Yesterday, I had a great time in the prayer closet....is this the way most Saturday's are going to be from now on ? I doubt it but it sure is great while it's happening. Anyway, the gist of what took place is confirmation again of how God uses devotions, books or people to speak to me. Yesterday the message was calling me to Faith, Hope, and Love. (These were the lessons taught by the 2007 Egypt team in Cairo). OK, I'll learn more about it. Faith says, "I believe what God says about the invisible." Hope says "I believe what God says about the future." (Hebrews 11:1) I loved this quote by Pamela Reeve "Faith is...doing the right thing regardless of the consequences, knowing God will turn the ultimate effect to good." That's a short synopsis of the closet.
Then I leave the closet to finish a book I'm reading "Confessions of a Pastor" by Craig Groschell, his next to last chapter is "I'm Afraid of Failure"...specifically "Failure by Faith: You must take faith risks." He says, "You can't please God by giving in to complacency and comfort." At the end of the chapter he shared the story of the disciples in a boat on the water and a storm arises and it looks bad for them but then they see Jesus walking towards them (Matthew 14:27). Jesus attempts to give them a greeting of peace and then Peter decides to speak up and said "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water" (v. 28). Jesus gives Peter the "Come" and He heads over the gunwale and begins his water walking journey to go to Jesus. Had he lost his mind or did he "get it" for a brief moment?
I soaked that story in to my brain and spirit like it was new to me and it's definitely not, but...you see I believe I'm heading over the gunwale and out onto the water. I'm in that "seconds" response similar to Peter...I get it ...I'm over and I'm on the water...can't get distracted and look down at the water...gotta keep my focus on Jesus-I know he's there, just follow His voice calling "come".
Stay tuned to this Faith Channel for an update to Hope and Love.
