Community Devotions

Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8, "⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 

Observation

We are to be encouraged thru all trials and tribulations because He lives and because of His Presence and because of His love. We can have the confidence, reassurance, and firm foundation in our lives thru our faith in Jesus. Thus we can really live and move forward.

Application

Life can be overwhelming thru the daily challenges of the world at work, community and family. So how do we get the pick me up to keep our heads up and moving forward rather than being consumed in despair? As Timothy encouraged his brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be an encourager to others as well as be encouraged by others. We are to be the salt and light to the world so that others can have the hope in Christ. Yesterday, I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to mentor a young engineer who came to my office in tears due to work challenges. As I was praying for this engineer, the Lord reminded me of His presence to always seek Him in all things and be open and available to serve Him and not be consumed by my selfish desires. The engineer left my office with a renewed heart and I understood the joy not only by serving Him but that in order to really live, I need to pour my cup out to others so that in turn I can gain capacity to refill my cup by others encouraging me. We all need each other to be filled and really live like Christ.

Prayer

Lord, I praise you for your unconditional love and grace in my life. Thank you for providing me the ability to intercede and reach out to the younger generation. I thank you for my brothers this morning and privilege of doing life together to be encouraged by sharing devos and opening my heart to let your presence be powerful in my life. Amen!

Sense Defying Faith

SCRIPTURE

 Matthew 14:29-31

 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

OBSERVATION

Jesus said, everything is possible with God.  Peter is the living example of God’s power and frailty of our faith.  It is one thing to read about the eyewitness account of Jesus, the Son of God, walking on water but it is entirely another issue to learn about what Peter, a mere fisherman, was able to do.  Here was the catch – Peter walked on the water so long as he had faith in Jesus. 

I can picture Peter, as he got out of the boat to walk to Jesus.  He was an impulsive man.  He probably climbed out of the boat without much deliberation in his mind.  Now that he was out of the boat, Peter was all in, or all out.  It dawned on him just then, what he was doing was pretty crazy.  Yet, Peter had seen all the miracles to date.  Peter fixed his eyes on Jesus, as if there was a lifeline that he was holding on to, because that was who he had trusted when he climbed out of the boat.  It was when his faith was tested by all that was around him, he started sinking.  Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started paying attention to the wind that caused the waves to be treacherous and rocked the boat.  So, it made perfect sense to be afraid of the wind since the apostles were already having a tough time inside the boat.  It was reasonable for Peter to trust his senses.  After all, God gave him eyes to see and ears to hear, right?  But it was that sense-defying faith enabled Peter to walk on the water.

So everything in the world can tell me that what I am doing is not useful or even senseless, like Peter walking on water.

APPLICATION

I can only do what is not possible when I fix my eyes on Jesus.  It is through his power that I can accomplish my impossible goals, knowing that Jesus demonstrated his power throughout his ministry.

Doubt, although inevitable, is the greatest obstacle to the miracles that are promised through Jesus.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for your demonstration of your divinity in the flesh in Jesus. I am encouraged to know that I can do all things through your son, Jesus.  Bless and protect Michael, Joshua and Daniel today.  Watch over them, guide their hearts and protect them against all evil.  Bless Chris as she goes about the day.  I love you Father.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.