Bible League: Living His Word Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. He said, "Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?"The story of Jesus and Peter walking on water is a story that speaks to the life of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Although few disciples, if any, will ever again be called to walk on water like Peter, they will be called to do all sorts of other things in service to Jesus that will seem difficult, if not impossible. Just as Peter was called to get out of the boat and come to Jesus, so every disciple of Jesus Christ is called to leave where they have been and go where He is. Jesus is the Great Shepherd and we are His sheep. Our purpose in life is to stop going in the direction we used to go in and come to Him and follow Him. He calls each one of us to the purpose in life He has for us. Just like Peter, then, we must step out of the comfort of the boat of our own making and start to walk on the water where Jesus is walking. We may not be able to see how it is possible, we may only be able to see the difficulties and problems, but we must step out anyway. We must step out in faith that Jesus knows what He is asking of us and that it can be done. The life of a follower of Jesus is a life of faith in Him. If we step out in faith and follow Jesus, then we must not doubt. There will always be reasons to doubt, there will always be wind and waves, because the world we live in is a world full of trials, troubles, and tribulations. In this dispensation, no one gets a free pass. Nevertheless, we must step out in faith and not doubt the call of Jesus. Just like Peter, however, every disciple will have times when the troubles of the calling will test our faith and cause us to doubt. When that happens and we start to sink, we must call out to Jesus for His help. Jesus is always there ready to lift us up. He will never leave us nor forsake us After all, it was Jesus Himself who said, "You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time" (Matthew 28:20). Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 139-141 Psalm 139 -- O Lord, you have searched me, and you know me. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 140 -- Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man; NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 141 -- O Lord, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 1 Corinthians 10 -- Warning to Avoid Israel's Fate and flee from Idolatry; Freedom of believers NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.Insight How do we get eternal life? Jesus tells us clearly here—by knowing God the Father himself through his Son, Jesus Christ. Eternal life requires entering into a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Challenge When we admit our sin and turn away from it, Christ's love lives in us by the Holy Spirit. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God.When Dr. Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.'" In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:-- William Carey, Born August 17th, 1761: Died - - "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm On thy kind arms I fall." Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honored of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at the best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We have need that the Lord should have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preachings, our alms-givings, and our holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled upon the doorposts of Israel's dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be needed to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice! Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 16:20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.Romans 4:20,21 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, • and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their fathers. Psalm 46:1,2 For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. • Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Psalm 118:8,9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. • It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. Psalm 37:23,24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. • When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. Psalm 34:8,9 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! • O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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