Quality Time: Part 2

If your devices are becoming more and more demanding (that is their nature) and you’re finding your quiet time is disrupted and diminishing, it may be time to tell the world to SHUT UP and humbly ask the Lord to SPEAK UP. Remember, just because you cannot hear His voice, it doesn’t mean He’s keeping secrets from you.

“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.” Matthew 14:27-29 (NIV)

Ask Jesus to take you beyond where you are right now in your faith. Are you sincere about coming closer to Him? Peter teaches me to ask Jesus for more faith-building circumstances. That usually means it will be unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Peter boldly asks to come to Jesus, and he reminds me, if it means getting out of my place of familiarity, be willing.

Moving closer to Jesus requires faith. It doesn’t make sense to the world around you. Faith moves.

Have your past steps of faith ever failed to grow and strengthen you? Thank Him for calling you to “come.”

“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?’

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” Matthew 14:30 - 33 (NIV)

Sometimes the distractions and disruptions win our time and attention.

Faith falters, I fail, but Jesus is faithful.

What a sweet reminder that He does not depend on me. If you find yourself thrashing to stay afloat, repeat after Peter, “Lord, save me!”

Recognize your LIFEGUARD. Immediately, He moves toward you. 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'

They returned to the boat - together.

The circumstances may be saying you failed in your faith walk, but may I encourage you to crawl back into His presence, worship Him, and say, “You are the Son of God.”