Are Our Steps Routine?

A few thoughts after study of the story of when Peter got out of the boat and walked on water. 

1. Don't let our walk as Christ-followers become routine.
- Peter's first steps on water were miraculous. His last few became "routine" leading him to lose focus off the person who worked the miracle. Let our steps in Christ be steps of faith and miracles. Cherish each step we take in this life. Each moment we have is a gift from God. Keep our focus on our Savior.

God’s most striking victories arise out of the graves of apparent defeat.
- Author Unknown

2. Two things revealed through this incident:
- Weakness of Peter ... which means our weakness!  Our strength is in our connection with God.  We keep our eyes on Him and we can move ahead strong in our lives.  Let the trials and hard times come in life, but He should be the one we strive towards.  When that focus is blurred or connection is lost, we start to feel the waves and winds of life beating on us.  Our footing doesn't feel as strong and we lose our step and start to sink in the chaos of life.  Let us not lose focus off of Jesus and stay connected to Him. 

- Power of God ... is the same back then, today, and tomorrow!  In our most weakest moment, He reaches out and grabs us before we drown in the craziness of life.  Peter must have started to sink really quick - not one of those slow-mo scenes.  If we are going thru a slow demise or a quick sink, Jesus is able to save us just in the right time. 

You become stronger only when you become weaker. When you surrender your will to God, you discover the resources to do what God requires.

- Erwin Lutzer

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Role Reversal ... Growing Up

If the boat ride in Matthew 8 shows a new believer, the boat ride in Matthew 14 is in relation to a mature, growing Christ-follower. 

Matthew 14 - Growing Christ-Followers
As maturing or growing Christians, Jesus might tell us to get on the boat and go ahead without Him getting on the boat.  The disciples were new to this whole deal in chapter 8 but six chapters later, and a few miracles and teachings of Jesus later, they know Him and His power much better. At this point in our faith journey, we have seen His works, we have established a relationship that has depth and substance. 

Jesus is releasing us to go ahead because He is confident that 1 of 2 things will occur on this boat ride of life:

1. We'll  exercise our faith to handle the tough situations that come in life

OR

2. We will turn to Christ and call on Him for help! 

You notice that Peter got out of the boat to walk towards Jesus on water, however, he didn't take that courageous step after the winds had calmed down or waves subsided.  He jumped out of the boat in the middle of the crazy waves and with the boat rocking back and forth.  Even in the middle of the chaos and storms of our life, we should have the faith and courage to take steps towards Jesus.  He is calling you to come to Him.  Keep your eyes on Him, your heart focused on Him, your hands raised towards Him.

When we are sinking, He will save us.  When we are losing, He will give us victory.  When we are scared, He will give us courage. When we are weak, He will give us strength.

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Role Reversal ... Just Starting Out

Sometimes a Fresh Start leads to building a Strong Faith.  Other times, building a Strong Faith leads to a Fresh Start.

Matthew 8 - Just Starting Out
- When we start our faith journey and with the newness of our relationship in Christ, He leads us into the boat and we follow Him. 

- We might think he is "sleeping" from our natural perspective when the storms rise.  But the Word says in Psalms 121:4 ... "the God of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps."  He is so close by that we can just tap on His shoulders and ask Him to save us.  Don't be afraid of being destroyed, He is so close to us.  He is so close at this point because He knows that when the storms rise, we might fall back into our old ways of finding solutions, safety nets, rescue plans, etc... instead of turning to Him. 

- In the early stages of our faith journey, when he performs the miracles and quiets the storms in our life and gets us through the situations, we might wonder, "Who is this God?".  But as we continue to see the faithfulness, power, and work of God in our life and all around us, we start to build our faith in Him. 

Let's build up our faith in Christ and believe that no matter what comes our way, that our life is in His hands.  The trials we go through now is to build that faith in Him and so He can quiet these storms and give us a fresh start.

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

New Service Updates - 1 Is A Start

The vision of a multi-ethnic church is starting to be seen ...

One young man from the community attended the service last Sunday.  It starts with 1 then it gets to 2 and beyond ... Being from the island of Jamaica, he's just getting used to the winter and snow but he's adjusting!  Our prayer is with him and his wife. 

Simple stats for first 2 weeks:
Average Attendance (Adults) - 42
First Time Visitors - 7

The presence of God's grace and power will be transformational.  See you this Sunday to see how 2 boat rides with same folks were so different!

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Finish The Mission

What a great weekend!  We had class on Saturday where my wife Sherin shared a short devotional to the class about the Favor of God.  First time but probably not the last time she does that.  I'm proud of her preparing and delivering in a meaningful and practical way. 

Saturday night there was a prayer time at the church.  There was a surreal and spontaneous move of God's spirit within the people.  The "program" got thrown out and everyone went with the flow.  There was not even a message or exhortation necessary.  The hearts of the people were opened.  Time of confession, repentance, dedication, and prayer.  Are those signs of revival? Being able to be free in the presence of God is so exhilarating and liberating.  "There must be more than this!"  There is unity of spirit and mind when 4 people openly confirmed that night (many more might have been thinking it) the direction from God for the church in regards to prayer ... the church will be in prayer every night for the rest of this month.  Prayer can transorm lives, situations, relationships, and our future!

Sunday morning services were so blessed.  A young man from the neighborhood came for the service.  The guest minister spoke at both services and challenged the church to keep the Great Commission the sole priority of the body of Christ.  The church must win souls.  One line he said really resonated with the congregation, "Jesus died for the mission, We live to finish the mission!"  He prayed over and dedicated the team and the ministry of the community worship service so that lives are won for Christ.

Enjoying This Ride,

Cecil

New Service ... LAUNCHED!

Wow!  God is great!  There was much anticipation and excitement for this past Sunday.  Like you have read before, its a new chapter that has started at First Church of God.  Personally, I was excited and sad at the same time.  Simply put, I wished my grandfather was here.

It was great to see everyone enthusiastically bustling around the hall to make sure all was set to go.  The necessary teams were prayed up and prepped and ready to minister.  The welcome team (greeters and ushers), the worship team (vocals and musicians), the prayer team, etc... everyone was doing their part from 9 am leading up to 9:30. 

Worship started at 9:30 sharp and it definitely helped in ushering the people into His presence.  It was followed by the ministry of the Word ... the world was given a fresh start with the birth of Christ, we can also get a fresh start if Christ is born in our hearts and living inside of us. That and altar call ended by 10:20.  Then it concluded with song, offering and announcements. 

We could not believe that the designated seating area was full and service was complete in 1 hour!  There's always a first time!  =)  Trusting in God for the future!  Keep the team in prayer! 

Enjoying The Ride,

Cecil

Be Confident ... In God!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jesus washed the feet of disciples before the Lord's Supper knowing He had all authority given to Him by the Father.  He had all authority but he administered that authority with humility.  He had the authority to be served but He served the people.  He showed the example on servant leadership.  He knew who He was, from whom and where He came from and to whom and where He was returning.  His confidence was in His Father God.  Because of that, He served. 

Christ has given his children - disciples - you and I, the authority to do wonderful things in His name.  We have that authority but we must work with that it in humility.  People who demand respect from others and want others to serve them are not confident in God they are confident in themselves.

Let's realize if we are His disciples, the Bible says we have the authority to do great things in His name.  But let's not get caught up in that authority but in the privilege to serve people with love, compassion, and mercy.
Be confident in God and in  His plan and purpose for your life! 

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil