A Toddler’s First Steps

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29–31 (HCSB)

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The disciples are over a mile from shore as a violent storm moves across the Sea of Galilee. All eyes are on a ghostly figure walking toward their boat. And then Jesus, walking on the water, says, “It is I.”

Bold and brash, Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, then command me to come to you on the water!”

Jesus tells Peter to come, and so the disciple steps out of the boat. He’s actually walking on the water toward Jesus! But then he remembers the storm, and he looks around at waves that seem to be taller than his own height; he hears the wind howling like a freight train coming down the track.

He begins to sink into the stormed-battered sea, over a mile from shore, several feet from the boat, but within arm’s length of Jesus, who catches hold of Peter, keeping him from sinking.

Jesus says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

How do you read the words of Jesus? Do you hear them as an angry rebuke, or do you hear as if they were said by a loving father, who’s just seen his small child walk for the first time?

What does this mean?

· Jesus is for you, not against you – Can you imagine a father, watching his child walk for the very first time, becoming angry because the young one stumbles and falls after just two steps? The father is for the child, encouraging each new step, ready to catch hold of the baby if she/he starts to fall. Jesus wants you to succeed when you step out in faith. He is pleased when you take steps of faith, no matter how small.

· In faith, believe Jesus is for you – Your next step of faith may be to believe, in faith, that Jesus is for you as you step out of the boat of self-reliance. If you struggle to believe Jesus is for you, and not against you, ask God to show you why? What are the roots to this perception of God-against-you? I believe, Lord; help my unbelief.

· Jesus is there to catch hold of you – If your faith falters, Jesus will reach out his hand to steady you. (Matthew 14:29–31, HCSB)

Plane in a storm

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten Your SeatBelts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us." And then the storm broke . . . The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning! Well, it lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening. Severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."

The minister could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The child with calm reassurance replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

OH TO HAVE THAT CHILD-LIKE FAITH BORNE OUT OF A TRUSTING HEART! (Matt 18:3)

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw the plane of our life into apparently uncontrollable movement.

We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky. Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. DONT WORRY!

God Does Everything For You…………

My Dear Friend, To find solutions for our problem, we adopt shortcuts.

We know that God is the one who answers our prayers.Yet, we ask, "How are we to pray for one hour?" and so we ignore prayer. But when we are not able to free ourselves from our problems, we suffer and only then we try to seek the help of God. In the end, unable to see Him, we lose His presence completely

That is the time, when the devil very easily enters our lives.Thereafter, we face failure everywhere-failure in studies, failure in obtaining seats for higher studies we desire, failure in our search for jobs, failure in our promotion in our careers.
Everywhere the door seems to be locked. So, there is frustration in our lives and our heart is filled with sorrow and disappointment.

Yes my friend, we too murmur and complain like the people of Sometimes, we deny God and curse Him.

No my friends, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him". Permit Him to enter your lives and do His work.

You will then see the salvation of God and His glory………..

Is Jesus Capable To Manage Your Life?

“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13–14 (HCSB)
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It’s been my experience that whenever there is a change of leadership, people get nervous. It could be a new boss replacing another, bringing in a different set of procedures to replace the ones that are well-worn and familiar. It could be a change of leadership in the government. Will the new people in power change things for the better or for worse? When Jesus pours His Spirit into our hearts, it represents a change of leadership.

Before this Jesus-event, we’re in charge, making decisions independent of God; after this Jesus-event, God is in charge and we make decisions dependent upon Him. During this Jesus-event, we confess, “I can’t; God can.” Paul describes this change in leadership as a transfer from the Devil’s domain of darkness into God’s “Kingdom of the Son He loves.” In one realm, the Devil is the despot; in the other, Jesus rules with love, redemption, and forgiveness. (Matthew 11:30)

When this transfer takes place, we face a choice: Will we submit to the God’s leadership or will we continue to make decisions based on how we did it when we were aligned with the renegade régime. What does this mean? · God works in you – Before you ask God to help you answer the questions below, remember that God is for you and He works within you. You are a work of His own hands, His masterpiece, and He is creating you anew to do the good things He planned for you long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, referencing NLT) ·

Is Jesus capable? – Ask God to guide you as you ask these questions of yourself:

§ Do you believe Jesus is capable to lead your life?

§ Do you believe Jesus is willing to lead your life? What does your behavior say about your beliefs?

– Based upon your answers, how should you change the way you think and/or the way you behave in order to align with your beliefs? If you don’t believe Jesus is capable or willing to lead your life, ask God where that uncertainty comes from, and ask Him to help you believe. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 NKJV).

SECRET OF SUCCESS

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Even today, when the divine wisdom is present within you, you can fathom the mind of anyone. You can reveal all truth and the secrets of God.

Our Living God is still alive even today.

You should also be filled with such a divine wisdom.

The Living God will give you this wisdom and shower his immense blessings upon you.

Yes my dear friend, when you receive the God's Spirit, the divine wisdom will be seen in your studies,

in your work and in all your earthly pursuits. Wisdom and power will be seen in your speech and action.

No power on earth will shake you. Just plead in tears and say, "Almighty God, fill me with your Spirit and divine wisdom".

He will bless you with His divine wisdom and you will excel in this world. May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Fathers Love

My Dear Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

With Love
Your Dad