Sunday, July 23, 2006
Walking on Water
A rainy day in Cary today, but an excellent day in the house of the Lord.
Pastor Erwin Lutzer was visiting today. He is the pastor of Moody Church in Chicago and I have often listened to his messages on the radio. He is a wonderful speaker who gives great insight with tremendous clarity. He spoke on "The Faithfulness of God", as part of our Church's summer series on the Attributes of God. He wanted to provide a message to those who may be going through storms and difficulties in their lives. When you appear to be in a disastrous or hopeless situation, how does the Lord help us? What should our focus be in times of trouble?
He spoke on the passage in Matthew 14:22-33, where immediately after the feeding of the 4,000, Jesus tells the disciples to get into a boat while He goes to pray. The boat encounters a terrible storm and the disciples fear for their lives; they see Jesus walking towards them on the water. Simon Peter walks out on the water too, but he falters once he sees the wind and the waves.
Pastor Lutzer makes 7 observations:
1. Storms are often encountered in obedience to Jesus.
2. Storms should remind us of God's promises.
3. When you can't see Jesus in the storm, remember Jesus can see you.
4. Jesus comes to us a the right time.
5. Our fears might be Jesus in disguise.
6. The water that threatens to be over your head is already under His feet.
7. Our ability to work depends on the focus of our eyes.
Everyone of us has faced great difficulties in our lives; or if we haven't, we soon will. Whether it is a problem with work, family, friends or finances, it is inevitable that we will face trouble -- it is a part of life. How we deal with adversity is the difference between Christians and non-believers.
Pastor Lutzer's message was very encouraging and timely in my life. He spoke of how Jesus many times seems to show up just when things are most desperate and hopeless, or just when the storm is at its worst. He spoke of his friend who is dying of cancer, and how he constantly goes back to the Word to remind himself of God's promises. He spoke of a friend of his who is a former prostitute, who finally had to fall on her knees to cry out to God to rescue her.
Things have been very hectic and discouraging at work lately. His message to focus on the Savior was certainly a powerful reminder of how to survive. I am trusting in the One who controls all things, even when there are times when it is difficult to see Him.
Pastor Erwin Lutzer was visiting today. He is the pastor of Moody Church in Chicago and I have often listened to his messages on the radio. He is a wonderful speaker who gives great insight with tremendous clarity. He spoke on "The Faithfulness of God", as part of our Church's summer series on the Attributes of God. He wanted to provide a message to those who may be going through storms and difficulties in their lives. When you appear to be in a disastrous or hopeless situation, how does the Lord help us? What should our focus be in times of trouble?
He spoke on the passage in Matthew 14:22-33, where immediately after the feeding of the 4,000, Jesus tells the disciples to get into a boat while He goes to pray. The boat encounters a terrible storm and the disciples fear for their lives; they see Jesus walking towards them on the water. Simon Peter walks out on the water too, but he falters once he sees the wind and the waves.
Pastor Lutzer makes 7 observations:
1. Storms are often encountered in obedience to Jesus.
2. Storms should remind us of God's promises.
3. When you can't see Jesus in the storm, remember Jesus can see you.
4. Jesus comes to us a the right time.
5. Our fears might be Jesus in disguise.
6. The water that threatens to be over your head is already under His feet.
7. Our ability to work depends on the focus of our eyes.
Everyone of us has faced great difficulties in our lives; or if we haven't, we soon will. Whether it is a problem with work, family, friends or finances, it is inevitable that we will face trouble -- it is a part of life. How we deal with adversity is the difference between Christians and non-believers.
Pastor Lutzer's message was very encouraging and timely in my life. He spoke of how Jesus many times seems to show up just when things are most desperate and hopeless, or just when the storm is at its worst. He spoke of his friend who is dying of cancer, and how he constantly goes back to the Word to remind himself of God's promises. He spoke of a friend of his who is a former prostitute, who finally had to fall on her knees to cry out to God to rescue her.
Things have been very hectic and discouraging at work lately. His message to focus on the Savior was certainly a powerful reminder of how to survive. I am trusting in the One who controls all things, even when there are times when it is difficult to see Him.
# posted by BeachLover @ 3:37 PM 
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Pastor Lutzer is on the radio in the morning and often, I listen to him as I am driving to work. He is a very insightful speaker and one of my favorites.
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