Walking on The Water (3)

The Word For Today” with Bob Gass

“He
walked on the water… to Jesus” – Matthew 14:29 NKJV Peter
discovered what we all discover in our walk with God: just because you sink
doesn’t mean you’re sunk. Here are two reasons why. First, failing doesn’t make
you a failure, quitting does. Failure is just a part of learning. Sir Edmund
Hillary made several attempts to scale Mount Everest before succeeding. After
one such attempt he supposedly stood at the base of the mountain, shook his fist
in defiance and shouted, ‘I’ll defeat you yet. You’re as big as you’re going to
get, but I’m still growing!’ He learned something from every unsuccessful
attempt until one day he succeeded. Winston Churchill said, ‘I’ve never failed
at anything in my life. I was simply given another opportunity to get it right.’
That’s the winning spirit!

Second,
the real failures were the ones who stayed in the boat. They failed quietly and
privately; their failure went unnoticed and uncriticised. Although Peter crashed
and burned publicly, he experienced the euphoria of walking on the water. He
alone knew how it felt to be empowered by God to do what he could never have
done by himself. Once you’ve walked on water you are never the same. Peter would
take this moment to his grave! He also experienced the joy of being lifted by
Jesus in a moment of despair. Peter knew, in a way the others couldn’t, that if
he sank Jesus would be there to save him. He shared a moment, a connection, a
trust the others didn’t. How could they, when they never left the boat! Failure
doesn’t come from sinking – it comes from letting your fears stop you.

David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson

Today FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011

by Gary Wilkerson by David Wilkerson

“David served the purposes of God in his generation, then he died” (Acts 13:36). On Wednesday afternoon my father, David Wilkerson, passed away in a car accident. We grieve the loss of a beloved father, a faithful husband and a holy man of God. My mother, Gwen, his wife of 57 years, was in the car also, but we are told she will recover fully. Dad’s 60-plus years of ministry have impacted the lives of those closest to him and extended to millions around the world. Today we feel a personal loss, but at the same time we rejoice knowing Dad lived life to the fullest, obeying God with devotion and loving Jesus radically. He was known for his unlimited faith. He believed God could change the lives of gang members and transform the most desperate drug addicts. He believed that a dynamic church could be launched in the heart of Times Square, New York City. He believed he could be a man who loved his wife and children well. And he did. Dad was not one for fanfare, acclaim or ceremony. He turned down invitations to meet with world leaders yet would give everything he owned to support a poor orphan or a widow in distress. Like King David of old, Dad served God’s purposes in his generation. He preached with uncompromising passion and relentless grace. He wrote with amazing insight, clarity and conviction. He ran his race well and when his work was done, he was called home. I don’t think my father would have retired well. I don’t think he was one to sit in a rocking chair and reminisce about times past. I believe that Jesus, knowing this, graciously called him home. Dad’s last mission on earth was to be an advocate for the poorest of the poor—to provide relief and support for hungry children and widows and orphans. After founding Teen Challenge, World Challenge and Times Square Church, he sought to feed starving children in the most impoverished countries in the world. Today, Please Pass the Bread is saving the lives of thousands of children, through 56 outreaches in 8 countries. Like King David of old, after having served God’s purpose, he died. I know if my father were able to encourage you with his words today, he would invite you to give your all to Jesus, to love God deeply and to give yourself away to the needs of others. The works he began outlive him. We can all attest to his impacting us—not only in his preaching, writing and founding of world-changing ministries, but in his love, devotion, compassion and ability to stir our faith for greater works.

Haters of God

READ: 2 Timothy 2:23-26

God gave them over to a debased mind. —Romans 1:28

Recently, I listened to an audiobook by a militant advocate for atheism. As the author himself read his own work with spiteful sarcasm and contempt, it made me wonder why he was so angry.

The Bible tells us that a rejection of God can actually lead to a more hateful attitude toward Him: “Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind . . . [to become] haters of God” (Rom. 1:28-30).

Turning one’s back on God does not lead to secular neutrality. Indeed, recent militant atheists have shown their desire to remove any reference to a Creator from culture.

When we hear about atheists trying to remove crosses or the Ten Commandments from society, it’s easy to respond to their hatred of God with our own hatred. But we’re exhorted to defend the truth with an attitude of love, “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Tim. 2:25).

The next time you see the works or hear the words of a hater of God, do an attitude check. Then ask God for a spirit of humility and pray that the offender might come to the knowledge of the truth. —Dennis Fisher

Lord, help us not respond in kind
To those who hate and turn from You;
Instead, help us to love and pray
That someday they’ll accept what’s true. —Sper

Defend the truth with love.

Our Daily Breab

In Memory of David Wilkerson

Image by dustinsapenga via Flickr

April 28,2011 Evangelist David Wilkerson, Times Square Church founder, dies in car crash By NewsCore April 28, 2011 CUNEY, Texas – David Wilkerson, the evangelical leader who founded the Times Square Church and Teen ChallengeMinistries, died at age 79 in a car crash in East Texas, the Manhattan megachurch confirmed Thursday. Wilkerson and his wife, Gwendolyn, were involved in a head-on collision Wednesday with a tractor-trailer on a highway in Cuney, 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Dallas, according to KLTV-TV. He was reportedly not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene. Gwendolyn, 70, was belted in and is in fair condition. The couple has four children and eleven grandchildren. Their son, Gary, is also a notable evangelist as is David Wilkerson’s brother Donald. Wilkerson began his career as a church planter in the 1950s but transitioned to working with drug addicts and gang members in New York City. He founded Teen Challenge Ministries in 1958 to provide recovery groups and social programs for at risk teenagers. In the late 1980s he founded Times Square Church and converted the Mark Hellinger Theater, in the heart of New York City’s theater district, into a house of worship and outreach center. In 1999, he stepped aside as head pastor in order to travel and speak globally. The non-denominational church, that boasts a weekly attendance of 8,000, is now led by Pastor Carter Conlon. Wilkerson was also a prolific author, having published more than 30 books including the best-seller “The Cross and the Switchblade.” The book was turned into the 1970 film starring Pat Boone and Erik Estrada. Praise God my brother has taken flight home to Heaven where he longed to be and made sure that everyone he Preached to and taught knew the way,and that way is still through Jesus Christ. Rest in Peace my brother we will enjoy your great Legacy. Read more: http://www.kltv.com/story/14526539/fatal

Walking on Water (2)

The Word For Today” with Bob Gass…

 “He walked on the water… to Jesus” - Matthew 14:29 NKJV

When Peter was certain it was Jesus who was calling him, he left the security of the boat and entrusted himself to the power of God. So far, so good. ‘But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted’ (Matthew 14:30 NLT). So you must focus on the Lord, not the storm. We all know what it’s like to ‘see the waves’. You begin a new venture – a job, a relationship, an area of spiritual growth – full of hope. Then you encounter storms and setbacks. Jesus said, ‘Here on earth you will have many trials… ‘ (John 16:33 NLT). Expect it; it’s part of the journey of faith! (You must feel the fear and do it regardless. Growth requires taking on new challenges. Each time you do you’ll experience fear, because growth and fear go together. But each time you risk leaving the boat it means you’re more likely to do it again. And each time you step out on the water without drowning, you realise that fear no longer has the power over you. On the other hand, each time you resist God’s voice and choose to stay in the boat His voice becomes a little quieter until eventually you don’t hear it at all. Wouldn’t it be worth any risk to avoid that? Furthermore, staying in the boat doesn’t guarantee your safety; it only guarantees you’ll eventually die from something else. The answer to fear is to get out of the boat a little more each day, until fear loses its hold on you

When All Means Fail

David Wilkerson Today

To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most
acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen,
but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen” (John 20:29).

Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to
prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.

Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of
all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems
inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.

That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger,
overwhelming questions: “Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no
tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.”

Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: “Prayer failed. Faith
failed. Don’t quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t
pay!”

Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have
been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who
ever lived were under such demonic attacks.

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping
will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon
hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but
one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was
no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in
your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means
fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word.
There is no other hope in this world.

Walking on Water (1)

The Word For Today” with Bob Gass…

 “He walked on the water… to Jesus” - Matthew 14:29 NKJV

The disciples were out fishing one night when a huge storm struck. About 3am they were terrified by a figure approaching them on the water. ‘… Immediately Jesus spoke… “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid”… Peter answered… “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You”… So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water… to Jesus’ (vv. 27-29 NKJV). This story teaches us, first, that if the Lord doesn’t call us to do it, don’t! There’s a story about a man standing at the gates of heaven. Peter says, ‘Name one great deed you’ve done.’ The man replies, ‘Well, a gang of bikers was threatening a woman so I smacked them, kicked over their bikes and ripped out their nose rings.’ Impressed, Peter asks, ‘When did this happen?’ The man answers, ‘About 30 seconds ago!’ To walk on water you must learn to discern between God‘s voice and your own impulses. Second, it teaches us that to experience miracles, we must get out of our comfort zone. Exchange places with Peter. The storm is raging and he’s afraid. The boat’s secure and comfortable. Wouldn’t you want to stay there? But you can’t. God designed you to do more than simply avoid failure; He’s calling you to step out in faith and accomplish things. You say, ‘What’s my boat?’ It’s anything you put your faith in when life gets stormy, like a job or a relationship. Your boat is anything that stops you from getting out of your comfort zone. Leaving it is the scariest, but most rewarding step you’ll ever take!

God’s Grand Plan

1 PETER 1:13-16

First Peter 1:16 says, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” What an overwhelming command! But that is exactly what the Lord is committed to do in our lives–make us holy. His grand plan can be summed up in one word: sanctification. This is the three-stage process by which He sets us apart for His purposes.

Stage one occurs at the moment of our salvation. When God declares us righteous, we are positionally holy. The second stage is a progression of growth as we become more and more in practice what we already are in position. This process will continue for as long as we are alive on this earth.

The Father has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and He is continually working to shape our conduct, character, and conversation. Although God is the one who accomplishes the transformation, we have some responsibility in the process. If we don’t cooperate with Him, the world will squeeze us into its mold, and we will miss the great plans He has for us.

The third stage of sanctification is our ultimate perfection when we will possess absolute holiness. Upon our physical death, the soul and spirit are freed from sin, and in the resurrection, our bodies will be made perfect. We will stand faultless and spotless before Christ.

If we could just get a glimpse of what the third stage is like, we would never moan and groan about the difficult sanctification process we endure now. Our eyes would be fixed on the goal, and our greatest motivation would be to glorify God by submitting to Him as He transforms us.

Dr. Charles Stanley

Fears That Keep Us From His Presence

Today God Is First Volume 1 By Os Hillman“Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So He got into the boat and left.” - Luke 8:37

Jesus did many miracles when He lived on earth. One of those miracles involved the deliverance of a demon-possessed man. The people of the community witnessed this awesome demonstration of God‘s power when Jesus commanded the demon spirit to come out of the man and go into the herd of nearby pigs. The man was healed and sat at Jesus’ feet.

You would expect the people who witnessed this to embrace Jesus as one performing good deeds and to honor Him. The opposite was true. Instead, they were overcome with fear. Why? Many of us respond the same way to Jesus when He does an out-of-the-ordinary act among His people. We are fearful because we have never personally experienced this before. So, we draw wrong judgments. The result is that Jesus removes Himself from us.

The Lord is able to do far exceeding above what we think. Jesus does not remain in the places where there is fear of His goodness. It is often subconscious fears that prevent us from going to a deeper level with Him. The people in Gerasenes could not benefit from Jesus’ presence because of their fears.

Have you feared Jesus because of what He might require of you? Have you feared that He might ask of you something you are not prepared to give? Do not let your fears drive Him from your presence. His motive is always love for His children. You can trust Him.

Qualifications for Sainthood

1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9

Many people hold an unbiblical view of sainthood. Their idea of a saint is one who has led such an exemplary life that he or she is venerated by the church, but God‘s Word presents quite a different picture. The Corinthian church struggled with all sorts of ungodly behaviors, yet Paul describes them as “those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling” (1 Cor. 1:2).

Sanctify means to set apart from common use to a sacred use. Throughout Scripture, the Lord has sanctified days (such as the Sabbath), places (the tabernacle), things (Ark of the Covenant), and people. A saint is simply a person whom God has set apart for His purposes. That means every believer is a saint.

Before you were saved, your position relative to God was one of enmity (Rom. 5:10). But the moment you trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, the Lord changed your position and set you apart for Himself.

You were born again and are now His child. He forgave your sins and declared you righteous. A saint is not a perfect person but one who is in a right relationship with God. Although our position of sanctification is not predicated on good behavior, the Lord expects us to live in a manner that honors Him.

Just think–God set you apart for a sacred purpose. That means you are here, not to live as you please but to bring glory to Him. He calls us to live according to our new position in Christ. To refuse this responsibility of sainthood is a blatant act of ingratitude, which grieves His heart.

Dr. Charles Stanley