The Boys In The Boat

Everyone has heard the story of Jesus walking on water. Fewer remember how Peter ALSO walked on water. But today we're not talking about either of them, as you can tell by the title of today's story. 

To be sure, the story about Peter stepping out of the boat and onto the waves is a tremendous example of faith. Peter's faith is a testament to all, as is his losing that faith and sinking like a stone. Ironically, Peter's name, given to him by Jesus, literally means "a stone."

[If you search for the meaning of "Peter" you will find that it means "stone" in Greek, while Cephas is "stone" in Aramaic."]

Back to the boys in the boat. It is wrong to add to scripture, but I'm thinking the rest of the guys must have been questioning Peter and his decision to step out of the boat.

"Peter, what are you doing? Sit down! You'll drown!!"

Do you think that Peter's example of faith that day benefited those who saw it? Do you think that OUR faith was an example to others?

And just as Peter's faith was an example, so was his failing faith. It was an example to everyone that we should not take our eyes off of Jesus during a storm.

Jesus challenged the faith of His disciples many times in the Bible. The healing that Jesus did was ALSO linked to faith, often saying, "Your FAITH has made you well "

"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” - Matthew 14:31

Quite the teaching moment, wouldn't you say? How has God taught YOU using the trials in YOUR life?

Jesus Walks On Water - All Four Gospels

Thief

The thief on the cross has got to be one of most interesting character studies in the Gospels, besides Jesus of course. What happened to change this man's mind, from cursing Jesus to defending him? Find out in today's story.

Matthew and Mark's accounts of Jesus's crucifixion are pretty much the same. Luke's record of the event however is much more detailed.

According to Luke, Jesus actually gave a mini-sermon on His walk up the hill to the women of Jerusalem (v27-31).

"Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” - Luke 23:28-31

The two thieves, who were to me crucified next to Jesus, actually accompanied Jesus on His walk to Calvary (v32). They heard everything Jesus said to the women.

And, as they crucified Jesus, the thieves also heard Jesus say this: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." - Luke 23:34

All these things, and most probably that last sentence, caused the one thief to change his mind about Jesus.

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” - Luke 23:

39-43

It wasn't a miracle that Jesus performed, or anything else He did. It was what Jesus said.

He spoke to the women, He prayed for those who were killing Him, AS they were killing Him!

What do WE say and do to convince others that God is real? Do we heap judgements on sinners, or do we pray for them? When WE are under stress, how do WE react?

This world we are living in is turning its back on God. Our disobedience gets worse every day. Let us pray for eyes to be opened and for hearts to be changed. Remember, they know not what they do. 

All Things

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, said this: "I have become all things to all people." - 1 Corinthians 9:22

In Paul's day, he encountered all kinds of people. Men, women, Pharasees, Saducees, emperors, guards, prisoners, priests. How could he possibly reach them all with The Gospel?

Becoming all things to all people required Paul to change his approach on how he shared the gospel. to what end?

I teach a disc golf class in the summer. I meet a dozen or so kids each year, boys and girls, each with different physical abilities and experience. Yet, I must somehow reach them all with 'the disc golf gospel.' How is that even possible!?

To the eight year old girl who has never played before I must teach at that level. She must be instructed in the basics.

To the more experienced teenage boy I must teach more advanced skills, offering tips on disc selection and techniques. How is this done?

1. Listen and Observe - It doesn't take long to figure out if someone can throw a Frisbee or not. The key is in watching HOW they throw it and go from there.

2. Instruct and Demonstrate - Once we know what each student CAN do we move on to instructing them how to do it better and even teach them some NEW things.

Sharing the Gospel effectively with others can be done in exactly the same way. We listen and observe where someone's beliefs are at. Jesus said, "by their fruit you will recognize them." We can do this by asking them questions or observing their life. Then listen where their answers are coming from.

The next step is the tricky one, but essential - instructing and demonstrating to them the love of Jesus. Scripture is good but it must also be lived out with actual examples.

Show them real-life parables, then switch to a similar parable taught by Jesus. The next thing you know you're talking with them about Jesus.

In a disc golf class we teach what we know so that others can better enjoy the sport we love.

In sharing the Gospel we teach what Jesus demonstrated and said so that others can enjoy the peace and joy that salvation brings.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." - 1 Peter 2:21

Hair

I know what you're thinking. Why is Bob writing a story about hair? He has none. Lol!

Well, there IS a reason. The hair I am writing about today belongs to someone else. So there.

While sitting in church yesterday, a family came in and sat two rows in front of me. A nice looking family - mom, dad and three kids. Nothing special to see. Or so I thought.

Our pastor was talking about Joseph, as we near the end of our study in the Book of Genesis. Our pastor told us that Joseph was an Old Testament example of Jesus. And that, he is. So I had that thought in my head as I watched the father of the family in front of me reach out his had and caress the hair of his wife. I smiled. A perfect example of Jesus and His love for His bride - the church.

His wife had their youngest child on her shoulder and the dad was making sure her hair was looking just right and not being crushed. Lovingly, affectionately, he stroked her hair. Talk about your example of Christ! Jesus makes sure that we, the bride of Christ, are ready, perfectly groomed for His coming.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." - Ephesians 5:25-28

Then, as if the father's example wasn't enough, He did the same for his young son - stroking his son's hair to calm him. The father was God in this second illustration. Answering the prayers of Jesus perhaps as His Son readied Himself for the cross? Affectionately, compassionately.

Do we exhibit God's love in our public affection for our spouses and family members? Do we cause others to think about God when they see us in line at the grocery store or while driving our cars? We should be. We are commanded to be.

God loves us in the same way that father in my church loves HIS family. Unashamed, devoted, committed. We need more fathers in this world who exhibit the love of Christ for their families.

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." - Ephesians 5:1

Be An Example

My wife and I had our eight-year-old grandson over for a visit this week. We always love having our grandchildren come see us. We had all kinds of fun things planned too. For me, I took him disc golfing and played catch with him in the yard. It was on our way back home from the disc golf course that I learned a valuable lesson . . . from my grandson.

I was driving as we neared our house. My grandson was in the back seat on his booster chair. Still a block from home, I took off my seat belt without thinking. As soon as I clicked that button I thought to myself, ,"I shouldn't have done that." I'm a role model for my grandchildren. Sure enough, a few seconds later, my grandson removed HIS seatbelt.

Children are sponges; absorbing everything they see and hear. They are copy cats, learning and growing by following the example of their teachers.

Jesus didn't have to worry about unbuckling His seat belt too often but He WAS an example to His disciples and followers. Jesus said this to His disciples:

"For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." - John 13:15

That one click of my grandson's seatbelt taught ME a lesson. I have to be more diligent about my conduct in this world. Someone is always watching. And it's not just for the benefit of our children.

Do you speed when driving your car? I often do. Not by much but I'll drive 5MPH over the posted limit upon occasion . . . okay, full disclosure, I USUALLY do that. I also have a cross hanging from my rear view mirror. Am I a good example of a Christian? Breaking the law when Jesus told me not to?

Do we curse in the presence of our children? Do we drink alcohol in excess? Do we yell at the television set? What TV shows do we watch in the presence of our kids? Do we exhibit grace in line at the grocery store?

We must constantly be one guard in how we live our lives and interact with others in this world. We are an example for others of what it means to be a Christian. Do we "wear" Jesus well? Will people look at us and see Him?

"Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

We must walk like Jesus walked. Think like He did - always teaching. Always in obedience to HIS Father. Not only in word but in deed.

Impact

Have you made an impact on someone's life simply by the way that you live yours? It's quite possible that you have, and you don't even know it.

We can have a positive or a negative impact in the lives of the people around us. There is a choice to be made here. How will we choose?

As parents, we directly impact the lives of our children. Kids are smart. It might seem like they aren't listening but they hear every word that they want to hear. But that's not all.

Not only do people hear our words but they also pick up on our actions as well. We are then judged by whether our "actions speak louder than our words."

“People honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." - Matthew 15:8

Have you ever heard a parent say, "Do what I say, not what I do?" I hope not. Our words need to line up with our actions. I write these stories about observations I make in life. But if my words don't match my actions, my words don't carry much weight.

Teachers can have a tremendous impact on our children.

I had a teacher once whose nickname was "Pops." Nobody wanted to get on his bad side. We had seen it so we feared him. Yet, one day in class I did something that made him notice. He saw something I had done and used it as an example for the class. Embarrassing. Yet I remember that happening to this very day - some 50+ years later.

Often we don't even know the impact we are having on someone's life until years later. Will that impact be positive or negative? That's up to us.

Jesus had a tremendous impact on lives of the people around Him. He is in the business of changing lives. His presence in our hearts and in our actions causes a ripple effect that touches lives. We might not even notice the ripples we make but someone will.

Who will we touch today by the things we say and do?

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." - Philippians 1:27

Every Man Dies

Pastor Paul Washer was speaking to a group of youth pastors about the depths of their responsibilities to Jesus. After he delivered his message, one of the youth pastors came up to him and said, "If I do all of those things you just told us to do, the elders at my church will kill me." Pastor Washer calmly looked at the man and replied, "Then die."

That spoke volumes to me as we consider exactly who it is we are serving in ministry. In life.

On my way home from work the other night I was listening to Janet Parshall's In The Market. Her guest was Randall Wallace, the guy who wrote Braveheart. Randall Wallace is a descendant of William Wallace, the character Mel Gibson played in the movie.

During the show they played various audio clips from the movie and there was one that touched me - enough to write a story about it:

"Every man dies but not every man really lives." - William Wallace

After reading Song of Songs in the Bible last week, I began to realize the true passion and love that God has for His people. I also became convicted of my OWN lack of passion for God. Do I have that kind of love for Him? Do I exhibit that kind of love for others in the world around me? Am I "really living?" My answer was a resounding, "No."

Alright then. How can I change that? How can I "really live" my life MORE for Christ? Well, the first thing I should do, as with ANY situation, is to pray about it. Pray to God that He might change me into who He wants me to be. Not into who I want to become. Who God wants me to be.

Next I think I think I need to read more. I've been trying to read at least a chapter a day in the Bible. Perhaps I should read more than that so I can absorb more, more quickly. Yet, at the same time, take my time with it so I can understand as I go.

I need to be more intentional in spending time with God. Involve Him in more of my daily life. Like He's right there walking beside me because . . . He is.

Then love more. Invest time with other people. Listen to their stories. Share their pain. Walk with them as Christ walks with us.

Don't be afraid to physically touch someone. A hand on the shoulder or on the back. If they need a hug, give them one. I need to express my love for others in visible, tangible ways . . . with out getting into trouble in doing so.

Hmm, you know these lists are great. Their wonderful as a check list to show us where we come up lacking. But with out that genuine love in our hearts they are really quite useless. The true solution to loving God and loving others is to follow the advice of William Wallace. I need to die, as every man does. Not a physical death. In that sense we all will accomplish that one day. We need to die spiritually to anything that makes us "live" in this world.

Do I merely existing in this world, pretending to be "religious", and then in the next moment, do something worldly? If that is me, then I must die. I must be consistent - in Christ.

As every man, and every woman, walks through this life, let us be about being who we are. How will we be consistent today? How will we be Christlike today? How will we be examples of the One who saved us from the death that every man dies? The answer is simple. We must live the life we were called to live.

"If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
 

²² “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:20-25

Every Man Dies - Braveheart
Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets