Are you still good soil?

 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 13:3-9

We all know this parable of the sower and where the different seeds land. Let's take this to the next step. Your seed landed on good soil, it grew and now it is producing fruit. You are done now right? There's nothing more for you to do. Wrong. That good soil needs to be maintained. It doesn't stay good soil.

If you aren't careful the world will come through and turn that good soil into a path. Whether the garden is a field or small lot in a backyard, the path and the seed beds are clearly marked. You don't want your seed beds walked upon, they'll turn into paths. We have protect your seed beds. The things of this world will come and trample our seed beds and not think twice. So how do we protect our seed beds? What do watch on T.V.? I'm not saying you have to lock your T.V. on some Christian Channel, however, there are certain things as good soil, you shouldn't be watching. That T.V. show about the transgender teenager, um no. The T.V. show about cheating on your spouse, not so much. I'll admit not everything I watch on T.V. is Christian, but it isn't letting the world trample on my  seed beds. What's on your radio? I'm not saying keep it on KLove 24/7, but think about the messages that music is sending. How about your news feed on Facebook and Twitter? Does it need some cleaning.  My point here, is that we are going to exposed to things of the world. You can't live in it and be the light we were called to be without some exposure to it, however what gets in more the things of God, or the things of the world.

Do you clear the weeds away? Are thorns choking out your plant. Are you weeding your garden?  When life gets rough how do you respond? Do you throw a pity party or do you get on your knees? When life seems to pile on the problems do you focus on the problems or do you focus on God? Do you have those friend that point you the bad in life and drag you down, or do you have those friends that encourage and pray with you? Life is hard but when you are clearing your weeds and thorns and focusing on God, you maintain that good soil.

Are you keeping your moist and watered? Dry plants are the ones that get scorched in the heat. The best way to water your plant is spending time in the word. 

It comes down to this if you want to have good soil so your plant can keep producing good fruit you have to do things. You have to keep your influences in check. You don't have to keep yourself in closet away from the world, you just have to be mindful of how the world, your family and your friends are influencing you. 

It's better than engraving

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:15-16  (NIV)

The funny thing about these verse is that you would think the answer to that question would be no. However, we've seen in this world that the answer can sometimes be yes. A mother does forget her nursing child. This show us how sad and cruel the world we live can be, but that's not really what these verse are about. There about God's thoughts and nature toward us. In the next line, God says He will not forgot us. It also talks about us being engraved on his palms. It's not the kind of engraving you would do on metal. It's not the kind of engraving we got done on the dog's tag. It's more of an imprint. Have you ever held something in your hands so tight that after you let it go you could see the imprint on your palm? That's how God holds us. Right now God has me held so tightly in His hands a little Michelle imprint is on His palms. The great thing about this, if you are His child, He is holding you so tightly your imprint is on His palm too. How wonderful that. I know that I only hold things tight enough to leave an imprint that matter to me. If God remembers better than a nursing mother her child, how tighter does God hold us. This is the greatest and safest place to be. Where else would you rather be.

It's funny as type this I have my phone playing through my worship songs on shuffle. The song that was just playing is Your Hands by JJ Heller. I think I'll leave with the words to that song.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking 
I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry
One day you will set all things right
Yeah, one day you will set all things right

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking 
I never leave your hands

Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still

Blessed by Your name

One of my favorite songs is Blessed Be Your Name. When it was played through my klove app the other day this is what came to mind.

Blessed be Your name
When I get up in the morning

Blessed be Your name
When I have a good work out at the gym

Blessed be Your name
When the sun shines

Blessed be Your name
When life is wonderful

Blessed be Your name
When I get to spend the day on the couch with husband

Blessed be Your name
When my children are angels

Blessed be Your name
When my dog is wonderful

Blessed be Your name
When the day goes right

Blessed be Your name
When I am on the mountain top

Blessed be Your name
When I sing your praise

Blessed be Your name
When You answer my prayers my way

Blessed be Your name
When it storms

Blessed be Your name
When things go wrong

Blessed be Your name
When I fight with husband

Blessed be Your name
When my children act like demons

Blessed be Your name
When the dog goes in the house

Blessed be Your name
When I'm in the valley

Blessed be Your name
When husband goes to fight for freedom

Blessed be Your name
When he comes home

Blessed be Your name
When he goes to play his trumpet for a furneal

Blessed be Your name
When my father has cancer

Blessed be Your name
When he wins the battle against cancer

Blessed be Your name
When he loses the battle against cancer

Blessed be Your name
When my mother judges me

Blessed be Your name
When I'm not the person my mother thinks I should be

Blessed be Your name
When my co-workers are great people

Blessed be Your name
When my "Christian" co-workers attack me

Blessed be Your name
When I move across the country

Blessed be Your name
When I have to say good-bye to my friends

Blessed be Your name
When I say hello to new friends

Blessed be Your name
When the car works fine

Blessed be Your name
When the recall notice for the car comes

Blessed be Your name
After I wreck the car

Blessed be Your name
When I like the number on the scale

Blessed be Your name
When I don't like the number on the scale

Blessed be Your name
When I like the number on the bank account

Blessed be Your name
When the bank account number makes me cry

Blessed be Your name
When I open my Bible

Blessed be Your name
When I'm too busy to pen my Bible

Blessed be Your name
When things don't go right, but don't go wrong either

Blessed be Your name
When I'm scared to get out of the boat

Blessed be Your name
When I get out of the boat

Blessed be Your name
When I don't want to face the gaint

Blessed be Your name
When I face the gaint

Blessed be Your name
When I make the right choice

Blessed be Your name
When I make the wrong choice

Blessed be Your name
When You answer my prayers your way

Blessed be Your name
When You smile down on me

Blessed be Your name
When You can't look at me

Blessed be Your name
When I go and build houses

Blessed be Your name
When I can't go build houses

Blessed be Your name
When I go to church

Blessed be Your name
When I stay in bed and miss church

Blessed be Your name
When the week was longer than 7 days

Blessed be Your name
When the week was less than 7 days

Blessed be Your name
When life is too hard, and I can't go on

Blessed be Your name
When traffic sucks

Blessed be Your name
When all the lights are green

Blessed be Your name
When I'm running early

Blessed be Your name
When I'm running on-time

Blessed be Your name
When I'm running late

Blessed be Your name
When I cook dinner

Blessed be Your name
When I burn dinner

Blessed be Your name
When I pick up dinner thru a window

 Blessed be Your name
When I pray

Blessed be Your name
When I forget to pray

Blessed be Your name
When the snow falls

Blessed be Your name
When the leaves change

Blessed be Your name
When spring is here

Blessed be Your name
When the heat is too much

Blessed be Your name
When I paint

Blessed be Your name
When I dance

Blessed be Your name
When I sleep

Blessed be Your name
When I can't sleep

It is what you asked for.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Have you ever asked God for something? I have on several occasions. My first request came at 18 for two things. I asked for more faith than King David and the kind of wisdom that King Solomon had. If I would have know what it took to get these two things I don't know that I would ask for them again. However, I'm glad I did. 

So here am I, with more faith than I know what to do, and a fount of wisdom. This isn't enough, I want more. About 3 years ago I came across James 1:2-4 and I see those simple words: mature, and complete, not lacking anything. That's what I want. So I ask God to make me mature and complete, not lacking anything. The difference is this time, I know because of the first part of there verses, there will be trails. I know this is part of it. In fact, a couple of Sundays ago, my pastor made the comment, "If we have an alter call for tails, no one would come." My thought "No, I would go. I want a trail. Bring them one. I'm ready."

So James informs that the plans for his unit have changed. The one we thought was getting left behind, no longer is. Here it is, just what I asked for. James and I have been apart before. That year and halfish of dating, more of it was spent apart than together. He was TDY every other week our first year in Alaska, it seemed. This is different.

So what do I do? He did give me just what I asked for. I could throw a fit, get mad at God and inform this is not how I wanted things answered or I could let perseverance do its work. I know from the past getting mad doesn't do me any good. I will let this trail produce perseverance so that I can closer to mature and complete, not lacking anything. Besides, because He chose to answered me in this way, I know get to go on a mission trip, I didn't think I would go to. 

For those of you sitting in the middle of trail, I just want to encourage to let perseverance finish it's work.

He is more aware than you.

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16

Esther was preparing to go before the king and ask to save the Jews. There was a good chance that she was going to die. It was not ok to just walk into the king's throne room and make a request. In fact, when Esther was preparing to do this; it had been 30 days since the last time she spent time with the king. Things were not looking good. The scale was leaning to the parish side. One starts to wonder was God aware of what He was asking of Esther. I can assure that God is more aware of what He is asking of Esther than she was aware.

You can apply this to your life. Whatever God is asking of you to do. Whatever step of faith God is asking you to take. He is more aware of what is required to complete the task than you are. There are things you should be worried and concerned about that aren't even on your radar. God sees them. He's lucky, He gets to see the whole picture. He knows what it will cost to take that step. On the other hand, He knows the glory He will receive once you've stepped out. He is aware of the growth and the stronger  your faith will be after you have stepped out. He knows the struggle you will face but He knows the reward.

So what are you struggling with? What is God asking you to do? He is trying to lead me down the path of writing and speaking His truth and love into women's lives, but I keep stumbling. I take steps and only to realize  what He is asking of me and then stepping back and stopping. Sometimes I sit and wonder if He really is aware of what He is asking for. I wonder if He is aware that He is asking someone who struggles with spelling and grammar to write. I wonder if He is aware that I use to turn as white as sheet when presenting in college to get up and speak. Oh but He knows the times when I have been faithful and how they have change lives. He knows who eyes who have come across my blog and the encouragement  it did. He also knows the impact my testimony had on those women that came to Regenerate Her that night. He is aware of it all. He also has yet to  decided I am not going to do what He has called me to do and take away the gifts. At times, I feel like I am wasting them because I am not using them.

What is God asking you to do? Starting or leaving a ministry. Moving and doing something you have never done. Going on a mission trip. Not sure God is aware of what He is asking. Leave the comfort zone is hard. Have you tried talking with Him about it. He'll tell you, "Dear one, I know the struggle, but I also knew the other side and the glory come." Trust Him.

Are you under grace or the law?

I couldn't attend a church that was showing Beth Moore simulcast because of other comments I had, so I spent the $20 and watched it on my through the digital pass later. Beth had spoken about on my favorite topics and one that has been speaking loudly in my life lately. Where do you live under grace or under the law? I would like to say that I live under grace, but I don't always. One of the things Beth did was give a 13 question quiz to see where you are living. They are statements and you answer true or false. Here goes.

1.) I tend to assume that the hardest option is probably the godliest. In other words, the obedient way is probably the harder of 2 ways.

2.) I rarely ask for forgiveness only once for any significant transgression even if I am truly repented the first time. (Including gossip/sharp words t someone/any demonstration of pride, etc.)

3.) I tend not to feel back in God's "good graces" right away after repentance.

4.) I catch myself wanting to pay penance after feeling like I've really messed up. (Penance defined here as "acts done to make u for sin.")

5.) I think God loves me, but in spite of me and not because of I'm lovable.

6.) Truth be told Jesus' parable about the workers who get paid equal wages regardless of how long or short a time they worked seems a bit disconceting.

7.) I deal with a fair amount of anxiety in my spiritual life.

8.) I struggle with considerable self-condemnation.

9.) I find it easier to tell others how much God loves them than I believe it for myself.

10.) I feel I must always bear up (continue to befriend) with the people who have wronged me over and over.

11.) I tend to feel guilty about some of the good things in my life.

12.) I know God loves me, but I think I often disappoint Him.

13.) Romans 14:17 says "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." However you would not know that from being around me.

Those that you answered true are the areas where you are under the law. I'll be honest I had a few trues when I took, and I still do now, however I'm working at changing my mindset in those areas. Finding things in the new testament that state that I'm under grace concerning those areas.

a little can still make a mess

So I'm going to step up from the norm, no verse today. I'm going to share about something I learned at the women's retreat I attended a couple of weeks ago. I was on the team that ran it, I had led to sessions. I had looked at the sessions before it started to pick which ones I wanted to do. When it came time to do the last session, I already knew what was going to happen. We were given a small cup of chocolate syrup, we were told to pour it into our palm. Now some people took the cup and poured all of it and covered their hand with it. I poured a very small amount on my hand in a small little puddle. I tried to be very neat with this. However, I had to sit there and hold my hand in a fashion that would keep the syrup from running all over, soon my little chocolate mess wasn't so little. It hard started to spread. It was also tempting to play with it a little, by moving my hand around and watching it slowly run from one side to the other. If you haven't guessed the syrup was suppose represent sin. The picture I got, wasn't about how much I need grace, and forgiveness, it was how Christians seem to deal with sin after they have been saved. I'm going to control how much "sin" I pour into my hand. It still makes a mess. I'm only going to do this little thing, but after I've got it on my hand, I'm going to play around with it and make the mess a little bigger. I'm also going to hold it in my hand and try and not let anyone see it, but I know it's still there. I'm going to see it for what it is, and try and scrape some it back in the cup, but I still have some left on my hand. As Christian, we need to stop messing with sin, even if we think we can control it. We can't. God is still going to have to clean up the mess. Sitting there with this small puddle of syrup in my hand brought up some of those sins that I carefully poured in my hand, and tried to make only a small puddle with. I have also scraped that small amount of chocolate off my hand, but there's still some left. I am done with that sin, but I haven't really washed my hands since. So what do I do with this picture? Do I continue on?  My hand has been dirty for a few years now. No, in that moment, before I got up and had my hand cleaned off of the real syrup, I addressed it. I was full of guilt and shame in that moment, unaware that I had this small mess in my hands all the time, but once I dealt with, once I got my hands clean, the guilt and shame went away. Maybe now, you need to go and get the chocolate syrup, and put just a small amount in your hand, so those "small" sins you "controlled" and "played" with get cleaned.

You want to what?!? With how much ?1?

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:7-11 (NIV)

So is the cup half full or half empty? Honestly which is it? That blessing God just gave you, is it enough or could you use just a little more? Do you have enough to go around again? This story has 3 different perspective in it. Let's take a look at Philip's first. Philip's thoughts on feeding the 5 thousand was not happening. Feeding these many people just isn't a possibility. He might have even thought why bother trying. He is very realistic here, a half year's wage wouldn't even buy everyone a bite. This task is just too big. Have you ever had Philip's outlook? I do. Every time I sit down to write on Esther, I think about all the work it will take and all the skill I lack. I think about how much I struggle with words and how worn out I feel after just writting 2 paragraphs. But then again Philip and I aren't focusing on the right thing, and what makes it worse for Philip is that Jesus is standing right there in front of him. So am I off the hook? I mean Philip can see and touch Jesus, he's even watched him do miracles. I've never physically seen Jesus, I can't be all that wrong cause I can't keep my focus on Him right? Um, not so much. I know how the story ends, Philip didn't at the time.

Now for Andrew's perspective. Well, we got some, but how far will it go? Andrew even points out that what they have is small. How will it be enough? Ever have a small amount and wonder if it will be enough? I've had a small amount of gas in my car and not much money and pay day was a long way off. However, I would still load my car up with kids who needed rides home after Wednesday night church. It didn't matter where in the valley they lived. I took them home. It didn't matter that it took 45 minutes to drive to work. I still did it and hoped that gas would hold out until pay day which was light years away. Andrew is quite aware that gas light should come on any second. Andrew is well aware, what they have and who they have to feed, don't add up very well. No equal sign in this equation. It needs a greater sign and it goes to the number of people and not the stuff to eat.

Now Jesus had the right perspective. He had the people sit down, not looking at the number of people. He took the bread and fish, not caring about the amount. He gave thanks and feed the 5 thousand. He was grateful for what there was and it was enough. It seemed that when I carted children around the city of Phoenix, I had enough gas. I could drive hundreds of miles and the gas gauge needle wouldn't move. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but you get the picture. Give rides and the gas would last longer. Doesn't make sense, but with God it doesn't have to. Before I sit down to write, I thank God for using me, and the words just come. It isn't a struggle. I'm not worn out when I'm done. It isn't a battle. Be thankful makes things go further or so it seems.

Next time you get a task that is unpleasant and seems impossible, who are going to be Philip, Andrew or Jesus? Jesus was successful, He solved the problem. He handled it; they even had leftovers. God is the business of taking equations that shouldn't work, and making the work with some leftover too.

Enemies and Promises.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. (NIV)


If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.
The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! (NLT)


Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 28:1,7

I love the verses that have promises in them. I love that ever though this in the Old Testament, I can take these promises for myself. This talk about obeying God and his commands, following the laws of Moses, but do we have to follow the laws of Moses? As New Testament Christians, not exactly. Jesus came to set us free from the law, but he did tell us that we have 2 commands we need to follow: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37,39). If you are doing these 2 things and obeying God, the promise in verse 7 is yours. I recently got a side-by-side Bible and it has been exciting to be in the word because I can see the small differences. Verse 7 is a great example of this. NIV says will grant, NKJV says will cause, but NLT says will conquer. However great these words are my favorite word is right before will. This si the one doing the action, which makes the word even better. Do you see it? It's Lord. The Lord will conquer. Not me, mainly because I'm not good enough to do the conquering. Personally though when someone like the Lord is on my side, I don't need to be good enough. He does a better job when I don't meddle, so I'll leave the conquering of my enemies to Him. I really love the end of this verse too. They will flee in seven ways. God is good. Even though verse 7 is great and exciting, lets not forget verse 1, and that we must do our part first, we must obey. 

Let's make some plans

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

Oh, how love to make plans. We really need them set and figured out. Most of us need the details hammered out before we'll even breath. Having a plan is great, but James says here that we don't even know what will happen tomorrow. How true this is. Do we make plans at all then? We shouldn't sit around and make no plans at all. Where is the middle the ground?

First off, I don't think there is anything wrong with making plans. God doesn't want sitting around inactive doing nothing. When making plans we need to keep two things in mind. First seek God's will. Do the things in your plans align with the things God wants for your life? Second don't put all your hope in your plans. Don't make your plans, your new "god."

Just make sure your plans have these two things. James and I have plans to stay married to each other the rest of our lives and have children. These aren't bad plans. There's plenty of proof in the bible that God wants us to stay married and have children. We are also aware that there are things we can't control, and God calls one of us home before the other, we are both willing to follow God's will. I'll even admit in the beginning, I won't be thrilled. I'll need to deal with it, but I will eventually move on with God's will for my life. We've talked about the children thing. We'll try having children ourselves, but if that doesn't work out, we willing to adopt. We plan on seeking God's will through out the whole the process.

There are other areas where it might not say anything in the bible about the plans we want to make. Things like where to live, and what job to do. I feel though that if you are working at your relationship, He will help you figure these things out. Door will open and close. You can also ask Him to help figure what his plans are. I asked God, that if he cared about where we lived, that we need a nice big neon sign. As we made calls, and appointments to see different houses, I watched for signs. We only had one person who set an appointment with actually meet, most people didn't even return our call. I took this as a neon sign. As next school year approaches, I've begged and pleaded with God to let me go back downstairs and be with the little ones, but I also feel a burden on my heart to stay where I am, so what do I? I seek God, and advice from friends. I listen to what if feel is my God showing his will to me. 

Plan making becomes a problem when we put all our eggs in one basket or when we ignore the fact that the door is shut and clearly locked, and we start searching frantically almost to our own ruin. The making of plans and not checking with God, assuming we know what is best for us. These are all times when plan making is a problem.

Remember we are just a mist and we only have tomorrow because God has willed it. It's ok to make plans, just don't write them in ink, don't be upset when God changes, don't build everything on them, and check with God as you make.

Have you learned the secret?

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.  Philippians 4:11-12 (AMP)

 

I am not saying I need anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have. I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy. Philippians 4:11-12 (NLV)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

The thing about being content is that it's easiest when you have. When you feel like you are in place where you don't want anything, you can happily talk about how content you are. The hardest thing about being content is that it works best when it's heart knowledge. We all know in our heads that we should be content. We are told  over and over again, but do you know this in your heart. Heart knowledge is the kind of stuff we truly believe and has an influence on our daily life. These are truths we stand on. Heart knowledge are the lessons that are often the hardest to learn. They aren't learned overnight. These lesson aren't like the simple math problems like adding, they are like complex trig lessons and after a whole semester of class you may still have no clue. Paul experienced this on high level. One minute, he's sailing on a ship to be held prisoner in Rome and the next he is shipwrecked on a strange island, before you know it, the inhabitants of the island are throwing a great party. Learning to be content van be hard, but it's valuable. Those that are content seem to  have the most blessings. Being content with what God has given you opens the door to even more blessings. If you are discontent with the things God has given you, why would He give you more? Contentedness is like patience, when you ask for it, God won't give it to you. He'll put in a place and situations that allow you to develop it. This is one of those things I advise that it is something you really want, and are willing to go through the trails to obtain it. Paul put it best when he called it a secret. Not everyone knows it and many never will. You must ask the holder of the great secrets to give it to you. We all need to learn to be happy with what God gave us and understand that whether we are well fed or hungry we have plenty.

Got Talent?

Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God. Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.  2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (AMP)


We can say these things because of our faith in God through Christ.  We know we are not able in ourselves to do any of this work. God makes us able to do these things. God is the One Who made us preachers of a New Way of Worship. This New Way of Worship is not of the Law. It is of the Holy Spirit. The Law brings death, but the Holy Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NLV)

 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant —not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NIV)


This is something I struggle with. It's not the confidence part. I stand confidently in the Lord everyday. I know He has my today and tomorrow because He took care of yesterday.  It's the competent part, I struggle with. See, as I write these words, I struggle with are the right ones, will they have meaning in your life, are good enough and in the end will they glorify God? I am not competent. I'm not skilled at much. My life testifies to this. I'm pretty sure, I'm the most unskilled, and talentless person out there. Everything, I have done with the skill and talent has come from a great struggle or great gifting from the spirit. According to these verse you are supposed to be unskilled and talentless because your competence comes from the spirit.

This competence that comes from spirit. God pours down his spirit to get you the skills and talents needed to fulfill His will. God's spirit isn't just this thing we think about to make us feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. The spirit is something of power and skill. I've written about how we need to empty ourselves and full ourselves with the spirit. The spirit works best when it's the only thing in you. It's what makes you skilled. There's a saying out there God doesn't call the qualified. God qualifies the called. He does, this is how he works. If he has called you to do something and you have stepped up and accepted the job, it doesn't matter what your skills are. I'm not one who is organized but somehow I do a decent job as the Sparks secretary  keeping those records fairly straight. I did pretty good job of helping to run the Going Beyond simulcast, and I bet I do a fair job again in the fall with Living Proof. What you do is only limited by you. If you maintain that relationship with Christ and are willing to go where He has called you to go, you will go to amazing places and do amazing things. You have the ability to translate the Bible into different languages. You have the ability to enter into the army doing a job you have no skill to do and can do well. You can teach anything to anyone, anywhere.

 We are made competent in a new way. The law is done, it brings death, but the spirit it helps make you competent and is the life. Open yourself up to being a minister of the spirit.

Charlie Brown that's the meaning of Christmas

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)

These words probably sound familiar. You will most likely gather around the T.V. with your family sometime during this Christmas season and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown will get mad and yell out, “What is the meaning of Christmas?” Linus will walk out to middle of the stage, say, “Lights, please,” and a spotlight will appear on him and he will say the lines from above. When he finishes he will say, “That Charlie Brown is the meaning of Christmas.” Many of you will forget the meaning of Christmas. Many of you will grow so busy with church, work and school events that the meaning of Christmas will slowly slip by you and you’ll wonder why you are so worn out. It’s hard I know. I don’t really have any wise, sage advice on how not to get wrapped up in the comings and goings. I’m not going to tell you to “make appointments” with God and try to stop in your busy day and think of the baby that the Angel told the shepherds about. That’s not what God wants. God wants more than that. You need to shift your way of thinking. This shift won’t come overnight; you’ll have to work on it. Start by doing something simple. When you are standing in the line that is miles long don’t stand there and think about how long the line is and how horrible it is to be standing in it and how unbelievably slow the cashier is, instead give glory to God in the highest. When that red light happens, you know that one that often feels like a punishment, don’t sit there and curse the light, turn your radio onto KLove or some other Christian radio station and praise God.

After watching A Charlie Brown Christmas one year, my father said that we should be doing our best to do the end of that verse now. We need to be working on peace on earth and good will toward men. Are you working on living at peace with those around? Are you showing good will toward men? Smile at coworkers. Spend time with those you love. When you see someone struggling help them. The world would be so much better if we all worked on our own little corner and make it better. If you started working on these things it might be easier to not forget the meaning of Christmas.

The meaning of Christmas comes down to this; God loves you so much that He gave up His place in heaven so that you could have one. God thinks you are so important that He gave his child up so you could be with Him. Love like that deserves more than just a pause; it deserves you giving your life back to Him.

Christmas isn’t about what you call it; it’s about what you do for Christ

What's in your cup?

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 (NIV)

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 (AMP)

So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you. John 16:7 (MSG)

When it comes down to it the disciple weren't at an advantage. I've heard some people say it would be easier if were a disciple. If I could have just walked with Jesus, it would be easier. But according to those great red letters out of John, it's better for us. If you look at the list given to the spirit out the Amplified Bible, really take those names in Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby. Those are great names all shared with Christ and God. We don't get that person to person relationship Christ, but since he left, we can be filled with him. Those names have great power in them and you get to be in close fellowship with them. My favorite word for what Jesus sent us is out of the Message though. It's friend. That word is special. I don't just call anyone friend, but they way I use the word tells a lot about me. If you have ever been around when I've lost a shoe, you've heard me say, "Where's your friend?" If it comes in a pair and I'm missing one I go look for it's friend. All those words out of the Amplified Bible are great, but a friend is someone you share your life, someone who is a part of you. Being around Jesus didn't make those guys a better Christian. It's the spirit. Jesus left us, so God's spirit could come and empower us. Oh the power of the spirit is great, and it's amazed the world.

And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? Acts 2:6-7(NASB)

And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:12 (NASB)

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; Acts 2:42-44

The spirit came to those that believed and had them speaking in languages they didn't know. This left the outside world amazed, astonished and perplexed. Non-believers can see the works of the spirit and are amazed and confused, mainly because they don't understand. The believers gathered together devoted to the teachings of the apostles, had fellowship, prayer and broke bread. We do that now, it's the next part. They had a sense of awe and many wonders took place. I wonder why we don't have that anymore. Why is that the average isn't in awe? This is just a group of normal people, they aren't special, we don't know names, yet they are in awe, and see wonders. Most of us has put the spirit in a box, thinking he can't do that anymore. Why? I think one reason, if we saw power like that today, we might feel guilty, that we aren't truly living for God. If we keep the spirit in the box that takes away it's power, that restricts, we can continue to live life between Sundays. The bible can stay on the shelf.

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

This whole spirit thing isn't something new. This comes from the old testament. The spirit is needed and should be used. Tap into the power of God's spirit. Think of yourself as a glass, in order to be filled with the spirit, you must first be empty. If you have a glass full of soda, you can't put any water in it. You have to first empty the glass of soda. You have to empty yourself foe your spirit. It works best if you are completely empty. Think about it. Let's go back to the glass idea. If you have a cup half full of soda and the fill it up the rest of the way with water. Do you want to drink that? I don't. Empty yourself completely and let the Lord fill you with His spirit. The Lord will do amazing things if you let His spirit fill you. All of God's power for you comes through His spirit. You can't have gifts of the spirit will radically change you so you can radically change the world for God. Empty yourself, pour out all the soda and let the water, the spirit of God fill it.

Waiting on an everlasting God

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

This is something I have trouble understanding. How do you not grow weary or tired? I grow tired and weary often. I've spent several springs with Amor Ministries in Mexico. The first day is laying a slab of cement in 22x11 form. We mix by our own strength and pour by our own strength. At the end of this day, I'm tired. Somehow in His supernatural power, God doesn't grow tired. I grow weary of people. You know what I'm talking about. There are people our there that just make you want to turn the corner and pretend you didn't seem. For me, these are the people who think life is awful. The people who wouldn't be happy if yo gave them a million dollars tax free. They make me weary. God doesn't grow weary, you tell Him the same concern everyday, you could even do it 2 or 3 times a day, and He won't want to hide from you. He has this amazing power that doesn't allow him to grow tired or weary.

It's that next part that excites me though. He gives strength, if you lack might He gives you power. If someone was supplying power I would want God's. I've seen Him give this amazing power. I've seen teenagers who have been working hard all morning get third and fourth winds, so they can finish the job. I've seen some people who were worn out, I was pretty sure they wouldn't be able to do anymore work, get up and work harder than they had all day. I stand there watching where did that come from? The everlasting God. He has also helped me not grow weary. When I see those people that make me grow weary, I stop and let God know, I don't have what it takes to deal with them and that He is going to have to do it. The funny thing is when I ask, I get the power to do it. Maybe that's not so funny, it says here plain as day that He gives it.

Waiting on the Lord isn't something, I really like to do. He has vet to grant me patience now. But as yo wait on the Lord your strength will raise. He promises that as we wait on Him new strength will raise. We will be able to spread of wings and soar like eagles. This would be something neat, I've loved watching eagles soar and it's always amazed me. We will be able to walk and not grow tired and run and not grow weary. He'll give us enough strength to get the job done. The Message put the end of 31 like this: They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. I like the picture walk and don't lag behind looks like. As a kindergarten teacher, walking can be a task that isn't easy. Someone will lag behind. I would be thrilled if we could walk and not lag behind. With God, it's possible. God knows we grow tired, but He is willing to supply us. His power and strength is the kind I would want when I grow tired and weary. I also felt His power and it's amazing.

The depth of the search

You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. Psalm 139:1-3 (CEV)

If this doesn’t show you how important you are to God, I don’t know what will. He has searched you. He really knows you. He hasn’t done this lightly; He hasn’t searched like security at the airport. He didn’t stick you through an x-ray machine and look. He opened the bag and took things out. He dug into the nooks and carnies. He’s looked over every millimeter of you. Your thoughts are spoken aloud to him. It’s clear to Him what you think. He knows your routines better than you do. He knows you hit the snooze button twice before getting up. If you walked into His Starbucks, your drink would be waiting for you. He knows where all the children in the carpool live and He could do the drive with His eyes closed. He knows you drop the kids off for soccer at 5:30pm on Thursdays. He knows your fears and joys. He knows that you’re worried about your kids. He sees the fears you have about your husband not coming home from a deployment. He knows that you’re really happy when the dog jumps in your bed. He knows what a relief it is to have that newborn sleep for 4 hours the first time. He knows that you feel great when you put on that dress; your husband wants to tear off you. He knows. You matter. He feels what you feel and wants to make it right. He thinks you are the greatest thing out there. That way you hold your newborn, He holds you. When your husband wraps his arms around you and you feel safe and secure; that’s what does to you.

You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 (NASB)

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:7-12 (NASB)

He watches over you. He’s got you in a safe place. The greatest thing is you can’t hide from Him. You are so important to Him. He will go and find you. That closet you use to hide in as a child, He saw you there. When you are driving across the country to see your parents; He was watching. At night when all the lights are out and you are laying there awake; He sees you. On that ferry to Alaska; He was there too. When you danced in the rain; He watched. There isn’t anywhere you can hide. On His smart phone, He’s got an app that isn’t a phone tracker, it’s a you tracker. He opens the app, types your name and it tells where you are at, what you are doing, and what you are thinking. The best thing you can do is quit trying to hide and just let Him watch you. He isn’t watching you in the stalker in the bushes kids of way. He’s watching you the same way you watch your child sleep.

And some to stretch chicken

And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [^[a]full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. Ephesians 4:11-13 (AMP)

We were given a role to fulfill. We were given a job to do. Each one of us was given something to do to bring unity toward our faith. We weren’t all given the same job either. God has given us different things. Some of us are good at certain things. I think that at some level or another we are able to do all these things. One of these roles is our main job. It’s the job we’ve been equipped to do. God has given us tools to help us do the job. The jobs are easier to do when you are given the right tools. I’ve been building houses with Amor Ministries. This past year, I was out in the field working the same group as the founder, Scott. Now Scott and I have been given jobs to do. Scott is the some to run the ministry. I am the some to help the ministry. As part of running the ministry, Scott hadn’t been field for years. However, I’ve been in the field, learning the tricks of building a house, being made aware of the tools and the best way to use them. Scott had a worksite to be at and I had two to work on. As the building progressed, there came the time to stretch the chicken wire. Stretching chicken wire can be a hard job without the right tool. It was a day Scott wasn’t looking forward, a day that would build my excitement. Scott started to get frustrated at the job at hand; he stops and asks God to help. Scott is aware that he doesn’t have tools; God hasn’t equipped him for this job. He realizes that he isn’t the some to stretch chicken wire. However, I was at my site using a 12 inch piece of pvc pipp used to do the job. I love the pvc pipe because it makes the job so easy. If I were in Scott’s shoes unaware of the pipe I would hate it too. I am the some to stretch the chicken wire. I was equipped to do the job. Shortly, after he was done praying for God to help him, a field staff showed up and showed him the pipe. Scott became the some to stretch the chicken wire.

We all have job. We are capable of doing any of these, but only as God equips us. You do your job and work to bring unity, but you must be willing to step out of the role you normally and let God equip to do other things. It’s ok to step out of the office and into the field without knowing how to use. Some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4:11) and some to stretch chicken wire.

Storms of disobedience (for Jason)

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. Jonah 1:3-5 (NLT)

Sometimes we are in a storm caused by our disobedience. The storm rages hard and can be very scary. Jonah found himself in a storm caused by his disobedience. God told Jonah to get on a boat and go one way. He got on a boat and headed in the opposite direction. That’s why I picked the NLT here, other version just say he ran away or rose to flee. This can’t be confused with a wondering or “taking the long,” it clearly states he went the other way from where he should have gone. Jonah found himself in the middle of storm. It was an awful storm that threatened to break the ship apart. However when Jonah found himself in the middle of that storm, he did some things right.

Jonah chooses to run away from God and found himself in a violent storm. It threatened to break the ship apart. The crew felt that had to throw cargo overboard. This isn’t a small storm. Storms of disobedience are the worse kind. They rip at our souls and break our hearts. I faced an awful storm of disobedience. I choose to have an abortion. I quickly found myself in a storm of guilt. I was in a storm that ripped at my soul and broke my heart into a millions of little pieces. It was an awful storm that lasted for years. It ruined relationships. It’s left a very dark spot on my testimony, but I also did the things Jonah did.

He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.) The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:9-12 (NIV)

In the midst of the storm, Jonah fesses up. Verse 12, Jonah said, “I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” He took responsibility for his disobedience. He didn’t point a finger and say, “I did this because of someone else.” He took the blame; he didn’t even try and hide. He came right out and said it was his fault. I take complete fault in my abortion. I don’t blame my ex-boyfriend. I could and after hearing the whole story, some may say I have the right and he should take some of the blame. I admit fault because I made the choice. When it’s all done and over with, I’m the one to blame and it’s my fault. The next time you’re in a storm of disobedience, admit fault, take the blame. The storm may not end right that second, it didn’t for Jonah and it didn’t for me. The storm can’t end until your take fault.

He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” Jonah 2:2-9 (NIV)

Next Jonah prayed. Look at Jonah’s prayer. He talks about being in distress, being in a grave, being hurled into the deep, being banished, engulfed and sinking. Jonah wasn’t just in physical storm. Jonah felt a great storm on the inside, but he said two great things. Verse 7, “I remembered you, LORD” and verse 9, “Salvation comes from the LORD.” He prayed that he was aware of how wrong it was to disobey, but he also prayed how God will take care of him. I spent many nights for over year after my abortion, crying myself to sleep and praying. I prayed about how awful I felt and how I was consumed with guilt, and how wrong that choice was. I also prayed about how great God is. I prayed for His salvation to return to me. Pray through the storm.

This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. Jonah 3:3 (NLT)

This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God's orders to the letter. Nineveh was a big city, very big—it took three days to walk across it. Jonah 3:3 (MSG)

After the storm is over, you need to do what Jonah did. Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh. I like how the message states it, “This time Jonah started off straight.” Jonah learned it was better to obey what God says to do. Jonah suffered through his consequence of disobedience, but he picked himself up and obeyed God. I suffered through an awful storm, it lasted for over year. I looked at my broken piece picked them up and started obeying. I couldn’t go back and listen like Jonah had the option of doing, but I started obeying God when He talked. You may not be able to go back and make it right, but this time you can start off straight and obey God’s orders to the letter. You don’t have to live with the guilt. I don’t think Jonah went around feeling sorry for himself that he went in the opposite of direction. There were probably times, when he would hang his head and remember what he did, but I don’t think he lived in guilt. I think this because I don’t. I don’t live in guilt anymore. I’ve worked hard to get past the guilt, but I got past it. There are times when I hang my head and remember what I did and that it wasn’t the best thing to do. So neither do, you don’t have to live in the guilt. Pick up the pieces and start work past it.

Storm watching (for Jason)

And in the fourth watch [between 3:00--6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid! And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me [from death]!” Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt 14:25-31 (AMP)

We are all like Peter at one point in our lives or another. Sometimes we pull a Peter more often then we like, but we all do it. Peter is in the middle of a storm. One this account, Peter didn’t cause storm. That doesn’t really matter here. When we get down to it storms are all the same, it doesn’t matter who cause them. They are all really big, the waves are high, the wind is strong and the end is uncertain. You could be in storm where you question your value. I’ve been there. I’ve lied in bed awake through most of student teaching wondering what my value was. You could be in storm wondering where God is. I spent many days sitting in a classroom that was just barely big enough for the 19 of us and wonder why God had allowed my second year teaching to go so badly. My main thought during that time was if God was real, He wouldn’t let this happen. You could be in storm cause by someone else. I found out my older sister was pregnant while we were in high school through my friends because it would have no affect on me. I’m still storing through the damage of that hurricane, sometimes I even feel like I’m sitting in the eye of the storm waiting for the rest it. It doesn’t matter what kind of storm you are in. It matters what you do in that storm. Let’s look at what Peter did and see where he went right and try to follow him. Let’s also look at what Peter did wrong and learn from his mistakes. You’ve probably made Peter’s mistakes, isn’t it time to learn from them.

The first thing Peter did was believe. He believed that Jesus was coming out on the water. He also believed the things Jesus was telling him. Do you believe in Jesus and things he tells you? Do you believe in taking courage and not be afraid? Do you believe this is for his glory and you won’t fail?

The next Peter did was have faith. Peter got out of the boat. It’s hard to get out of the boat. It’s hard to have faith. Faith is that little voice that tells you it’ll be okay. It’s the little voice that often doesn’t make sense but we still want to listen. Give Peter some credit here. He is in a boat in the middle of a lake and he climbs out. Everything the world has shown us and what we know about the world says Peter will mostly likely sink like a rock. Most men that go overboard during a storm don’t always make it back on the boat. Peter realizes that we are dealing with special things here. He has seen with his own eyes that Jesus doesn’t operate on the laws and rules of this world. It’s easier to have faith when you have seen the things Peter saw. Hasn’t God been faithful to you? God has done something in your life to give you a reason to have faith. You can have just as much faith as Peter.

Verse 30 is where Peter makes a mistake. It says, “But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened.” Other versions say he saw wind, but we now Peter didn’t see the wind, what he saw was the evidence of the wind or he perceived the wind. He saw the waves and he mostly likely felt the wind too. So this is what Peter did, he changed his focus. He took his eyes off Jesus and the storm overtook him. Peter stopped looking at Jesus and began to sink like a rock. That’s the mistake, changing your focus. As soon as you take your eyes of Jesus, the storm will overwhelm you. Take your eyes of Jesus and you are going to sink.

Now Peter realizes his mistake and this is where he goes back to doing the right thing. You take your eyes off Jesus and you are staring down your storm, you’ll sink. Don’t worry you aren’t helpless, the storm doesn’t have to win, it doesn’t have to overtake you. Do what Peter did. Look at the end of verse 30, “Lord, save me [from death]!” As soon as you realize you are sinking cry out to God. Let God know you are sinking, God will respond. In verse 31, Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him (NIV). It’s not always immediate. You may have to wait until the storm is over. God has His reasons, but if you are calling out to Him, He isn’t going to let the storm overtake you. It does depend on the storm. If you’re in a storm cause by someone else, it might be immediate. However if it’s a storm you’ve caused, you may have to ride it out, but your boat will do make it through the storm.

The next time a storm comes brewing have faith and keep your eyes on Jesus. If you get distracted by the storm and you do take your eyes off Jesus, call out to Him. You can’t avoid storms. You can’t control them but you can control how you respond to a storm.

Too much pressure and the head might explode

Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-24 (MSG)

For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. Ephesians 5:23 (NLT)

I think we put too much into this verse. It’s been interpret to mean things it shouldn’t. I think we are packing way more into this verse that what really fits. It’s being used to place pressure and control. I want to unpack and show a different way to use it.

I’ve heard it said this is the verse that states the husband is the spiritual leader. As the head he should be in charge and get the final say. He should take responsibility for all matters, but he can delegate. Why should everything be on him? The reason he has a wife is to help him out. No where does it state that the head does everything and fills all the jobs.

Christ took the lead. He led by example. As the disciples grew Jesus let them do things. In the end, Jesus delegated work to the disciples. I think he did this because for one person to carry all the work, nothing would get done. There’s a reason why many people work at that same place so more can done. One person is ultimately responsible to make sure the work gets done.

Look at how a church works. This pastor is the head. Is really he responsible for everyone in the church spiritual growth? Yes, he is. Does he do all the work by himself? No, we have other people who run different ministries. The pastor does run the show and gets the final say, but he doesn’t do the work. If one person was really meant to do job, we wouldn’t have youth pastors, and children pastors. We wouldn’t ask people to run the women’s ministry or the men’s ministry. One head, one person in charge, many people working together doing the same thing.

Look at our country. Do you really think the President takes on every task and job every hour of every day? What’s the point of cabinet then? It helps him take care of the smaller jobs and smaller tasks. Yes, they have to report to him and tell him how things are working, but he doesn’t fill every role all the time.

Why would we put such pressure on the husband? He isn’t all powerful. He can’t do everything. It doesn’t matter how wonderful he is, he can’t fill all the roles all the time. By stating that he is the spiritual leader, you’re putting a lot of pressure on him. You could be setting him to do things he can’t which will stress him out. I don’t know about you but I prefer my husband when he isn’t stressed out. When you use this verse like that, you could lump all the family responsibilities on him. You could force him to fulfill every role out there. He is in charge of the money and how each family member spends their time. He can make a decision without consulting anyone else in the family. He is the head after all. It’s not like this at all. Many wives make the budget and pay the bills. Families discuss decision that will affect the whole family.

If the woman is more spiritually mature or if she understands how to guide the family in spiritual matters, shouldn’t she do it? What if he isn’t fulfilling the role? Do you just leave the role unfulfilled? Do you leave the family’s spiritual growth to fall the waste side? That’s a horrible thought. No, the wife should step up and do it, just like with any other aspect in the family responsibilities.

Before taking on this role, you should pray for God to guide your husband. Pray that God will fill your husband with the holy spirit and he'll see the need to do this job. I've spent many nights praying for my husband to see that he needs to do this job. My husband is aware of these verse and understands what they are stating, but doesn't think to be the spiritaul leader. One night, I was praying hard to God that he would open his eyes and let him see what he needs to do. God responded with a question, "What if you working on an Amor work site and there was no foreman?" I would do the job, I wouldn't take the job for anyone, but every site needs a foreman. God responded, "Every family needs a spiritual leader."

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 (NIV)

I’m not telling you take responsibilities from your husband and demand he let you be in charge of everything. You need to submit to him. If you’re the wife that cares of the budget and pays the bills, you probably didn’t just start doing this out of the blue, you most likely talked about it first. Talk about this first too. He may be unaware that this is a job that needs to be done. He may have not been doing it because he doesn’t know how to do it. You may start out as the spiritual leader but as time progresses, he may want the job. Then you need to submit to your husband and let him do it.

Before taking on this role, you should pray for God to guide your husband. Pray that God will fill your husband with the Holy Spirit and he'll see the need to do this job. I've spent many nights praying for my husband to see that he needs to do this job. My husband is aware of these verses and understands what they are stating, but doesn't think to be the spiritual leader. One night, I was praying hard to God that he would open his eyes and let him see what he needs to do. God responded with a question, "What if you working on an Amor work site and there was no foreman?" I would do the job, I wouldn't take the job for anyone, but every site needs a foreman. God responded, "Every family needs a spiritual leader." I keep praying, but in the meantime I'm the spiritual leader. I think it is very dangerous, especially in this world, to leave this role empty.

Yes, you need to submit to your husband the same way you do to Christ. Don't ever take away his leadership. Yes, your husband needs to be head of the house just like Christ is the head of the church. Your husband can delegate jobs to you. He is still ultimately responsible for them, but the job might get done better in your hands. Don’t pile all the pressure on him. It’s not fair to him or you. Your role is to be his helpmate. If he wants to fulfill a role let him, but if he can’t for whatever reason, then you should do it. Spiritual growth is like the bills, if he can’t do the job, you don’t let it go undone.