~ Time to Get Out of the Boat ~

Over the last several days, I have been reading and studying the scripture in Matthew 14:22-32 when Jesus walks on the water. I know that most of you have heard this story many times and I have as well, but I love digging in familiar scripture a little deeper and allowing the Holy Spirit to grow me more! There is so much we can learn from just this short passage!

Matthew 14:22-32

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

One of the first things that really struck me was that Jesus always made time to spend with the Father. Here they had just finished up the great miracle when Jesus fed thousands of people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and he sent the disciples on ahead to the boat so he could go to the mountainside to pray. Jesus knew the importance of spending that quiet time alone with the Father and always made it a priority. So right away when I began reading in verse 22, I was already convicted of my quiet time with God. I know schedules can be very busy, but time with the Father should be the top priority on my list. It is a necessity to my soul to spend this time alone with my Lord!

So here we have the disciples out in the water on a boat after a very busy day. Jesus is on the mountaintop praying and night falls. The boat by now is a pretty good distance from land so Jesus began walking out to them. The Bible says, “they were terrified and cried out “It’s a ghost”. I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been but then Jesus immediately speaks, “Don’t be afraid, it is I”. You would think that right there all their fears were erased but only one had the faith to speak up. Peter says “Lord, if it’s you tell me to come to you on the water.” As Peter was saying this, imagine what the others were doing. They were probably all crouched down hiding behind him. Haha! But just then, Jesus speaks one word, “Come”. Some people may question Peter’s motive here thinking that he was putting Jesus to the test, but I see it as a huge leap of faith on Peter’s part. He had faith that Jesus would take care of him. As soon as Jesus said, “come”, Peter got out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus! Amazing! His faith caused him to do something completely out of his power. He was walking on the water straight toward Jesus! This was truly the work of Jesus and he would have missed it if he stayed in the boat.

When I think about the many opportunities that God has put in front of me, how many have I missed it because I didn’t get out of the boat? How many times has Jesus said to me, “come”, but my faith wasn’t strong enough and I missed the amazing opportunity to see his miraculous work? It has really made me ponder the opportunities that God has in front of me now. If I want to walk on the water as Peter did, I have to get out of the boat! Peter was the only disciple to act on his faith and experience this astonishing demonstration of God’s power. I don’t want to miss it, do you?

You know, the story doesn’t end there. Peter began his walk toward Jesus but then something happened. A distraction. The waves picked up and where did his attention go? That’s right, straight to his fear. He took his eyes off of Jesus and diverted his attention to the waves and he began to sink. We can read this of Peter and say, “Why did you do that, Jesus was right there?” but how many times do we do the same thing? Peter immediately cried out to Jesus to save him and Jesus reached down his loving hand and caught him. What a reminder to me that no matter what trouble comes my way, don’t take my eyes off of him! Peter had the faith to walk on water to Jesus, but he allowed a distraction to make his faith falter and began to fall. But in his distress, he remembers that Jesus is the only One that can help. There are many things in this story that sound like my life. No, I wasn’t walking on water, but I have acted on my faith only to let a distraction interrupt and cause me to fall. But you see, it is during the fall, that I cry out to my Jesus because I know the greatness of his love for me and he will reach down his mighty hand and lift me up! Hallelujah!

What a moving story of faith and power! I know I don’t want to be stuck in the boat. I want to have the kind of faith that makes me jump out of the boat toward my Jesus no matter what is brewing around me. I want my focus solely on him because it is there where peace abounds! The presence of Christ! As I begin my week, I will look for those priceless opportunities of faith to “get out of the boat”! Jesus is my focus and I don’t want to miss one minute!

Oh, sweet Jesus, give me the astounding faith of Peter to get out of the boat! So much awaits on the other side and I want your glory to shine! In faith your glory is revealed! I pray that my eyes stay focused on you and that distractions will not get in the way. Lord, help me to remember in my weakness that you are strength. May I always cry out to you in my distress because you are the only One that can help! You are Almighty God, Redeemer, Savior, and Helper! You are the Great I AM and I am so in love with you!

Your child,

Allison

~ Coffee and the SON! ~

We were blessed to have had a very mild winter and an early spring! The weather here on the coast of NC has been absolutely amazing! After work several weeks ago, I had a ton of errands to run and not a lot of time before the kids were out of school; so, I took off on a mission. It wasn’t long before I sensed the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit to stop and spend some time in his Word (he does this quite often!). With the sun shining brightly and the gentle breeze blowing, I decided to grab a cup of coffee and spend that time sitting outside soaking in the SON! Oh, how wonderful! Refreshment for the body and the soul! I love those special times with just my Savior and me! I knew my errands were not getting done, but they would just have to wait! I had a Divine appointment with the Creator of the Universe! Now doesn’t that put things in perspective? Lol!

I had been sitting there reading and fellowshipping with the Lord for about forty-five minutes when I noticed a young mom strolling by with her little girl. The mom parked the stroller close by and her precious daughter hopped out and began drinking her special juice drink from the coffee shop and playing with her Cinderella doll. This beautiful little girl caught my attention because she was so articulate for her age. She reminded me so much of my Callie when she was little. The longer I sat there, the more burdened my heart became or this sweet girl’s mother. She just had a distant look and heavy shoulders. She tried to give her daughter attention and answer her every question, but she was struggling. I know the many burdens young mothers carry but something seemed different so I stopped and prayed for her. I continued on reading again just enjoying my special time, but I couldn’t get that young mother off my heart. I felt the Lord prompting me to go talk to her but still I sat there trying to get back into my study. Finally, after several minutes went by, I packed up my belongings and walked over and began to talk to them. I told the little girl how I loved her Cinderella doll and she began to tell me all kinds of cute 2-year-old stories. After we talked for a few minutes, I shared with this young mom that I prayed for her. She paused for a minute and then looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “thank you”. It was as if that is exactly what she needed at that moment.

Proverbs 12:25 “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

I’m so grateful that God nudged me to stop what I was doing that day. All around us are people that need encouragement and prayer. I was honored that in the midst of my long “to-do” list, he called me to stop, study his Word, and minister to those around me that need to be lifted up and encouraged. It doesn’t always mean that we have to develop relationships with each and every person, but just being there with a kind word and a prayer sometimes can be all that is needed. I want to show the love of Christ to everyone! I’ve been on the receiving end of those unexpected prayers from strangers before and what a blessing straight from heaven! My coffee break turned into an amazing time with the SON! He is truly ALL that we need!

As you begin your weekend, I pray that you stay open to those around you that need a prayer and a kind word. Blessings will abound!

I John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

For His Glory~

Allison

He Is Risen ~ He Is Risen Indeed!

So, how are you preparing the night before Easter? Are your thoughts cluttered with “what am I going to wear to church”, “do I have everything for Easter lunch with the family”, “do I have enough things in my kids Easter baskets”? I’m sure that many can say “yes” to at least one of these questions. But I have to be honest when I say that all I can think of is my Jesus! Easter outfits have not been the top of my list this year, nor has filling baskets loaded with candy for my children. My mind and heart are overflowing with the thoughts of that empty tomb! Jesus is not there! Death couldn’t defeat him and the grave couldn’t hold him! He arose just as he said and is alive and well! Praise God!

Matthew 28:1-6

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

I don’t have a long devotion tonight. I just wanted to bring your thoughts to our Risen Lord! In my life, and the lives of all believers, this is what it’s all about! Jesus paid our penalty and rose again just as he said! Tonight in preparation for Easter, I worship him in song, I worship him in prayer, I worship him with thanksgiving, and l worship him with praise! I love my Jesus and I long to bring him my very best! Dear friends, my Jesus is alive! That’s what Easter is all about! Tomorrow we get the marvelous privilege of gathering together in God’s house to celebrate our Risen Savior! I pray that you prepare your heart for this glorious occasion and come prepared to worship our Lord!

He is risen, he is risen indeed!

Celebrating our Risen Lord,

Allison

~ Good Friday ~

Today is “Good Friday”! We all look forward to this day because school is out, we are off work for the day, and it is the beginning of our 3-day weekend! But somehow today my mind isn’t about the “day off”. It’s solely about what my Jesus was going through on that Friday. I am reading through the gospels today and the account of my precious Savior’s death. His day began standing trial as crowds of people shouted, “Crucify him!” Those same people who, just a week before, welcomed him in shouting “Hosanna” are now turning their backs on him. After sustaining such a brutal beating, carried his cross up through the raging crowds and was nailed on top of Golgotha on display for all to see. Nails in his hands and feet, a crown of thorns thrust in his skull, bitter vinegar to his parched lips, his body draining of all his precious blood.

But while on that wretched cross his thoughts were of me! My sin he bore. He took my place on that cross. It should have been me hanging there, but he paid the penalty. As he spoke his last words that day on the cross. With arms outstretched, he said, “It is finished.” He paid in full my debt as he bowed his head and died. As they pierced his side with a spear the blood and water flowed signifying his earthly death for me. Because of his great sacrifice, I can approach my God and live eternally with him escaping the penalty of my sin. Hallelujah!

“Good Friday”? Indeed it is my dear friends! The day my Savior died for me and for you! As you go about your day, turn your thoughts toward Calvary. Think about what Jesus did for you that day! His blood, his sacrifice, all for your eternal life! A love like no other! His free gift to you!

In Humble Honor,

Allison

John 17:1-5

“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

~ Lord, I Want To Know You More ~

Today I woke up in pain. Not a pain from a physical issue but a deep, heartfelt pain because of a longing to know more of my Savior. Over the last few weeks, I have been so burdened over the complacency of Christians in this dark world. We don't expect the world to desire holy and righteous things of God because they don't know him but as Christians, or rather, children of the Living God, we should desire the things that bring him glory and honor. What I am burdened over is the things of the world that children of God are now seeing as okay, acceptable. God's Word is slipping as the righteous way of living and is now seen as an afterthought. My heart is grieved!

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I woke up this morning praying that God would draw me closer to him. I want to know him more, I want to be in his Word more, I want to share his Word more, I want to be a light in the dark world. This life is all about him! I am on this earth for his glory and my life is for him!

Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Dear Holy Father, my heart physically hurts in desire to know you more. The more I know you the more I long to be in your presence! You are the Light in this dark and fallen world and my desire is to be the vessel by which your light shines! Lord, I pray that I never grow indifferent to the truth that your Word speaks of and that I don't conform to the world but continually be transformed by the renewing of my mind to your truth. Help me to be bold and not sit by while the world rejects you and while many Christians now follow the path of the world. Grow me, challenge me, fill me, and use me! This life is yours, Lord, have your way!

Your daughter,

Allison