July 28

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

 ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”


"It is I".  These three words are the summation of the Christian life.

Salvation- "It is I."
Peace- "It is I."
Comfort- "It is I."
Guidance- "It is I."
Purpose- "It is I."
Protection- "It is I."
Strength- "It is I."

Jesus is the "I" who makes provides access to an eternity with God the Father, created the conditions necessary for the sending of the Holy Spirit and allows for forgiveness of all sin.  "It is I, " states Jesus Christ.

Yet the world refuses to accept Him.   The world's list would look similar to:
Salvation- "It is being good."
Peace- "It is finding one's center and healing the chakra."
Comfort- "It is in the arms of a coworker when my spouse thinks I am working late."
Guidance- "It is Tony Robbins or Oprah."
Purpose- "Amass as much wealth as possible."
Protection- "My 401K."
Strength- "Gotta' find it within."

How empty and ultimately useless are all the items on the world's list.  Only the "I Am" can fulfill our needs and only those things done for Him have any true significance.

Three little words, "It is I"--- full of eternal ramifications.

July 26

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

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.

The action heats up as we move to the next verses in Matthew 14.  In Sunday School recently, the teacher said that God only performs miracles that are within the boundaries of natural laws.  He was referring to the end of time plagues.  I didn't want to disagree with him, but I have always been taught that a miracle was an act of God that was outside the boundaries of nature with no scientific explanation.  

IMO, verse 25 is a miracle that is outside of the boundaries of natural law, but in verse 32 we find Jesus performing a miracle that has a scientific explanation.  What makes a "miracle" a miracle?  Thoughts? 

Although the scripture doesn't give a time reference for how long the disciples were in the storm, I have a feeling it was quite some time.  They most likely boarded the boat before dark, and Jesus approaches them "shortly before dawn".   God's rescue from problems is not always quick, but it is timely.  If Christ had approached them too soon, perhaps the relief would not have been a great.  If too late, the boat may have capsized.  God's timing is perfect, but when we are in the middle of a storm, it is easy to demand immediate relief.  

Adversity creates strength in Christians if we allow it to, and God knows exactly when we need Him to calm the storm.  Faith allows us to wait on His perfect timing.  Easy to write, hard to put into practice.

July 23

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

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.”


I find verse 25 interesting for a couple of reasons.


I wonder if any of the disciples blamed Jesus for their predicament?  Do we ever blame God for situations in which we find ourselves?  Do we get angry at God for not fixing things immediately and in the manner of which we approve?   


It is also interesting to note that the disciples are not calling out to Jesus for rescue.  Verse 25 states, "Jesus went out to them. . ."  As I look back over my life, I can see many times where Jesus saved me from capsizing when calling on Him for help was the furthest thing from my mind.  Would Jesus have responded earlier if the disciples had called on Him?  Or was the time for His rescue set and would not have been hastened by earnest prayers?  Do our prayers change circumstances or just our reaction to those circumstances?


Hmmm. . .  

July 20

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

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.

The above passage follows Jesus feeding the 5K with just a few loaves and fishes.  Once again Jesus withdraws from his disciples to spend time alone with the Father.  It is interesting that before he withdraws he sends the disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  

Interesting for two reasons:

1.  Even though Jesus was God incarnate, the leader of the 12, the undisputed head of the group, the CEO of Disciples, Inc., he was the last one to depart from the event.  Jesus didn't leave his subordinates to wrap things up.  He stuck around until blankets were folded, food left overs were packed up and sandals were tied back on for the return trip to town.  What a wonderful example of servant leadership.  Knowing his disciples were tired and worn down, he let them take off while he stuck around to the end.  

2.  However, it is just as interesting to note that by sending the 12 on ahead, he caused them to get caught up in a storm.  How much omniscience did Jesus have during his time on earth?  Did he know the disciples' boat would be "buffeted by waves"?  Did he say, "Uh-oh." or "Just what I had planned."?  Personally I think he knew the storm was on its way, but also knew God would be glorified and an important lesson taught to the disciples (and untold generations in the future) through the event.  

God does allow storms into our lives to test, strengthen and, perhaps, redirect us.    Does God just allow, or does He create, personal storms for His children?  Are our storms just a natural occurrence when He removes His protective hand, or are some them created by Him?  Thoughts?  

I guess that doesn't really matter.  What does matter is how we choose to handle our storms.  We will take a look in the next couple of days at how the disciples handled their storm.

July 19

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

In chapter 14, we see Jesus feeding over 5000 people with a miraculous expansion of a few loaves and fishes.  Two thoughts arise  in my mind concerning this miracle.

First, God is in the business of provision and protection for ALL people, not just those who are Christians.  I would venture to say many of the 5000+ were not Jesus seekers or even good Jews.  Most likely a many of the individuals in the crowd were just looky-loos jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad.  BUT, Jesus still met their basic physical need of food.  

Second, a reminder that whatever we give to God will not only benefit us (whomever had the original loaves and fishes got to eat), but will also benefit untold others.  Giving to God did not by any means diminish the gift.  Look at how God multiplied the gift!

The caution here is to guard against giving just so the gift will be multiplied.  Giving to God should be done out of love and obedience with  joyful heart. 

Question for further thought-  What examples are there where Jesus performed a direct miracle for a person who was not seeking Him?

July 18

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14

I am not sure if all the events in chapter 14 happened in one day, but it appears so.

1.   Jesus learns his cousin has been beheaded.

2.  Jesus seeks solitude to commune with his Father.

3.  Crowds descend on Jesus for miracles.

4.  Jesus teaches, heals and ministers to the substantial crowd.

5.  Dinner time approaches and few in the crowd thought to bring food.

6.  Once again,  the a request is made of Jesus to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem because people had failed to plan ahead or make wise decisions.  "Bail us out, Jesus."

7.  As he did then, and as he always will for his sheep, Jesus comes to the rescue.

As I was typing this, #6 jumped out at me.  The scripture is replete with instances where God's children are placed in situations of  trials and persecution through no mistakes of their own.  In fact, I believe that there are times where a particular challenge is actually a badge of Christian honor.  God will not allow any temptation or difficulty in our lives unless He is sure we have the ability to be victorious in that situation.

HOWEVER, most of my difficult times have been due to my lack of planning and wise decision making.  Much like the crowds in Matthew 14, I run after the latest craze or whim.  Would Christ have had to bail out the hungry crowd if more of them had planned ahead? The lesson for me here is to slow down, think things through and, consequently, my "bail me out" prayers will be fewer and fewer.  

Yet it is comforting to know that in those times when I am the foodless crowd member, Jesus will still come to the rescue with loaves and fishes.

July 13- NDS- Stormy Places

Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

"Stormy Places" Matthew 14:22-33

As I mentioned in my previous posting, there were two of Jesus' traits in the verses preceding the stormy sea episode, I wanted to focus on.


The first was to withdraw from all distractions on a regular basis to spend intentional, uninterrupted, significant time blocks with God.  No dog, phone, spouse or wi-fi.  Just God and an expectant soul.


Moving on to Matthew 14:14, Jesus once again demonstrates an extraordinary act.  


Let's review- Jesus has just learned that his cousin and baptizer, John the Baptist, was beheaded.  Jesus has withdrawn to a solitary place to grieve, pray and commune with his Father.    When Jesus lands on shore following this time of solitude- BOOM!- there are the multitudes.  Taking.  Wanting.  Needing.  Demanding.


Imagine how most of us would react in this situation.  A best friend and cousin has just been brutally murdered.  You know who did it.  You have to power to avenge his death, but have orders to let it ride.  Then immediately after a short time of grieving, swarms of people descend on your just for what you can do for them.  They are few, if any, sincere words of sympathy.  No casseroles proffered.  Not one offer of "what can I do for you" in the bunch.  Just gimme', gimme', gimme'.


What did Jesus do?  "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (14:4)  Incredible.  No down time for the Savior.  How many times have I been too busy or preoccupied with my own life to offer compassion to another?  How often have I allowed my worries about school, family, etc. to cause me to overlook or intentionally ignore the needs of another?  If Christ is truly our role model, I had better reevaluate how I choose to respond in future situations.


There is also a great encouragement in verse 4.  Just like Christ had time for the needs of the crowds 2000 years ago, He still has time for me today.  He is never too busy.  Never too overwhelmed with the world.  Never too preoccupied with life in Heaven.  I can go to Him whenever and about whatever, and His response is the same today as it was then.  He will have compassion on me and heal me.  


I would never attempt to rank God's qualities in order of importance.  What a fool's errand that would be.  But for me one of the most reassuring qualities is His immutability.  He is the same today as He was in eternity past and will be in eternity future. 


What an honor to serve such an awesome God. 


D