I have been thinking a lot about people and the different struggles we find ourselves in because of habits we create!
Patience is a key word to evaluate in this segment!
Temptation is a factor to know and appreciate!
Both Patience and Temptation targets the core of our being in the goodness that we desire in life!
What good thing is on your heart to do right now? Chances are the root of it is something good –but the way of accomplishing that goal or desire is either God’s way or a God forbidden way.
The Spirit of the Lord has been teaching me in the passages of God’s Word about Peter walking on the water! I have included this Bible teaching for your convenience to highlight and pray over areas in your life in which Jesus is waiting on you to ask Him how to make a change in your circumstance. Or, perhaps you are in the middle of a change –on route to a place God has called you to go and you may feel like you are sinking in the stormy seas of your life? Call out to Jesus, Lord save me! And Jesus will offer you His hand!
Yesterday, I woke up with two revelations that are related to my ministry walk with Jesus! I don’t mind sharing them with you; and I do so today in hope that they are a blessing to you in your Christian walk!
1) The first was quiet simple: Lord bid me or forbid me! I will be obedient! The disciples knew enough to know that there are different spirits in this world! Sometimes we can even see them –both beautiful angels appearing; and demonic spirits streaking and lurking. Before I make a move (even with good intentions) on behalf of my faith in Jesus, I need to ask Jesus, “Lord bid me (or forbid me) to come –or go; or do; or say!” Discernment in my assignments by God is important! Because I also have compassion in Jesus, it is important to know my assignment by God! And, I hope you will also pray for more and more understanding in God’s Word –for I believe it is important for us all to know our assignments by God! Commitment to obedience for God’s glory in all things is so important!!!
2) The second deeper understanding the Spirit brought to me yesterday morning was that Jesus has made a real house of hope and the church is the community of strength! It may not be in a building! Worship is at the center! Jesus is the Church! Jesus is our house of hope! Together in Christ we make up the community of strength to help others needing a hand up! Yet –the one needing help has to want it! And, the hope we share is the source of help, which is Jesus!
The key to life is trusting God and trusting also in Jesus following and staying in step with the Spirit of God He has given us –The Holy Spirit! I move with compassion more times than not –well always, but the Lord is teaching me that sometimes Jesus said, “No –not at this time.” You see, Jesus knew his assignment by God and He refused to move a step away from God’s assignment –Jesus knew His purpose was to glorify the Father and bring hope for me and you! Jesus knew that the good thing he felt compassion to do, would still be done, but that everything must be in God’s time –so that our Father is glorified!!!
Do we have that kind of faith in God’s plan –and in God’s time? Patience is so important!!!
Are our ministry ways much different than that of the ministry Way of Jesus? Jesus the Truth the Way and the Life – We just walk in step!
What we do effects other people –We either encourage a life with Christ, or we reflect the Bible poorly. We either plant a seed (God’s Word) of encouragement; or we inadvertently get in God’s way. It is so important to know our assignment from God and trust God that He is doing a great work behind the scenes. Faith doesn’t need proof to know God is trustworthy and powerful to do all things. Faith is sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see! Prayer, Patience and obedience (in God’s Every Word) are the powers to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit to work!
I was stuck on the fact that the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost and that even Peter called out, “Lord, if it is you.” But, yesterday, the Spirit of the Lord woke me up with an amazing revelation from God’s Word!
We need to know that today, just as in the Bible, good spirits and evil spirits do in fact exist! Peter called out to Jesus, “If it is you Lord, tell me (bid me) to come.”
How much is this valuable lesson still needed in our Christian walk today with Jesus! We need to ask Jesus, if this is God’s will for me to go here or there or do this or that, bid me to –or forbid me!
God opens doors no man can open and God closes doors no man can close! Sometimes, it is just not quite time yet –Divine time is different than man’s time! God is preparing and working all the time in the power of the Holy Spirit! Our job is to plant seeds and water encouragement –all in the Word of God (the living and written Word from the mouth of God)! Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God!
That is a terrific study in itself! But to stay tight to this topic today: Patience in our assignments –Ask Jesus to bid or forbid; and then trust the Lord enough to obey the Word of God that comes to you to bring real hope to others; as well as to our own circumstances!
I will stop here for now, but I encourage you to open the Word of God and pray and learn more about your assignment by God! You have an incredible purpose; and no doubt Satan will try to invade!
But greater is He in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you, than he (the enemy of God and of you) who is in the world!
Matthew 14:22-33New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
A Temptation comes to you and me to fulfill a God given desire in a God forbidden way!
1 Corinthians 10:13New International Version (NIV)
13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Love in Christ,
Karen Rowe
Hope in Today Ministries, Inc.
The Train Whistle, Sounding the call of God’s Love