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Hold Me

By on August 22, 2019

Hold_Me

In the message “Step Toward Jesus” we were encouraged to examine the motivation for the things we do, and exhorted to do ALL things for the love of being closer to Jesus. This is the essence of our relationship with our Father – simple, but absolute love.

When a young child wants to be held, they simply reach up their arms and say, “Hold me!” Children may be hurt, scared, or tired; they may not even know why they want to be held, but they know that spending time in arms of love seems to make everything better.

And as a parent looks down at their child, they rarely evaluate them to determine if they deserve to be held, or send them away to earn affection. Rather, they simply pick up the child and hold them with no words even being required. In truth, moments like this bring parents some of their greatest joy!

Matthew 18:3
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Our Heavenly Father loves us very much! He wants us to come to Him with outstretched arms. He wants to pick us up and hold us tight. In truth, moments like this bring His greatest joy! And yet, we spend most of our days avoiding our Father’s loving arms. We seek other forms of comfort and work to earn our Father’s affection. We pour our heart into projects thinking they are vitally important to God’s work; “Daddy, look what I made for You!” But our best efforts are as grade school pencil holders and disfigured flower pots. Our Father smiles at these simple gifts but wishes we would understand.

There’s much work to do for the Kingdom of God, but none more important than loving and being loved by the One who has loved us since the beginning of time; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

This can be a difficult concept for many who have not grown up with the unconditional love and acceptance of an earthly father, but our Father in Heaven is like none we’ve ever known. He created us for a relationship of love and “gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16) so we could be restored to the relationship which sin stole away. Let there be no doubt of His love and His promise; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

He longs for us to return! Yes, we must clean our room, take out the trash, and treat others nice on the playground; but at the end of the day, His greatest desire is that we reach up with empty arms and say: I love You Daddy…hold me!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 22 Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:29-40; Proverbs 21:27
Aug 23 Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29
Aug 24 Job 12:1-15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31
Aug 25 Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1

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Cárgame

By on August 22, 2019

Hold_Me

En el mensaje “Un Paso Hacia Jesús” fuimos animados a examinar la motivación para las cosas que hacemos y fuimos exhortados para hacer TODAS las cosas por el amor de estar mas cerca de Jesús. Esta es la esencia de nuestra relación con nuestro Padre – simple, pero absoluto amor.

Cuando un pequeño niño quiere ser cargado, el levanta sus brazos y dice: “Cargame!” Los niños pueden estar dañados, heridos, o cansados; ellos incluso podrían no saber porque quieren ser cargados, pero ellos saben que pasar tiempo en brazos de amor parece hacer que todo mejore.

Y así como un padre ve hacia abajo a sus hijos, ellos rara vez los evalúan para determinar si merecen ser cargados, o los envían lejos para ganar afecto. En lugar de eso, simplemente los cargan y los mantienen así sin que se requiera ni de palabras. En verdad, momentos como este traen a los padres uno de los más grandes gozos!

Mateo 18:3
“De cierto os digo, que si no os volvéis y os hacéis como niños, no entraréis en el reino de los cielos.”

Nuestro Padre Celestial nos ama mucho. El quiere que vallamos a El con nuestros brazos abiertos. El quiere levantarnos y abrazarnos. En verdad, momentos como esto le dan a El el mayor gozo! Y aún así, pasamos la mayoría de nuestros días evitando los brazos amorosos de nuestro Padre. Buscamos otras formas de consolación y trabajamos para ganar la afección de nuestro Padre. Vertimos nuestro corazón en proyectos que pensamos que son de vital importancia para la obra de Dios; “Padre, mira lo que hice para ti!” Pero nuestros mejores esfuerzos son como porta lapices y floreros deformes que hacemos en los primeros grados de escuela. Nuestro Padre sonríe ante estos simples regalos pero desea que comprendamos.

Hay mucho trabajo que hacer por el Reino de Dios, pero ninguno es mas importante que amar y ser amado por el Único que nos ha amado desde el principio del tiempo; “Y amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, y con toda tu alma, y con toda tu mente y con todas tus fuerzas” (Marcos 12:30).

Esto puede ser un concepto difícil para muchos que no han crecido con el amor incondicional y aceptación de un padre terrenal – pero nuestro Padre en los Cielos no es como ninguno de los que conocemos. El nos creó para una relación de amor y “ha dado a su Hijo unigénito” (Juan 3:16 ) para que podamos ser restaurados a la relación de la que el pecado nos apartó. No dejemos ni una sola duda de Su amor y Sus promesas; “No te desampararé, ni te dejaré” (Hebreos 13:5).

El desea que regresemos! Si, debemos limpiar nuestro cuarto, sacar la basura, y tratar bien a los demás en el parque – pero al final de cuentas, Su mayor deseo es que lo alcancemos con nuestros brazos vacíos y le digamos: Te amo Papi – Cárgame!

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Step Toward Jesus

By on August 21, 2019

Step_Toward_Jesus

In the last several messages, we considered the faith of Peter as he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. We saw the importance of properly hearing the call and of keeping our eyes focused on our Lord as the waves are crashing at our feet. This story contains many lessons for our walk with Christ. But a lesson which is often overlooked is the motivation of our heart.

We know that the heart contains our true character and true relationship with our Heavenly Father. When God was showing Samuel who to anoint as king of Israel He reminded him: “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Our outward actions are a “reflection” of the condition of our heart, but they are not a true image and they can most certainly deceive!

God saw this deception long ago in the hearts of His children. We are all susceptible to the trap of going through the motions of worship without really having a heart devoted to God: “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13).

Yes, without considering the heart we lose the real message of Peter getting out of the boat. This story becomes just another self-gratifying motivational speech for those who want to climb up another rung of the ladder: “If you want to go further and accomplish more, you must leave the security of the boat!” Taking a “step of faith” will often lead to “successful” advancement in worldly as well as ministry endeavors, but neither are pleasing to God without the proper heart.

We sometimes forget that there was another time when Peter got out of the boat, but this time Jesus was a little distance away standing on the shore.

John 21:7
“As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.”

Peter wasn’t motivated by the thrill of walking on the water, not by the praise he might receive from the other disciples or even by the thought of doing something wonderful for God. Peter got out of the boat simply because that’s where Jesus was; and walk, sink or swim, he desired to be with the one he loved.

Let’s pray for an increased faith which allows us to follow more closely after Jesus. Let’s pray for the courage to leave the confines of our worldly security and follow where Jesus is calling. But let’s diligently examine our heart and make sure that with EVERY step, we abandon all and step toward Jesus.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 21 Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-28; Proverbs 21:25-26

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Un Paso Hacia Jesús

By on August 21, 2019

Step_Toward_Jesus

En este serie reciente de mensajes, consideramos la fe de Pedro mientras salía del bote y caminaba sobre el agua. Vimos la importancia de escuchar apropiadamente el llamado de Jesús y de mantener nuestros ojos enfocados en nuestro Señor mientras las olas están alcanzando nuestros pies. Esta historia contiene muchas lecciones para nuestro caminar con Cristo. Pero una lección que a menudo es pasada por alto es la de la motivación del corazón.

Sabemos que el corazón contiene nuestro verdadero carácter y verdadera relación con nuestro Padre Celestial. Cuando Dios estaba mostrandole a Samuel a quien ungir como rey de Israel, El le recordó: “Jehová no mira lo que mira el hombre; pues el hombre mira lo que está delante de sus ojos, pero Jehová mira el corazón” (1 Samuel 16:7). Nuestras acciones externas son un “reflejo” de la condición de nuestro corazón, pero no son una verdadera imagen y ciertemente se pueden engañar!

Dios vio este engaño en la adoración de Sus hijos mucho tiempo antes. Todos somos susceptibles a la trampa de ir a través de los movimiento de adoración sin tener realmente un corazón dedicado a Dios: “este pueblo se acerca a mí con su boca, y con sus labios me honra, pero su corazón está lejos de mí, y su temor de mí no es más que un mandamiento de hombres que les ha sido enseñado” (Isaías 29:13).

Si, sin considerar el corazón perdemos el verdadero mensaje de Pedro al salir del bote. Estas palabras se vuelven solamente otro gratificante y motivador discurso para aquellos que quieren subir otro peldaño en la escalera: “Si queremos ir más lejos y conquistar más, debemos dejar la seguridad de la barca!” Tomar un “paso de fe” a menudo nos lleva a “exitosos” avances en los esfuerzos mundanos así como en los ministeriales, pero ninguno de ellos son agradables a Dios sin el corazón correcto.

A menudo olvidamos que hubo otro tiempo cuando Pedro salió de la barca, pero en esta ocasión Jesús estaba un poco lejos en la playa.

Juan 21:7
“Entonces aquel discípulo a quien Jesús amaba dijo a Pedro: !!Es el Señor! Simón Pedro, cuando oyó que era el Señor, se ciñó la ropa (porque se había despojado de ella), y se echó al mar.”

Pedro no estaba motivado por la emoción de caminar sobre el agua, ni por la alabanza que el podría recibir de los otros discípulos o aún por el pensamiento de hacer algo maravilloso para Dios. Pedro salió de la barca simplemente porque allí es donde estaba el Señor y; caminar, hundir o nadar, el deseaba estar con el a quien le amaba.

Oremos por una fe incrementada que nos permita seguir más de cerca a Jesús. Oremos por el coraje de abandonar los confines de nuestra seguridad mundana y seguirle a donde Jesús nos está llamando. Pero diligentemente examinemos nuestro corazón y asegurémonos que a CADA paso, abandonamos todo y damos un paso hacia Jesús.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Meet Them Where They Are

By on August 20, 2019

Meet_Them_Where_They_Are

Peter heard the call of Jesus in the middle of a storm and “got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). Peter knew the voice of his Lord and knew that if He called, He would also provide a way to follow. But Peter soon “saw the wind…and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!'” (Matthew 14:30).

Matthew 14:31-33
“Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.'”

Jesus’ words to Peter might seem a little harsh. After all, Peter had stepped onto the water while the other disciples remained in the boat. But Peter needed to be encouraged in what true faith could accomplish. He needed to clearly see that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), but only if he kept his eyes focused on Jesus. God had great plans for Peter – plans which would require extreme faith – so Jesus ministered to Peter’s doubts and fears by meeting him on the water.

Jesus then climbed into the boat with the other disciples. Rather than chastising them for their lack of faith and telling them how they should have climbed out of the boat with Peter, Jesus simply allowed them to worship. These disciples had failed to understand who He was, and now they needed to just spend time loving and worshiping their Lord. Jesus ministered to the needs of these disciples by meeting them in the boat.

The Apostle Paul had a similar understanding of ministry opportunities: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). Paul never sinned in order to save the sinner, but he understood where a person was in their spiritual journey and met them on their road as he began to minister.

Every day God places people in our life who need encouragement and desperately need to be directed onto a path which will lead them closer to God. None of us know all the answers, and we certainly don’t need to force everything we know into a single conversation, but we each are given an opportunity to minister – an opportunity which may only last a moment and may never truly return.

Let’s look for the specific needs of those who cross our path and be prepared to encourage with the truth of God’s Word. But as we speak the truth, whether on the water, in the boat or even back on the shore, let’s minister as we meet them where they are.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 20 Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

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Encuéntralos Donde Estén

By on August 20, 2019

Meet_Them_Where_They_Are

Pedro escuchó el llamado de Jesús en medio de la tormenta y “descendiendo Pedro de la barca, andaba sobre las aguas para ir a Jesús” (Mateo 14:29). Pedro conoció la voz de su Señor y supo que si El lo llamaba, el también proveería una manera de seguirlo. Pero Pedro pronto “al ver el fuerte viento, tuvo miedo; y comenzando a hundirse, dio voces, diciendo: !!Señor, sálvame!!” (Mateo 14:30).

Mateo 14:31-33
“Al momento Jesús, extendiendo la mano, asió de él, y le dijo: !!Hombre de poca fe! ¿Por qué dudaste? Y cuando ellos subieron en la barca, se calmó el viento. Entonces los que estaban en la barca vinieron y le adoraron, diciendo: Verdaderamente eres Hijo de Dios.”

Las palabras de Jesús hacia Pedro deben haber parecido un poco severas. Después de todo Pedro estaba de pie sobre las aguas mientras los otros discípulos se mantuvieron en la barca. Pero Pedro necesitaba ser animado en lo que la verdadera fe puede hacer. El claramente necesitaba ver que “para Dios todo es posible” (Mateo 19:26), pero solo si el mantenía sus ojos puestos en Jesús. Dios tenía grandes planes para Pedro – planes que iban a requerir de gran fe – de manera que Jesús ministró las dudas y temores de Pedro encontrándoselo en el agua.

Jesús luego subió al bote con los otros discípulos. En lugar de llamarles la atención por la falta de fe, y decirles como debieron haber salido del bote Jesús simplemente permitió que le alabaran. Estos discípulos habían fallado en comprender quien era El, y ahora simplemente necesitaban tiempo para alabar y amar a Su Señor. Jesús ministró las necesidades de estos discípulos al encontrárselos en la barca.

El apóstol Pablo tuvo un claro entendimiento de las oportunidades de ministrar: “Me he hecho débil a los débiles, para ganar a los débiles; a todos me he hecho de todo, para que de todos modos salve a algunos” (1 Corintios 9:22). Pablo nunca pecó para salvar al pecador, pero el comprendió a donde estaba cada persona en su viaje Espiritual y comenzó su ministerio exactamente en ese punto.

Cada día Dios pone personas en nuestra vida que necesitan ánimo y desesperadamente necesitan dirección hacia un camino que los lleva mas cerca de Dios. Ninguno de nosotros conoce todas las respuestas, y ciertamente no necesitamos forzar todo lo que sabemos a una simple conversación, pero a cada uno de nosotros se nos ha dado una oportunidad para ministrar – una oportunidad que pudiera durar un momento y nunca regresar.

Veamos las necesidades específicas de aquellos que cruzan nuestro camino y estemos preparados para animarlos con la verdad de la Palabra de Dios. Pero mientras hablamos la verdad, ya sea en el agua, en un bote o aún de regreso en la playa, ministrémoslos donde estén cuando los encontremos.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Ministry Praise

By on August 19, 2019

Mathare Kids in Play Area

Back in May, I presented an update on our school facility in Kenya. This is really a good update and I encourage you to read it.

http://gdwm.org/2019/05/ministry-update-and-needs/

In that message, I wrote about the progress and also presented several specific needs we were facing. As usual, God moved and you responded. We were able to meet each of our needs for the school. Praise God and thanks so much!!

Specifically, we were able to hire a Family Pastor who has been hard at work visiting the homes of our kids and praying with the families about the many challenges they face. We were also able to increase our food budget so each of our over 200 kids and teachers receive proper nutrition throughout the day. We were able to add to our book library as well as purchase three computers when a requirement was imposed by the ministry of education.

Finally, although this will continue to be a challenge, we received a few new monthly donors who have committed to assist with the monthly needs of the school. This is vitally important!

Our faith continues to be challenged and time after time God shows up and provides. I’m blessed to be in a position to watch this unfold!

Donations may be made through the Donate Now Button or through the mail to:

God’s Daily Word Ministries
PO Box 12441
Jackson, TN 38308

Let me know if you ever have any questions about this ministry.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Hear The Call

By on August 19, 2019

Hear_The_Call

In the last two messages, we’ve considered Peter as he responded to Jesus’ call: “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). We saw that Peter needed great faith to step out of the boat, even though his faith quickly faded “when he saw the wind” (Matthew 14:30). But we also saw that before Peter could even get out of the boat, he first needed to hear and recognize the clear call of God; “Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28).

It wasn’t faith alone which allowed Peter to walk on the water; he had to apply his faith to the call of Christ. It was Jesus who provided a firm foundation under Peter’s feet as he stepped. Peter wasn’t specially gifted at water walking – he simply heard the call and obeyed in faith.

If Peter would have sailed to the exact same spot the following day and stepped out of the boat without being called, he would have sunk like a heavy stone – guaranteed! Peter could not have commanded the water to hold nor “claimed” a solid foundation for His feet, no matter how loudly or sincerely he made his claim! His faith would not have kept him on top of the water for even a fraction of a second. His “success” on the water was not due as much to the magnitude of his faith as it was to properly hearing and then applying his faith to the call of Jesus.

John 10:27
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”

We seem to spend much of our life wandering without direction, but it is God’s desire that we follow closely after His Son; “He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4). Do we really know His voice? How often do we set aside time to listen? If we only occasionally listen to the voice of our Lord, how will we even recognize His call? We live in a world so filled with distractions that we must not wait until the crisis of a storm. If we haven’t learned to filter out the competing noises of the world, God’s call will be lost in the crashing waves.

We must spend time away from the “noise” where we can be alone with God and learn to recognize His voice. We must establish times of quiet to read His Word and talk with Him in prayer; “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). As we meditate on the truth of His Word and pray for understanding, our spiritual filter will become tuned. Then, when we enter a storm, the noise may still surround us, but our filter will only allow a single voice to enter.

Let’s develop the discipline of listening along with the spiritual ability to filter and recognize the voice of God. Our faith will be strong enough to respond – strong enough to step – but we must first be able to hear the call.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 19 Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

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Escuchar Su Llamado

By on August 19, 2019

Hear_The_Call

En los últimos dos mensajes, hemos considerado la forma en que Pedro respondió al llamado de Jesús: “Y descendiendo Pedro de la barca, andaba sobre las aguas para ir a Jesús” (Mateo 14:29). Vimos como Pedro necesitaba de gran fe para salir del bote, aunque su fe rapidamente se desvanecia “al ver el fuerte viento” (Mateo 14:30). Pero también vimos que antes que pudiera salir Pedro de la barca, el necesitaba primero escuchar y reconocer el claro llamado de Dios; “Señor, si eres tú, manda que yo vaya a ti sobre las aguas” (Mateo 14:28).

No fue solamente fe que permitió a Pedro caminar sobre el agua, sino tuvo que aplicar su fe al llamado de Jesús. Era Jesús quien proveyó una firme fundación debajo de los pies de Pedro mientras caminaba. Pedro no tuvo un don especial para caminar sobre agua – él simplemente oyó el llamado y obedeció en fe.

Si Pedro hubiera navegado en ese mismo lugar al día siguiente y hubiera salido de la barca sin ser llamado, se hubiera hundido como una piedra – garantizado! Pedro no hubiera podido mandar al agua que lo sostuviera ni “reclamar” una sólida fundación para Sus pies. Su fe no lo hubiera mantenido sobre el agua ni por una fracción de segundo. Su “éxito” en el agua no se debió tanto a la magnitud de su fe como lo fue el escuchar apropiadamente y después aplicar su fe al llamado de Jesús.

Juan 10:27
“Mis ovejas oyen Mi voz, y yo las conozco, y Me siguen.”

Parece que pasamos mucho de nuestra vida vagando sin dirección, pero es el deseo de Dios que sigamos de cerca a Su Hijo; “va delante de ellas; y las ovejas le siguen, porque conocen su voz” (Juan 10:4). ¿Realmente conocemos su voz? ¿Con cuanta frecuencia apartamos tiempo para escuchar? Si solo ocasionalmente escuchamos la voz de nuestro Señor, como vamos a reconocer Su llamado? Vivimos en un mundo tan lleno de distracciones que no debemos esperar hasta la crisis de una tormenta. Si no hemos aprendido a filtrar los ruidos del mundo, el llamado de Dios se perderá entre las olas que chocan.

Debemos de pasar tiempo alejados del “ruido” donde podamos estar solos con Dios y aprender a reconocer Su voz. Debemos establecer tiempos de quietud para leer Su Palabra y hablar con El en oración; “Santifícalos en tu verdad; tu palabra es verdad” (Juan 17:17). Mientras meditamos en la verdad de Su Palabra y oramos por entendimiento, nuestro filtro Espiritual se va a sintonizar. Luego, cuando entramos a la tormenta, el ruido todavía podrá rodearnos, pero nuestro filtro permitirá la entrada de una sola voz.

Desarrollemos la disciplina de escuchar con la habilidad Espiritual de filtrar y reconocer la voz de Dios. Nuestra fe va a ser suficiente para responder – suficientemente fuerte para caminar – pero primero debemos ser capaces de escuchar su llamado.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Focused On Jesus

By on August 15, 2019

Focused_On_Jesus

I’ve always been impulsive. I was one of the first to follow Jesus. I didn’t even know who He was, but when He said “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), though I didn’t know what He meant, I dropped my fishing nets and followed. After three years, I foolishly told Jesus I was “ready to go with You to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33), but that same night I denied I even knew Him…three times! And in the garden, when the soldiers came to take Him away, I drew my sword “and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear” (John 18:10).

But the most impulsive thing I ever did was that night in the boat. The waves were rough and we had “rowed three or three and a half miles” (John 6:19), when I saw Jesus walking on the water. I told Him I would come if He called, and the next thing I knew I was jumping out of the boat! And I didn’t sink!! I just kept my eyes on Jesus. I knew in my heart He was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), but the wind was blowing so hard and the waves kept crashing against my legs.

Matthew 14:30
“But when he {Peter} saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!'”

Jesus said Peter began to sink because he doubted and had little faith (Matthew 14:31). But let’s not be too hard on Peter. Remember, no one else even left the boat! Peter stepped out of the boat and took several steps on top of the water!! But then he lost his focus.

Peter was in the middle of an awesome display of God’s power, and yet he “saw the wind,” or at least the effects of the wind. Peter began to look at the turbulence of the world and not at the One who created the world; “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

There are times when we clearly see God’s hand at work. Our eyes become focused on Jesus, His peace fills our life, and the foundation under our feet feels solid and secure. However, it’s usually not long before the wind begins to blow, the waves rise up, and we experience that sinking feeling. When this happens (and it will) we must not despair, for this is also part of God’s wonderful plan. As we are sinking, He always reaches out His hand as an invitation to draw near and know Him better – to know He will always be there when we cry out “Lord, save me!”

The walk of faith cannot be accomplished in our own strength. With each step we must “put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5), and “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). Every day we must take our eyes off our own ability and the pulls of the world – take our eyes off the wind – and commit to trusting and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 15 Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Cor 9:20-10:14; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13
Aug 16 Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Cor 10:15-11:2; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16
Aug 17 Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Cor 11:3-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18
Aug 18 Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Cor 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

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Enfocados en Jesús

By on August 15, 2019

Focused_On_Jesus

Yo he sido siempre un poco impulsivo. Fuí uno de los primeros discípulos en seguir a Jesús. Yo ni siquiera sabía quien era El, y cuando El dijo “Venid en pos de mí, y os haré pescadores de hombres” (Mateo 4:19), yo ni siquiera sabía lo que El quería decir, pero dejé mis redes y lo seguí. Después de tres años, tontamente le dije a Jesús “dispuesto estoy a ir contigo no sólo a la cárcel, sino también a la muerte” (Lucas 22:33), pero más tarde esa misma noche negué siquiera conocerlo – tres veces! Y, en el jardín, cuando los soldados vinieron a llevarselo, saqué mi espada “y herí al siervo del sumo sacerdote, y le corte la oreja derecha” (Juan 18:10).

Pero lo más impulsivo que he hecho fue aquella noche en el bote. Las olas eran fuertes y habíamos “remado como veinticinco o treinta estadios” (Juan 6:19), cuando vi a Jesús caminando sobre el agua. Yo le dije que iría si El me llamaba y la próxima cosa que vi fue que estaba saliendo del bote! Y no me hundí!! Yo mantuve mis ojos en Jesús, yo sabía en mi corazón que El era “el Cristo, el Hijo del Dios viviente” (Mateo 16:16), pero el viento estaba soplando tan fuerte y las olas se mantenían chocando contra mis piernas.

Mateo 14:30
“Pero al ver el fuerte viento, tuvo miedo; y comenzando a hundirse, dio voces, diciendo: !!Señor, sálvame!”

Jesús dijo que Pedro comenzó a undirse porque el dudó y tenía poca fe (Mateo 14:31), pero no seamos tan duros con Pedro – recordemos, nadie más ni siquiera salieron del bote! Pedro salió del bote y dio varios pasos sobre el agua!! Pero después perdió su enfoque.

Pedro estaba enmedio de una maravillosa manifestación del poder de Dios y aún así el “vio el viento” o al menos sus efectos. Pedro comenzó a ver la turbulencia del mundo y no a Quien creó el mundo; “puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe” (Hebreos 12:2).

Hay tiempos en que claramente vemos la mano de Dios obrando. Nuestros ojos se enfocan en Jesús, Su paz llena nuestra vida, y la fundación abajo de nuestros pies se siente sólida y segura. Sin embargo, es usualmente no mucho antes que el viento comience a soplar, las olas se levantan, y tenemos esa sensación de estar undiendonos. Cuando esto suceda (y esto sucederá) no debemos desesperarnos, porque esto es también parte del maravilloso plan de Dios. Mientras nos estamos undiendo, El nos alcanza con Su mano como una invitación a acercarnos y conocerle mejor – para saber que El siempre estará allí cuando clamemos “Señor, salvame!”

El camino de la fe no puede ser logrado en nuestras propias fuerzas. Con cada paso debemos “Haced morir, pues, lo terrenal en vosotros” (Colosenses 3:5), y “vestíos del Señor Jesucristo” (Romanos 13:14). Cada día debemos quitar nuestros ojos de nuestra propia habilidad y las atracciones del mundo – quitemos nuestros ojos del viento – y comprometámonos a confiar y mantener nuestros ojos enfocados en Jesús.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Step of Faith

By on August 14, 2019

Step_of_Faith

Today was a busy day! Early this morning we heard that King Herod killed John the Baptist. Jesus seemed to take this news pretty hard; “When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Matthew 14:13). I knew He wanted to be alone, but the crowds kept following Him. Soon there were “about five thousand men, besides women and children” (Matthew 14:21). When it started to get late we tried to send the people home, but Jesus had everyone sit down and He fed them with “five loaves of bread and two fish” (Matthew 14:17). What a day!!

Finally, Jesus sent us across the Sea of Galilee; “After leaving them, He went up on a mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46). I’m glad Jesus is getting some time alone, but I wish He was here right now. It’s dark and the waves are so high. Wait, there’s something out there; something, or someone, walking on the water; “It’s a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear” (Matthew 6:26). No, I think it’s Jesus!

Matthew 14:28-29
“‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

When we read these stories in the Bible we often forget that these were ordinary people involved in something very extra-ordinary. When Peter took that first step onto the water, there was nothing within his physical senses which told him the water would hold. The boat was being tossed by the wind and waves, and Peter certainly had many past experiences which told him that heavy objects sink in water, that his step would fail.

But Peter KNEW Jesus. He had spent time with Jesus; he walked with Him, talked with Him, prayed with Him, and witnessed His miracles. Peter knew the face of Jesus and knew His voice. He knew if Jesus said “Come,” He would also provide a way for him to follow. Jesus made the water solid, but only when and where Peter stepped – only after he stepped out in faith and in response to the call.

The step of faith is needed for any situation which requires a solution beyond what our physical senses can understand. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). The situation may be related to relationships, finances, jobs, or ministry opportunities. But it may also be related to raising children, challenges at school, the apparent inability to forgive, or anything else which requires us to operate outside the comfort of the boat.

God calls us to a life of faith. We must spend quality time with our Lord so we can recognize His voice, but when God says “Come,” our only response is to step. Our past experiences may scream it’s not possible and that we will fail; we may not see solid ground, but we must trust that the One who called will provide the solid foundation. Let’s trust Him to provide a way beyond what we can see or understand. Let’s fully trust Him with each and every step of faith!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 14 Nehemiah 7:61-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-19; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12

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