"LORD, SAVE ME!"

Matthew 14:22-33                           (ESV)

"22 Immediately HE made the disciples get into the boat and go before HIM to the other side, while HE dismissed the crowds.

23 And after HE had dismissed the crowds, HE went up on the mountain by HIMSELF to pray. When evening came, HE was there alone,

24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night HE came to them, walking on the sea.

26 But when the disciples saw HIM walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.

27 But immediately JESUS spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

28 And Peter answered him, "LORD, if it is YOU, command me to come to YOU on the water."

29 HE said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to JESUS.

30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "LORD, SAVE ME."

31 JESUS immediately reached out HIS hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly YOU are the SON of GOD." 

It seems it is easier to trust in someone or something when it doesn't cost you anything.  The disciples has just witnessed JESUS feeding 5,000 men, not counting women and children, with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish, a young boys lunch.  JESUS had met the need of all of those people only hours before, but now the need was more personal and immediate!

The disciples saw JESUS walking on water and they were just a bit frightful!  Peter, in his usual self, wanted to walk on water with JESUS.  When JESUS told Peter "Come" he must have jumped at the opportunity to exhibit his faith.  Onto the water Peter went and began making his way to JESUS.  "But when he saw the wind", when he took his eyes off of JESUS, everything changed!  When Peter kept his eyes on JESUS everything was fine.  The wind was still blowing and the sea was still tossed, but everything was fine as long as Peter's eyes were on JESUS!  

Peter wanted to be the brave warrior, but FEAR was preventing that!  "LORD, SAVE ME" was all that Peter could cry as he began to sink.  But JESUS came to his rescue!   HE reached out HIS hand and took hold of Peter.  How comforting that must have felt, that JESUS, the Son of GOD, was keeping you from sinking in the troubled waters.  Why did Peter take his eyes off of JESUS?  GOD has a Plan and HE got glory from Peter's lack of faith!

For Peter's lack of faith to be exposed to the rest of the disciples must have been humiliating?  To have to cry "LORD, SAVE ME" for everyone to hear must have shown a dependence and reliance on JESUS that was unheard of?  My prayer is that I will be just as dependent and reliant on JESUS in my life as Peter was that night!  May I ever say, whether I am before danger or safe and secure, "LORD, SAVE ME!"

"BUT JESUS SAID!"

Matthew 14:13-21                           (ESV)

"13 Now when JESUS heard this, HE withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by HIMSELF. But when the crowds heard it, they followed HIM on foot from the towns.

14 When HE went ashore HE saw a great crowd, and HE had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to HIM and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves."

16 "BUT JESUS SAID", "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."

17 They said to HIM, "We have only five loaves here and two fish."

18 And HE said, "Bring them here to ME."

19 Then HE ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, HE looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then HE broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children."

JESUS had a way of performing miraculous deeds with seemingly no fanfare.  HE always seemed to nonchalant the miraculous, but keep in mind HE was there "in the beginning" (John 1:1) when the world was simply SPOKEN into existence!  According to scripture GOD simple "spoke" and it came to be, HE commanded and it stood firm (Psalms 33:9)!  HIS eyes saw from a Heavenly perspective while human eyes see from an earthly perspective.

The disciples eyesight only saw "a desolate place" (v. 15) with no hope of feeding the estimated 5,000 men, not counting the women and children (v. 21)!  But JESUS' Heavenly eyesight said "Bring them here to ME"!  Scripture doesn't record anything about the masses crying out in hunger.  There wasn't a big ceremony to celebrate to feeding of the multitudes.  As a matter of fact, when the meal was over JESUS "dismissed" the crowds and "went up on the mountain by HIMSELF to pray (Matthew 14:23)!  Spending time with THE FATHER was something JESUS valued, apparently much more than I do!

The fact that JESUS fed the masses was a miraculous feat!  The fact that HE "healed their sick" (v. 14) added to HIS mystique.  Later on in Matthew 14 JESUS would walk across water to HIS disciples during a storm and tell them "do not be afraid"!  JESUS wasn't limited by what other humans are limited to.  JESUS was/is GOD in the flesh and HE had "compassion" on everyone present, believers and unbelievers!  HIS miracles were not just for "church folks" but for ALL who were hungry.  HE didn't instruct HIS disciples to only feed the righteous, but to "give THEM something to eat"!  

JESUS fed 5,000 men, plus women and children, with the contents of what John 6:9 describes as the lunch sack of a boy.  HE was not limited by a seemingly insurmountable task!  When we are faced with a difficult situation what is our first response?  Do we try to solve the problem on our own by sending the crowds "into the villages"?  "BUT JESUS SAID" can solve many problems we face in our lives!  When we face "the impossible" we need to remember "BUT JESUS SAID" in Matthew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible." 

"A FEW THOUGHTS!!"

A few observations from quiet time this morning!

If the enemy can DECEIVE us into believing anything other than worshipping GOD JEHOVAH as our chief objective in life, he has us on a course of not elevating GOD to HIS rightful and appropriate THRONE!

If we focus on anything other than HOW GOOD GOD IS to us, we are either minimizing GOD or overemphasizing the things we SEE as problems.

"NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD!"

Romans 13:1-2                   (ESV)

"1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is "NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD", and those that exist have been instituted by GOD.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what GOD has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."

A comedian in the mid-1970's made famous the phrase "the devil made me do it".  It is possible the comedian wanted people to have an excuse for bad choices they were making.  It seems modern-day governments across the earth are becoming increasingly secular and thinking less about GOD and HIS principles.  How can GOD continue to allow "leaders" that have little or no thought about HIM in their decisions?  I am convinced that GOD has a Plan!

To discover GOD's Plan for our lives the most reliable source is to study HIS WORD.  John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD."  When will we finally have revealed to us that the Spirit of the Living GOD is magnified when believers in HIM study and follow HIS WORD?  When will we understand that GOD desires to reveal HIMSELF in magnanimous proportions, but we have to desire "see" HIM more than anything?  And yet, we have HIS WORD put "under a bushel" because we either think we don't have time to honor HIM, or we are too ashamed to be associated with HIM?

It is no wonder that GOD has allowed mankind to "wander in the wilderness" with no direction or purpose in our destiny.  If mankind has no better sense than to choose leaders who make decisions based upon their own wisdom, then we will "reap what we sow"!  When we CHOOSE a path free from GOD and HIS direction, we are left with the products our own vision and wisdom.  That faulty, man-made "wisdom", has been exhibited since Adam and Eve to be lacking and unfulfilling.  When will we understand that WISDOM from GOD is the only thing that will satisfy?

Sometimes GOD has to allow us to "wander in the wilderness" until we are willing to turn back to HIM.  HE has allowed, and will allow, unscrupulous leaders to lead even HIS elect if HIS elect  refuse to look to, and trust in, HIM!  Those unscrupulous leaders should realize that there is "NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD" and that HE can require MUCH from them (Matthew 20:20-28)!   GOD "will be" glorified!  Ask King Pharaoh!  The children of Israel were in captivity for over 400 years as "NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD" was given to Egypt!  But when GOD decided to GET GLORY OVER PHARAOH AND ALL HIS HOST (Exodus 14:4), it wasn't "the devil that made them do it"!  .................

"THE WORD OF OUR GOD!"

Isaiah 40:7-8                   (ESV)

"7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. 

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but "THE WORD OF OUR GOD" will stand forever."

The was an article recently in the local newspaper asking if a certain politician was too "reasonable" for his chosen political party "these days"?  The question caused me to consider, the certain politician will either have to be inline with "this world" and its increasingly sinful attributes, or the politician will be considered "out-of-touch" with mainstream voters!  Tolerance of anything other than the things of "this worlds" point of view will result in someone being considered a radical or "nut job"!!

"THE WORD OF OUR GOD" is not something that adjusts with mankind's whims though.   In Haggai 1:7 scripture records "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider "YOUR" ways".  The Bible doesn't say that GOD changes HIS ways because mankind becomes more and more selfish and evil!  Our GOD wouldn't be much of a god if he changed his standards with every generations level of obedience!  What society approves of and what GOD approves of SHOULD  be closely aligned.  

Whether a politician, or any other part of humanity, agrees with, or even condones, our behavior is not what we should be concerned with.  "THE WORD OF OUR GOD" will stand forever and The HOLY BIBLE should be our measuring stick!  Humility would not be a problem if we were measuring ourselves against The Creator!  The problem may be that modern day man doesn't SLOW DOWN long enough to recognize and appreciate WHO is the "giver and sustainer" of life.  

HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to seek YOUR face and acknowledge that without YOU in my life there is NO meaning!  Much like the grass that withers, and the flower that fades, our earthly  lives will pass like a vapor.  But "THE WORD OF OUR GOD" will stand forever!  Cause me to consider "my" ways, not others ways, and to line up with "THE WORD OF OUR GOD"!

"JESUS CHRIST as LORD!"

2 Corinthians 4:3-6                        (ESV)

"3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST, who is the image of GOD.

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but "JESUS CHRIST as LORD", with ourselves as your servants for JESUS' sake.

6 For GOD, WHO said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST."

It seems there is a "ministry" for every occasion under the sun.  Wherever a need is found, no matter the severity, a "ministry" is began to compensate the need in an effort to show how gracious and helping a people we are.  Fulfilling needs can be a calling, but those needs could be there for GOD to do a work in those peoples lives?  But how do we know the difference?  How can we make sure we are walking the the Light?

In verse four above it says "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST".  The enemy (god of this world) wants to "blind the minds" to the true needs afflicting the lives of many so they can glory in their efforts while the needs of the afflicted continue!  The enemy isn't interested in needs being remedied, only continued turmoil and strife!

The Apostle Paul understood that ALL needs were ultimately fulfilled by acknowledging "JESUS CHRIST as LORD" in our lives.  In Philippians 4:19 Paul wrote "And my GOD will supply EVERY NEED of yours according to HIS riches in glory in CHRIST JESUS"!  Realizing that physical needs are sometimes used to accentuate a Spiritual need is something that mature Believers understand.  Not every physical need is meant to be met, as the person with the need may be in the midst of a "learning experience"!  

As I began this devotional I commented there seems to be a ministry for any and everything these days!  On June 6, 2014 another "ministry" was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) entity named Psalms 46:10 Ministries, Inc.  "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" is how Psalms 46:10 begins.  Until humanity is willing to "BE STILL" and recognize that "JESUS CHRIST as LORD" is the answer we are needing, our need for light will continue!

"I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN!"

Psalms 16:7-11                     (ESV)

"7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 

8 I have set the LORD always before me; because HE is at my right hand, "I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN". 

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

With all of the turmoil and strife going on in our world today it becomes easy to lose our focus on who we are and what has been done for us!  Our attention can be battled for by evil, but the KEEPER of our soul has already won the struggle for our souls.  Although turmoil and strife can bring unstableness to our lives, the Spirit of the Living GOD calms and soothes us when the enemy brings his confusion around!

King David knew a bit about turmoil and unsettledness.  He ran from his enemies a multitude of times yet he always knew he was being watched over by his Shepherd!  As said in verse 11 above, "in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore!"  Understanding that GOD, the Creator and Sustainer of life, is STILL in control of everything in our lives, regardless of how bad things appear, is something that gives me joy! 

In verse nine of Psalms 16 King David writes "Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure".  Although we may all walk through the "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalms 23:4) we can be assured that HE is always with us!  

But in verse eight of Psalms 16 King David writes the words that give the most assurance we can hope for, "I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN"!  Even though things may appear as bleak and dismal as can be, knowing that "I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN" because HE is at my right hand brings comfort and peace unimaginable!  

Knowing that GOD is not only at my right hand, but is at the right hand of ALL who love HIM, helps put the turmoil and strife offered by the enemy in perspective!  If the Spiritual Warfare is identified for what it is, an attempt by the enemy to draw Glory from JEHOVAH by causing the turmoil and strife in the world, then the enemy is doing a good job.  The church needs to keep its eyes on JESUS know that "I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN"!