Come - A message that challenges our faith when Jesus invites us to do something in life

"Come on, you can do it! I dare you! [Pause of hesitancy] What are you, chicken? Bawk, bawk!" goes the conversation from peer to peer as one is trying to get the other person to try something which they are apprehensive about. Maybe the person goes through with it or maybe they back down. Trouble could be on one side, whether it is trouble with authorities or risk being physically hurt.

The invitation is there but the person is reluctant, for whatever reason. Though there could be the potential of being hurt after committing to the challenge, the example fits into Jesus' invitation to Peter in Matthew 14:22-36. Peter is in the boat and Jesus is walking to him and the other disciples on the water. The disciples are frightened when they see Jesus approaching. Jesus identifies Himself. Peter asks a question.

"Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water."

Jesus responds to Peter with the invitation to walk to Him. Peter starts to climb out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. However, let's break this down a bit. Imagine the scene, the winds blowing, the waves crashing, the boat rising and falling and Peter is climbing out of the boat. We don't know how big the boat is to know how far he had to climb down to touch the water from the side. We don't know if he dipped his toe into the water to see what the temperature was like. We don't know if he took off his shoes/sandals. All those details are not known, but the scene most of us picture is probably a guy that is going over with confidence. However, did he have as much confidence as we give him?

Rather, was his confidence level much like the person in the opening illustration that is hesitant to jump? Is his confidence about as high as yours is when you are met with challenges that just seem to shake you up? Sunday we looked at the scene where Jesus walks on the water and invites Peter to do the same. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Post-Event Prayer ~ After you have had the opportunity to be involved in an event, maybe one you hosted or simply helped with, take time to pray. Pray for yourself, your guests, those who helped, those who played a part but were not present, etc. Within those prayers you can be thankful, pray for others' week, ask God to continue to open doors, ask God to refill you after you feel drained, or a number of other prayer requests. Typically, it would be a good idea to do this on your own, in a solitary place. It is good to end the day or an event with prayer, we need it!
• Jesus Shows Up Unexpectedly ~ When you think things are going a certain way, you may define them "as planned" that is likely when Jesus will be there. Similarly to the surprise the disciples received when they thought they saw a "ghost" but it was actually Jesus, we may be totally blown away by His arrival. This won't be a tangible person who will simply "drop in" on your life, rather it may be an opportunity for you to share something of yourself with others and/or the situation. Don't let it frighten you, revel in it!
• Come... ~ When Jesus shows up and you have the opportunity to respond, you will have to make the choice. Jesus will ask you to respond. Be ready for it and "come on" so that you can meet up with Him and enjoy the time together as you expand the Kingdom together!
• Get Out of the Boat ~ A book which was released a few years ago was titled "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Got to Get Out of the Boat." I have not read it but I have always liked the title. The title alone is challenging to me to think about how we must be willing to get out of the boat to do what we're asked/invited to do. My question is..."What is your boat?" What is is going on in your life that you are struggling to have the courage to climb over in order to put your foot into shaky ground? Is it something you are procrastinating about, simply fearful, relationship issues, bullies, your weight, etc.? In order to help any of these, we must quit hiding in our boat and climb out so that you can "walk on water."

I believe that we are met daily with at least one opportunity to get out of a "boat." We have the opportunity to respond in faith to something that is set before us. It may only take opening our mouth to climb out of the figurative boat. It may take picking up the phone or writing a letter. It may take walking across the street. There are all kinds of ways which we can look for to get out of our boat.

Now it's your turn...what "boat" are you riding in which you need to get out of?

Failure: A Barrier

My son is in a stage where he is a bit fearful at night. This is not a new stage, for probably over a year, we've been praying for him being scared, before I leave him for the night. I don't think he is really scared, but we pray nonetheless. The thing is, if we do not pray, he will struggle going to sleep because he is a bit hard-headed and wants me to pray for him.

He has some other fears (that may not be the best word for it) like not wanting to touch a root of a plant I recently dug up because it was dirty. He has no issues with dirt or getting dirty, just this kind of a thing he's not comfortable with touching. I think we are all like this to one point or another.

Some of our fears are not even tangible, like the root is. Some of it is a mental fear that is built up so high that we cannot see past it. They are "mirage fears." In other words, there is really nothing there that would prevent us from doing what we need to do, just our own created fear. This thought brings us to this week's quote...

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have. ~ Louis E. Boone

Failure will keep us from doing and trying a lot of things. Maybe it is jumping down from a height that seems impossible, but in reality it is possible. That height could be in a pool or a tree branch. Maybe it is not even tangible, like jumping into a different career or moving. We fear what people will say or how our kids will adjust, but in reality, we are just inhibiting ourself.

What are you fearful of that you are building up, when in reality it is nothing? You never know what may happen if you do not try. Your "could have's," "might have's," or "should have's" may get the best of you if you do not try!

Look at the reality and try something new!

Now it's your turn...what failure have you been fearful of? Have you been able to overcome it? If so, how?

Biggest Loser: Losing Fear

It's lurking around, keeping you down more than gravity.  A g-force pushing you down that is ever-so-present.  It is fear.  It lurks even in the daylight.  It doesn't have to jump out to scare you anymore, you're already past that point.  You know it is there.  It has encompassed you to the point that you think about it once a day.  What is it for you?  Would you like to be free of that fear?  Would you like to be fear less?

To talk about the possible fears that so many people have would be a writing that would be way too long.  All fears have similarities. They consume.  They errode common sense thinking.  They cause us to tread lightly.  They can be like when you're waiting to cover your ears when a cannon goes off at a game, you don't know when it happens and you try to prepare yourself for that time.

Jesus' followers also were afraid, as we looked at yesterday, when the storm came up while they were on the water.  They panically exclaimed "Lord save us!".  Similarly, in a loud voice, since it was in the midst of the storm, Jesus replied, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?!"  In the midst of your storms, times of panic, or times of desperation Jesus is calling out to you the same thing.  As we reflect back, here are some applications to choose to use this week...

1. Make a list ~  It is difficult to acknowledge our fears, sometimes.  Writing them down may make it easier to visualize.  Which may make it easier to confront and overcome.
2. Thunder roars while Jesus snores ~ Imagine trying to sleep on a hammock while someone was tossing it back and forth?  I don't know if the storm was that rough, but Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of it.  I find value in the fact that He was able to sleep, which should bring peace to me in my storms that I can "sleep" too.
3. You're not just a "number" ~ We are so valuable to God that He knows the numbers of hairs on our head and our worth is greater than the sparrow (Matthew 10:31).  God finds so much value in you that it "isn't even funny"...afterall, He gave up His son for you.
4. Ever-Present ~ Jesus is always available. He is on call "24/7".  So, "do not let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1-3) and take advantage of that availability whenever you feel fear weighing you down.

Imagine if mankind lost the poundage of fear?  It would transform a whole nation of people, a whole world for that matter. If you are "overweight" with fear, start walking, towards Him and see the pounds fall off.  Like actual weight-loss, it's easier said than done.  However, the first step to success is taking the first step.

PS: A good book is called "Fearless" by Max Lucado, it recently came out.  Click here to read my review.





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The Cave You Most Fear

Darkness is not something most of us are attracted to, nor are we comfortable around it. You turn out the lights on the outside of your house at night and it will appear unwelcoming. You turn the lights out at night on the inside of your house and you will probably become uncomfortable. We like the light. It is attractive and comfortable.

Going into a cave means stepping into darkness. Stepping in to darkness goes back to the previous paragraph, we become uncomfortable. In life we tend to be very wary of the caves that we come upon. Some caves may be more lit than others, causing us to be more comfortable in them than others. That brings us to this week's quote...

The cave you most fear to enter contains the greatest treasure. ~ Joseph Campbell

A movie came out several years ago, called "The Goonies". One of my all-time favorites. I enjoy the practice of going in search of something mysterious. During the movie they encounter a cave to go into. They were hesitant, but knew the enemy was on their heels. The pursue the cave and they find treasure, tons of treasure, at the end of the cave.

My spiritual life is one of mystery. I have no idea what is going to happen next. Who's going to call, text, send an e-mail, or even just cross my path that God won't use me mightily in that situation. I look forward to it, every day! I hope you will learn to do so, too.

As you go through life and encounter different caves, don't be afraid to go into the most dark cave out there, cause it just might surprise you and have the greatest treasure in it than all the others.

"Fearless" by Max Lucado - Book Review

What do you fear? I am sure it is something...the dark, the unknown, your job security, being buried alive, urban legends, family's well-being, heights, certain bugs/animals, or something totally different.

Fear is practically instilled into us. And we learn other fears along the way. Media has a way of making our fears seem bigger than they should be. Max has come up with a great, current book that challenges us not to be fearful, but Fearless.

Throughout the book, each chapter is filled with a certain area that is something that someone fears. If you are like me, you will find more than one chapter that you find a fear of yours couched in.

Max does a great job of making the idea of fear, and overcoming it, come alive by pointing practical aspects of scriptures. This makes the scriptures be real for people, which helps to apply them.

I was really enjoying the book until I arrived at the chapter about fearing "global calamity". He used Matthew 24 as much of his text for the basis of his teaching. From my study, which many will have differing opinions, I do not see Jesus teaching the "end of times" from this chapter, but rather a "destruction of Jerusalem" warning. I don't point to say that I'm right and he's wrong, but based on my study, I didn't see it as a parallel. However the fact that we do not need to worry about the end is true.

He concludes by reminding us that when we have a faith in Christ and God, we can be Fearless.

There is an "additional chapter" which I would challenge all readers to not skip, as it is inspiring also.

Enjoy Fearless, it was some good food for my soul!

A New Found...Fear - Acts 2:43

The summer I turned 16 I had a new driver's dream job. Maybe dream might be a bit extreme, but I was so excited about the opportunity to get to detail and drive brand new cars by working at a car dealership. Each time I sat in the driver's seat of the cars, whether they were new or used, I was a bit nervous. Partly because I had not been driving too long and the other part was because the cars were not mine. I had a sense of fear of damaging them, but yet I was excited to drive these new cars. For a bit of trivia, the Chevrolet Beretta had come out that year - if you want to know my approximate age.

That feeling of fear mixed with excitement is what I think might have been in the minds of the early church as they began their life as "Christ's Church". Below are some applications to choose from to apply from our lesson yesterday as we continued with our look at the early church...

1. We tend to like to tell others when we have bought something new. It is really easy to share about the item. Is your life in Christ new? If so, it should be easy to share. If you're like me, it has been a few years since you "put on Christ", however the sheer impact that it has made on your life should be never fading. Rekindle your memories of the past when you "put on Christ" and stoke the embers to create a flame to cause you to want to share with others.
   
2. One thing that creates a sense of "old" is routine. Our churches are full of routine and tradition. It can be good but it can also be bad. If you are a church leader, specifically, try to bring about something in your assembly (be it each week or once a month) that is a bit out of the ordinary. Something with an edifying goal, but that would be a break in the routine. I doubt the early church had a routine.
   
3. If you are not as involved as you could be, is it as a result of fear? Allow that fear to fuel you instead of fizzling you. Allow it to be a mission that you decide to take on - which is not impossible. Go ahead and try it out...you may like it. Join a group, talk to that person, share Jesus, use your talents, etc.
   

The early church had a lot for us to look at and learn from. If you are involved with a church, examine what they experienced to stoke the fire in your congregation. If you are not involved with a church, the early church was nothing like what we find in most groups on Sunday mornings across America. This was an excited, yet fearful, group of people who just wanted to get together to worship God, the Father of Jesus, whom they recently put on the cross. They were community changers - and God added to their number daily (Acts 2:47).

Have an excitedly scared week!

Approaching things with nervousness...

Discovering a Surprise

In the school I went to the most, we had an indoor pool. It was an Olympic sized pool. This may not seem like much, but I lived in a town of about 3,000 people, and this was in 1982. Though I enjoyed being in a pool, I didn't really know how to swim. I was very scared and nervous when our PE class had swimming each quarter. However, through my time there, I not only became very comfortable with the water, I became a much more skilled swimmer. I would sometimes surprise myself with being able to make it to a different level or learn a different stroke. Life can often be a lot like my experiences of learning to swim...

One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. ~ Henry Ford

Trying a new skill is not comfortable to most. You may feel like you are going to make a fool of yourself or afraid of hurting yourself. I've had lots of these types of learning situations - riding a bicycle, learning to snow ski, learning to do a forward flip, etc. All entailed many times of failure before you figure out the skill. Even after learning the skill, there are still moments of failing, but it doesn't stop one from going at it again. Also, once you learn the skills, it is very enjoyable to practice them, again and again.

The same goes with sharing Jesus. You are nervous because it is not something that you are accustomed to doing. You may also have a "one method" mindset that shackles your thinking from realizing you can share Jesus in any way that is natural to you. Regardless of what fear prevents you from sharing Him daily, may you be empowered to overcome that fear. Knowing that once you figure out what is natural to you, you will look forward to the next opportunity. Even if you "fail", you have learned the skill enough to know how enjoyable it is to keep trying!

So, say "Hi", ask "How's your day going?", tell someone, "I'm praying for you", ask "Are you afraid?", just listen, leave a good tip, pay someone a compliment, or any number of things that are natural to you that allows you to have an open door to share Jesus.

Looking forward to the next opportunity to use my skills...

Danger Ahead - Putting Them Behind

Do you think there is anyone in this world that could honestly say they are not afraid of anything? Common areas of fear are heights, public speaking, spiders, snakes, and drowning. What are you afraid of? I am a bit fearful of heights and any kind of death that involves suffering. However, as long as I'm afraid, the danger will always be there..

In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it. ~ George Bernard Shaw

The basic way of overcoming fear is to face your fears. So, as long as you do not do anything to conquer your fear, there will always be a danger looming in the midst. When it comes to being active in sharing our faith, we all have a certain amount of fears too. What fear(s) in this area do you have? The danger will always be there as long as you are afraid of it. Our challenge is to find ways that we are sharing Jesus and that comes so natural to us, that there is no longer any fear involved. When you do not have fear - you will go about it like crazy.

Think of it like riding a bike or swimming. Each ability had a sense of danger that came with it, but if/when you mastered it, you can be "crazy" with the talent. You may learn to do tricks on a bike (my best was riding without hands for several yards). You may learn how to do all kinds of specialty dives or hold your breath for long periods of time, with swimming (I never did anything more than a front flip).

Once you learn to look at opportunities in life as a chance to share instead of fear, you will go "crazy" with looking forward to each encounter. Don't be afraid, that involves danger, with sharing Jesus, there should not be any danger, just salvation!

Removing danger ~

E-mail Encouragement: Becoming a Prophet

Some may define it as a pessimist, where others, a realist. Either way, unfortunately, I tend to look at some things in such a way as to not get my balloon popped. I am thankful that my wife is an optimist and can keep me from being a rut when it comes to goal setting.

With that being said, this week’s quote hit home with me…

If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of becoming a prophet. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer

Recently, I gave a group of people an article that starts off with the sentence “Fear kills vision!” When it comes to doing things for God, if we have fear about it, then we will stop looking for the possibilities it will bring if we do it. If there was someone you were wanting to share Jesus with, but you kept saying negative things about trying – you wouldn’t have the vision to see past your fears. It would also make you a pretty good prophet – because you would talk yourself out of trying.

Who will be in your path today that you can share Jesus with (in whatever way)? The answer for most is “I don’t know.” The response, then, is to pay attention to everyone you come in contact with – they may be the one you were meant to share with that day. But, if you say bad things about sharing with someone, then you will most likely, and unfortunately, become a prophet!

Especially in this case, don’t become a prophet by saying negative things about the opportunities God gives to share about Jesus! Instead, say positive things about those opportunities, and become a prophet that way!

May God richly bless the end of your week!!!

Looking forward to today’s open doors ~

E-mail Encouragement: Fear Not

I hope you have had a great week, so far! You are over halfway through the week, but there is still a good amount of "God-work" able to be done. I am not referring to a "duty" that you must perform in order to be a "good Christian" but rather to be able to team up with God and see what happens.

This quote has been gnawing at me for a while...so today is the day I am sending it...

"Fear does not have any special power unless you empower it by submitting to it." Les Brown

What do you have to fear when it comes to the Kingdom? Is it lack of knowledge? Is it failure? Is it not knowing where to start? What is it? Whatever your fears are, may you give them to God and allow Him to suppress them.

On Monday I wrote about some of the things that happened to me on Sunday that were "surprises". Someone responded with "aren't you going to tell us what they are?" After last night and asking a question about God working in your life lately, and getting no response I sat amazed that no one had an experience to share. I am not saying that because I wanted someone to talk just to talk, but to think that "I must have been the lucky one" that got to experience that this week.

I have had a "blown away" week!!! Why? I don't know, maybe it is because I changed a word or two in my prayers, which changed a thought pattern in my life to cause me to see things differently. The following things are not to brag about my week, just to share and to let you in on a little of my "God-work" week. Sunday, I had the privilege of seeing some students from the HS that I wouldn't have expected to see at the Graduation - it allowed me to get to know him outside of the school setting. Then, later on, someone shared something that revealed that their heart was "getting it" (the "it" being an important concept to better their life). I thought, "Go God!" Monday, after writing about Sunday, I was in my office when a gentleman who played in the Ping Pong League stopped by. We had talked about "coming to church" throughout the season. As we sat and talked and talked, we ended up having an impromptu formal evangelistic study. Chalk another one up for God! Tuesday, I received a "thank you" card from another one of the Ping Pong League participants - I was thrown aback. I didn't expect to get formally thanked from organizing the Ping Pong League. I thanked God for the note, him, and allowing the Ping Pong League to be impacting.

So, I don't know if my week has been like that because I prayed a certain way, thought a certain way, and/or looked at things a certain way, but I have had a good week! I hope that the rest of your "God-work" week can be filled with great things!

Don't forget, the National Day of Prayer service is today at the Courthouse lawn (weather permitting - otherwise at the United Methodist Church). See you all there around noon!

Seeking Him ~
Jarrod