Tuesday, January 19

"And you... who do YOU say that I am?"

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Tuesday, January 19

Posted by The 5.2 Project on Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

What are you sure of today? Think through the day before you…

What are you placing your hope in?

Is your view of God dependent on your circumstances? Or are your circumstances dependent on your God?

Do you realize… you can only “follow” one or the other. You can only place your hope in one or the other. What is your choice?

Yesterday we watched Simon and his friends witness miracles TWICE. What happened directly after that? Let’s check it out. Please read Matthew 8:18-22. Notice especially verse19. Someone declared that they wanted to follow.

But Jesus knows our hearts. He knows if we want to serve Him. Or, if we want Him to serve us.

Now, of course, Jesus had a place to sleep at night. But the location wasn’t assured. His comfort wasn’t assured. His desires and comfort zone weren’t assured. But His calling was. Of course Jesus cared about families back at home. None displayed love to family and friends like Jesus did! But Jesus knew that whether they stayed or left, circumstances would carry on. No one knew the timing. No one knew the plans. That’s exactly why people needed a Savior.

So what, as my Bible titles this portion of Scripture, is “The Cost of Following Jesus?”

Self.

And everything that comes with it.

Why are there such hard things in life? Why is the hurt so great and so real?

Self.

And everything that comes with it.

EVERYTHING that God made was [good.] And we chose sin. And self. And we still do. And then we blame God for self. And all the while, what He’s offering is salvation from … self. To something greater than all of the sin, hurt, pain, and suffering that this world has to offer. In the beginning, God created good.

In the beginning of your relationship with God, He saved you. From sin and from death. Why in the world do we doubt and question Him with our struggles today?

Look at what happened with the disciples. Don’t miss this! Read Matthew 8:23-27. Look at verse 23. The victorious Savior and worker of miracles got in the boat… and His disciples followed Him there. No questions asked. But then a storm came.

What was their hope in?

Their panic was based on the circumstances. Their hope was too. They even questioned the care and love of the God who had brought them there. Right after witnessing the God of the impossible. They didn’t acknowledge His character. They acknowledged their fear and treated God accordingly.

Yet Jesus, with the most incredible patience imaginable, saved their lives. And yet again, the circumstances bowed to His authority.

Do you?

Lets look again at this verse from yesterday: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled set your HOPE fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13

Prepare your minds… to be controlled. Take action. You don’t have the ability yet. But take action. God has the ability to lift you up. He’s done it before and He’ll do it again.

Is your taking action on the character of God a reality in your life today? Or is this: For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God or gave thanks to Him, their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

How many times will you ask the God of the universe to prove Himself to you? The disciples watched amazing miracles, then doubted instantly when tested. Did Jesus stand there watching and throw a storm at them? No. He was asleep in the boat. Yet He saved them. You don’t have to have all of the answers or be strong enough to change circumstances. Just dig your feet into what you know. Take action. Be Resolved. And the action for today: PRAISE THE LORD. TELL US WHAT YOU DO KNOW ABOUT GOD. LIST ONE THING, OR A HUNDRED THINGS. WE ARE WITNESSES OF THE REALITY OF GOD. JUST PRAISE HIM. ONLY PRAISE HIM. We’ll copy your comments to the blog as well. Will you praise Him on your face book status today? Will you tell others what you KNOW about God?!? Don’t try to solve your circumstances or predict what He’ll do with them.

Just… Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised IS faithful. Hebrews 10:23