The Hungry Disciple

Lost At Sea Fatherless children Washed away By sand and high tides, Churning from day To the ocean. Restless, roiling Cold and deep No mooring, no anchor Their soul to keep From the dark Shoot uprooted Deaf and blind, Dreaming of harbor, Seeking a sign Of the light Abba, find them Arms above Oh, draw them near you Great heart of love Throb them whole “Sons to their fathers” Our cry to you, As is in heaven Your promise true By your Spirit

Yes, I know you know the story.  Even unbelievers know the story. Peter got out of the boat, took his eyes off Jesus and his faith failed. Peter's problem was doubting. A faith that doubts means you sink. Believe without doubting and you will be a water-walker too. I don't see it that way, but then I've had some experiences in life where I sank, sank hard.   You have to give it to Peter. He was so hungry for the supernatural. He and the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost. Can we all agree that if we were to see a ghostly presence in front of us doing something unearthly we would be afraid?  Even if the ghost said, "Don't be scared. It's me!"   Of course they were afraid!  Like the storm wasn't scary enough?  But Peter, he calls out to the ghost, "OK buddy, if it's you tell me I can do what you're doing."  Who says that?  Someone who believed in his heart that Jesus was Divine and could do the miraculous. Go Pete! Can ...

My nephew graduated college this past weekend and we are all very proud of him because we know how hard he worked to receive his Physics degree. To learn Physics he had to successfully complete many laboratory experiments as well as the course work. He couldn’t just learn the material. He had to demonstrate that he knew the material. I was reminded of the process of receiving Faith.  It too is a learning process. Faith as spiritual knowledge is important. Faith as a living, breathing Kingdom Life skill is vital. The first chapter of The Epistle of James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. James 1: 2 & 3 NLT says, “ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”  The accurate definition of the Greek word translated ‘trials’ here means experiment, attempt, or proving.  The letter goes on to tell us that the testing of our faith produces patience....

I love The Message Bible.  It reads the way we speak today.  As I have been pondering on doing good while we are suffering, I have been drawn back to the simple teaching of Jesus. He teaches us to be good because our Father in Heaven is good. It is who we are through Him and Peter's teaching on suffering tells us suffering is no excuse to stop doing good.   It sounds very nice to say "follow Jesus step by step" but it's too easy to slip over into our own interpretations of what He considers to be good.  The Word tells us God anointed Jesus of Nazareth who went about doing good. Doing good means to bestow benefits. To give what benefits others. Here are some Scriptures that reminded me of what Jesus Good is, and of who I am in Him. In His Power I can benefit others at all times. BEWARE WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ IS RADICAL! Love Your Enemies Matthew 5:38-48   “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ ...