Fear or Faith?

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. – Matthew 14:22-34

When faced with a serious challenge, what is your first response? Do you run from the situation with fear in your heart, or do you stand and face the enemy with shield of faith? God wants us to stand firm in our faith. God affirmed that we can face each situation with confidence and power knowing that He is with us and He is in control.

As a Christian and by means of my daily devotion with God, He confirmed to me that I am one of his beloved, and He will fight for me. He provides the wisdom that I need for a challenge, the strength I need for the things seems impossible, and the protection I need from my enemy’s wicked plots and schemes. I have no reason to feel fearful because God provide everything I needs.

Since God provide everything, do not allow fearful thoughts to keep us from seeing the Savior. Don’t forget that whenever there is danger or a treat on any kind, He always makes His presence known.

Looking to the Harvest

“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness” 2 Corinthians 9:10

This passage provides another illustration of God’s ownership and control. The Lord supplies. The Lord multiplies. The Lord increases. However, we are His stewards, and we are directed to sow. When we sow righteousness, God increases the harvest.

Wrestling with God

It is not a sin to express your honest feeling to God – He knows them anyway. King David cried out to the Lord, Moses expressed his disappointment, and even Jesus cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46).

Frequently, people suppress anger toward God because they are afraid to confront this powerful feeling. They may feel wounded by God, but never experience the chance to heal because they can’t admit that their spiritual life is less fruitful than it could be.

Confessing your true feelings is a monumental step in the process of recovery. After Jacob wrestled with the angel, he became a stronger man. By sharing your anger with God, you can move through it, allowing Him to teach you more about His true nature. Allow your anger to draw you toward God, not away from Him.

How much is enough?

This is an arresting question, particularly when referring to possessions. However, Jesus provided an answer for us in a way that requires that requires some clear thinking, especially as we consider the context of materialism.

In Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Jesus clearly taught a very important principle here: what we value most is what occupies our hearts. Scripture does not disparage the accumulation of possessions or treasure. The key issue is whether we possess them or the possess us.

How much is enough? All that we have is by grace from God. Each of us must discover for ourselves the will and purposes of God in our lives, as well as how we can make wise decisions about our possessions. Regardless of the amount of your accumulations, Jesus teaches that an open heart makes for an open hand to help others.

I and the Father are one

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” – John 1:1-4

Unbelievers are faced with two questions that hold eternal weight: Who is Jesus Christ, and what are you going to do with Him?

Old Testament Scripture points directly to Jesus Christ as Israel’s Messiah and the Son of God sent to earth as a sacrifice for mankind’s sins. New Testament Scripture bear out who Jesus is by recording His many claims to deity and the many attributes of His character. It also recounts His supernatural works that substantiated His claims.

There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is God himself, one of the three persons of the Trinity. Have you ever wondered why his name is such an offense to so many people? It is because there is power in the name of Jesus Christ. There is truth.

In Luke 12:51-53, Jesus predicted the polar reactions He would produce: “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no but rather division; for from now on five members in our household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother in law.”

Is it not true?
Who do you say He is?