I want to tell you a little about my journey in seeking a deeper walk with the Lord. It may be helpful to someone. During the last 3 weeks I have been fasting a Daniel fast as circumstances have allowed it and I have been much more focussed on prayer. I am halfway through the time the Lord gave me to do this. During this period I have been made painfully aware of personal things the Lord wants to change in me. Yesterday in particular was a hard day, I was depressed about myself, I clearly saw my own unworthiness before God (Isa 6:5).
At lunchtime I visited Women Aglow (meets at Grace Fellowship the second Wednesday each month, at noon). The guest speaker spoke encouraging words, but that is not what made the difference. It was the Holy Spirit who brought healing to my soul. It was as though I had been taken from the pit and placed on a high hill. It was like Elijah on the run from Jezebel, depressed, wanting to give up. But God sent him an angel who gave him food for the journey, which kept him going. God knew exactly what I needed.
The rest of the day I was encouraged. But the lessons go on.
Yesterday evening my wife said some true words to me, which hit home. They related to living in faith. I had just spoken some words which were not based on faith, and I am sure you too are aware that the words we speak (which come out of our heart) change and affect our circumstances.
Earlier this morning the Lord reminded me about the record of Peter stepping out of the boat, and walking on the water with Jesus. There are a number of lessons we can draw from this example, the big one of course being that of faith. As I read the various accounts (Matt 14:25, Mark 6:48 and John 6:19) I was first of all struck by the fact that Mark and John, while telling the story about Jesus walking on the water, did not mention about Peter's part in the incident.
Why is this? Mark received much of his information about Jesus' ministry from Peter. It seems Peter did not want to seek glory for himself, and did not pass this information on to his listener. John and Peter were close, and probably shared this attribute (John generally does not refer to himself by name in his gospel), and John too does not draw attention to this event. But Matthew did, so that we could learn from Peter's courageous experience.
The lesson the Lord is teaching me today, is to "not look at the circumstances, or depend on the arm of flesh, but set your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, it is He who will bring it to pass. What he has given he will not take away, and what he has started he will complete. The task he is preparing you for, will come to pass though it tarry many days. The words he has spoken will not return to him void. So be encouraged, the Lord is at hand".
Have a day full of faith,
Pastor Gerry
No comments:
Post a Comment