Be A Wave Walker

This past Sunday at NorthStar church we were privileged to have guest speaker JoyAnna McBride share with us. Her message was from Matthew 14:22-33 where we read the story about Peter walking on the water. Here we see Jesus send his disciples out into the boat while Jesus sent the rest of the people home. After sending the crowd home Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray. Now I imagine that with Jesus being up on a hill he could see the storm coming and knew that the boat wouldn't be able to handle the storm that was was on it's way. Jesus wasn't concerned over the boat, but instead the hearts of the men in the boat. As Jesus makes his was across the stormy waves walking on the water, his disciples think that he is a ghost, but he tells them it is not a ghost but that it is he and tells them to take courage for he is there. So peter still doubting says "Lord if it is really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." Pay attention here.....Jesus tells him to COME.

He doesn't say "hey wait a sec and let me calm these waves down first. or wait a sec Peter let me just come to you it will be easier." No Jesus just simply says "come" and Peter saw that being in the boat without Jesus was more dangerous than being in the stormy waves with Jesus. As long as Peter kept his focus and attention on Jesus he kept afloat, but as soon as he noticed the storm that was still around him he started to sink. Jesus let Peter sink, but didn't let him drown. That's very important. After they made their way back to the boat, it is then the winds calmed down and the disciples worshiped saying "You really are the Son of God!" The disciples were able to worship not only because Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm, but worshiped because Peter was willing to walk the storm with Jesus so Jesus could show his power when saving Peter.

So when people see you/me going through a storm are they able to worship and draw near to God because you let Him navigate your way through the waves of life? Or do they see us drowning without asking the Lord for help? Are we stuck in the boat during the storms wondering if it truly is safer with Jesus, or are you asking Jesus to make you a water walker? Storms will come, that is a promise. Some storms come because of stupid decisions on our part, some come because of the sinful world we live in, and others come to teach us a lesson. Sometimes comfortable seasons in life make us lazy and not rely on God. So I pray the next time a storm comes your way, ask Jesus to make you a water walker. Take the step of faith to get out of the boat, keep your focus on Jesus and let Him walk you across the waters.-Adie

Hot Enough For You

As we finished up the hot & humid season thousands of churches have dropped the “Christianese” talk of how hot it has been and reminding us Hell is so much hotter. Therefore we wouldn’t want to go to Hell. If Hell is all about being hot then Heaven must be a paradise of central air.

 Actually many people like hot weather (yes insanity)  and some of those very same people are planning to “party in Hell” with that not too nice hot weather. Our Christianese talk is similar to the church billboards. They have watered down the true meaning of Heaven and Hell and all that is in between. What makes Hell –Hell is a complete void, absence of God. This life we live on earth is a mix of both as in we know only in part what awaits us in Heaven and Hell. But we do know Heaven is all about God, Jesus and all that is good. And Hell is the absence of all those things.  A destination set only for Satan and the fallen angels. But many (wide is the road) will choose to walk pass the beaten bloody Savior on the cross saying “thanks but no thanks”

The torment, the depths in the agony of Hell leads me to believe the temperature will be the last thought that comes to mind. It’s not the hot weather that reminds me of Hell but it’s the daily news of killings, wars, cancers, diseases, abortions, hatred, for these are the reminders of the reality of hell.

“Hell is hot” rings about as much truth as calling God the “big man upstairs”, or the loved one passes away and becomes your guardian angel.  So lacking it’s not worth uttering from our lips it’s more like a folklore. So let’s talk about Hell (it’s not talked about enough) it’s a place one can only earn by denying the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And Heaven is the place you enter because God gave His son Jesus Christ to die for you and me. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve and mercy is not getting what we deserve. And that is the difference between Heaven and Hell. The world needs a lot less clichés and a lot more Truth.

If this Jesus, Heaven and hell thing is not for you then realize this life is the closest thing you will ever know of Heaven. But if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord  & Savior then this life is the closest thing to Hell you will ever see. Heaven awaits you, even so come Lord Jesus, come.