Jesus' Out Stretched Hand

Mat. 14:31- And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

We sometimes have faith to step out, but when things get tough our faith starts to waiver. We believe God will take care of the situation, but the circumstance around us tell us a different story. We step out, but then the winds and the waves around us make us wonder if God is really directing our path. Peter, a man of many words took the first step, but his lack of faith to keep walking inspite of the knowing that Jesus was right there caused him to sink into the waters. Peter’s struggle of faith was due in part because he had yet to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. After Pentecost, Peter still had to deal with his impulsive and somewhat brash personality, but his faith in what God could do was resolute and fearless. We all face things in our lives that cause us to wonder if God is really in control, but we must remain resolute in our faith and determination to keep our eyes on Jesus. But if for whatever reason we do falter, He will always be there with an out-stretched hand to pull back up. 

Everlasting Life

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life:

No one is predestined to spend eternity in hell. It is the will of God that every one come to the knowledge of Christ. Life with a purpose is to find fulfillment in Christ. Whatever the trail or hardship we may face in life, we can have contentment in knowing that Jesus knows our every step and will be with us all the way. It is His desire to give us everlasting life. Life beyond this earthly walk. The body will perish, but the essence and soul of man will live on beyond the grave. Understanding and comprehending everlasting life is difficult to grasp. We have finite minds and limited capabilities. There are those with great imaginations that can provide us a visual of what it might look like, but we really can’t wrap our minds around the idea and concept. It is suffice to say, that our will be changed from mortality to immortality. We will see Him in all of His glory. Until then, let us feast of the bread of life. Let us taste and be satisfied in knowing that Jesus can fill every longing of heart for He is everlasting life.

From Crisis to Crisis

1 King 17:18- And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

When things go from bad to worse, we wonder why the test when we are trying to do our best. We are quick to question God and find ourselves wanting to have answers. Many times we don’t get the answer and must rely on trusting God that He knows what is best for us. What is best for us is not always pleasant, and we are left to making a choice to complain or seek God and rest in Him knowing that He has all things in His control. The widow women just came through a crisis and God delivered her, but it was not too long that she faced with another one. We all have experience times in our lives when we live from one crisis to another. It is in time like this that we hold on to God and believe that He will see us through. God may not always answer our prayers the way we want Him to, but He will provide the grace to help us through the crisis and come through with peace knowing that God will do what is best.

Helping Hand of God

Nehemiah 6:9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

It is through His grace and strength that we are able to overcome the obstacle and difficulties that we face each day. The world will press us to do things that will take us down the wrong track. We must stay focus on the job that God has given us to do. Whatever that may be if God said it should and can be done, we need to trust Him that He is able to help us see it through. 

Ask, Seek, Knock

Mat. 7: 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Ask, seek, and knock is the formula that Jesus gave to those who were concern about having their needs provided. As we commit our will to God, asking becomes more God center and less self center. Our needs are more about asking God to help others. That does not mean we don’t ask Him for personal needs. Food, shelter, and safety are things that allows us to feel secure and cared for. God cares about our well being, and wants us to look to Him during our time of need. 

Life is Not Fair

Isaiah 58:10 - And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

There are those that are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and those that don’t have the luxury of even having a spoon. Jesus said the poor will always be, but it does not mean that we are not to show kindness by helping those who are not able to help themselves. The road is more difficult to the person how is not born into wealth, or means. In this respect, life is not fair. Fairness is really a relative word. Many suffer from illness, death can strike at a young age, the breaks for a successful career may never come, getting out of poverty may never happen in one’s life time. But all have one thing in common. We are all made in the image of God, and the love of God is given to all humanity to them that are willing to open their hearts to Him. Such is God’s desire for those who are His people, to reach out in love and kindness and rescue the perishing, help the helpless, give of your blessings to others. Through the acts of selfless giving, others will see that there is a God who cares. Life is not fair, but we all have the opportunity to show kindness to those that are less fortunate. 

To Heal Or Not To Heal

Mark. 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

The man from Bethsaida the home town of Andrew and Peter. He was a blind man, probably not from birth, he knew what trees looked like. As Jesus entered the city, the people brought this man to Him believing that Jesus could restore his sight. Healing from God is brought about by faith. When and how this healing is done is given to the Master to decide. For some reason, unknown to man, Jesus touched this man’s eyes twice before complete healing was done. Jesus could have just spoken the word, or rub some mud on his eyes. He could have told him to go wash his eyes out with water, but he choose to give partial healing before giving full healing. As a person who believes in the doctrine of sanctification, I would like to think that this was Jesus’ way of saying, it will take two works of grace to complete the work of full salvation. But, I think this is stretching out the scriptures to fit my doctrine. The reality is God does things in mysterious way that we always don’t understand. Sometime he heals completely and sometime not at all. He told Paul that His grace was sufficient to handle the throne in his flesh. Whether God heals or does not heal, we must still trust Him that He knows what is best, and rest that God is good and will work all things out to fulfill His purpose.