And His Disciples Believed in Him

John 2: 1-11

Today we read about Jesus’ first recorded miracle. It is a familiar story to most of us as Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. What John wrote in 2:11 was especially significant to me: “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him”.

My study bible notes on this verse state “John always refers to Jesus miracles as “signs”, a word emphasizing the significance of the action rather than the marvel. They revealed Jesus’ glory.”
For me, this is a good reminder that while Jesus certainly performed miracles out of love and compassion for hurting people, he also performed miracles to “reveal his glory”, to tell us who he truly was so that we might believe in him.

Jesus was fully Man, but Jesus was also fully God. This idea can be hard to grasp, but Jesus leaves no room for doubt that he is God. In John 10:30 he states, “I and the Father are one.” Ultimately he was crucified for his claim of Divinity. The Nicene Creed, written in the fourth century, addressed some controversy on this topic. It states that Jesus was “God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made”. Christians have repeated these words for over 1600 years as a statement of faith.

As believers we are blessed to have the testimony of Christians who have gone before us and the written record of Jesus’ words and actions found in our bibles to help us know who he is and to help us believe. And… we live with the benefit of the greatest miracle of all, being made right with God through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John seems to summarize things nicely in chapter 20, verse 30: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Amen!

Breaking News!

Matthew 9:18-26

Sometimes when Jesus preformed miracles, he tried to keep them a secret, but it’s hard to keep those kinds of things quiet.  People tend to talk.  Imagine if they’d had the internet back then!  We would have known every detail of every miracle the second they happened and there would have been video proof.

While there wasn’t a video of the miracles in today’s passage, it does end by saying “News of this spread through all that region (v. 26).”  The days of Jesus trying to quietly go about his business were long over.  Once news had spread, everyone was looking to get close to him.

The woman who had been bleeding for twelve years said to herself, “if I only touch his cloak, I will be healed” (v. 21) and she was.  How amazing it must have been to be there and witness Jesus healing the sick, raising the dead and driving out demons.  I’m guessing it would have been pretty easy to become a follower once you’d seen something like that.

So, I’m wondering if that’s one of the reasons why Jesus wanted to keep things quiet?  Was it because he knew how easy it would be to gain followers with miraculous acts and he didn’t want it to turn into a chaotic show? Was it because he knew faith is rooted in never seeing yet still believing?

Most of us will go our whole lives never witnessing miracles like the ones Jesus performed, but our lives are still filled with them.  We just have to know what to look for.  It may be an addict entering treatment for the third time or a job coming through after months of unemployment.  God is at work and like the synagogue leader’s daughter we want Him to take us by the hand and raise us from death to a new life with Him.

Pray Earnestly

Acts 12:5-12

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying for him (v. 5).  Have you ever been part of a group that was earnestly praying for something or maybe you’ve been the recipient of earnest prayer?  Either way, it’s a powerful thing and I can only imagine Peter felt that power.

In the case of today’s scripture, the outcome was intense and timely.  Peter was freed the night before Herod was to bring him to trial.  At first, Peter wasn’t sure what was happening, but he eventually realized he was being rescued by an angel.  When the soldiers woke up and the guards realized that Peter was gone, they were dumbfounded at what had happened.  To the church it was a miraculous answer to prayer.  Miracles, while amazing, are a reality for the Lord.  Nothing is impossible for Him.

Now, the tough part comes when you pray and don’t get the miracle you’re hoping for.  It doesn’t always make sense, but in Peter’s case, the outcome was exactly what the church needed.

And after he was freed, Peter went to the house of Mary and what did he encounter? - Many friends praying.  They were excited to see Peter walk in the door.  Their prayers had been answered!  But after hugs and handshakes, I’m guessing they went back to praying.  That’s the thing with prayer, it’s always needed.  Once it’s answered – whether exactly the way you want or not – there’s always something else to pray for.  So, keep on praying and see what wonders it can do.

The Power of a Story

This section of scripture didn't make a lot of sense to m upon first read. I read it over a couple times, calling upon a variety of translations, just to get the gist of it. I understand what it says, just not what the significance is. It is always helpful for me to understand the culture a little; to grasp what was going on at the time.

Paul was preaching about Jesus and the people were hearing him. "This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the LORD, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:10) Verse 11 continues by explaining, "And God was doing extraordinary miracles the hands of Paul."

Some of those observing these things assumed this was Paul's 'thing', how he made is living, not what he lived for. So they decided to make a living doing the same things. "Then some of the itinerant Jewish 'exorcists' undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, 'I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.'"

As with many of our plans, theirs didn't turn out so well. It got ugly, and to make a short story of it, the sorcerers left town. Those who witnessed the events were changed, they told others what happened and word spread, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Those who were practicing evil repented, burning their books of magic.

The most exciting part of this entire story of confession and repentance is proclaimed in Acts 19:20; "So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily."  When we change and turn from our sin and friends and family are witness to this, we just might be helping spread with Word of Jesus too. Our story is powerful when we tell it.

Acts 19:13-20

No one is righteous

13 March 

Read Romans 3:9-20 and reflect on the passage.

Ask the average Person, “do you think you’ll go to heaven?” Usually, the response is, “Sure, I’m a good person and I do good things too.” As we are told by St. Paul in this reading, none of us are righteous through our own efforts. Even in Matthew 7:22-23 Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

So how do we become righteous so Jesus will know us? It starts with setting our heart on Jesus. Like a best friend, we enter into a personal relationship with Him. Through our repentance and belief in Jesus as our Lord, we open our hearts to let the Holy Spirit flow through us. The Holy Spirit will provide the wisdom and revelation in Jesus so we can understand him with great intimacy. Open your heart to let Jesus consume you with love, and then use His love to love other people. In this way, Jesus makes us righteous.

Questions

1. Have you opened your heart to let Jesus love you, so you can love others?

2. In Proverbs 4:20, Solomon talks about protecting your heart. Are you guarding your heart from evil thoughts and replacing them with God’s Word and love?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for Your amazing love for me. With Your love, I set my heart on You and others. Let Your will be done.

—Thomas Denegre

Everybody Loves A Gift

Christmas was just over a month ago, our tree is down and the decorations have been put away since the first of the year.  All the gifts that didn’t fit have been returned and the others are being used.

When I think of Christmas, or anytime we give gifts, I often wonder if the recipient is using the gift.  It is no fun giving a gift that is unwanted or not needed, because it won’t be used.  

The Spirit of God gives us gifts.  Our scripture passage today says that the gifts are given, “for the common good”, or as the New Living Translations says, “so we can help each other.”  We do not get every gift.  The Spirit of God determines which ones he gives and to whom.  The important thing for us to do is USE THE GIFT we have been given.

If you are trusted with the gift of prophesy and don’t share the word God has given you, you won’t help the person God sent you too.  If you can interpret tongues yet keep silent, the message God wanted shared will not be revealed.

When it comes to the gifts of the Spirit, God is a great gift giver.  He will give you the exact right gift.  He does not make mistakes.  Use your gift or gifts.  Don’t be afraid of them.  Use your wisdom or knowledge for his good.  Heal people he sends you to heal.  If you can perform miracles, do it for His glory.

We tend to see the works of the Holy Spirit as taboo in North America, but remember God has not changed. The same God we read about in the pages of scripture is the one we serve today!  So, pretend it’s Christmas morning.  Unwrap your gift and start using it.

Read today's passage here.  1 Corinthians 12:4-11

They left everything and followed

Luke 5:8-11New International Version (NIV)

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

At first glance, one might think this was Peter's first encounter with Jesus. If we are concentrating on Luke 5 and not what came before, it might seem Jesus called Simon Peter, James and John out of the blue. But, Jesus had been around for a while. John the Baptist preached of this man, "the one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie," and if Peter did not meet him before, he likely of heard of him.

The town must have been buzzing with stories of the man who preaches in the synagogues, quoting from the Book of Isaiah; this prophet who healed and drove out evil spirits. It is likely Simon Peter and the others knew of Jesus before the day they left everything and followed. 

It is just that this day was the turning point for these men. Can you identify with a turning point moment?  Have you experienced one day time when you just knew things were going to be different; you were going to be different. 

Life-changing events are forever engrained in our hearts and minds. I can recall the moment I knew I needed more in my life than what was currently happening. There have been moments since when similar emotions caused a day to stand out from others as important - some monumental. 

All the miracles Simon knew of before this day, paled when Jesus reached directly in Simon Peter's life and grabbed hold of him. When Simon Peter fell to Jesus' knees and called him LORD, he recognized Jesus' identity. He could do no less than drop everything and follow.

How many of us experienced a moment like this? Does anyone care to share? Our stories can make the difference in someone else's life.

Luke 5:8-11

Mission and Miracles

Christians sometimes debate what a miracle is. Many might say that a miracle is something that is an extra-ordinary event, outside the boundaries explainable by science. Others might counter that a miracle is an act of God that man cannot understand. Still others (my personal favorite) will say, “They are hard to define, but I know one when I see one!”

Some have argued that God’s purpose in performing miracles is to bring someone to faith.

 

Each year our church participates in the Samaritan’s Purse program that sends Christmas packages to children in underdeveloped countries. Brenda, my wife, participates and we spend perhaps $50 – no big deal from our perspective. Yet from the receiver’s perspective, a person who may have difficulty getting food every day, such a package might very well appear to be a miracle.

 
Since God works though Christians, such a gift is from God. Further, such a gift could bring someone to faith. Perhaps the receiver is correct and my nonchalant attitude is wrong! God works at least some of his miracles through people and congregations.

 

Today’s reading, Acts 19:11-20, is about miracles. From the reading, we know that God worked miracles through Paul. We also know that many people came to faith because of the miracles performed in Ephesus.

Sceva’s sons tried to perform miracles for their own personal gain. These sons are probably among the false prophets that John warns us about in 1 John 2:18-23, 4:1-6. These false prophets, or antichrists, try to keep people from knowing Jesus.

 

The Samaritan’s Purse example is one of a mission occurring overseas. Yet the people John warns us about exist in our country today. They are in some of our spiritual centers, our politics and our media. The world is trying to keep people from knowing Jesus.

 

What can we do about these false prophets? We can’t stop them from doing their thing. But we can counter them by bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community.

 

The mission field is not just overseas, but it is also here! We can do miracles here!

Acts 2: 14-41

The Spirit Is For You!

Peter Addresses the Crowd

This “sermon” is the first by one of Jesus’ followers recorded in the bible. It should be of particular interest to those seeking to understand God, as it clearly touches on every important aspect of Christianity. Read and dissect each part of this message, and you will clearly see what the Christian faith is all about. Share with those who need to know. Peter presents these key points:

-Jesus did miracles and was unlike any other person who ever lived (verse 22) "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”

-Jesus was a real, historical person. He suffered, died, and was raised from the dead

(verse 23-24) “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

-Jewish prophets made specific prophecies about Jesus before he was born, giving proof that the Bible is God’s Word (verses 16-21-spoken by the prophet Joel, and 25-28-said by David about him).

-Jesus is Lord-Ruler of all, God in human body-the Messiah, the promised Deliver of Israel (verse 36) “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

-Trust in Jesus, not yourself, for salvation (verse 38) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

-God wants to dwell in you through the Holy Spirit (verse 38-39)…"The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

-The rest of the world is headed for disaster apart from God. Don’t get entangled by its corruption (verse 40) With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from the corrupt generation.”

Read/Listen to Acts 2: 14-41 

The Shepherd's Voice

John 10:22-31 (NIV) The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to say something they could run with. They wanted to hear Him say He was the Christ, not because they wanted to finally know the truth and follow Him. No, they wanted to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him. They wanted to destroy Him and put an end to His popularity.

Jesus cleverly pointed out the miracles He had performed could only have been accomplished by God, but they discounted them. Jesus reminded them that they did not believe and therefore did not belong to Christ. On the other hand, the disciples did believe and were considered part of Jesus' flock. They recognized His voice, they respected His Words and they followed Him.

Jesus' words to the Jews we not only meant to put them in their place; to let them know He knew their heart.  These words gave comfort and purpose to his followers.  We still read them today, we still understand that Jesus cares about His own and wants us to follow Him.  We are like sheep who are lost without His love and grace.

We are living in the world ruled by Satan, but we know he is not the victor. But we must be alert, ever watchful, and always following the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name.  

John 10:22-31

Joshua 10

I just finished reading Chapter 10 of Joshua and I am reminded of Psalm 27.  The entire Psalm, but especially verse 1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"


If God is for me, who can be against?  These are words to live by, to cling to when things get rough.  Joshua experienced God's favor as he and his army conquered the nations of the five kings who formed an alliance against Gibeon.  God went so far as to make time stand still and thereby provided for additional daylight hours to accomplish this victory.


"On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
    and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
 So the sun stood still,
    and the moon stopped,
    till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar."(Joshua 10:12-13)

God had been working miracles in Joshua's life.  Are there any miracles in your life?  Many do not believe that miracles are still happening, but I am not one of them.  I have seen God change hearts and heal bodies. I have been blessed to feel God moving in my life, opening doors and sometimes closing them.

I can only imagine how Joshua felt when the nations they were warring with began to fall.  The presence of God must had taken his breath away.  Is there a situation or season you faced when God took your breath away?  Be sure to write it in your journal because someday you will want to remember everything about that adventure.


Read Joshua 10 here

Listen to Joshua 10 here

Psalm 25:1-15

"In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust." (Psalm 25:1)

From these words begin a great adventure. Who do you trust?  Trust is something that doesn't come easily for us, especially once we have been disappointed by someone.  Trust usually has to be earned.  When we cultivate a friendship or any new relationship we don't automatically trust to the point of sharing personal pain. It takes time spent learning about the person.  We gradually get to know someone well enough to recognize if they are trustworthy.  It doesn't take long.

It is the same with our relationship with God; we must get to know Him and experience His love and goodness and then we come to trust Him, to take Him at His Word.  If you have spent any time writing in a journal, you can more than likely page through and find places where you asked God's advice, or for His guidance or wisdom.  Now continue and find the answers to those prayers.

Are you as amazed as I, to discover that not only was He faithful and trustworthy, but the answers to our prayers far exceeded expectations?  I also discover that God cares about the small prayer requests I have made.  For example, when my husband was sick and have having a particularly grumpy day, he asked for his glasses.  I couldn't find them.  Dave asked for so little during the final days of his illness, that I desperately wanted to get those glasses to him.  I prayed for God's help.  The one-line note on the top of my journal page that day read: "Thank you God for finding Dave's glasses."

Trust in Him, He will not disappoint.  He can be trusted to find your glasses just as readily as he can be trusted to perform miracles in your life.

Read Psalm 25:1-15 here

Listen to Psalm 25:1-15 here

Acts 9:32-43

Have you even been on the receiving end of a miracle? Have you ever witnessed one? Miracles are all around us, and Jesus is still in the miracle business contrary to popular opinion. The scripture lesson tells of two such happenings with the healing of a man who was bedridden for eight years and the other example is the story of bringing a disciple, Tabitha back to life.

Have you experienced some fantastic healing? Has someone you have known beaten cancer against all the odds? We all have heard stories and I imagine many could tell some. Miracles are really all around us, we only have to open our eyes, our minds and our hearts to see them. Some are subtle, nothing as obvious as coming back to life, or walking after being lame for many years. 

A little over ten years ago I participated in a weekend retreat called Renewal. As our team prepared to share this gift with another group of women two of us began praying that our husbands would also want to experience what we did.

Of course we both acknowledged it would take a miracle for this to happen. Well, they both did attend this weekend event and they were on the same team and became very close friends because of this. Also, they both drew closer to Jesus and became living testimonies to God's faithfulness and answered prayer in the form of a subtle miracle.

“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (Acts 9:33-35)

Read the Acts 9:32-43 text here.  Listen to the words here.

Words of Wisdom Acts 5:12-42

I first came across this scripture passage about twenty years ago. I was a young adult, new to the power of God’s word. The message I was hearing in Acts 5 rang so true for me.

The apostles had been arrested for preaching the news of Christ; God miraculously frees them from jail where they proceed to tell others about Jesus in the same place they had just been previously arrested. Now, captured again, the Chief Priest and Sadducees desiring to kill the apostles are forced to pause when a Pharisee named Gamaliel speaks.

“Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men!  Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing…

“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

I imagine Gamaliel as one who didn’t speak often, but when he did people listened. I surely listened. As a young believer I had many questions about God. The question always floated in my mind, “What if I’m wrong, and all this is a lie?”

Gamaliel’s words were powerful. A lie would never stand the test of time, and the message of Jesus has only grown stronger. It could only be through the power of a very real Holy Spirit that that could happen. I still get chills today.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Acts 5:12-42

When Opportunity Knocks Acts 9:36-43

Today’s scripture passage is one of the fun ones where God does the unimaginable and raises someone from the dead. Today’s passage tells of a woman in Joppa, named Tabitha, who died. She was a follower of Christ who was also very generous. Some of the people she had served heard Peter was close by and hurried to retrieve him, thinking perhaps he could do something about Tabitha’s situation.

Upon Peter’s arrival he clears the room of the widows and mourners and brings Joppa back to life. Of course everyone who hears is amazed, so Peter stays in Joppa for awhile so that the Gospel message could be told.

Can’t you just see it? With a miracle like this Peter hangs around knowing that there will be many more receptive hearers to the message of God. We as followers can learn from Peter. When God moves in our lives that is the perfect time to stick around and share the story, so others can learn about God.

My father died a little over three months ago. God didn’t raise him from the dead but that doesn’t mean He didn’t perform any miracles. God prepared each of us, in my family, in very personal ways for my father’s passing and I have had so many opportunities since his death to share with others how amazing God was through the seventy-seven days of his illness.

Tabitha coming back to life and my father dying are not the issue here. What really matters is that God moved and because of that others can respond by accepting the saving grace of God.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway.com Acts 9:36-43

Luke 7:11-17

You might think I am way out in left field when I tell you what the scripture for today first brought to mind, but here goes.  I want to know more about the young man Jesus restored to life.  I want to know what the boy thought of the experience.  I want to know how this young man's life was changed because of his brief encounter with the Savior.

Even more, I want to know how his mother reacted, I want to know what the next day looked like in both of their lives.  What about the crowd who witnessed the miracle; did their lives change at all?  Did they view death in a new light after this experience?

What about you? Have you experienced the touch of Jesus?  Has Jesus impacted your next move?  Has His love for you made a difference in how you interact with other people?  "They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” (Luke 7:16)

The last six months of my life have been filled with the presence of God.  I have felt Jesus' touch like never before.  I have witnessed miracles in an age when some don't believe miracles occur any more.  The Master's touch has changed me and I pray these experiences will make a difference in many lives.  How about you?  Have you heard Jesus whisper, "Don't cry," (Luke 7:13a).  Won't you share with us by commenting?

Read the Luke 7:11-17 text here.

Walk By Faith, Not By Sight Matthew 9:18-34

While reading our text today, I am amazed at the conviction of those who are approaching Jesus for a miracle. In each instance the request comes from great faith. Not even death hinders a father from saying, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”

We don’t expect those miracles today. When we see death taking our loved one from us, we submit that the only victory they will receive is heaven. Heaven is the ultimate victory, but Jesus still heals. It's important for us to remember that death is not too strong for Jesus, he overcame his own death on a cross, and he can still raise the dead today.

I don’t think the healings in this passage are as important as the faith behind them. When we have confidence that God is who he says he is, and he will do what he has promised to do, we will boldly proclaim that to those who don’t yet believe. But when we doubt God’s ability, we tend to keep God a secret.

My father is sick, and everything that is happening to him physically, says he will probably die soon. But I not only believe in a God who is fully capable of healing my father, I believe in a God who still works miracles and so I want to tell everyone about Him. My faith is not dependent on God's actions, but on His ability.

Who can you tell about God? Is there someone in your life who needs a God of miracles? Then go with the conviction that the God you serve is able to do more than we could dream or imagine.

Read today's passage on Biblegateway Matthew 9:18-34

Jesus pays temple tax - Matthew 17:24-27

There have been times in my life when a miracle, like the one Jesus performed in this selection of scripture, would have been so very welcome. Money struggles can cause pain and fear to take over one's life. It is times like this we need to have faith like Peter's.

First when Peter was approached by those collecting the temple tax and asked if they pay these voluntary taxes, Peter responded affirmatively. One commentary points out the fact their purse was empty and how Peter must have known this. His faith in Jesus allowed for him to answer this way. The miracle happens in the next scene when Jesus instructs Peter to go fishing, describing how he would catch a fish. He was told to open it's mouth and there would be money inside. Peter followed the instructions and was able to pay the taxes for Jesus as well as himself.

Jesus always provides us with our daily bread, all we have to do is believe. Many would read these scripture texts for today and hear about taxes and learn that Jesus pays taxes too. While this is all true, a bigger story, or as Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story is..." about the strong faith Peter had in his Lord and the miracle Jesus performed because Peter had faith.

To read the complete text for today click here .  To return to this posting hit the back arrow.

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Mother May I...? Matthew 14:22-36

My son has a new phrase that I love, “Mom may I…” He is finally realizing my authority in his life. I don’t want to lord power over him, and I don’t need him to stroke my ego acknowledging I am in charge.

I simply want him to know he is not in charge. It is important to ask permission, some things are not good for us and he will not always be able to identify danger at four years old.

There are two instances in our passage today where people acknowledge Jesus authority. First, seeing Jesus walking on water, Peter says, “"Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Peter knows he can’t do it without Jesus’ permission. Peter does not have the authority to command the water to hold his body weight, but Jesus does.

The second time is later when, “People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.” Those bringing the sick knew that with Jesus permission all they needed to do was touch the clothes he was wearing and their sick would be made well.

What area of your life needs surrendered to God's  authority? He desires to do amazing things for all who believe in Him. He is waiting for us to acknowledge we are not in charge and simply say, “Father may I…”

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway Matthew 14:22-36

Faith test of Sarah and Abraham -- Genesis 18:1-33

I just hate it when I have the urge to laugh and know it is not appropriate behavior or timing. I used to get the giggles whenever I was in the library with my girlfriends. Everyone knows you can't do any talking or laughing in that building without calling down the wrath of the librarian.

I can't help but feel a bit sorry for Sarah when she laughed - to herself, no less - and God heard it. She had waited for so long to have the promise fulfilled, and her faith was beginning to waiver. After all, she knew her body and recognized she was long past the time for giving birth. She was thinking to small, she was thinking that giving birth was up to her. "Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.  So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"  (Genesis 18:11-12)

Sarah is so much like me, always limiting the power of God. I need to remember when I pray to pray for things that could only be provided by God. I need to regularly pray for miracles. How else will I be able to point to Him as the one who brought about the realization of my request? God can do anything! I must learn to pray bigger, pray for miracles, God and can do it.

Read the entire scripture for today at Biblegateway and Genesis 18:1-33

Comment below or email your thoughts here.