The lifeguard boat above is my photograph of Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The boat is positioned right below the lifeguard station. Notice the upside-down "RESCUE" sign on the surfboard in the background. This boat rather reminds me of how the apostle Peter got out of the boat he was in and attempted to walk on the water towards Jesus (Matthew 14:22-32). He actually did walk on the water while he kept his eyes on Jesus, but when he took his gaze off of the Savior, he realized how strong the wind was and the waves around him, and he became afraid, and cried to the Lord to save him as he began to sink.
"And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" - Matthew 14:31
Jesus' rescue of Peter was sure and true; yet He reprimanded Peter for his little faith. Remember, "without faith it is impossible to please God" ( as found at Hebrews 11:6) . Let us not be too hard on Peter, however, because he alone of all the disciples had the faith to begin to walk on the water towards Jesus. He is like many of us today; lots of good intentions but with no true depth of faith. I firmly believe that those of us believers who have suffered many trials and heartaches grow stronger as we rely upon the good Lord; all the problems and defeats and struggles tend to make us grow stronger, if we keep our eyes upon Jesus and rely on His help and strength.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13
"By trials God is shaping us for Higher things." - Jeremy Taylor
Someone has said: "When you feel you are drowning in life's situations, don't worry! Your Life Guard walks on water!"
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us." - C.S. Lewis
I used to just stumble through life; existing with no real goals nor thinking of the future in any great depth. I was, for the most part, only thinking of the present and what I wanted and - when I was really suffering in much lack as well as in trials - I was just relying on myself to get through the day, so to speak. That was before I came to know the good Lord; before He "renewed my mind." (Romans 12:2)
Salvation itself is a miracle from God. When all material things were taken from me, and I felt as if I had no one, I began praying in earnest to God and I also began to read the Bible in earnest. The good Lord began to renew my mind, and I eventually put Him first.......so I thought. At first, I still identified myself as an artist; my passion for painting consumed me. In my mind I was always an artist, instead of identifying myself as a follower of Jesus. Eventually, I realized I was NOT putting the Lord first and I was ashamed and felt convicted. The Lord showed me that sharing the Gospel with others, and developing a strong, close, loving relationship with Him was my calling. I felt Him urge me to write. As an adult I had always had an interest in Bible prophecy, and I knew we were living in the last days and that Jesus would return soon. It was time to quit my selfish pursuits and put the Lord first. I am a much happier and more fulfilled person now. Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Yahweh, for to you goes all the glory; for it was nothing I did to change myself but, rather, your tender mercies and love and forgiveness as well as your patience that began to mold me and shape me.
Salvation itself is a miracle from God. When all material things were taken from me, and I felt as if I had no one, I began praying in earnest to God and I also began to read the Bible in earnest. The good Lord began to renew my mind, and I eventually put Him first.......so I thought. At first, I still identified myself as an artist; my passion for painting consumed me. In my mind I was always an artist, instead of identifying myself as a follower of Jesus. Eventually, I realized I was NOT putting the Lord first and I was ashamed and felt convicted. The Lord showed me that sharing the Gospel with others, and developing a strong, close, loving relationship with Him was my calling. I felt Him urge me to write. As an adult I had always had an interest in Bible prophecy, and I knew we were living in the last days and that Jesus would return soon. It was time to quit my selfish pursuits and put the Lord first. I am a much happier and more fulfilled person now. Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Yahweh, for to you goes all the glory; for it was nothing I did to change myself but, rather, your tender mercies and love and forgiveness as well as your patience that began to mold me and shape me.
It takes a God of light and truth to bring a lost soul out of the darkness.
"Our calling and purpose as followers of Christ is to love God completely, to love self correctly, and to love others compassionately." - Kenneth Boa
"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure." - Isaiah 33:6
But it is not all about you and me; it is all about Jesus and doing His will and following in His footsteps as best we can. I do NOT mean that you are saved by works; no way is that true.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. ...... For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:5,7
When I give my personal testimony or talk about my past, it is to show you how gracious and loving God is to save a wretch like me. It is to encourage any who are hurting and looking for answers. The good Lord has all the answers and the gift of eternal life! He can give you hope and a purpose.
Jesus loves you. He will return soon to take all true believers to heaven to be with Him.
Are you ready?
Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25-26
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend..... and life !
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. ...... For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:5,7
When I give my personal testimony or talk about my past, it is to show you how gracious and loving God is to save a wretch like me. It is to encourage any who are hurting and looking for answers. The good Lord has all the answers and the gift of eternal life! He can give you hope and a purpose.
Jesus loves you. He will return soon to take all true believers to heaven to be with Him.
Are you ready?
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25-26
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend..... and life !
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