Showing posts with label disciples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disciples. Show all posts
Earlier this week, I had the incredible opportunity to spend
a few days at St. Augustine Beach with my Dad and Grandma. One evening, I was sitting on the sand
enjoying the refreshing surf as it lapped against my feet. Within minutes, the wind started to blow and
the rain began to fall. As the thunder roared
and the lightning flashed, I sat there in awe of the undeniable beauty that was
set before me, even in the midst of these otherwise inclement conditions. The infinite array of colors in the sky was
barely visible among the graying clouds, but it was still evident that the sun
was soon setting. Even with the
impending thunderstorm, the waves continued to roll in, spreading out across
the sand in the same orderly fashion as they had minutes, hours, even days
before.
But it wasn’t the thunder, the lightning, or the rain that
held true beauty. Instead, it was the
beauty of knowing that God himself had created the vast ocean that I had the
privilege to behold. It was His hand
that was guiding each and every rain drop, and He was the one controlling the
Heavens above, ensuring that each bolt of lightning and each clap of thunder
were orchestrated at the precise time and location. Walking back to the hotel, I had no
fear. I knew that the same God who was
watching over each and every detail of the storm was most assuredly watching
over me.
Sometimes in life, though, we do not have this same
reassurance. There are things that we
encounter that seem too scary to handle.
Fear grips our innermost being and we can barely move, speak, or even
breathe at times. It may be something
greater than a thunderstorm passing overhead.
It may be a physical storm, in the form of cancer, Alzheimer’s, or some
other illness. You could also be facing
a mental or emotional storm, whether it is a battle with depression, anxiety,
or some other crippling condition that has you trapped in a pit of fear,
causing you to feel as if there is no way out.
Someone you know may be frightening you with their condescending or
threatening language. Fear can take on many
forms, many of which can jeopardize an individual’s ability to live a normal
life. Being afraid can even cause a
person to feel that they are knocking at death’s door.
Even Jesus’ disciples were so scared one day that they
thought they were going to die. Although
they traveled and ministered with the Lord and Savior, they were not immune to
fear. Matthew 8:24-25 tells the story
best: “Suddenly a furious storm came up
on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord,
save us! We’re going to drown!’” Even
with Jesus on their boat, the disciples were still filled with fear. Instead of realizing that Jesus was sleeping,
completely unconcerned by the storm outside, they began to lose faith.
Think about it. The
King of Kings and Lord of Lords was actually on their boat, yet they were still
scared. Jesus had performed many miracles.
In Matthew chapter 8, we read that Jesus healed a man with leprosy, a
paralyzed servant, and even Peter’s mother-in-law. Nevertheless, the disciples still doubted His
ability to keep them safe in the midst of a raging storm. They looked at the situation with human eyes,
considering the “what ifs.” I’m sure
they thought about the possibility that the boat could capsize. What if they are knocked overboard and cannot
swim to safety? What if the boat broke
into a million pieces? Instead of
thinking of all of the negative possibilities, they should have been praising
God, thanking Him for delivering them from the storm, having faith that He
would protect them from all harm.
Jesus wasn’t upset with their reaction to the storm. He only had one question for His
disciples. He asked, “‘You of
little faith, why are you so afraid?’” (Matthew 8:26). The same
question could apply to you and me. Why
are we afraid? We have Jesus Christ on
our boat. There is no need to fear. No matter what situation we are going
through, we can rest assured that Jesus Christ is with us always. He will calm every storm in our life. Just as He rebuked the winds and waves and
calmed the storm with His disciples, He will do the same for us (Matthew
8:26). So the next time you are in a
frightening situation, focus your eyes on Jesus Christ. Find beauty amidst the darkness. Have faith that Jesus Christ will calm the
storm and keep you safe from all harm. Don’t be afraid. Be courageous. Jesus is with you! (Matthew 14:27)
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
When was the last time you thought “outside the box?” The idea of thinking outside of the box is thought to have originated in the 1970’s or 1980’s when corporations challenged employees to complete the infamous “nine dots” puzzle as an exercise in lateral thinking. Today, the phrase is widely used to refer to anyone showing an ability to see the big picture or be extraordinarily creative. While thinking “outside the box” is definitely a sign of individuality, there is one action that goes beyond simply being outside the box. Sometimes, you have to give all that you have to give, holding nothing back, and boldly break open the box.
In the books of Mark and Matthew, we read of a woman whom Jesus’ disciples rebuke. Why? All because she breaks open a box of perfume. Mark 14:3 (NIV) says, “A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” She didn’t just think outside the box. She broke open the alabaster jar (or box), pouring out the contents on Jesus’ head. While it was customary back then to anoint someone with a drop or two of essential oil when they entered your home, no one would have thought to literally pour this potent liquid on someone’s head. This perfume was made from the Nard plant found in the Himalayas that grows at an altitude of 3000-5000 meters. Imported from India, the perfume is created by crushing and distilling the roots of this plant to create an amber-colored essential oil. In other words, this was not your average perfume found at the local drug store. It was quite expensive and is not something that would have typically been poured out so freely. Jesus’ disciples knew this all too well.
The disciples said, “‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor’” (Matthew 26:8-9 NIV). Besides the monetary cost, the scent of this perfume was very strong, and likely lasted for up to ten days. One or two drops would have been adequate. Because of the customs in place at the time, the disciples did not see the need for such drastic measures. I’m sure they thought, yes, this is Jesus our Lord, but one or two extra drops would be just fine! He will understand. There is no need for extravagance here! But this woman did not just want to give a little. She wanted to give a lot. She wanted to be extravagant because God showed extravagance in His love for her. This woman knew that the One she anointed was worth it all. He was a priceless treasure, unlike the perfume she used to pour on Jesus’ head.
The perfume she used was estimated to have cost more than 300 denarii, which would have been equal to the average person’s yearly wages. What would your husband, your wife, your family, or your friends say if you spent a year’s wages all at once? Just imagine. One decision and every penny you worked so hard for over the course of the entire year is gone. Yet, she did not have any hesitation. The Bible says she “came,” “she broke the jar,” and “poured the perfume on his head.” It doesn’t say that she stopped to think about what she was doing, or that she poured a little bit first and then slowly drained out the rest of the container. She knew what she must do. She came there on a mission. She had no doubts, no fears, and no concern for what others thought of her. She knew that she was in the presence of the Lord God Almighty and that was enough for her to break open the box and give her all.
Although this woman is unnamed, she will always be remembered as someone who did not just give a little to Jesus; instead, she gave everything she had. Jesus recognized the greatness of her kind gesture. Jesus said, “‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14:6 NIV). Jesus does not tell her that she should have sold the perfume to give to the poor. Instead, He tells them that they will always have the poor with them, but that He will not always be there (Mark 14:7 NIV). The woman’s action was in preparation for His burial. Soon He would be crucified. The woman gave a year’s salary to prepare Him for the difficult task ahead of Him. Yet Judas Iscariot agrees to hand over Jesus to the chief priests for only thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15 NIV). By comparison, this would be about $15 worth of silver today. The woman spent a year’s salary to anoint Jesus. Judas received fifteen dollars to betray Jesus. He sold Jesus out for the price of a pizza. But the woman essentially empties her pockets in an effort to show her love toward the Savior. In doing so, she finds favor in the sight of the Lord.
Jesus says, “'She did what she could'” (Mark 14:8 NIV). Jesus doesn’t say that she did a little bit. It doesn’t say that she should have done more. No. It says she did what she could. She gave all that she had to give. There was nothing left. She held nothing back, she didn’t show any restraint. She put herself out there and boldly broke open the box and poured all of the perfume on Jesus’ head. Jesus recognized the magnitude of her generous deed. Jesus said, “‘Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her’” (Matthew 26:13 NIV). This woman’s boldness and compassion for Jesus is still being remembered more than 2,000 years later. All because she disregarded the opinions of others, ignored the rebukes from Jesus’ disciples, and broke open the box for Jesus.
Often times, we worry about what other people think. We worry about what they’ll say about us, or whether they will even like us. We may even alter our conversations just to be more in tune with what they want to hear. Telling others about what Jesus Christ has done in our lives often becomes a cumbersome task, even if we are among other Christians. People squirm in their seats when the name of Jesus is mentioned or when the Holy Spirit is talked about. But the Bible declares that we are to boldly go into the whole world and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15 NIV). We are called to tell other people about the saving grace of knowing the one true God. We can’t just sprinkle in a few words here or there like the disciples thought the woman should have just used a small amount of perfume. We need to pour it all out. We have to break open the box, laying all of the cards out on the table, and share the plan of salvation with others before it is too late.
There is no cost too great. There is not one thing in this world that is more valuable than a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. There is nothing on this planet that should come between us and witnessing to someone in need. We need to get outside of the box, pick up that box, and break it open for Jesus. We need to be a bright light in this sea of darkness we find ourselves living in. We need to disregard the opinions of others and focus on the One who truly matters: Jesus Christ. By living our lives fully dedicated to the cause of Christ, we will be blessed abundantly. By giving all we can, holding nothing back, we can live a life according to the will of God. I challenge you to tell someone about Jesus Christ today! Be bold, stand firm, and break open the box!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
As I sit here watching the cursor blink on my screen, I am reflecting back on the past 99 blogs that I have written. I’ve written about personal struggles, joyous occasions, and many of my favorite scriptures. When I wrote my first blog, I had just watched the movie Julie & Julia. In the movie, Julie writes a cooking blog. So I decided I should have my own blog too. I wondered if anyone would even read the words I wrote. Inevitably, I have come to realize that God used an unlikely source, this particular movie, to lead me to write this inspirational blog. As for my concerns that no one would read my blog, I have had over 44,000 readers so far. You see, God can take something that seems quite insignificant and transform it into something extraordinarily monumental.
I am reminded of the stories we read in the Bible of the loaves and fishes. The disciples told Jesus that the people needed to go to the nearby villages and get something to eat. Jesus said there was no need to send them away. He simply told the disciples to give them something to eat. Jesus’ disciples nearly panicked when Jesus told them to feed the thousands of people. What good would a few pieces of bread and a handful of fish do when there was literally a multitude to feed? I can only imagine how stressed they were at that very moment. I mean, they couldn’t run to the nearby Sam’s Club or Costco and load up a flatbed cart full of the necessary items to prepare a delightful meal of the highest quality fish and artisan bread. Who knows how close the nearest market even was? But they didn’t want to disappoint Jesus, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I’m sure they held the loaves and fish in their hands, trying to come up with a plan in what seemed like an impossible situation. Soon they found out once more that nothing is impossible with God.
When Jesus saw their concern, He said, “‘Bring them here to me’” (Matthew 14:18 NIV). Before He had the disciples pass out the food, He gave thanks to God. An act so small, saying a blessing over the five loaves and two fish, resulted in a miracle. Matthew 14: 20-21 (NIV) says, “They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” God did not just provide the minimal amount to feed everyone there, but there were leftovers! Imagine the disciples’ faces as they picked up the pieces that were not eaten because the crowd had had their fill.
Our lives are a lot like the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Many times, we are given blessings or responsibilities that may seem small at first, but inevitably, every little thing we do for the Kingdom of God is epic in proportion. I am reminded of the beloved song written by Kittie L. Suffield in 1924 titled, “Little Is Much When God Is In It.” The chorus states:
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. Whether your calling is to teach Sunday School, clean houses, collect donations for the food pantry, serve as a Wal-Mart greeter, care for the sick and elderly, or any other responsibility the Lord has entrusted to you, I want you to know that what you do matters. Why? Everything you do unto the Lord is noticed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He knows when you give someone a meal, when you smile at someone, and even when you whisper a silent prayer for someone on your mind. One glorious day, we will lay down our cares and worries of this life. Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will hear the words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
While I pray that God uses this blog to encourage someone in their journey through life, it matters not whether it is read by 10 or 10,000. What matters most is that I write it for the cause of Christ. For only Jesus Christ has the power to use it to uplift someone who is downtrodden, bring hope to someone lost in a sea of despair, or encourage someone who is crying out to God for a much-needed miracle in their life. I am just the messenger. It is my prayer that God can use me as a willing vessel. With Him in my corner, I know that this blog will make the next hundred and even hundreds more after that. Why? Because with God, all things are possible!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
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| My Dad and I at Green Gables National Park. |
Have you ever visited a destination so marvelous that you simply desired to stay there forever? Perhaps it was a sunshiny sandy beach or a majestic mountain vista. You know, the kind of place that tugs at your heartstrings and seems almost like a dream. From a Swiss chalet at the foot of the Matterhorn to a quaint bed and breakfast in my ancestral home of Inveraray, Scotland, I often find myself wanting to stay in such a gorgeous place just a little longer. This summer, I had the opportunity to visit Prince Edward Island. As someone with a Master of Science degree in English, seeing all of the Lucy Maud Montgomery sites was somewhat overwhelming. The idyllic scenery on the island drew me in like a bee to honey. I must admit that I have visited several locations that were so dear to me that I became misty eyed when it came time for us to leave, and this was one of those times for sure. While there are many different places that cause me to leave a little piece of my heart behind each time I have to leave, I know that I cannot stay in one place indefinitely. Eventually, it is time to move on.
Jesus’ disciples even found that they often had to move on when they were traveling with Jesus. One day they went up on the mountaintop to pray with Jesus. Peter said, “‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah’” (Matthew 17:4 NIV). The location was so glorious and the experience was so profound that Peter wanted to build homes and begin living on that mountaintop. Of course, Jesus knew that He could not stay on the mountain forever. He knew that He would have to walk through the darkest valley of His life. He knew that all too soon He would be hung on a cross to die. Surely He would rather have stayed on that mountain, secluded from the rest of the world. Yet He knew that He had to move on in order to obey His Father’s will.
As Christians, we often get comfortable at certain points in our lives. We find a job that suits us well, locate a church that makes us feel welcome, or discover a vacation destination that we enjoy so much that we’re ready to move in, much like Peter was willing to place roots down on top of the mountain. While all of these are blessings along the way, we must remember that our purpose is to follow God’s plan for our life. Sometimes this means we must leave that “comfort zone,” whatever it may be, and press on to something different that lies ahead, whether it is a negative change or a positive one. Either way, we can rest assured that every valley we cross and mountain we summit along the way is a step in the right direction.
Paul wrote, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV). As Christians, we should have the same goal in mind. To forget the past with all of its disappointments and failures and push on toward the abundant life that awaits us. Jesus Christ knows every joy and every difficulty that we may encounter on life’s road. He knows every opportunity we may miss and every door we may walk through. No matter what we face during our journey on this earth, Jesus Christ gives us the assurance that better things await us. So don’t look back. Look ahead. Seek the Lord’s will for your life. Keep moving on. Cherish each moment of your life with the knowledge that every step you take will bring you one step closer to Jesus Christ.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer