Storms in the Night

Why did Jesus direct His disciples to go into a storm (Matthew 14:22:-33)?

  1. It was an opportunity for Jesus to show His power (verse 26).

  2. It was an opportunity for the disciples to learn what faith in God could do (28-29).

As I write these words our nation is in the midst of the Coronavirus. These are scary times. The news headlines tell us how bad things are. Yet we as believers must remember that God is in control, and He has allowed for this test to come upon us. In a sense, just like in Matthew 14, Jesus has led us into a nighttime storm. Why would He do that? Why is Jesus allowing our nation to suffer through this frightful time?

First, God is always concerned about His glory. He wants people to revere Him, worship Him, and affirm that truly Jesus is the Son of God (verse 33). Already here in America the death count for COVID-19 is dramatically less than what was forecast. God is answering prayers. Remedies for this virus are being developed, God is delivering us from this crisis.

Second, this current health crisis is a time for God’s people to grow in their faith-walk with God. The whole Christian life is an experience of faith (Romans 1:17). This is how we are to respond to this virus also. Faith, faith, faith is how we are to live the Christian life. And like Peter walking on the water (verse 29), soon we are going to overcome this “storm in the night.”

The Difference between Salvation and Discipleship

  • In salvation we come to the cross, but in discipleship we carry the cross.
  • For salvation we believe in Jesus, but for discipleship we follow Jesus.
  • At salvation we sip the milk of God's word, but for discipleship we chew the meat of God's word.
  • At salvation we are indwelt by the Spirit, but in discipleship we become intimate with the Spirit.
  • Salvation is instanteous, discipleship is ongoing.
  • At salvation we leave Egypt, but in discipleship we enter the Promised Land.

"Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection" Hebrews 6:1

Praying for Loved Ones

I confess that too many of my intercessory prayers are shallow and brief. Do you have this problem? "God bless them and watch over them." Surely we can do better.

The Apostle Paul enjoyed a warm loving relationship with the church at Philippi. They often helped him on his missionary journeys. Paul's prayers for his friends in Philippi teach us how to pray for our loved ones. Here's what I'm learning about prayer from Philippians 1:9-11.

When prayinig for loved ones we should pray for the following:

1. PRAY FOR THEIR LOVE - (verse 9) agape sacrifical love like that described in John 3:16, growing and insightful

2. PRAY FOR THEIR PRIORITIES - (verse 10a) like an assayer evaluate the quality of things in life and pursue the excellent

3. PRAY FOR THEIR CHARACTER - (verse 10b) a life that is pure (sun judged) and blameless

4. PRAY FOR THEIR FRUITFULNESS - (verse 11) produced by Christ for God's glory

Isn't this a whole lot stronger than our normal interecessory prayers?

 

Symptoms of a Double-Minded Person

James, the half-brother of our Lord Jesus, twice used the expression "double-minded." What is the meaning of this term? And more importantly, how do you know if you've got this condition? Here are two symptoms of double-mindedness.

The first symptom is unanswered prayer. James bluntly states, "let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7)."

Instability is the second symptom. James says the double-minded person is "unstable in all his ways (James 1:8)." He "is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6)." 

What do you do if you suffer from double-mindedness? Tomorrow, we will look at the cure for double-mindedness.