Breakfast For Your Soul

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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.  After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone.  Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here! ”Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt Me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  Then the disciples worshiped Him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

[Matthew 14:22-33]

Get To Steppin’

Good Afternoon Beloved,

This morning I attended home going services for a dear lady who was like an adopted grandmother to me… Lottie Wallace Hughes- “Nana”.  She was sick for a while, but she outlived all of the expectations heaped on her by doctors.  She was a feisty and seasoned 88-year old child of God.  She was simply ready to sleep in the Lord, and that is what she did.  It was good to listen to all of the glowing reports about her life… and know that the people were not lying in the presence of God.  I could testify to every beautiful word spoken about her and the legacy she left behind —three amazing grandchildren that she helped to raise (Tina, Cathy and Raymond), and six awesome, sweet, intelligent great-grandchildren (Christopher, Alexandria, Charlie, Mark, Raina, Fatima).  It made me realize even more the brevity of life.  It seems only yesterday that I, as a 16 year old country-girl, met her piercing eyes at her door.  Her grand-daughter and I were trying to sneak in, see, we had hooked school, and were going to hide out at her house and watch TV until the school day ended– her face we were not expecting.  (Don’t worry… I was on the honor roll when I graduated high school… I skipped school after I completed my assignments and taken my tests…. don’t try this at home kids…. I was totally wrong… anything could have happened to us).  The years have sped by at break-neck speed.  Our tendency could be to just mock time and do a little something here and there.  In the text we see Peter operating in great faith.  I went on the One Love Gospel Cruise in 2007.  There was a great storm out there and I can’t imagine climbing off the ship.  I can’t imagine trying to walk on calm sea, not to mention ferocious waves with winds and rains beating down on me.  Peter made his move because He trusted in the Word of His Lord.  Jesus said come and he went.  However, (this is why I like Peter… he is so like me) after this great act of faith… he noticed the waves and probably thought, “what am I doing?… people can’t walk on water”… that is when he began to sink.  Now Jesus could have rebuked him and let him drown, but no, when Peter called out to the Lord, “HELP!”… that is what Jesus did and they BOTH walked back to the ship with Jesus holding his hand.  This Word is for me, but I know that I’m not the only one that God is admonishing to …. in the words of Martin Lawrence… “Get to Steppin”….. why not?  We really have nothing to lose.. and everything to gain… Jesus is holding our hand….

….. and that precious child of God… is Good News!

U Blessed,

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

Dynamite -Mark 11:22,23     The power of God can remove any obstacle that is preventing you from getting to where God wants you to be. Our faith allows God to release His power in our lives, to remove the mountains in our way.

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11 year old preacher… he really blessed my heart…

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7819375&version=1&locale=EN-US

Good Morning Beloved,

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful day.

“Go”….. the bible says to ‘go’ into all the world and make disciples of men…. If you are like me that statement is a little scary. The world we live in persecutes Christians. In some countries, it is against the law to even so much as wear a cross. To do so could mean imprisonment, severe beatings, burned houses, torture, death. We are so blessed here in the US. We have freedom of religion. We can share our faith, carry a bible in public, hold services without fear. Still, I understand that there is a growing opposition to anything associated with the name of Jesus. Why? Because there is power in His Name. Remember Philippians 2:9-11? Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in Heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Don’t worry, everyone is not going to have to leave home, and travel mission fields in the middle of the jungle (praise God for those who do). But, we all have a ‘world‘ ministry. We have been commissioned to speak into the lives of those that are in our “world”. Re-focus. Think about that child in your church with great potential, that nobody is paying any attention to. How about those kids next door that are always sitting on YOUR car, or your co-worker who has decided you are their personal confidant, nieces, nephews, cousins, the mailman, the bus driver (you get the picture). God does not want anyone to perish… He said so… He would that ALL come to repentance. God gave you your personality, and He can use it for His glory. Are you quiet and reflective? People may be drawn to you and want to confide in you because they feel they can trust you. Are you loud and excited? Someone needs that to help put some joy back in their spirit. Are you opinionated? There are people who enjoy conversing with you… your strength may be what they need to find strength in themselves. Are you sweet-tempered and gentle? So many have been abused and hurt, and you are like a salve to their wounded spirit. People really don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care…. use what you got…. to get what He wants… (that is not from James Brown, but Gods’ Word — “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (Peter 4:10).

Cartoonist’s Comment:

This cartoon is an encouragement to the church to get out of the “ranger station” of the church building, and up on the “mountain” of the world, where people are in need of rescue.

Mike Waters

mike@joyfultoons.comwww.joyfultoons.comwww.cafepress/joyfultoonsshop.com

U Blessed,

Regina