Matthew 14-12.7.22
Scripture
Matthew 14:27-31 NIV
“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?””
Observation-What does it say?
The disciples were afraid because they thought it was a ghost walking towards them on the water. However, Jesus told them not to be afraid because it was Him. Peter requested that Jesus call him out into the water if it was truly Him. Jesus did, so Peter got out of the boat, went out to Jesus in the water, and started walking on water! But, when he saw the wind, He took His eyes off of Jesus and started to sink.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Don't take our eyes off of Jesus.
When Peter started focusing on the problem around him, which was the huge wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus, focused on the wind, became afraid and started to sink. How many of us take our focus off of Jesus when problems arise? We become afraid and start seeking help for the problem or issue, instead of putting our faith in Christ knowing that He is more than able to take care of it? I admit I am guilty of this.
At that moment, Peter’s fear wasn’t able to keep Him above water.
Life Application
Keep our focus on Jesus and not on the problem.
Here are some words of a hymn that I love-“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full on His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Just a few days ago, I experienced unrest and a lack of peace because I was focusing on a couple of problems, instead of going to the Lord in prayer. Very long story short, the Lord ended up working it out perfectly in His timing. If I would’ve trusted Him and kept my eyes on Him instead of how I needed to fix the problem, I wouldn’t have started to sink in that place of stress and unrest. I’m thankful that the Lord reached out His hand and caught me, like He did with Peter. It was definitely a great lesson for me in Who I need to keep my focus on.
Dear Lord, I admit that I would have reacted the same way as Peter did in fear because I have done so so many times before, just recently too. Please forgive me for losing my focus on You. I really don’t like the unrest it brings to my spirit. When life's challenges hit, may I seek You first in prayer so that my spirit would be at peace. Instead of meditating on the problem or issue at hand, please help me keep my eyes on You and Who You are. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Matthew 13-12.6.22
Scripture
Matthew 13:3-9
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Observation
Seeds (the Word of God) need healthy soil (your heart) in order to produce crops (grow and multiply).
Understanding
Tips for improving your soil (The Spruce):
1. Test your soil
2. Add organic matter - Adding organic matter is hands-down, without a doubt, the number one way to improve your soil.
3. Adjust your soil’s pH as necessary
4. Don’t compact the soil - One of the main causes of soil compaction: people stepping in the garden beds.
5. Disrupt the soil as little as possible
With these tips, you will see a vast improvement in the quality of your soil, and, therefore, in the health and beauty of your plants. It will take a little time, but your patience will be well rewarded.
Life Application
1. Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
2. Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
3. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
4. Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
5. Mark 4:19 But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
-Debbie Dunn
Psalm 128-12.5.22
Scripture
Psalms 128:1 NLT
“How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways!”
Observation-What does it say?
In this psalm, the psalmist sings of all the joys a person will experience when they know God and follow His Ways.
Verse 2: You will prosper and be successful at your job.
Verse 3: Your family will be in order and will be fruitful.
Verse 6: You will have peace of mind knowing your children and grandchildren are following and love God.
Understanding-What does it mean?
No God…No peace. Know God…Know peace.
What a wonderful reminder of the joy and peace we experience for those of us who know God, trust God, and follow His ways. We know that our happiness is not determined by our outward circumstances, but rather through our spiritual condition. A condition of our faith in God, and the One He sent to die for us. We know that He will never leave us or forsake us. We know that He will provide our every need. And we know that we too will conquer death, and be with Him in paradise for eternity. It is a hope that cannot be broken. It is our hope in Jesus Christ! All praise, honor, and glory belong to Him!
Life Application
Have the attitude of gratitude.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”-1 Peter 1:3-7
So remember this verse wherever you go. And remember our joys in life are not determined by our circumstances, but rather our joy is found because of our faith in Jesus…and we choose to follow Him! 😊
-Moses Gaddi