The Power Of A Step
“Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Matthew 14:28-29
The story of Peter walking on water is one that many of us love and yet we tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive. We recount the story in Matthew 14 and see Peter’s sinking rather than his walking. We focus on Peter getting his eyes off of Jesus and putting them onto his fear. Rather than seeing the huge step of faith that Peter took and the miracle that happened, we too get our eyes off of the miraculous and put them on the mistake.
God calls us to do impossible things by faith so He can receive glory when they are done. They may look like a mistake to others, but to the Lord, it’s miraculous! Often times the Lord will call us to step out in faith and try something new, but we’re afraid, just like Peter. Notice though, that Peter put a fleece out to the Lord saying; “Lord, if it is you, command me to come…” Peter wanted to be sure that it was the Lord, so he said “if”.
How many times have we said the same phrase, “Lord, if you are in this…?”Or “Lord, if this is you then please confirm your will to me?” We may not ever be asked to walk on water, but we certainly will be asked to step out of the boat. Pastor Chuck always used to say, “Show me a man who has never taken a step of faith for the Lord and I will show you a man who has done nothing for the Lord.”
Most of us read this story of Peter walking on water and wonder if we too would have stepped out of the boat at Jesus’ call. But, what we often fail to consider, is that Jesus had been preparing Peter all along to step out of the boat as an example to the other disciples. Yes, Peter made plenty mistakes and was even rebuked by Jesus in front of His disciples, but Peter stepped out…He tried, he heard Jesus call and he obeyed!
None of the other disciples were asked to walk on water. I believe this is because none of the other disciples asked if it was Jesus. Impetuous Peter, with all his zeal, was the one that recognized Jesus and asked…and God answered with a command. Has that ever happened to you? Have you even thought something was the Lord and yet weren’t sure, and He asked you to step out in faith…believing it was Him? Faith is believing when you can’t see. It’s believing when you’re not 100% sure, but you think it’s Jesus!
Although Peter did step out in faith and walk on water, once he got his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. The lesson for us is to keep our eyes on Jesus, not to fear the things around us…the storm, the sea of others, the circumstances. Peter will forever be set apart in history for being the only man to walk on water, and it was all because he was willing to fail. He was willing to step out and risk sinking to obey the call of the Lord.
What is it that Jesus is asking you to do? Do you recognize it’s Him? Have you asked for confirmation? Are you obeying? Are you willing to fail to obey? Whatever it is, you don’t need to worry, only trust the Lord. His hand is big enough to pick you up!
Michelle Randall
A Quick Fix For A Quick Wit
"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4
How many times have you said, “I’m just joking?” Probably dozens if you’re being honest. Up until I read this scripture, I too used to frequent this phrase.
But, when I heard Pastor Chuck teach on it years ago, I quickly discovered my error. To coarse jest, is to speak or act in a joking manner, to say; “I’m just joking”. When we say this phrase, we are essentially saying there is some truth to what we’re sharing. We may not intend to inflict a wound with our coarse jesting, but it always indicates that there is some truth below the surface of the comment. Why do we joke around? Does it somehow make us feel better to poke at others in a gentle way? Maybe or maybe not, but the Bible warns against this, so we must turn from it.
This can be very difficult if you are quick witted. For those with a razor sharp wit, Paul gives a solution. He says instead of poking at others in fun, try giving thanks for them instead! This is a quick fix to a quick wit. Either you will quit your coarse jesting all together or you will become one of the most gracious and thankful people around! Why not try it… you may be surprised at the results!
Leave And Cleave
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
This scripture has new meaning to me. I have never known it as clearly as I do right now in the wake of our sons wedding.
The process of the man leaving his family and cleaving to his wife is a necessary one. In fact, the very word " cleave" defines for us the process. Cleave, a verb, has two very different meanings. It can describe cutting or splitting something apart with a sharp instrument, or — oddly enough — it can describe sticking to something like glue. Both occurr in this cleaving process...the splitting apart and the sticking together... They just occurr in two different relationships. The splitting apart, or severing occurs with the parents and the sticking like glue occurs with the spouse. This is normal and good and biblical. I never noticed until now that this scripture says " a man" shall leave HIS father and mother and cleave to HIS wife. It doesn't say "a women" shall leave her father and mother and cleave to her husband. Why is this?
It's the job of Christian parents to train their children in the ways of the Lord. For boys we are to train them to be men... Taking on the responsibilities of a man and that of his household. They are to provide for their family, to love their wife as Christ loves the church and to lead their family spiritually. For this to take place, there must be a cleaving ... Or separating from the parental covering and a cleaving or sticking like glue to the covering of Christ and the relationship to his wife. If this does not take place, problems will arise. Boys become men when they are given the responsibility of a man. If that responsibility isn't given over completely and without interference from others (primarily mothers) their growth as a man of the home will be hindered. As a mom of three boys, I'm gaining understanding in this area. Moms will always be moms, but boys don't always stay boys. We moms have to let our boys become men. Is it painful and hard? Yes! Is it necessary? Yes! If we really want our boys to become godly men then we need to let go and let God have His way in their lives. We need to trust Him to mold our boys and shape them into men. Leaving and cleaving doesn't have to be so sad... It can be wonderful and exciting ... It's all how we look at it! Be encouraged moms when you're sad... That you are making a man not a boy!
The Final Pilgrimage!
" Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15
Joyce Eagelton home with Jesus
When we say that something is precious, we're saying that it's of great value to us... That it's costly and cannot be easily replaced... That's how the Lord feels about the death of those that have dedicated their life to serving Him. Joyce was faithful and true to serving her Savior to the end and the Lord was so pleased He brought her home.
Joyce was so gifted. She was a master storyteller and a great communicator. Her mind was always thinking deep thoughts and yet she never took the little simple things for granted. It was rare to see Joyce coming into church without a handful of wildflowers that she picked along her way. She would often hand them out and tell you to put them in your Bible... As hers was full of them. She would leave them at her faorite scriptures as a marker. Joyce was a Barnabas to me... Always encouraging me and pointing me to Jesus. I know her listening audience felt the same. We could count on an encouraging word on KWAVE from our fellow pilgrim at 9am- noon. I would often turn on the radio just to hear her sweet voice and kind words of encouragement. Joyce had such a wonderful way with her words. She was kind and sensitive to her listeners... and boy was she smart! She had a degree in Journalism and was a college English professor. She began working in broadcasting when she was 21 years old at a little station in Costa Mesa before coming on at KWAVE. Although Joyce was quiet, she was always contemplating her few but, very profound words. I have been blessed to have been able to spend time with Joyce on the radio, at church and just hanging out as friends. I have learned so much from her... Mostly just by watching her life shine for Jesus. She will truly be missed but now I have an even greater reason to long for heaven. Joyce was indeed precious ... One of the most precious honest people I know. I am sad and happy all at the same time. I know that she's in her element with her Savior and all the wildflowers she could ever imagine. Her body is new and whole and her health is restored. So for that we are blessed. Joyce you fought the good fight and finished your race...Enter into the joy of the Lord pilgrim!🌸
Cross Over
As we remember Pastor Chuck this 2 year mark of his being in heaven, I was prompted to revisit the story of passing the mantel ....
A mantle is a loose sleeveless cloak or cape used to cover the outer garments, normally made of sheepskin. 2 Kings 2:12 tells us that as Elijah was taken up his mantle fell upon Elisha…and Elisha took the mantle, but he didn't put it on as a covering…he used it as a tool, an instrument to accomplish the will of God.
The first thing Elisha did with the mantle is what he saw Elijah do before he was take up in the firey chariot. He did what he was taught…what he saw with his own eyes…and what he knew worked! He was persistent and eager to learn…as he refused to go back when Elijah encouraged him to. He also was zealous as he boldly asked for a double portion of The Spirit! Most people would have been happy with all that the Lord did in and through Elijah, but Elisha wanted more. A bigger work of the Spirit of God! I love this about Elisha! God would bless the work and ministry of Elisha by giving him double the miracles as HE gave Elijah!
I look at this story and can't help but see Pastor Chuck! He was our Elijah…our earthly example of what works and what doesn't. A godly man who heard and obeyed God. We have sat under him, studied with him, cried with him, laughed with him and watched God use him in an amazing way! Our desire is to take that mantel and be faithful to what we know and have been taught.
For Elisha he studied Elijah very carefully, and did exactly what his master did. His first miracle was also his first test…would he believe what he asked for" a double portion of God's spirit? As Elijah was taken up and his mantel fell on Elisha he would have a decision to make…"Do i believe what i prayed for can come true?" How many times have you prayed for something or someone and then questioned your prayer? Of course we don't question God's ability…we question our motives, our prayer and the situation on the other end. This is where faith comes in! Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Elisha hoped that God would grant him his request, but he couldn't see it …that's until he was tested and passed! For Elisha he would have to cross over the same way they came…which was the Jordan River…this is where Elisha would put into practice what he had learned and observed from his master. If you want to follow Jesus you will have a Jordn crossing, a testing of your faith. Hang in there and cross over with confidence!