Walking on Water

When Peter tried to walk on water, he took his eyes off Jesus and sank. But Jesus picked him up, saying, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?” (Matt. 14). Likewise, on our journey of faith, each of us is confronted by doubts—we cry out, “Lord, help me overcome my unbelief”  (Mark 9:24). Having doubts is normal. The important thing is how we handle them.

Imagine that doubt is a fork-in-the-road of faith (we'll have many of these in a lifetime). One road leads to the resolution of doubt to greater faith. The other is a dead-end of double-mindedness (James 1:8).

Double-mindedness (not doubt) was the primal sin: “I am afraid that you will be led astray from your pure and undivided devotion to Christ just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s craftiness” (2 Co. 11:3). Jesus attributes Martha's anxiety to double-mindedness while honoring Mary's singular attention on Him. (Luke 10:41-42). So, to the degree we fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2), we will overcome troubling doubts and walk on the waters of bigger faith (Col. 3:2). Just like Peter did!

Is Too Much Stress making You Sick?

A sign of our times is the volume of people seeking therapy because they are over-stressed by too much change. You might be surprised to know that this malady was first diagnosed in the 1800's (by a Dr. Miller Beard), when industrialization and urbanization were causing people symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression, and restlessness. The ailment was labeled “neurasthenia,” an over-taxing of the nervous system. Sound familiar?

But take hope; there is a cure. In fact, the cure has been around for a long time. To the over-stressed and restless throngs, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are  weary and burdened, and I will cause you to rest” (Matt. 11:28). To the Jewish believers who  had been expelled from Jerusalem and were facing martyrdom, Paul simply said, “Be diligent to enter His Rest” (Heb. 4:11). And centuries later, Augustine rightly said, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You.” The greater our stress, the more we will need “the times of refreshing that come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

Starting Over

Since I began blogging over 5 years ago, I have learned a lot about how to write succinctly. Consequently, I have gone back and re-written and/or re-formatted some of my earlier posts; it's like getting a chance to start over. Don't I wish it were that easy in the real world. Is there anyone who never wished they could erase some part of their beginning and start again? But, there are no “do-over's” in “time.”

In the spiritual realm, however, we are not only promised a new start, we are incited to it. After Paul promises us  we can be “renewed” each day (2 Cor. 4:16), he urges us to “walk in newness” (Rom. 6:4). Jesus tells us to treat each day as new, not looking back regretfully (Matt. 6:34; Luke 9:62). And this is better than a ‘do-over.’ “It means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17). Don't allow yesterday's mistakes to infect your new day. (Col. 4:5)

Looking for Peace on 911

Today political pundits will tell us we have become more suspicious and fearful since Al Qaeda’s attack on the twin towers 12 years ago: TSA inspects shoes and underwear, while NSA monitors private emails and phone calls. And on the global front, London Times diplomatic editor Roger Boyes captures the mood: “The direction in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Iran should keep us awake at night.”

So, then, while the earthlings are trying hard today not to be engulfed in dread and anxiety, let us take solace in the fact that a day is coming when the Prince of Peace will establish His government, put an end to war, and bring about everlasting peace (Is. 9:6-7).

And while the peace of God is not yet cosmically realized, it is certainly personally available. “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Col. 3:15). The peace Jesus promised and Paul commanded is a settled state of inner rest that nothing can disturb. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You” (Is. 26:3). “Let not your heart be troubled” today (Jn. 14:1).

What is The Purpose of Striking Syria?

At this moment in history, President Obama and the Congress are deliberating whether to conduct a military strike in Syria. The President wants to send a message to Assad that chemical warfare is intolerable. While that may deal with the immediate issue, arguably it does not touch  the ultimate “purpose.” It does not address the hard question, “What will be its ultimate affect on the Middle East tinderbox?”

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people run wild” (Prov. 29:18). We can see this clearly in Syria (or in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Egypt). But is this not also happening here in the U.S.? But more to the point, this truism relates to the human heart. God created us with purpose (Eph. 1:4) and for purpose (Eph. 2:10; Rom. 8:28). As Biblical believers, our lives have purpose and meaning.

When we live with a view toward God's purposes, our every action follows in harmony with God—we have peace. But at the moment we lose sight of God's purposes, our thoughts run wild—and so do our actions! And, instead of peace and harmony, we experience confusion and anxiety. Today, as we observe the world in chaos, let us make sure the peace of God is ruling in our hearts… and we are intent on God's purposes (Col. 3:14; Philip. 2:2).

George or Trayvon: who do you trust?

I can’t let the George Zimmerman trial go without some comment. The tragedy of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s death has resonated with Americans no matter how they view this event. Though I won't offer an opinion, I do think we should reflect on what is happening in 21^st century America: Fear and Distrust.

Though fear in America is not new (growing up in the Cold War era, I remember when everyone was afraid of the Russians), one has to ask if current circumstances—terrorism infiltrating our country, and an increasing crime rate in our cities—are causing Americans to be more fearful (as was the case, allegedly, with George Zimmerman).

In a recent poll, a majority of Americans said the world is more dangerous than ever before; and they are increasingly distrustful. Though this is not a specific sign of the end times, fear and distrust have become a sign of the times. How incongruent, then, that at this most fearful time in history, there is a movement underway to eliminate “In God we Trust” from the national conscience—to remove it from our currency, when the opposite should be happening! “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you; surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is. 44:10). Who do you trust?

When Anxiety Looms, Faith Blooms

The mainstream media is warning of dire consequences of a fiscal disaster if our leaders are unable to overcome bipartisan bickering and  pass a budget. Though no one can see what is on the other side of the cliff, they are imagining it to be pretty bleak.

Thus, our Father’s promise to protect and provide for us has never seemed more comforting—rescuing us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10) and meeting all our needs in the mean time (Matt. 6:31-33).

When the believers in the early churches were facing insecure times, Paul counseled them to “fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18) Remembering that this world is temporary is one of the ways our hearts and minds will be protected from anxiety (Phil. 4:8).

Can’t you almost hear the Lord saying to us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).

What's Everyone Looking At?

The recent slaughter of women and children by pro-Syrian government forces has captured world attention. Even the suggestion that Greece will leave the European Union, default on its loans, and produce an economic freefall has everyone anxiously eyeing the stock market. Worried atomic energy monitors are taking a hard look at Iran. And here at home, Americans are fretfully looking for a leader.

During one particularly hard time in Israel, Isaiah rebuked them: “Do not anxiously look around” (41:10). Jesus said the days before the Rapture would be anxious ones—just like now. And people are certainly looking around anxiously. “When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near” (Luke 21:28). Unlike the earth dwellers who are anxiously looking around, we should be expectantly looking up.

Somewhat paradoxically, even though Jesus said no one knows the day or hour of His return, He told us to be looking for it. “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night...[but] you must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come in the clouds when least expected” (Matt. 24:30, 43). The world is a mess! We can either look around anxiously or look up expectantly.

Don’t You Care?

Who has not at sometime (or many times?) in their walk with God uttered these infamous words, “Don’t you care?” They are spoken when there seems to be a universal conspiracy to make your life miserable. Most famously, Martha spoke these words, “don’t you care,” when Jesus’ actions seemed unfair (Luke 10:41).

One of my favorite teachers, Zac Poonen, says his life was transformed when he realized that Jesus, as a man, was tempted in all ways that we are (Heb. 2:18; 4:15). And Poonen thinks many people do not really believe that Jesus was tempted like us, believing that Jesus’ temptations were different—because he was God. Well, since God cannot be tempted, it has to be that Jesus was tempted as a man—just like us.

The “don’t you care” that comes out of us when we are frustrated reveals how we see Jesus. If we don’t believe that He understands our feelings, we won’t see Him as one who cares. The next time you are tempted to say “don’t you care,” remember what Peter (who knew Jesus as a man before he knew Him as God) said: “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Fear is always your first reaction

Once again I am a student—officially. I am taking post-graduate classes in theology at Liberty University Online. It’s a little intimidating, if not overwhelming to learn how to use the online tools—learning how to use the virtual black board, how to post my assignments, etc. And when I don’t understand the instructions, my first reaction is fear. In fact, quite honestly, it’s more akin to “panic.” But I have to slow down and read the instructions again. I have to quiet myself to reduce the level of anxiety.

It reminds me that whenever we go through experiences—called trials—that are bewildering and disorienting, our first reaction is fear. At this point, our challenge is to quiet ourselves and go back (return) to God’s instructions—the Bible. It is there we find perspective: “In returning and rest, you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength” (Is. 30:15).

To correctly interpret your difficult circumstances, God's perspective is vital. Every crisis should grab our attention; what better time to hear God speak. One word He always gives in such situations, "Do not be afraid." Fear is the human reaction to problems. Hope is God's reaction. “After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram" (Gen. 15:1)

How Well are You Sleeping these Days?

The Atlantic and Gulf states are in the middle of hurricane season. And the next big one is Igor—a storm as big as Texas. And right behind it is Hurricane Julia. At the same time, there have been two huge fire storms in the West—a natural forest fire in Colorado and a gas explosion fire in San Bruno, California.

When Jesus and the disciples encountered a life-threatening storm, Jesus slept (Luke 8:23). ‘Naps’ and ‘storms’ don’t have much in common—metaphorically, the former a sign of rest; the latter suggesting the opposite. But Jesus was obviously free from anxiety, because He was sleeping, until His disciples awakened Him. Jesus’ response "where is your faith?" (8:25) reveals the key to a proper disposition during life’s storms—a faith in God that overcomes fear.

I know many people going through some Texas-sized storms right now. Maybe you are one of them. Maybe you are feeling the wind blowing so hard and shaking you so violently, you are completely disoriented. Or maybe it feels like the heat of a fire storm is about to destroy you. Jesus promises that in the midst of the storm you are being exercised in faith. God is developing in you a deeper humility, a greater sorrow for sin, a heightened hunger for his righteousness. Any experience which makes you feel your need for Jesus can't be bad. How can we resist anything that causes us to set our affections on things above” (Col. 3:20)?

Distracted Driving is a Threat to Our Well-being!

Do you talk on your cell phone while driving? Do you text? An article in the newspaper, “Driving while distracted,”claims this is a growing danger as more drivers insist on using their cell phones and handheld devises. Last year, almost 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured due to driver distraction.

Did you know there is a Biblical mandate against distraction? Paul says “be not anxious!” (Phil. 4:6). The word “anxious” is NOT exactly the same word we use today to describe the ‘clinically’-diagnosed problem of anxiety. The Greek word “anxious” is rooted in the word “divide,” meaning a divided or distracted mind. Jesus diagnoses Martha’s problem using this word: “Martha, Martha, you are worried…” (Luke 10:42). Martha was not having a panic attack: but she was terribly distracted by the details of dinner preparation.

Fortunately, Paul does not give the prohibition against “distraction” without offering the solution. The cure for distraction is FOCUS: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right...pure and lovely and admirable...excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil. 4:9 NLT)…,“set your minds on things above” (Col. 3:2). Paul’s solution: “single-mindedness.” When Jesus spoke of Martha’s “distraction” He too pointed to single-mindedness: “you are distracted by many things but only one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42). The “one thing” that mattered most that day was devotion to Jesus. Mary understood that.

And finally, Paul says Satan’s strategy in the Garden was to distract Eve from her single-minded devotion to God, followed by his warning: Satan will try to distract your minds from attention to Jesus (2 Co. 11:3). And his strategy remains unchanged. He will do everything to distract you in your quiet times of Bible reading and prayer. He will distract you with the things of this world—both good and bad. Be careful! These distractions can cause accident and injury. Distractions are a threat to your well-being!