January 15 – Don’t Look at the Waves

And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30

Jesus Tells Us…Problems are all around you, like the waves in the ocean.  But don’t look at the waves.  Look at Me, and I will keep you safe.  If you look only at the waves—at the problems, you will sink in an ocean of worry and fear.  Don’t be afraid.  Simply call out, “Help me, Jesus!”  and I will lift you up –just as I did Peter.  I know that you sometimes worry about what’s ahead.  The future can be frightening, like gigantic waves just waiting to crash down on you.  Trust in Me.  I already know the future.  By the time those gigantic waves get to you, I will have shrunk them down to a size you can face.  And I am always beside you, helping you.

Jesus Concludes…the closer you are to Me, the safer you will be.

Matthew 14:29-30; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 4:7 Study Notes

Footnotes Matthew 14:30-31 Although we start out with good intentions, sometimes our faith falters.  This doesn’t necessarily mean we have failed.  When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Jesus, the only one who could help.  He was afraid, but he still cried out to Jesus.  When fear piles up against you in waves, causing you to doubt whether Jesus is near or willing to help you, remember that he is always with you, and is the only one who knows how to help you.

Passage Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Footnotes Hebrews 12:1-4 The Christian life involves focus and training.  It requires us to give up whatever hinders or endanger our relationships with God and to run with stamina and commitment in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We will stumble if we look away from him to worry about ourselves or look at the opposition, trials, or suffering facing us.  We should be running solely for Christ, not our own glory or success, and we must always keep him in sight.

Passage Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Footnotes Philippians 4:7 God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings.  It comes from trusting God to work everything out in a way that is best for you as you fulfill your role in Gods work in the world.  Our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin.  Let God’s peace guard your heart against the anxieties of this world that try to bring you down and keep your focus off Jesus.  When we trust God, he gives us a peaceful perspective in a traffic jam, on a difficult phone call, in a troubled relationship, and even when death draws near.

Jesus Tells Us is from the Jesus Calling 365 devotions for kids.

THE WORLD…we see history

In the Word and the World, we see His Story. POPE URBAN ii

Today, his name is not as familiar as other Catholic popes, but Pope Urban II indelibly shaped the history of the world, by placing his Church and all of Western Christendom in opposition to Islam, starting in the 11th century.  He incited the First Crusade, the first in a series of miltary expeditions intended to curb the spread of Islam and to retake control of the Holy Land.  The ramifications in his time were great, and the repercussins continue to this day.  Urban II was born Otto de Lagery, in France, and as a prelate, became a favorite of Pope Gregory VII, whose reforms (a strengthening of the papacy, an affirmation of priestly celibacy) he would continue to champion during his own regime, which began in 1088.  He was approached in 1095 by Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenus, who asked for support against the Muslims in Anatolia (today, Turkey).  Urban was receptive and convened a council that year at Clermont in his native country.  Bishops from across Europe attended, some accounts have it that Urban preached to thousands and it is said he gave an effective sermon.  There are five versions of his speech, each written after the fact by men who may have been at the council, or may have gone on a Crusade.  The authors generally agree that Urban spoke of the violence in Europe, the need for peace, a willingess to help the greeks, the righteousness of an armed pilgrimage and blessings for those who joined the fight.  Beyond that, the transcriptions vary, and there were clearly political motives at play.  One version had Urban calling for Christians to destroy “that vile race, Christ commands it.”  Another had him promising “immediate reission of sins” for all who die in battle against the “pagans.”