“And the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” Exodus 14:22

For decades, the dependents of Abraham, Issac and Jacob were bound in slavery in Egypt. When God brings forth their rescue, it didn’t exactly look like they expected. On their way out of town they find themselves backed up against the sea as the Egyptian army marches forth to kill them. Death by drowning, or, death by sword,

What Kind Of Miracle Is This?

God could have certainly kept the army bay. He could have softened Pharaoh’s heart, so much so that the army never even pursued them. Yet, what the Israelites couldn’t see with human eyes was the experience that God wanted them to walk through. The experience of walking through parted waters was about to demonstrate that nothing is impossible with God. How often in life do we pray, and pray again, all while grumbling and complaining when God guides our lives in unexpected ways. “What kind of rescue is this?” we ask. The answer is that we are told to walk by faith and not by sight. The Israelites could not “see” the entirety of the miracle while they were in the middle of living through it. So too, you cannot see the miracle that God has in store for you, and is leading you through at this very moment!    

Jesus said, “Why are you so fearful, o you of little faith” Matthew 8:26

I love the image of Jesus sleeping in the boat while Matthew 8:24 says that “the boat was covered with the waves”! That’s some kind of storm and yet Jesus is peacefully sleeping though it. Even after the disciples frantically wake him, His first words are, “Why are you fearful, o you of little faith.” Now notice something important. When Jesus says this the waves are still coming over the bow. Their physical circumstances have not yet changed! In the middle of the storm is when Jesus says,

“Don’t Be Afraid”

Jesus did not calm the storm before He asked them not to fear. All the disciples had to do was trust Him!  I have been in plenty of emotional storms, stress filled storms, relationships storms, and financial storms where the waves were clearly coming over the bow. So have you. In the middle of your storm Jesus is saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Simply turn to Him in faith.

Jesus said, “Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:10

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells us that “love is patient”, the very first trait in a long list of traits that describe love. Yet, if we exercise that very first trait called “patience” the rest of the “traits” such as kindness, gentleness, self control, etc… will all fall in line rather easily. Now comes the rub. If we are honest with ourselves, we humans are not patient. Patience is hard work. When Jesus says love one another, he knows what he’s asking of us. Jesus endured the cross demonstrating his love for us. So even as many would say loving everyone, even our enemies, is impossible, remember,

Amazing Things Happen When We Believe For The Impossible

Each day you have an opportunity to love your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even show some love to those who rub you the wrong way. Build a life filled with love for others and you will be amazed at the life you build.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

In the beloved 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz”, the Tin Man said, “Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable.” Indeed, life can be a series of heartbreaks, broken promises and shattered dreams.

Enter God’s Loving Grace

When we approach Jesus, He has an amazing way of wrapping his welcoming arms around us. Hope is birthed in His embrace. Paul tells us in Hebrews that we can approach His throne with confidence that mercy and grace are there waiting for us in abundance. Find the courage today to live and to love again, safely resting in your Savior’s arms.

“God said to Gideon, “You have too many men.” Judges 7:2

Gideon’s story in the Bible’s book of Judges is worth paying attention to. Gideon had an army, 32,000 strong, ready to go up against the mighty army of Midian. Surprisingly, God tells Gideon “you have to many men”, it’s time to downsize. Over the following few verses God whittles Gideon’s army to a scant 300 men before He finally says, “that’s all you need”. What God was really saying to Gideon was,

I Am All You Need

With God you can take on the world. Numbers, be it in people or in a bank account, are no match for God. Romans 8:31 says it best. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” He is all you need.

“My God will supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19

My life starts and ends with prayer. Every day I pray, “Lord, whatever you have for me today I am grateful.” In other words, I’m praying, “Thy will be done”. I’m continually amazed at how God answers that prayer. With human eyes, some days may seem insignificant compared to others, but

Each Day Is Orchestrated By God.

How do I know this? I know this because I surrendered the day to him and trusted that He would make of it just what He wanted. You don’t have to wake each day needing all the answers. You just need to be ready when God says Go.

Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Jesus came that we would have life and have it more abundantly. The key is not to put artificial limits on everything that this statement can mean. Of course it means eternal life with Him, but we also have an amazing purpose to fulfill here and now.

If You Are Breathing, You Have A Purpose!

God does not waste anything so if you are breathing there is a purpose for your life. If you are not exactly sure what that is, God is only a prayer away from the answer. Talk with Him.

Jesus said, “…Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

According to the American Psychological Association, stress is directly linked to six of the leading causes of death. I’m not sure that’s really news to anyone. Intuitively we all know that stress is hard on our bodies and our minds.

We All Long For Peace

This is where Jesus enters the picture and says “learn from me”. He alone provides the perfect prescription for stress. Jesus said in Matthew 6, “Do not worry about your life…if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” The point being, we stress and worry about far too much in life when the answer to our needs starts and ends with our prayer time spent with Jesus.

God said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Sometimes, life slaps you in the face right out of the blue. Something you did not foresee or expect comes along and your world seems to be turned upside down. In these moments a mix of anger, fear, depression, and anxiety instantly flood your mind. The only words you can find to say are “Why?” I’ve been there, more than once, and each time,

The Only Way Out Is Up!

Of all the things I’ve learned about God in my lifetime, one of the most valuable is His patience and understanding with me. When I’m angry or depressed over a situation, and I just don’t understand why the load has just been dumped on me, I’m tempted to lash out in anger at God. Yet, in those moments, with the patience of a loving father, as I surrender my situation and emotions to Him, Jesus brings a “peace that passes understanding” (John 14:27). Because I have put my trust in Him, and pray every day that His will be done in my life, the junk of life never seems to bury me. For in those moments, I remember that His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than my thoughts. Then, once again, I trust that He will work things out, even when I have no clue how that’s possible. For “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)