MIRACULOUS HOPE: FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.^[a] This is how it happened. ² Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),^[b] Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.  ³ Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

⁴ At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. ⁵ He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”  “No,” they replied.  ⁶ Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.  ⁷ Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

Here we find Peter and the boys, a little depressed.  Christ had been crucified, it seemed to have been over.   All the work they had done was for????????   So what did they do....return to what they knew...fishing.   Wouldn't you know it, they would have a repeat of the night they had when Christ first called them; they were tired and had caught nothing.  He accompanies them on their boat and they bring in the catch of their lives.   Now Jesus is gone....so they thought.   He calls out to them from the shore, and wouldn't you know it......they throw their nets back in and BAAAM!  Not only do they get FISH, they (John first) realizes it's Jesus that is on the shore.....then Peter (having walked on water before) realizes it's JESUS and totally forgets about the fish, but realizes again it's better to be with Christ than to be in the boat so he leaps out and runs straight to fellowship with Jesus on the shore.  

It was then and there that Christ asks Peter do you really love me......feed my sheep (lambs).  My question to you is where have you retreated to?  Have you forgotten the miracles that Christ has performed in & through your life where you absolutely can testify that it was Him and Him alone that___________________?  He's now displayed himself before you again and is asking you " DO YOU LOVE ME? If you truly do LOVE HIM, then loving people, caring for people, feeding his people should be what your focus is today, and everyday.   Not just your children, your spouse, or the easy to love ones......BUT ALL PEOPLE (especially those that are different from you, don't vote like you vote, look how you look, eat what you eat, talk how you talk, ones that don't believe what you believe, live culturally different from you........) and trust me if YOU REALLY LOVE THEM....you haven't seen A MIRACLE until you learn to love and serve GOD through loving & serving PEOPLE!   Have a Blessed WEEKEND! LGLP

MIRACULOUS HOPE: The Grander Plan

⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.  Luke 5:9-11


This was Peter, James, and John's A-HA moment.   Peter was dumbfounded......not only did they catch some fish, they caught so many that it could only point to Jesus.   Can you imagine the scene?  Everyone He just preached to on the shore, watching them all struggle to haul in all these fish, that were caught in the middle of the day, and meanwhile they are in awe of this JESUS that was in the boat when it all happened.

Christ recognized that this anomaly terrified Peter, so much so that He had to snap him out of it by telling him don't be afraid, and then redirecting his focus to say "From now on you'll be a fisher of men." And as a response it says as soon as they hit the shore....they didn't clean the fish, they didn't gather and clean their nets, they didn't go to see how much money the catch was worth, they didn't check their powerball tickets........they left EVERYTHING and followed JESUS!  Peter recognized this was about a fishing trip...but rather about the grander plan.  The true view of what is real living, the abundant life.

What about you.....have you discovered really why you WORK where you WORK?   LIVE where you LIVE?  Have you stop being concerned about how much you make, or how you feel you need to move up the "corporate ladder", or that you are frustrated by who you work with or for.....and caught on to CHRIST's grander vision for you?

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord.  "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jer. 29:11  I don't believe JESUS is asking or telling us to leave our cubicles, the assembly lines, the check out isles, the board rooms etc. to follow Him.  I do believe He is inviting us to recalibrate our vision purposes to align them to fishing for destinies and not for dollars.   You know look to honor Him, by making a difference in the lives of EVERY DIVINE appointment you will have today.  If it's only saying " I'm blessed, and how about you (actually pausing to expect a response, and minister grace if the need be.)".  It can be observing the elderly needing to load a basket into their vehicle and opting to help, or carry the shopping cart to the holder.    It can be a simple as making, baking a treat for your neighbors, your co-workers, the public service workers......FOR GOD SO LOVED the WORLD (that's right....with all the world's issues from the top down....president to peasants) HE GAVE (not His opinion, not what we REALLY deserved) HIS ONLY SON.   WHAT will you choose to GIVE TODAY?  Me.......well I plan to live in His GRANDER PLAN for my life by simply loving Him, and loving people.  Have a BLESSED DAY!  LGLP

MIRACULOUS HOPE: OBEDIENCE PAYS PT. II

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.  Luke 5:8-9

What would've happened had Peter rested on his loins and said....." I can't do it.......!  This is ridiculous, I know my field and Christ this is un-orthodox, it doesn't make since,  and I'll be embarrassed!"?  I can tell you this much....they never would've caught their biggest catch ever.  They also would've missed an opportunity to trust, obey, and grow in their faith in Christ.  Furthermore...this account doesn't happened.

But Peter did trust Christ.  He did throw his nets back out.   God did bless miraculously.  At the sight of this all......Peter realized who JESUS was (for the moment) and recognized in turn how un-worthy he was to have Christ on His boat.   Notice how Jesus didn't say, "you're right you don't deserve me."  See it's somewhat like Abram deciding to blindly follow GOD to sacrifice his ONLY LONG AWAITED SON, that when he proceeds to obey, GOD speaks, stops him, and provides a ram instead of his son, and Abraham calls Him Jehovah Jireh (God provides).  See unless you are diagnoses with __________________ how would you know HIM as a healer or a keeper?  Unless you have been without, and realized it wasn't of your volition, but rather God's move upon the hearts of others....do you know Him as a provider. Unless you've felt alone and without a mate and cling to Him, do you see Him as your spouse.

See Peter's biggest catch that day was not the fish, but it was the vision of WHO CHRIST REALLY IS!  ONCE HE DID, he wanted Christ to leave him because he realized in his heart he doubted, but his actions (actually casting out his nets) in spite of his doubt produced the blessings of God.   WHAT DO YOU DOUBT the workings of the WORD about?  Don't allow your doubt to keep you from experiencing the blessing and revelation of who JESUS really is..........TRUST & OBEY!  I'm praying you actually believe GOD, have a blessed day! LGLP

 

MIRACULOUS HOPE: OBEDIENCE PAYS PT.I

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.  Luke 5:5-7

So here you have Peter and crew tired and probably frustrated as they spent several hours attempting to do what they are good at, and came up short.  Nothing, not one fish to bring in. It's like having worked an 8hr shift, only to clock out realizing that you didn't accomplish anything you were supposed to.  So Christ comes along and tells Peter let's go out, and little deeper.  Remember yesterday we talked about mistaking Christ's advice as common, and not following Him could be costly, even when it seems like we know more....WE DON'T.  So Peter says....." if you say so, I'll let the nets down."  Notice how Christ didn't say...." my baad Peter you're right....what was I thinking!"  No more than He's saying to you.....right now....regarding_______________________ that your way is really the better way. 

When Peter reluctantly but still obediently casted His nets out again, it says (and rather quickly....it didn't say 6hrs later) this time their nets were overloaded and the nets began to tear, so much so they needed to call in for assistance to get all the fish in. 

I have a question for you......WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE REFUSING, OR HESITANT TO TRUST CHRIST IN?  WHAT ARE YOU LOSING OUT ON BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE DECEIVED YOURSELF INTO BELIEVING YOUR WAY IS THE BEST WAY?  I'm sure Peter was a little concerned about what other people thought ashore when they seen him casting his nets out in the middle of the day......but once he obeyed....I'm also sure He realized WOW JESUS does know it all and the people watching were too astonished.   I know loving GOD is easy, but it's the loving people (all of them.......ESPECIALLY THEM) that you are like that's impossible.  Or submitting to________________ (the spouse, gov't authority, bosses, etc.)  If David could submit to horrible Saul (who was trying to kill him) what's your beef?  If Joseph swho was betrayed by his brothers....still showed forgiveness, grace, and mercy what about your family?   Joseph still honored Potifer even after being falsely accused of raped, and jailed for many years.........how can you not choose to follow the WORD of GOD, in how you live today?  Love is a choice & is an action word (much like obedience).....the question is whom will you choose to LOVE?   LGLP

Miraculous Hope: TRUSTING when you are TIRED

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” Luke 5:1-5

We all know Jesus as a carpenter and a prolific speaker, actually the best their is and ever was at articulating THE WORD, HIMSELF, HIS FATHER's desires for living in harmony for HIS creation; mankind.  But do you see Him as an experienced school teacher, customer service rep, call center representative, doctor, lawyer, firemen, research developer, author, roofer, construction worker, sanitation worker, administrative assistance, entrepreneur.......etc, etc.?  Peter had developed a skill at fishing, and gained some notoriety in these regards.  He even had a fishing crew...so when Christ the teacher stepped into his boat to advise him on fishing...Peter didn't look at Christ as THE EXPERT in his field. 

What about you?  Sunday's message was for you!  Maybe you didn't attend at C4 or any Calvary Church, but the point is, where ever you were, Christ was (prayerfully) being taught or speaking to you on the subject of......................... and if you aren't careful you will write-off yesterday's message as great advice, but not great enough that you'd follow it.   Peter totally identifies with you.....he had been out all night trying to catch some fish, and here Christ is advising him to through his net out, at the worst time to fish (in the middle of the day) and Peter and his crew our tired.  I get it!  You too are tired of __________________, but my parting question is: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

TODAY is a day filled with opportunities to trust your instincts or to trust Christ.   Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  ⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  It all begins with LOVING GOD enough to TRUST HE knows best, and then LOVING PEOPLE which honors Him, and them!  LGLP

MIRACULOUS VICTORY: HEALING THE MAIN THING

They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. ⁵ Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:4-5

So you are one of the four faithful friends looking into the room and as Jesus is standing over your defenseless buddy, you are poised to hear Him say it:  "You're Healed of__________________" and instead He says "son, child your sins are forgiven."  WHAT?  Wait surely there's more to this.   We didn't carry him, then dismantle a roof, for this.....did we?

This tomorrow is Thanksgiving and many of you have been preparing a bountiful meal for your friends and family, and some of you have been trying to mentally work yourself up to being around "these people" because the ex will be there, or the drunk relative, or the you know your cousin that is on meth/crack. Somebody will bring up_________________ and there will be a big argument.   The one relative that has a different man/woman every family gathering will be there and all this dysfunction just makes you excited about the holiday....not!  What you've been praying is that GOD please help me to get through this.   You've actually prayed "GOD please let something come up that I don't have to deal with....................... this year."

The reality is all of our family's have dysfunction, Jesus' did...so we had to, too.  But these friends & the paralytic got something different than what they expected (for now).  Jesus referred to this man as child/son meaning he's in the family, He forgave him of his sins and adopted Him in.    I just wonder if you have anyone you need to forgive of their sins against you, or against someone in the family so you can just love them?  Maybe instead of praying that they don't show up, or you "just get through this" you pray "CHRIST I apologize for harboring ill will towards my family.  Today heal my un-forgiveness, help me to love as you love, and serve as you serve. " 

So as you prepare to open your home up to, or go over the river, and through the woods to _________________ house you go....pray they don't get what they are expecting and neither do you, but what you get is the healing, the love, the fellowship that Christ desires to see us facilitating to His Glory here on Earth.  I love you guys, and isn't it funny how it all goes back to LGLP(loving God, loving People) !!!!!!!

MIRACULOUS FAITH: MAKE ROOM FOR ONE MORE, THAT's WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. ² Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, ³ four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. ⁴ They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. (Mark 2:1-4)

So Jesus is found teaching to a packed house.  Some believe it could've been Peter's house, but that's not important.   What's important is friends.  Friends that would do anything for you....anything to get you to the healer.   Now we don't know if the reasons these band of brothers were so committed to this paralyzed man, was because they felt responsible for his paralysis.  You know maybe they were silly and were bungee jumping off of roofs before the bungee was even invented.  Maybe it was a camel riding accident....no matter what it was or wasn't.......you see the compassion of four friends that desired to get their friend in front of Jesus.  

Proverbs 17:17 says A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Is that you?   Have you banded or bonded with a group of people to the extent that  they know your needs and are moved for you, and are you that same way?  I have endured some tough times in my life, and I must give thanks and praise to GOD to those people who I've identified & recognized are my TRUEST FRIENDS, I only can hope I have been as loyal to them, as they have been to me.  YOU know WHO YOU ARE! (Hint if you need to ask.....that says a lot.) 

Friends don't anticipate what you can do for them, but rather true friends seek only to serve you.  Friends don't cast you away when you don't meet their expectations.....they rather continue to pray and support you.  Friend is what Jesus called those people who have full on committed to following Him, and living out the Gospel in a world such as ours............LGLP

MIRACULOUS VICTORY: YOU'RE A CHARACTER! WHICH ONE?

Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. ¹⁷ And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” ²⁰ So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.  Mark 5:16-20

So this week we discussed demons, being possessed by, what Christ wass willing to go through specifically to reach one man.  We even now look at the fact that in studying this we discover there were people that were amazed at what Jesus did, as well as some that were scared of what Jesus could or would do in there lives, but what are we to do with this account?  Maybe you struggle with your own demons?  Maybe you know someone that does?

First ask yourself " WHO AM I" in this passage? "    We know we aren't the pigs or Jesus.  Mabye we are the disciples looking on in amazement.   Are you the farmers of these pigs that value the pigs more than the deliverance of a man.    You don't own pigs....but what is worth more to you than seeing ONE SOUL delivered?  Are you the person struggling with demons?  Maybe your demons are alcohol, drug abuse, over-eating, laziness, lying, pornography....etc?  If this is you I ask have you fallen to the feet of CHRIST with this?  Have you genuinely sought help? Maybe you have been delivered.....so are you now a mouthpiece for the building of God's kingdom?  Jesus asked him to stay behind and share his story.  So if you are this guy....who knows your story?

Are you the "Run and Go Tell folks?" You see the wonderful works of Jesus but then don't want them for yourself?   Maybe you want your spouse to go to church, but become fully involved to the extent that they are no longer sitting on the couch, or lying in the bed all day, they are now hanging out at the church and in a healthy community with other men/women so much so that they aren't at home as much.  Are you the one's telling Jesus please leave?

Now beyond the guy being healed, some people being scared/angry at Christ, you don't here of 1000 being converted or people praising God because of this sick demonically possessed man was healed at all.  But what you do read is he went all over to TEN TOWNS telling people what happened.   I wonder are you that grateful for CHRIST that every Monday following your weekend of worshipping corporately who do you go and share the message with......or maybe you don't tell anyone? LGLP

MIRACULOUS VICTORY: DELIVERANCE & DEVILED HAM....

⁸ For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

⁹ Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” ¹⁰ Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
¹¹ There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. ¹² “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”
¹³ So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.  Mark 5:8-13


Remember the goals of Satan, or demons for that matter is to steal, kill, and destroy and while you might ask why the pigs.....why didn't He destroy them, or cast them into the Lake of Fire?  Because there is an order for everything!  Since sin is in the world, there has to be a consequence for it.  When we touch a hot stove, there will be pain associated with doing so....and they only way you learn not to touch a hot stove is to experience that pain.  

If you read Revelations you learn that the day is coming that Satan, demons, and anyone else who chooses against God, will have their appointed time to be dealt with for eternity, and in this case you see the demons knew that, that time wasn't now.  Which is precisely why daily they are looking for someone to influence or inhabit so that what happened to the pigs, could happen to you. 

We've all heard voices.....that have suggested we " tell em' off" or " divorce ________________ you deserve better than...." or " keep the extra it's a blessing from God, they'll never miss it" or " don't believe this crap.....God could care less about.........." or " missing one Sunday aint gonna hurt...." and so on....they want you to focus on you, because as long as you are focused on you, you are not focusing on God and others, and before long you have selfishly rationalized and justified your actions.

The man, had been freed from the torment of the demons, and the display following was the possessed pigs plunging to their death.   Where are you?  Who have you been listening to?  Jesus is delaying His return so that we all have ample time to be delivered from_________________ and return to our right spiritual mind where we are focused on depending on Him as our Shepherd, loving Him, and loving others?  I pray today is your day you are delivered from______________________________ and that you are directed back to where JESUS desires you to be, doing what He created you to do.......LGLP

MIRACULOUS VICTORY: WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT YOURS.....DEMONS that is?

⁶ When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. ⁷ With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” ⁸ For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

⁹ Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” ¹⁰ Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.  Mark 5:6-10

We are increasingly being exposes to more things than generations before us.  Kids, included.   I remember in school reading books that had profanity in it and thought wow......we get this is school....cool!!! (I really don't believe it was cool now....)  We have the world wide web, that unlocks literally the world to young & old eyes.  Television commercials are sometimes absolutely astounding with the verbiage or sexual content all to sell even a hamburger.  And I don't want to take away from the reality that we've always had drugs & alcohol abuse that lowers our inhibitions, and distorts our state of mind.  We don't know how this man came to be demonically possessed, but we do know that He was.  So are there any other accounts of Jesus driving out evil spirits and further teaching on this?

In Luke 11:14-26 Jesus had driven out a demon out of a person, and the marveling crowd had questions in these regards.   Like in this man, you see how the demon questions" Why are you interfering with me (one)?" then says the demon says after giving his name "there are many of us (plural) inside this man."  To which I say based on the teachings of Jesus in Luke 11 show us that when we don't do our part from being freed from demonic influence, they will return and we will become far worse than before.   We see this when an addict (drugs, food, alcohol, porn, sin, etc) doesn't take the next steps to replace the time spent doing the former behavior with something else.

In your testimony there is an element of " This is what I was like B.C. (Before Christ)" and " This is what I have become A.D. (After Dying (to myself and receiving Christ) so I ask.....do you attend a church & if so where?   I ask are you becoming the church (what ministries do you facilitate or serve in) or still just attending (consumer mentality: about getting)somewhere?   If you were formerly a __________________ what have you done to insure that you don't return to _______________________.   Have you joined (getting the help & support) a small group, bible study, support group or led one (which shows your maturity and progression from being served to serving others)?  Why two days of this talk/teaching on demons....because I love you  guys...and want us to be aware (sober & vigilant) of flirting with this realm as believers and non-believers is disastrous. 

So whether you are a believer or not......I share Jesus' heart that I don't want ANYONE to perish....so whatever it is that you dabble or delight in that flirts with inviting spiritual wickedness, rulers of darkness, principalities of evil........I desire you to be free and able to Love God and Love People for your good & His Glory! LGLP

MIRACULOUS VICTORY: DEMONS? WHAT ABOUT THEM?

 This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. ⁴ Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.  Mark 5:4-5

So yesterday we found Jesus before a man that had been put away because he was a threat to society due to being demonically possessed.  Whether you want to believe it or not, demons are real.  Well beyond the credits of your pop-culture scary movie.....folks this is really art (if you want to call it that) imitating REAL LIFE.  As in the movie the Exorcist, The Omen, and can list more.......there are tell tale signs of demonic possessions that are featured in this scriptural verses:

1.  They are supernatural beings.    THEY ARE OF THE SPIRIT WORLD.  RARELY will one physically manifest itself....so they NEED A BODY (think of the serial killers of our day.)

2.  They have supernatural strength. Remember this man couldn't be restrained.  He broke free often.  In the movies you see they are able to do things unimaginable.

3. Their purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.   You see how this man cuts himself...self mutilation.  They seek to steal our joy, kill our testimony, and destroy our lives (professionally, socially, emotionally,spiritually) Their ultimate goal is to eliminate us. 

As you read scripture (Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 24) you discover Satan, Lucifer, the Prince of the Power of the Air, the ruler of this world is REAL.  Those who haven't given their lives to Christ are candidates for demonic possession.  

Christians, on the other hand are not....because they have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.  Now while I say that....it doesn't mean that a Christian cannot be influenced, encouraged by them....they attempt to bait us with our own carnal desires.  This is how some "good" people end up doing "bad" things. 

So what do we need to do: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1Peter 5:8-9 

and

¹³ Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Eph. 6:13 (AMP)  LGLP

MIRACULOUS VICTORY: THE BEGINING of the END

So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.^{[a] 2} When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. ³ This man lived among  the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Mark 5:1-3

I don't know what you consider fun, or entertaining, but I can honestly tell you that hanging out in cemeteries, "aint" my thing.   Furthermore, the older I'm getting I'm becoming increasingly more aware of what is "GOOD" entertainment, and what is totally unhealthy as well as unwise.   This man did just hang out in the cemetery/tombs, but this is where he lived.  He was put there by the people of his town when they considered him a threat to society.  Now I could easily go down a path of how we put people who have either made or been accused of punishable crime in places with those that are seriously sick, demented, or in this case spiritually dead (some may argue that they are mentally, emotionally dead as well)....but for the sake of this blog....I want to ask a question:  WHERE DO YOU HANG OUT, or LIVE?

For a moment think about what it means to be put into a box, social, economic, racial, political and repeatedly being chained or limited to the confines of that box.  If you are strong enough to break the chains, despite that.....people don't see you as free, nor do they really desire you to be free.  Now if you can identify with feeling incarcerated in these terms.....do you desire to free? REALLY free....so much so that you will even run to CHRIST?

Now this man didn't elect to be there .....but was placed there, but what about you who choose to continue in the occult, an unhealthy indulgence in scary movies, your alcoholism, drug abuse (marijuana, prescription..and mild altering subject), pornography (trust me if you have been called an addict of sorts several times....it's probably true)....have you been hanging (choosing to) with the spiritually dead?  Stop lying to yourself that it doesn't  hurt anybody....it's hurting you, your family, your community, and ultimately your relationship with GOD.   As a matter of fact it's become your GOD.  You go to it for comfort & for affirmation, instead of to Him.

Now, no matter which you identify with the demon possessed man who was put away, or if you are the one that chooses to indulge in things of the dead......see the compassion of Christ.   He could've chosen to go many directions after feeding the 5000. but He desired to go to A MAN (it wasn't a church, a community of.....) that was in need.   He & His disciples sailed in fierce opposition for a single soul.   How much more will He do for you?   TODAY COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END of a life that has been spent apart from Him.  He'd move Heaven, Hell & Earth for you....if you'd just surrender.......

You may feel defeated where you currently are....but there is VICTORY in accepting His will for your life.  You can be salt & light on the job.   You can be redeemed.   Hanging with the dead, you continue to die...but Christ offers life abundantly.....so you go from being spiritually dead, to ALIVE in Him.  I pray you END ___________________ today so that you can receive what Christ offers.  LGLP

MIRACULOUS FAITH: SINKING WHEN IN DOUBT

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.  ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”  ³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

This week has been filled with storms and moments of uncertainty.  Maybe your anxieties were regarding the election.  Maybe it's a health concern with you or a loved one.  Maybe you've had to be concerned about how you will make it from point A to point B....whatever it is.....at what point did you decide to trust God, then you found yourself doubting?  See Peter understood we can't do the impossible without Christ so when He knew it was permitted for Him to walk on water, He took the steps necessary to come to Christ.   He actually got out of the boat during the middle of the storm.  The scripture even says that he began walking toward Jesus, but it was when he began to pay attention to His surroundings instead of His savior he began to sink.

Maybe you're like me.....you've asked God can you_____________________ and He's blessed you to move, you trusted Him with a major career change.  You go from stable and predictable to, unstable and unpredictable.   You see yourself walking on the water, you even feel it underneath your feet then IT happens.  You hear about people leaving, or your hear the murmurs of gossip, and the transition that seemed of God, isn't as smooth as you thought it would be.  So you go from walking on the water to be in it....and Christ says  " Why did you doubt me _____________________________ (insert your name)?" 

Here's what I need you, the reader to understand......the minute you start pay attention to your present (2 Cor. 4:17  For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!) circumstances instead of Jesus at work in your life, you will find yourself overwhelmed with your circumstances.  

So let's learn of the mistake of Peter and others and choose today to TRUST CHRIST (remember CHRIST ORDAINED for YOU TO DO GREATER THINGS in HIM) with our co-workers, our spouse, our job, our church, finances, our health, our vehicular issues, whatever our present troubles are......and choose to focus on LOVING GOD & OTHERS during the midst of the storm.  LGLP

MIRACULOUS FAITH: GET OUT OF THE WHAT?

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves,  Matt. 14:28-30a

WAIT A MINUTE!!!!   Wasn't there a storm still going on?  Did Peter feel it was safer with Christ in the midst of a storm, that it was on a boat with all of His brothers in Christ?  If you take careful notice the storm was in fact still going on, strong winds and waves were still ensuing.  They were still struggling to row and had been for quite a while, and despite all of this Peter saw His Lord in the middle of it all, with all power and dominion, and thought it was better for me to be out there with Christ then on this reeling ship.  

What's going on around you?  Teenage kid whoas?  Work whoas?  Financial storms too difficult to navigate through?  While Peter had great faith in this instance, He asked permission from Christ concerning his next steps.  So before you leave, before you make that decision to do what seems to be right.........seek Christ's invitation, especially when it comes to doing something that you know doesn't seem natural.  Walking on water is a supernatural event, but truth be told the way in which things were intended to be pre-fall of man, we were made to have the same dominion over all Earth. 

SO will you get out of the boat today about sharing your faith?  I'm sure the disciples were amazed at Peter, and wished...that had been them.  Will you get out of the boat regarding sharing the LOVE of GOD in actual deed, or will you completely miss the opportunity to do something beyond yourself to bless others, and honor GOD with your WHOLE life today? Trust me if you leave your house (getting out of the boat) there are divine appointments waiting for you at the gas station, lunch counter, the office, the grocery store.....etc just remember to see each instance as a DIVINE APPOINTMENT, not a coincidence.  LGLP

MIRACULOUS FAITH: FOCUS ON?????

²⁵ About three o’clock in the morning^[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!

Matt. 14:25-27

He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. Mark 6:48-49

So we know where we're off to (following Jesus' desires for us).  We know what we are doing (rowing to the other side....not knowing what awaits us....being obedient) but what are we to focus on?  There is so much going on around us.  We are either in a storm, coming out of a storm or going into one.....and if we aren't careful we'll focus on the wrong thing.   We'll focus on who won the presidency, we'll focus on the economic climate, we'll focus on trying to control our kids decisions, we'll focus on what our co-workers, neighbors, other members in our community.....and doing this robs us of the miracles of Christ, and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.  Can you imagine if the disciples never looked up and saw Jesus walking on the water, but focused on the oars of the boat, or the storm?  Some of us are too busy looking at everything but Christ at work in our lives or around us.  He's constantly at work around us, if we'd take courage, realizing He's actually with us.

So where is your focus?  Is it on loving GOD and putting nothing before Him.  Is it on loving your neighbor as yourself?  If your focus on anything other than these two things, you are missing out on the daily blessings of GOD @ WORK in and through your life.   LGLP  

MIRACULOUS FAITH: What Are You Doing?

¹⁴ Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2Chr. 7:14 NLT

REMIXED

and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.  MSG

To some you've already begun to question...." RAY WITH ALL THE PICTURES OF PRAYER AVAILABLE WHY WOULD YOU DARE USE THIS ONE AS A BELIEVER....."  because I knew you'd ask or be thinking this, and my point wasn't for you to associate it with anything other than the fact THEY ARE PRAYING, and my title of this blog is not "WHAT ARE THEY DOING????" but rather "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

So I voted, maybe you have, or will...or maybe (sadly) you have chosen not to vote.....but what are you doing I ask? As we pray THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE......that means you have to be involved in this process of bringing forth HIS KINGDOM through how you live, love, and even vote.  Not that your voting always ensures this...but the other two do.   As the sun is setting (PRAISE BE TO GOD) on this election season, I hope many of you get your bearings back and get back to LOVING GOD and LOVING PEOPLE!  Some have taken the cues of the commercialized lies of the candidates and translated that into hateful ways of thinking and dealing with people based on race, economic dispositions or privilege, and what bumper sticker they have on their car, and I say to you....YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF. 

I pray you ACTUALLY be as committed in prayer as the people, child pictured above...that you'd actually pause long enough to HUMBLE YOURSELF (as often as necessary if not more (with all your gathering of info...you don't know it all.  You're not omnipotent...GOD IS).   Then PRAY, pray for the candidates, their families, your community, your home that it would be a light of love and God's kingdom principles so much so that your neighbors confuse you for a real Christian!  SEEK HIS FACE, look for His approval rating in how you should deal with, address ______________________ so that in the end you have won someone to the faith.   TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS.....let's be honest we aren't RIGHTEOUS, we're SELFISH, we gossipped about the candidates & families (creations of God) and we need to be doing the 3 repeatedly (humble, pray, seek God) to keep from letting our selfish/sinful natures take over.  IF WE ARE DILIGENT in the above 4......GOD will hear our prayers and heal....restore our land. 

SO I ask again in closing...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  To change your home, your community, your job, our gov't, our world?   Jesus made and is still making an eternal impact on people's lives......are you?  Or are you too busy pointing at what others are doing?  LGLP

MIRACULOUS FAITH: Where Are You Off To Next?

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. ²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Matt.14:22-23

So no sooner than the the people were fed, the message was delivered was our Lord and Savior off to...................... To what?  The crowd was hyped, He had em'...they desired more, they wanted to exalt Him, make Him King, John's gospel informs us.....but what was most important to Him following this tender moment?

YOU, His disciples first.   He desires to protect His sheep, and send them off so that they wouldn't be caught up in the hype too.  I wonder have you gotten caught up in the hype of the political climate?  Are you so ____________________ that you lied to yourself that you actually love the other party, but it doesn't translate that way in your posts, your doings, and more importantly your heart.  He wants us pledging our ALLEGIANCE to HIM and only HIM, not a party.  (Render to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is God's Matt. 22:21)   We have this saying of hate the sin, not the sinner, but honestly it comes off that we do hate them both.  Christ loved the Sadducees, Pharisees, Jews, Gentiles, you name it.....and sometimes (not every word that parted His lips) He needed to speak sternly....but it was 100% in love.   We being imperfect......tend to speak sometimes in love, more often.......with.....well you know.   Remember we are foreigners, aliens.....while we have a responsibility to steward our space here on Earth, this is not our home so our sole allegiance should never be to man made political party, but rather to GOD. 

Secondly...after getting them off shore, He got away to pray.  We could speculate a host of reasons why He chose to getaway to pray: grieving the lost of John the Baptist, for the storm the disciples were about to be faced with, the faith of the disciples, the world, you, me, his enemies, the coming of the cross, etc.....but what we need to focus on is that He went to pray.   As you know you will face trials, tribulations, & opportunities each day....why not take time before, during, and after to get away to pray? 

You know in our own strength it's a wrap.  We will get crushed, decimated, the pull to be our old self, react the way of the OLD YOU will seem natural, but it will destroy your witness......go pray.  Do yourself, your family, your co-workers, your community, YOUR GOD a favor; humble yourself, seek His face, turn from your wicked ways and watch him restore your relationships and land.......LOVE GOD, and LOVE PEOPLE (LGLP)

Miraculous Provisions: ANY LEFTOVERS.....FOR THE RECORD

⁴¹ Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. ⁴² They all ate as much as they wanted, ⁴³ and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. ⁴⁴ A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!

So all the people were fed, and as it was mentioned in verse 42, the people ate as much as they wanted, it was a basket buffet so this is the end of the story, the account right?  Wrong.....it follows with the disciples picking up twelve baskets of leftovers.  Leftovers?  Yes, they started out with 5 loaves and 2 fish, and after 10,000 plus people (remember the 5000 was only the men, but it states their families too) eating til they were full, satisfied, there was LEFTOVERS?  What do we need to learn, takeaway from this nugget, this morsel of scripture:

There is always more than enough LEFTOVERS in Christ!   How many times have you been so critical of the message or the song selections that you didn't go home to look at, listen to, study to show yourself........of the message that you missed the left overs?  The disciples thought it was a wrap, they fed all the folks they were done........

The LEFTOVERS in the basket are a reminder for you! Clearly these baskets could have been empty..but they weren't.   We'll learn later that the disciples STILL DIDN'T GET IT, their hearts were hardened again, and before we get too hard on them......where is it that you missed the LEFTOVERS...from _____________________ and you found yourselves doubting Christ during the next storm?

As I write this, this is speaking to me, realizing how important it is for me to write these WEEKEND UPDATES, because I too miss the LEFTOVERS from my own messages.  I too have to glean all I can from Christ, and I hope you do the same.   When Monday comes...who do you share the LEFTOVERS with?  Do you encourage others on the job to SHARE theirs with you?  What about in your postings...do you devote any time to regurgitating what your learned or studied?    The Miracle of Feeding the 5000 could continue if we'd pick up the LEFTOVERS and go to the one's that are hungry.........for the record!  LGLP