Organizing the Inside 365 Days
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Organizing the Inside – Day 354 Be Fearless and Look Straight Ahead!
24Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am her”
28Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:24-31 (NLT)
Perfect love drives out all fear. It’s not until we reach the point where our love for God supersedes our love for anything or anyone else, that we can experience life with no fear. Each day as we walk in step with God, He removes the barriers of fear and builds our faith. I don’t believe that this just happens overnight, we must grow in the knowledge of His awesome love. Nothing about this Christian walk is on autopilot. For me, with each new day of trusting Him, I discover that getting out of the boat was only the first step of obedience. Keeping my eyes on Him with each additional step upon water keeps me absolutely FEARLESS! God is so good! He is the author and finisher of our faith.
When God gives the okay, His Word encourages us and we believe we can do anything. Peter asked Jesus to give him permission to come. How many have tried God by asking, “Okay Lord if this is you… let this happen”? We all have looked for a simple sign or nod from the Lord. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Jesus told him, “Yes, come.”
Peter being encouraged by the Word, obeyed Jesus, and stepped out on faith. Keeping his eyes upon Jesus, Peter was able to do something no one else (other than Jesus) had ever done. He was the only one willing to get out of the boat. Even after he got out of the boat and was walking on the water, the others remained in the boat. Sometimes you are the only one among the group willing to step out on faith. You may be the only one willing to ask God for what is seemingly impossible.
Peter became distracted by everything that was happening around Him. The strong waves had not stopped, but Peter locked in focus on Jesus as he walked on the water toward Him. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus he began to exchange faith for fear.
Be single-minded and stay focused on what God told you to do. Forget about what the rest are not doing, those who decided to stay in the boat. Focus your attention on Jesus and the goal that is before you. Keep your eyes on Him regardless of the conditions around you. If God said, “Come” then go! Keep the Word He gave you in your heart as you do what others thought was impossible. When you step out on faith you can’t take a poll nor wait for a consensus. If God told you to do something than you have all the agreement you will ever need by agreeing with Him. Jesus asked Peter, “Why did you doubt me?” We can learn so much from this. When you are walking in faith, you are pleasing God and there is no doubt or fear in faith.
There are two things that Jesus said to His disciples which are written in various ways throughout scripture: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” and “Be not afraid.”
- Don’t be afraid
- Do what God says
- Forget about what everyone else does
- Stay focused on Jesus
- Remain fearless
- Do not doubt God
- Keep the Word He gave YOU in your heart
Organzing the Inside – Day 301 Where is Your Faith When the Storm is Raging?
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Luke 8:22-25 (NLT)
Have you feared the worst when God told you to do something? Although you knew it was the Lord who told you to do this, somehow when the storm came you began to doubt. You looked at the winds, and the waves which represent all the opposition you’ve been experiencing, and have almost given in to the fear. Your mind is telling you to give up. Your head is suggesting that you never heard from God to begin with. You’ve often thought it sure would be easier to just give up and forget about it.
Jesus told His disciples the plan. The scriptures point out that He was specific about what they were to do. He said they were going to the other side of the lake. Jesus was with them the entire time, but the disciples forgot all about what the Lord said in the midst of the storm. In fact, what He said no longer mattered, because they were preoccupied with the storm. In frantic fear about all that was happening around them they spoke in unbelief and cried out, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
Do not doubt if God has told you what He wanted. When God tells you where to go, you should have absolute certainty that you will reach your destination. The Lord’s objectives will be met. He never suggested that the disciples should try to see if perhaps they could get to the other side. Jesus told them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
7 Things You Need To Know To Get Through The Storm
When God gives you something to do, eventually opposition will come, but you can have total peace.
1. Know where your faith is. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. 2 Chronicles 20:20c (NLT)
2. The Lord is with you and He will never leave you alone. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
3. When the storm is raging and calamity seems inevitable, you will not fail because you have the Word of the Lord. He will uphold you and give you complete victory. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
4. Even if you stand completely alone you and God together are the majority. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31(NIV)
5. Never cry out in unbelief, but ask for what you need (in faith) according to His will. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) The LORD will work out his plans for my life–for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
6. You can make your mind obey and submit to what you know is God’s will. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
7. You have the peace of God. Don’t get distracted by confusion and opposition. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
Here’s a different look at this scripture, nice article.
- When the Storms of Life are Raging (dreamprayact.com)
Organizing the Inside – Day 59 Abandon Fear
5Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
~ Hebrews 13:5, 6
Today I admonish you to let go of yesterday’s failures and mistakes.
Don’t let pride or fear of any kind hold you down. Abandon fear at once! For what can any man do to you, if God is your strong fortress? He will strengthen you, He will uphold you with His right hand of righteousness. Remind yourself that the greater one lives in you, and He most certainly has overcome the world. Today live fearlessly, simply live!
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 