RE Verse reading–Matthew 8:18-22 (day two) “When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake” (vs 18) It was a moment of transition. Transitions are hard, inconvenient. Jesus and the disciples needed to leave Capernaum. Were the crowds becoming too volatile? Perhaps the decision surprised or disappointed the disciples. Perhaps it was something that the Lord Himself had only realized recently. It was not, however, a new principle. Serving God requires sacrifice. There are things (good things, comforting things) that we will do without for the sake of the kingdom. It was made clear when an eager scribe volunteered himself for service. “There will be difficulties ahead”, says the Lord. “I do not offer security as the world measures it” Those who want God must “count the cost” in advance or be terribly disappointed along the way. Did anyone warn you before you became a follower of Christ? I hope so.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the words I heard today on Kari Jobe’s new CD. My heart resonates with the song “Steady My Heart” which says:
Even when it hurts.
Even when it is hard.
Even when it all just falls apart.
I will run to you, because I know that You are.
Lover of my soul, healer of my scars.
You steady my heart.
YOU steady my heart.
Thank you that when I come to you, you give me the perspective of 2 Cor 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
We love you, Father. Thank you for this blog and for all You have and are doing for/in the world. May your Blessing be upon Pastor Guthrie and the FBC family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.