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.”

Blessed after 12 Years

For 12 years I have served the churches of Memphis, Tennessee. I have ministered in all kinds of places and served all types of pastors.

For 12 years a woman in the Bible suffered from a serious medical condition. She visited many doctors but never found relief.

For 12 years a little girl grew up. She was the delight of her father Jairus. By all accounts, her’s was a happy and normal childhood.

In this stage of life, after 12 years of ministry in Memphis, I need the Lord. My experience is similar to the two ladies mentioned above. I have known both heartache and happiness. How can the Lord heal me / help me? What can I learn from these two ladies?

  1. I MUST BE HUMBLE. Both of the petitioners described in Luke 8 got down low before the Lord. One approached from the front, the other from the back. Yet both stooped low in the presence of the Lord. If I want God to bless me after 12 years, I also must lower myself mentally and physically to seek the Lord.

  2. I MUST BELIEVE. Both of the miracles happened because of faith. “Your faith has made you well” and “Don’t be afraid only believe.” So I too must trust the Lord in this 12th year of ministry in Memphis. Don’t despair, don’t doubt, remain confident in God!

Three happy endings. The older woman, the young girl, and this Tennessee preacher. Thank you Lord.

Are you Better than the Unborn?

Granted, Solomon became kind of grumpy old man; but, his writings are included in Holy Scripture and thus profitable. In one of his more melancholy moments, Solomon said, “If you can’t see the goodness and be satisfied with the goodness, it would be better for you not to have lived.”

  1. SEE THE GOODNESS (Ecclesiastes 6:6)

  2. BE SATISFIED WITH THE GOODNESS (Ecclesiastes 6:3).

Solomon also said, “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

SUGGESTED PRAYER: Lord today, help me to focus on my blessings not my problems.

4 Marks of a Great Preacher

There have been many wonderful preachers down through the ages, but John the Baptist stands out as a remarkable prophet who won the hearts of the people and gained the endorsement from Christ Himself. Four characteristics set him apart as an example to follow:

  1. Great preachers are called

  2. Great preachers are Christ-centered

  3. Great preachers are consecrated

  4. Great preachers are courageous.

See Matthew 3:1-12

Tell it to Jesus

We have all heard the sentiment, “It’s worse now than ever.” But is it? Consider one snapshot from the time of Jesus.

  1. There was adultery (Matthew 14:3b).

  2. There was persecution (14:3a).

  3. There was superstition (14:2).

  4. There was lewdness (14:6).

  5. There was murder (14:10).

  6. There was sorrow (14:12).

The above list sounds like the ten o’clock news. Regardless if culture is more decadent today than previously, what are God’s people to do? What did the disciples of Jesus do? Verse 12 says, “They went and told Jesus.” The Christian response today should be no different. Christians need to pray, pour out their hearts over this broken world, asking for mercy, guidance, healing, and comfort.

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men's eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
For Christ's coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that's well known.
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

The Judgmental Person

  1. The judgmental person wants to help other people. “Let me remove the speck from your eye” (Matthew 7:4). But unfortunately, this earnest concern for others can easily lead to criticism, a negative spirit, and an overall bad attitude.

  2. The judgmental person ignores their own faults. They “do not consider the plank in [their] own eye” (Matthew 7:30). Self-improvement is painful. Therefore, instead of dealing with their own issues, the judgmental person focuses on the faults of others.

  3. The judgment of the judgmental person will boomerang back on them (Matthew 7:1-2, 12). There is a principle all throughout scripture, that “what you do comes back on you” (Obadiah 15). So if for no other reason, avoid criticism in order to protect yourself.

The Christ-filled Life

Scripture clearly teaches the Spirit-filled life and yet there is mystery and misunderstanding about this phenomena. To help us better understand what it means to be vessels for the Holy Spirit, consider the experience of Mary and how she quite literally was filled with Christ as she became the mother of our Lord.

In Mathew 1:18-24 notice first THE OPPOSITION TO THE CHRIST-FILLED LIFE. Joseph and Mary were about to get married, but she became pregnant. Understandably Joseph was ready to quietly call off their engagement. Don’t be surprised when good people oppose what they perceive is religious fanaticism. “Filled with the Spirit?” they may ask. “Isn’t that a bit extreme?” The world accepts cold religion, but despises spiritual vibrancy. Mark it down: the world, the devil, and the flesh resolutely oppose the Spirit-filled life. Anyone who desires the Christ-filled life should expect conflict.

Second, notice THE MOTIVATION FOR THE CHRIST-FILLED LIFE. The angel spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him to continue his engagement with Mary. As the angel explained God’s plan to Joseph he mentioned two names for our Lord. These names explain why the Christ-filled life is important for every believer.

“Call His name Immanuel which is translated God with us” (verse 23). The first reason to desire the Christ-filled life is to enjoy the presence of God. To get to God one no longer has to go to a church or see a pastor, or even wait until heaven. Because of the Christ-filled life every believer can enjoy the refreshing presence of the Lord daily, personally, and intimately.

“Call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (verse 21). The second reason to desire the Christ-filled life is to enjoy victory over sin. Every Christian wants to live a good, clean, holy life; yet godliness is elusive and difficult to maintain. Living the Christian life is humanly impossible. The only way to live an upright life is with the assistance of the indwelling Lord. He is holy and helps us live holy also.

Spiritual intimacy and moral victory are but two reasons every Christian should earnestly seek the Christ-filled life despite whatever opposition rises.