A Record Low

Psalms 136:23

Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Wow!  It is July 29, 2014 and we could be waking in the morning to a record low. It is forecasted to be 58-60 degrees in the morning. And just two days ago it was a heat index of 103 in Birmingham, Alabama. Isn't it funny how things can change so quickly? We always say if you don't like the weather, stick around it will change. 

Our lives can be much the same. Some days it seems like we are in a furnace. We are in the heat of a trial being tried and tested. The pressure is applied and we don't know if we can make it. Or some days it's blue bird skies. The birds are singing. The frogs are croaking. The cats and dogs are just laying around in the shade and enjoying the day. We spend all day with the family laughing and playing. Tired and weary from fun, we go to bed. Then on the next morning we wake up to an all-time record low. 

It happens so quickly. Even when it's foretold by God's word that these things would happen, it seems to hit us by surprise. Think of those disciples... One day they are enjoying the fellowship with Jesus in Bethany and a supper that evening. But before night could fall completely, the disciples hit a record low. Within a few hours, Jesus has been taken by soldiers and they find themselves scattered in fear and confusion. Jesus had told them these things would come to pass, but yet it still caught them by surprise. He was beaten, crucified and buried. We find the disciples are discouraged and at a record low. 

But remember our scripture today... "Who remembered us in our low estate". Thank you Jesus for not leaving us there! It's in the record lows of our lives that God can be the greatest comfort. Some people will breakout the sweats tomorrow in order to fight off the chill. Well in that same manner, Jesus will comfort you in your record low. He will walk with you in your low estate. But one thing is key... You must call upon The Lord. Ask Him right now for His presence and comfort when you've hit an all-time low. 

That's When You Have It All

John 6:68

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Jesus had just asked the disciples if they would leave also like the others. Peter answers with, "Where can we go?"  It wasn't that Peter couldn't have found something to do or didn't have a place to call home. We know that he was a fisherman by trade and that he had family. He could have resorted back to the lifestyle he knew before Jesus (which is what he did after the crucifixion when he thought Jesus was gone)

Something had happened to Peter to change his views. He had been with Jesus. He witnessed the love and affection of the Savior. He saw the miracles take place in the lives of his family and friends. He saw a man that could deal with, and heal his mother-in-law. Jesus had become everything to Peter. He knew that there couldn't be anything, or anyone greater than Him. 

When Jesus asked Peter if he would go away also, it hit him. I imagine Peter thought, "I have nothing greater than you".  Peter realized that although he had possessions and even a home to return to, what would that be without Jesus? Right there in that moment, Peter saw his need for Jesus. Although Peter at times stuck his big foot in his mouth, every since the day that Jesus stepped into his life he never wanted Him to leave. 

You know what?  When you have realized that Jesus is the only thing you have. When He is the only one who has the words of life. When Satan tells you that all you have is Jesus... That's when you come to realize... YOU'VE GOT IT ALL!  I'm a poor rich man in Jesus! 

What would be your answer if Jesus asked if you would go away also?

Don't Change You Ways, Change Your Walk

2 Corinthians 5:7

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Many times I've said the statement, "Turn over the leaf and you just have the backside of the same leaf". I hear so many people that talk of "doing better", "changing my ways", "getting my life right". The problem with us doing this is not fully surrendering to Jesus. See, when we think we should "change our ways", then we fall short of what the Gospel says to us. When we "do better", we set ourselves up for failure. Because we can't do better apart from Jesus doing a great work of salvation in our lives. 

God's word tells us this morning to walk by faith. The only way for a Christian to walk is to walk by faith. Look at what the definition of faith is...

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The scriptures even tell us that without faith, it is impossible to please God...

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

So to change our ways, or get things right, isn't the way we should think. We need to change our paths, the way we think. Walk in faith toward Christ and not our sight. If we continue to walk in our sight then when things don't look good, they will not be good!  But if we walk in faith, then when things look bad, through faith, we hold on to the only ONE who is good. 

Don't change your ways, change your walk.