as "Lottie," devoted her life to helping the Chinese people find light. More about Lottie can be found at http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=5524&LanguageID=1709. Her fire for God, her impact with the Asian people, and her letters home shows how we can spread Christ's message to the world.

Jesus Christ is our supreme example of loving all of the people of the world. May we look to missionary leaders like Lottie and most importantly Jesus Christ for inspiration as we share the light that His message brings.

How can we make an impact like Lottie and Jesus today?
· Praying for those serving in missions, subscribing to monthly fliers and e-newsletters with updates and prayer requests, checking out daily prayers posted on http://www.imb.org/main/pray/prayerrequests/todaysprayer.asp
· Volunteering to serve individually or as a family (some programs for families are even six days - http://going.imb.org/volunteers/Step_1/family.asp)
· Giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, organizing bake sales to raise money, giving recyclables (like ink cartridges or plastics) to the city to receive funds for the offering
· Spreading the word by teaching Lottie Moon's story to our families and others, encouraging those that you lead to give, sending an e-mail to friends to ask if they would like to give

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples." -1 Chronicles 16:24, NIV

Photo above of people in China worshipping from http://www.imb.org/
Links to video clips:
IMB Missions Today: http://going.imb.org/defaultvid.asp

fuel for the heart

"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
-Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)

This past Saturday, I took a longer jog than usual on a trail that I had never seen before. Near my start, a cyclist breezed by me, and I was impressed by his fearlessness to pass so quickly over the trail's roots and creeks. As I came upon the last stretch of hill, before the sun's rays broke the shade, I realized that the cyclist's endurance had inspired me to keep moving.

We are blessed that every day we can look to Jesus as an example of one who pressed on through tough times. Recently, I have been feeling anxious about a test that is approaching. As I read the above verse in Hebrews about Jesus' trials, I remembered that He had much more that He could have worried about while He lived on earth. Yet, He kept loving others, proclaiming God's promises, and touching lives in the midst of His suffering.

So, the next time I begin to stress, I will pray and remember Jesus' incomparable sacrifice on the cross as an encouragement to release my worries and to press on in what is to come ahead (Philippians 4:6). I pray that we all are inspired by His dedication, so that we may love and live like our irreplaceable Savior.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)

(Picture from flikr.com)

Jesus~The Faithful Witness!

"...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free..." Revelation 1:5 HCSB

(the cross pictured above was handmade in The Holy Land and reminds me that Jesus is Alive to help me be the witness that He has called me to be!)

Jesus is the greatest most faithful witness that we could ever model our lives after! As a follower of Jesus, He promises to teach and equip us as His disciple ( Background of Disciple The term “disciple” comes to us in English from a Latin root. Its basic meaning is “learner” or “pupil.” taken from Holman Dictionary from LifeWay's Online Bible Library @ http://www.bible.lifeway.com/)

Mt 4:19-20 The First Disciples “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people! Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." HCSB

If you and I were on trial for being a Christian, a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict us? I encourage you to make a list of the evidence that is in your life and the evidence that you would like for there to be in your life as God promises in Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." HCSB

I often think about witnessing as if I am on trial because as a first-generation Christian I have had so many "trials" in this old world!! Witnesses in courtrooms are sworn to tell the truth. No speculation. No opinions. No hearsay. What "evidence" would people who know us give to support our claim that we are true and faithful reflections of Jesus? Jesus, who is called "the faithful witness" paid the ultimate price on trial for you and me...what more can we do than to testify and share with others the ways that He has ultimately, radically, and miraculously changed our lives from unfaithful to faithful until He returns...let's take as many others with us as we fill the courtroom of our lives and TESTIFY for HIM!! May all who come behind us find us faithful to "The Faithful One"! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s392HyzQ79M