“’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’  ‘Come,’ he said.” – Matthew 14:28-29 (NIV)

The scene wasn’t entirely new to Peter and the disciples.  They had found themselves here before – out on the water as a storm came up, tossing their boat around.  The last time, Jesus had been on board with the disciples, sleeping peacefully as the storm raged.  That time, Jesus gently rebuked their lack of faith and calmed the storm.

Now, here they were again.  Another storm whipping these disciples around at sea.  But, this time, Jesus was not in the boat.  It’s little wonder that Peter was so excited to see Jesus out on the water.  He knew that, if anyone could save them from the maelstrom, it was Jesus.

He had done it before.  He could do it again.

The psalmist knew this as well:

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
   make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
   tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;
   seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done,
   his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
   his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
He is the LORD our God;
   his judgments are in all the earth. – Psalm 105:1-7 (NIV)

When trouble comes – when the chips are down or we can’t see a way out of the storm that rages around us – it is easy to get dragged down by our problems.  Let me encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus, and remember what God has done for you in the past.  Dwell on His Word and think about the times in the past when God has rescued you.  Consider what He has done for others as well.  Be encouraged, be refreshed, and look to the Lord – not the troubles. 

He’s been there for you before.  He’s here for you now.  He will never abandon you, for if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are a child of God, adopted firmly into HIs family.  Rest easy in the knowledge that the Lord God is never out of reach, never out of earshot of your prayers.  Even in the midst of the storms, remember what the Lord has done and look for Him.

“Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” – Matthew 14:28-29 (ESV)

Have I ever told you about Mike?  Mike goes to out church, and he is on fire for Jesus.  I mean absolutely 100% sold out for Christ and not shy about it.  He reaches out to guys in jail, homeless folks, people society would just as soon not have to deal with.  And he does it with great boldness for God.  If you ever have to ask Mike how he feels about the Lord, you weren’t in the same room with him. 

Or we’re not talking about the same Mike.

When I asked Mike what inspires him to be so bold, he shared with me the storms in life that Jesus brought him through.  And he quoted from Jeremiah:

If I say, “I will not mention him,
   or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
   shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
   and I cannot. – Jeremiah 20:9 (ESV)

Then he reminded me of Luke 7:47, which says that those who are forgiven much, love much (and vice versa). 

I sometime wonder exactly what prompted Peter to come up with the idea of asking Jesus to call him out onto the water.  While that is the subject of another blog piece to come, I do know this much – it required boldness on Peter’s part.  Try to imagine being Peter, sitting on that rocking boat, the waters swelling and churning all around him, the winds screaming, all his friends fearing for their safety.  What boldness it must take to think one could possibly walk on water.  The audacity! 

And yet… he did just that.  Peter sought the Lord, and Christ beckoned him.  And Peter walked atop the choppy seas. 

Well… briefly.  Alas that, too, is for a future blog. 

For today, I simply want to encourage all of us to be bold in doing God’s will.  Love boldly.  Serve boldly.  Pray boldly.  Seek boldly.  Share boldly.  Believe boldly.  Don’t let the world tell you “no.”  Don’t let circumstances (or your perceptions thereof) dictate your every move.  Don’t let doubts sway you.  Simply be led by the Holy Spirit and go where He leads, do what He instructs.  Boldly.

We are called to follow Christ, to do His will.  And that requires boldness.  How is the Lord leading you to be bold for His Kingdom today?

“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’” – Matthew 14:22-27 (ESV)

As a child, I was afraid of storms.  Terrified is a better word.  One rumble of thunder, and I would spring from my bed and into my parents’ room.  One evening – I must have been around my son’s age at the time (four or so) – I remember a storm rolling in.  The thunder rumbled and pounded in the distance, the summer sky darkened as the clouds rolled in.  My dad took me out on the front porch, lifted me up and held on to me as we watched the storm move in across the field opposite our house.  “See, son,” Dad said.  “It’s only a storm.  There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Here is a fact believers may as well accept: as we mature in Christ, storms are going to come – probably more frequently and perhaps stronger than previous.  If you read Matthew, you see the process of growth unfold through the disciples – especially Peter.  (Rabbit trail: the accounts in Matthew are probably not written in perfect chronological order.  However, I believe strongly that there is not one wasted word or intention in Scripture, including the order in which things are recorded.  In our modern thinking, we are more concerned with data and quick, easily digestible facts.  To ancient writers, accuracy and info was important.  But, the lesson to be learned, the context, the reason behind the account, was of greater importance.  “Why” superseded “what.”)

So, let’s take a moment to walk through Matthew and see what Peter saw.  First, Peter is called by Jesus to be a disciple (4:18-22).  He sees Jesus’ notoriety and reputation grow.  As people are healed and delivered, the crowds following Christ swell.  He hears the teachings of Jesus through the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7) and a lot of parables.  Most telling (at least in this lesson), we need to look at Matthew 9:23-27:

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” – Matthew 9:23-27 (ESV)

As Yogi Berra once famously quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again!”  Here Peter and the disciples are again, out on a boat in the midst of a raging storm.  The first time, Jesus was right in the boat with them – unruffled and fast asleep.  The second time, He was not.  In fact, look closely… Jesus sent them right into the storm.  As they are riding high on the participation in the great miracle of feeding the five-thousand, before the crowds have even dispersed, Jesus sends the twelve off immediately into seas that will soon be roiling and choppy.

Yet… and here is the lesson (at least for today), Jesus is right there with them.  Even though He is not sitting in the boat this time, He has never left them.  The faith of the disciples was still solidifying.  They had witnessed much, heard much, learned much.  But the events they had witnessed and teachings they had taken in – often with great difficulty – needed to become reality.  In school, we are given tests to measure how well the root of our learning has taken.

So it is in life.

I could go on with the classic examples of a diamond being formed from a lump of coal under great pressure, or gold being refined by fire, but that might belabor the point.  Simply put, we need storms in our spiritual life to help us grow, because we need to learn to get out of our own way and see God in all circumstances.  God doesn’t send us into a storm because He needs to see how our faith-walk is going.  (He already knows.)  He does it because we need to see Him in every circumstance and grow deeper in our reliance – our utter reliance – on the Lord.  He does it because every storm we successfully go through strengthens our faith, steels our resolve to follow God, prepares us for the next storm.  As James wrote:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” – James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Today, I want to encourage you to face the storms in your life with boldness, knowing Jesus is with you and God is in control and through this hardship – no matter what it may be – hold fast to your faith in Christ and let Him be your strength.  Through your faith, God will receive glory.  And that, friends, is why we were created in the first place.

See, son, it’s only a storm.  There’s nothing to be afraid of. Your Father is with you – always. 

“Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." – Matthew 14:28-33 (ESV)

Meet my friend Peter.  I call him my friend because, even though we are separated by culture, language, continents and oceans and a span of two millennia, I feel as if Peter and I have spent a lot of time together over the years and have quite a bit in common.  While I find all of Scripture amazing (and, being the very Word of God, how could it be anything less?), I am most riveted by (and to) the accounts involving the apostle Peter.  Why?  Because I can relate to him.

There are so many lessons to glean from Peter’s life and ministry.  (Indeed, the Lord once blessed me with the opportunity to develop and (twice) teach an adult ed class at church called “Flawed Yet Chosen: The Life of Peter.” I hope to have the opportunity to revise and teach it again someday, in some forum.)  Peter is, in one sense or another, every man.  I think anybody who reads Scripture’s accounts of Peter’s life can find some aspect of this fisherman turned apostle and say, “Yeah, I can relate to that.”  But, be warned: it is also easy to find great fault in Peter.  When we do so, we do it at our own peril, for it often unearths our own hypocrisy – no matter how deep it may be buried.

Say what you want about my friend Peter, but I will tell you this: he loved Jesus.  You have to admire his zeal.  Peter’s problem is the same as mine.  And yours.

Peter was human.

Sometimes that zeal came out as brashness.  Not braggadocio, mind you.  Just thoughtless excitement.  (Perhaps “rashness” is a better word than “brashness,” although I believe the swashbuckling ear episode in the garden of Gethsemane illustrates both.)  Peter often exemplifies Paul’s later exhortation to Timothy for the need for preparation, being ready “in season and out” (2 Timothy 4:2).  But, in Peter’s defense – and I often find myself coming to my friend’s defense, even though he really doesn’t need it – at the time of the gospels, none of the disciples were ready.  And, just like all of us, Peter’s life experience education was just what he needed.  How else would he have been able, later in life, to write:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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.  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:8-11 (ESV)

These are the words of a man who had seen inside the lion’s watering mouth, noticed the blood-stained teeth, smelled the enemy’s baited breath.  It is a lesson Peter did not learn quickly, or easily.  But, who among us learns life’s most valuable lessons quickly or easily?

All that being said, I’d like to park the blog at Matthew 14 for awhile.  This is one of the central episodes in Scripture involving my friend Peter.  And it is a rich vein of wisdom for all of us.  So let’s grab our mental pick axes and mine from these verses for a while.  Time to dig deeply and see what God reveals to us through His Word, and through the apostle Jesus called “the Rock.”

Good Sunday Morning, Everyone!

I want to thank each of you who has subscribed to my blog, or read my posts via the blogsite or Facebook or Twitter.  And to all of you who spread the word about the blog and share via e-mail or FB or whatever means you choose to pass the messages along… thank you so so so so much!  My heart continues to be what it was when I first started writing ministry messages way back in 1999: that people would see Jesus and Him Only as their savior and live victoriously in their faith, letting faith reign and fear wane.

Thank you for helping me share God’s love with others.  Please keep sharing!

Now… what are you doing on the Internet??  It’s Sunday morning – go to church!!

 

Humbly yours in Christ,

 

Chris

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

– Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

Authenticity is one of the buzz words we hear time and again.  People want to “keep things real.”  We crave what is honest and true in life.  We all want authenticity.

This got me thinking.  How would life look if we truly put Christ at the center of every aspect?  If, before we spoke or acted, we considered Jesus first and foremost.  What impact would we have if Jesus was more important than how we appeared to others, how our homes look, what cars we drive?  What if Jesus Christ is where we found our status, our meaning, our fulfillment?

If we truly believe in Jesus Christ – not the historical fact that he existed or the moral belief that He was a good man / teacher / prophet / leader, but believe that Jesus is God incarnate and God, Who existed before all time, space and matter, is Reality itself – then it is Jesus Who must truly define us.  That is good news for any believer who suffers from either low self-esteem or an overabundance of self-esteem. 

What I do does not define who I am.

My past does not define who I am.

My station in life – in and of itself or in comparison to anybody else – does not define who I am.

My job, my income, my neighborhood… none of this stuff defines who I am.

What others say about me does not define who I am.

You either.

If we are truly seeking authenticity – if we truly desire authentic relationships and meaning in our lives – we find it not in our accomplishments or failures, not in flimsy small talk or isolation.  We find meaning and depth and all that is truly Good (with a capitol “G”) in God through Jesus Christ.  It is when we live our lives intentionally following Christ, caring not for the opinions of others or our place in society (whatever your social circle may be) that we “make it real.”

Mary got it.  Martha missed it.  Martha was so busy impressing that she missed what was important.  Sitting at the feet of Jesus first, then serving.  By putting Christ at the center, we avoid the dangers of vanity and puffery and ego that come with the baggage of being flawed human beings.  We will care more about the hearts of the people around us than in impressing.  Christ will bring together and develop the relationships that are authentic and bear good fruit.

If each of us could only live secure in the knowledge of our definition of self as found in Jesus Christ, not the false sense of self that stuff and station brings, how radically different would our churches be?  Or our homes or work places?  How much better would each of us be able to impact the lives of others for Christ if we could just clear this self-junk from our lives?

So… what does it look like to be authentic in Christ?  How do we live the real life?  First, study Scripture – prayerfully, intentionally, seeking what God has to say about how to live, how to (re)act, what to do, what to say…  Second, do it.  Third, keep doing it.  Stay prayerfully focused on Christ and you will be amazed at the revolution of authenticity in your life.

“You trust God and don’t lean on yourself.” – Proverbs 3:5 (Austin Revised Version)

While sitting here at my desk tonight and pondering about what to write, I could hear my four year old son reading his bedtime Bible story with his mommy.  The story must have had something to do with God protecting His children, because I heard his little voice rise up and exclaim, quite firmly and unwavering, “Jesus come to your house and whack the bad guys!”  Then they began to discuss his memory verse from Sunday School.  He told his mom that he remembered it:

“You trust God and don’t lean on yourself.”

He’s four years old, and he has got Christianity down.  It isn’t theology.  It isn’t all the rules and regs that get attached.  Stripped down to it’s essence, our response to God is simply trust.  Blind.  Bold.  Straightforward.  It is “yes” and “Amen.”  No buts.  No what-ifs.  The essence of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is faith.  And what is faith?  Trust. 

Childlike trust.

Kids have a wonderful way of seeing through all the junk and mess that litters our grown-up lives.  They aren’t worried about the bills.  They aren’t concerned about the shipwrecks of the world.  They don’t watch the news and wonder what the world is coming to.  They can see things in a pure way that can be tough for us adults.

The eternal perspective is far more important than any small trouble or tribulation or travail we face in this life.  I say “small” not to belittle the problems anyone faces, but simply to point out that all things – good and bad, great and small, triumphant and tragic – this world offers (or metes out) pale and shrink to insignificance in comparison to the greatness of God, the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

How much better off would we grown-ups be if we could simply remind ourselves to trust God and “don’t lean on yourself”?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44 (ESV)

I like to watch Antiques Roadshow. People take old stuff they’ve found at garage sales or in grandma’s attic to be appraised on national television.  People show up with everything from pre-French Revolution armoires to Ulysses S. Grant’s spittoon.  It is an astounding showcase of tarnished old treasures, chairs you can’t sit in and stamps you can’t use.

I’d like to take my collection of ball caps on the show.  My wife claims they’re a useless waste of space.  I beg to differ.  I can hear it now… “This Indiana University hat is a fine example of late twentieth century sporting attire.  The ‘IU’ logo was beautifully machine-stitched in Malaysia.  The crimson color is still intact.  The bill is completely attached to the hat, but has been bent to form to the owner’s head.  Now, this piece dates from the post-Bobby Knight era, which devalues it somewhat.  Had this piece of headwear come from the classic “Hoosier Hysteria” period of Indiana University basketball – even though it is a baseball cap – and the bill been left unbent, we would probably be looking at a value of anywhere from $8,000 – $10,000.  As it is, this lovely piece of Indiana sporting apparal is worth around $5,000 – $6,000.  I would say that your entire hat collection would probably pay off your mortgage and possibly pay for your child’s education.  Thank you for letting us see this fine, fine example of Hoosier headwear.”

Not bad for a hat that cost my about $8.00.

We live in a junk house.  I don’t mean your home in particular.  Think about it… we greatly value so much stuff in this life.  The problem is, it is just stuff.  It will break.  It will rust.  It will fall apart.  Even my overvalued IU hat will one day be moth-eaten, faded, threadbare, unwearable. 

But not all our possessions are tangible.  Sometimes we cling tightly to other junk this life has to offer: pain, pride, guilt, grudges, wrong ideas and notions… all these “things” we focus on.  It’s because we live in a fallen world.  We are surrounded by sin. 

We are surrounded by junk.

Today I want to encourage you to begin – if you haven’t already – looking at things a little bit differently.  Look at things from a more eternal perspective – a God-perspective.  What God has to offer is far more precious than anything on this earth.  So much so that gaining the kingdom of heaven is worth ditching every bit of the junk of this world for.  “The kingdom of heaven” – that is, the abode of God, His way of doing things, His will for our lives – is a far greater treasure than anything that shines on this earth. 

We are foolish to cling so tightly to things of no eternal value.  There is no real security in the stuff of this world.  (Ask anyone who has seen their retirement / investments / home equity / savings vanish over the past few years.)  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-21, ESV).

Antiques Roadshow has nothing on God.  Once we discover that, then we truly have a treasure of great – immeasurable – worth.

“I waited patiently for the LORD;
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the LORD.

Blessed is the man who makes
   the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
   to those who go astray after a lie!” – Psalm 40:1-4 (ESV)

Take a moment to remember.  Remember a time when you were in deep – real deep.  Over your head deep.  Don’t know how you’re ever going to get out deep.  It is good to remember the times when we couldn’t see a way out of our troubles – not for the sake of reliving the hard times, but for the 20/20 vision hindsight affords us to see God working in our lives, to save us, to rescue us, to guide us.  Maybe he healed you, provided for you, put the right person in your path at just the right time, or merely calmed you through the storm.

Now, let me ask you.  What are you facing today?  What challenge seems difficult – perhaps even insurmountable?  Stop and remember.  Remember that God is with you.  If it seems that He isn’t working fast enough, perhaps there is a lesson to learn.  Just trust God.  Know that He is with you.  Take time to praise the Lord for Who He is and see beyond your situation.

“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).  Let the Lord be your strength.  Wait patiently and trust in Him.  God’s timing is perfect – never too late, never too early.  He is your security.  Rest in Him and know the Lord is good.

I’m guessing we have all seen it, on TV or in a movie.  In a hospital lies somebody who has been shot, or stricken by some horrible ailment.  Huddled around the patient’s bedside, anxious family and loved ones gather and talk.   Memories are shared, doubts of recovery expressed.  Then, at the end of the scene, one of the group will utter these words: “Well, I guess there’s nothing to do now but pray.”

So often, prayer gets treated as a last resort.  It is a fall back when all else has failed, or we’ve fouled our mess kit.  Our life plans go awry, and then, once we have exhausted all we know to do, we turn to God for help.  The problem is the cavalier approach we often take to God and the gift we have of going to Him in prayer.

THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE

I have looked and looked and looked.  I have studied Scripture trying to find God’s promise that Christians with a strong prayer life will never have troubles again.  It isn’t there.  In fact, Jesus promised us a rough ride as believers: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, KJV).

Nor am I saying that it is wrong to pray when trouble strikes.  That is precisely when we should be praying.  But we should also be praying when things are good.  Prayer really should as regular and normal as eating, sleeping or breathing. 

Jesus sets the example for us in Scripture.  He would go off alone to a quiet place to be with the Father, to pray.  At Gethsemane (a Greek word that indicates great suffering), we see the reality of prayer – of communicating directly with God – exemplified before our very eyes.  In prayer, we find comfort.  In prayer, we find direction.  In prayer, we find preparation for the task ahead.  Most importantly, in prayer – along with studying Scripture – we find God.  The best way to be ready when life happens is to develop a strong, consistent habit of spending time with God – in His Word and in prayer.

CONSTANTLY RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND

Prayer is the best security software there is.  On your computer, (hopefully) you have a firewall and antivirus software that run in the background while you work or game or listen to music or do whatever it is you on your computer.  These things work to protect your computer.

Prayer works to protect our souls, and Paul says we should “pray without ceasing.”  A quick check of the Greek text shows us that what Paul means by “pray without ceasing” is this:  Pray without ceasing.

But it goes deeper than that.  Let’s look at the entire passage and see the common thread:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 (ESV)

Notice that the emphasis always goes back to God.  Our attention needs to be constantly focused on God.  We need to keep our eyes on Christ.  Peter walked on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus.  Then Christ had to save him from drowning.  Keep your hearts on God through Jesus Christ always, without ceasing, in all circumstances.  Faith – that is what Paul is writing about.  And it is through faith the we are sanctified.  Not by any works we perform.  Only the Lord sanctifies us, enabling us to pray in the first place!  It is Jesus Who makes us righteous, which – in terms of prayer – is really good news since “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV).

THE LAST RESORT?

Prayer is about being connected with our Lord and Savior.  It is a grand privilege afforded us by our loving almighty God.  It is our way of staying hooked in, seeking His help and guidance and communicating with the Lord.  We shouldn’t see it as merely a last resort. 

Repeatedly we are reminded that prayer is answered “according to His will” (1 John 5:14).  That can be a tough one for us.  But we need to remember that we are to seek God’s kingdom – His will and His ways – first (Matthew 6:33).  That means being willing to set our agenda aside and asking God to do as He wills, not as I want Him to.  “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4, ESV) does not mean God will lavish upon us everything we want.  God’s not a sugar daddy, here to satisfy our every earthly whim and desire.  When we truly delight ourselves in the Lord, we are seeking His kingdom first and foremost.  This means what God wants becomes what we want.  He changes our desires.  We walk closer with Him and find that the Lord defines our lives, not our goals and plans and wants.  Even the most noble of schemes must be in God’s will.

And, believe me, God’s will trumps my plans for my life every time.  Even when letting go is painful.  Even when the road ahead is foggy.  Even when we can’t see God working.  Keep seeking God, keep your eyes on Christ, keep praying.  Prayer needs to be our first line of defense – at all times, in all circumstances, down bumpy paths and smooth highways, seeking God, trusting Jesus (not our circumstances), walking through life with eyes of faith wide open.

We will return to the subject of prayer again soon, looking at 1 Timothy 2 and James 5 a bit closer to see what God says about the hows, wheres, whos and whys of prayer.