Stepping Out Of The Boat - Matthew 14:30

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” - Matthew 14:30

    Sitting here thinking about our current hurricane season gave me pause. I know what I do when the winds of this world buffet me and erode my spiritual strength - I do as Peter did and cry out to my God. And although my supplications may not quiet the wind, they help to quiet my heart. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:27.
    Peter was perhaps the most boisterous of the Apostles. A fisherman by trade, he suffered from the same excesses that hexed all such men. Peter was a product of his times, as we too are products of our time, and thus shaped and troubled by 21st Century issues. Since Peter, a coarse Jewish fisherman, was an impulsive man, he often “led with his chin.” He thus found himself on the windy end of things more often than he wished. His impetuousness often led him into the force of the gales despite stern warnings. “Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’” - Matthew 26:33-35 Then, before the break of dawn - “And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, ‘Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.’  Then he began to curse and swear, saying, ‘I do not know the Man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed.” - Matthew 26:73-74.
    Aren’t we often a lot like Peter? I know without doubt that I am just a bit too prone to self-confidence in the face of the storm until the gales begin to blow, of course. Then I am floundering about, just as Peter did after stepping out of the boat. And Who was it that came to his rescue? The very same Jesus Who has promised - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. - Matthew 28:19-20.
    We won’t always face catastrophic tempests in our lives but when we do we can have full faith that Christ is with us, even through the worst of storms.

Where Was God? - John 4:48

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.’” - John 4:48.

    So, where WAS God during Hurricane Harvey’s destructive winds and flooding in Texas? That, I’m afraid would depend on who is asking. First, the question stands on the presumption of belief in God! How can one ask a question of an entity they don’t believe in and expect to get an answer? Why would God, the Creator, and Sustainer of the universe bother to answer the skeptical question of an unbeliever? No matter what God answered, it would never be enough to bring such an atheist to belief.
    It’s very much like demanding God to provide us with a reason why our loved ones have to die. We don’t always get to have those questions answered. Human beings are simply in no position to demand anything from God . . . period! So if you don’t believe in God now you have another reason to be angry with the God you steadfastly refuse to believe in. That is the definition of bizarre.
    Second, for those of us who are believers, perhaps we should look to the Book of Job. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” - Job 38:4.
    Who ARE we to question the will of the almighty God? The insensitive truth of the matter is rather simple: there isn’t a living or dead human being who has ever had the right to demand an answer from God. In fact, The Westminster Catechism states very clearly man’s role in relationship to God in the answer to the first question - Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
    Holy Scripture gives us an unambiguous answer to questions about God’s presence and His will - “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
    God has a plan. Make no mistake about it. God has a plan! It may be to bring thousands more to belief in Him and this terrible storm was His method. It may be to further harden the hearts of those who already disdain their knowledge of Him.
    A three-year-old child survived the flooding of Beaumont, Texas, clinging to the body of her mother and the unbelievers don’t see a sign, a miracle, in that tragedy? Simply put; those who see this incident merely as a tragedy just aren’t meant to find God’s presence there or anywhere. On the other hand, those who see a miracle in this tragedy are fully conscious of where God was in the Texas storm. Every survivor rescued from the raging torrents of the flood waters knows where God was. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” - Psalm 27:1.
    May we all pray for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and know, along with the survivors, that God was indeed there during the storm.


                       

The Offense Of The Gospel - Matthew 11:6

“The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” - Matthew 11:6

    The healing of the blind, lame, sick, and deaf would surely be of no offense to anyone of humane convictions. The raising of the dead would certainly raise an eyebrow or two but again, hardly a reason for offense; however, preach the gospel? Now you’ve got a fight on your hands! And you can bet the unbelievers will have a myriad of “good reasons” for being offended. Throughout the history of Christ’s church, the aim of our persecutors has been and remains to kill the messenger along with the message! “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” - John 15:19.
    Countless pastors and theologians suggest that the church’s real problem is not unbelievers but the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” within the body of believers. I do not possess the qualifications nor inclination to argue with that opinion but I will say, having lived through the later half of the 20th Century that persecution of Christ’s church is at an all time high during my lifetime. Whether it comes in the form of simple people snickering at the Word of God in our communities, or the target of the nightly mainstream media, or the victim of judicial legislation, or is manifest in the murder of Christians by ISIS; the persecution of Christians grows exponentially every day.
    The issues that divide us Christians had better be of the utmost import if we are to engage in questionable theological debates. Supralapsarianism or infralapsarianism? The mode and time of Baptism. Positions on ethics the Bible doesn’t address. We need to stop worrying over the minutia and get a grip on our doctrine! “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” - 2 Timothy 2:23. While we split hairs, the pagan forces sharpen their swords!
    There is a world of hateful unbelievers out there just waiting for the season to act out their aggression toward the gospel they find so offensive. They have achieved great strides conquering the mainstream media, the system of education, the judiciary, the arts and popular culture. Against them and the devil who moves them, our Christian faith must be the bulwark between the world and God’s will! Offend them we must  - “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” - Isaiah 40:3. Offend them, we will - “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” - Mark 16:15-16.
    The world rejects the Gospel; the Gospel offends the world. May our spiritual stamina match our desire to preach God’s word to every creature and help bring God’s will to fruition.

No Truth? - John 8:44

 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
 - John 8:44

    The relativist insists, “there is no absolute truth,” and he insists so absolutely! If one is the least bit thoughtful, I believe this relativist position is shattered before it even hits the ground. The argument has the seeds of its own demise born into it. The semantics of such a statement simply defies logic. Still, we have this ongoing battle of words and meanings; hoping that one day the relativists will “get it.”    
    Scripture clearly gets it right in our title verse. The relativists are incapable of seeing the truth because they neither stand in (or on) the truth nor is there any truth in them. To paraphrase an old saying, “They wouldn’t know the truth if it walked up and bit them.”  What was it the serpent said to Eve?
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” - Genesis 3:1.
    The relativists have anchored themselves fast to the father of lies, and upon hearing the nonsense and drivel which foams out of their mouths, any thinking man or woman should be able to detect the sheer lunacy of such an untenable position. I could certainly destroy the myth of no absolute truth simply by pushing the relativist off a tall building. An abrupt stop at the end of a long fall will be the certain outcome, and that is the absolute truth. But speaking the truth is the Christian’s way of ending the dispute. “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” - 2 Timothy 2:24-26
    When one insists that there is no truth, they communicate that falsehood with nonsense. And falsehood is a tool of the devil. However, there is indeed absolute truth. We have heard from the mouth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” - John 14:6.
    Finally, we must come to the conclusion that, in nearly every case, the belief in no absolute truth is not so much a deeply held belief as it is a cheap political position. It is part of an agenda most specific to those who choose disbelief. The truth limits them and confines their methodology so they may keep their anarchist passions alive. They must deny what they know to be the truth so they can rise up indignantly and cry out, “No God - no master!” We shall see.
     But the truth really can set us free. And all we have to do is believe. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” - Psalm 145:18.

To The Addict - Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

    I have chosen this verse from Paul’s letter to the Philippians to stress the fact that it is Christ and Christ alone who can rescue us from our personal demons. It matters not what the addiction is. Whether it is smoking, drinking, gambling, pornography, drugs, or any of a plethora of other fixations; Christ almighty can put an end to all such worldly pitfalls.
    Now I know that many an addict or an addict’s loved ones will object and say, “Then why haven’t my prayers been answered?” With such a question many doors are likely to be opened; some of which might better be left closed. But I can and will remain steadfastly convinced of the power of Jesus Christ to conquer any addiction known to man. The problem lies not in Christ but within us. Far too often we seek a human solution to a spiritual problem. Remember: from the Christian perspective we are dealing with man’s sinful nature and we simply cannot cure ourselves. Only God has the panacea for what ails us; after all, how can we save ourselves from ourselves?
    Far too many cases of addiction are excused by or enabled by the notion that “this particular addiction is different from all others. No one can understand or imagine what I (or my loved one) is going through.” Not true!  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.
    Addictions are nothing more than temptations we have succumbed to. We weren’t born with cigarettes in our mouths any more than we were born with needles in our arms. Clearly,  it is when we choose to associate with people or when we choose to frequent those places which present us with the greatest temptations that we fall. “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” - Proverbs 6:27.
    We are warned and warned again against allowing the devil to have his way with us. The Apostle, Peter, a man with his own shortcomings, warns us about maintaining our sobriety and the danger of allowing the devil an inroad - “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” - 1 Peter5:8.
    Still, you cry out, “How? How can I fight and beat this sickness? I have tried everything!” Have you? Do you remember the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ? “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” - Matthew 5:30. Christ isn’t literally commanding us to maim ourselves but what He is saying is that you have got to take this addiction seriously. Whatever is leading to your continued addiction has to go! Leave your job; leave your friends; leave your family! Whatever and whoever is helping keep you a slave to your addiction has to go! “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” - James 4:7. If you are focused on your feeding your addiction then you aren’t focused on Christ Jesus.
     Whenever I look at someone who remains in addiction, I think, “You are where you are at because you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ. If you had, you wouldn’t be an addict!” You may object to that concept all you like; nonetheless, it remains true. Seek Jesus Christ not only as your Savior but as your Lord! Unfortunately, the number of people who want Jesus as their Savior will always be greater than the number of people who want Him as their Lord. We cannot pick and choose the attributes of God!
    Twelve steps haven’t helped? Try the most effective three step program available: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Where the famous “12 Step program” fails, the Holy Trinity succeeds.
    So there are three things that every addict must take into consideration and hold close to his or her heart if they truly want freedom from the slavery of addiction - “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” - 1 Corinthians 3:16. You were made by God for God.
      Secondly, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” - Psalm 50:15. The lost cannot save the lost. The dead cannot raise themselves. Where man fails, God triumphs.
    And finally, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” - Galatians 5:1. Get all those things which bind you to your slavery behind you and never look back to your sins; look forward to the glory of God.
    Remember, remember first and foremost that we are children of God. Before anything else - we are children of God and He has promised us - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8.

Forgiving As God Forgives - Luke 17:3

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. - Luke 17:3

    I once heard someone say that we are only required to forgive those who repent of their offense. Surely, I thought, this isn’t biblical. Doesn’t Jesus tell us to forgive and forgive again and again? “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” - Matthew 18:21-22. “There,” I said to myself, “That’s the answer!” But what of the offender who, without remorse or apology, continues to offend? What of the dishonest employee, the unfaithful spouse, or the career criminal? Does Scripture command us to become doormats for the sinners in our lives? Is this part of the tribulation we are called to suffer for Christ’s holy name?
    I’m a firm believer in letting Scripture interpret Scripture, so I sought more clarification on this idea of unlimited forgiveness.“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” - Matthew 6:14-15.
    What then is the Biblical criteria for our Heavenly Father’s forgiveness? On what basis does He forgive? “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” - Mark 1:14-15. We know for certain that without repentance God will not forgive us our trespasses. We cannot impugn the name of God or His holiness and expect redemption unless we confess and repent - “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9. The very notion of forgiveness without repentance runs counter to every word of Scripture! And are we to forgive someone if God Himself doesn’t?
    Even within the church, we are told that a brother who sins against us should be expelled from the church and treated as an unbeliever if he refuses to heed the commands of the church - “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” - Matthew 18:17.
    And while the sociologists today will tell us that forgiving is more “for our peace of mind” then it is for the sinner’s sake, we must come to the realization that our peace of mind rests in Christ our Savior, not some sociological humanist mantra.
    The Biblical lynchpin of forgiveness is repentance on the part of the offender, as per the very words of Jesus Christ! That being said, may we always be open to forgiving others as God forgives. And should we offend, we must repent and seek forgiveness.

The Road Not Taken - Matthew 19: 21-22

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
- Matthew 19:21-22


    In 1916, American poet, Robert Frost published his famous poem, “The Road Not Taken.” Hardly a Christian parable, the work still resounds with the concept of choices. For Frost’s fictitious wanderer it was a choice of one of two roads. When Christ spoke to Matthew, the tax collector, and an unnamed rich young ruler, He alluded to a choice of which road to take.
    In the story of the rich young ruler, we find an allegory that remains timeless. Symbolically, the rich young ruler had all he needed for a complete and comfortable worldly life right here on earth. What more could he want? Well, obviously he wanted eternity as well. And Christ was very willing to give the young man what he wanted, provided the young man could part with his earthly security in exchange for eternal wealth. “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.” - Matthew 6:19-20. To do what Jesus commanded (note: not asked, but commanded) the young man simply couldn’t (or wouldn’t) comply. How many people today simply refuse to yield to Christ so they can maintain their worldly (sinful) lifestyles?
    Now let’s contrast the rich young ruler with a sinful tax-collector named Matthew. “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.” - Matthew 9:9. Here was a rich tax collector, a sinner with wealth enough to obtain or abscond with anything he desired. We know Matthew’s lifestyle because of what came next - “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” - Matthew 9:10. Yet this sinful tax collector didn’t ask a single question of Christ, but simply rose and followed Him!
    The comparison and contrast between the two men offer us a keen look at the grace of God in action. The same message, “Follow Me,” is conveyed to both men, yet one rejects it while the other gratefully accepts the command. Christ knew both men’s hearts. He knew that one would reject Him and that the other would follow Him. “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.” - Matthew 24:40-41.
    The rich young ruler was never mentioned in the gospel again. We know not what became of him. Matthew went on to write the very gospel that most of this post’s verses come from. He preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to a mostly Jewish community in Judea and died a martyr’s death around 60 AD in Ethiopia.
    The offer of salvation is still extended to us by the grace of God. We have a choice here, today. This very hour! “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:2. 


 I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost

    Let us pray that more men and women will reject the world and accept Christ’s offer to “Follow Me,” and take the road less traveled.