Do you see what I see...

For they all saw Him, and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. Mark 6:50
The story of Jesus feeding the multitude is widely known, and it goes as follows:

    And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. Mark 6:34-44
    Pretty amazing, right? And after witnessing that miracle surely the disciples knew that this certainly was an act of God, right? They would know that Jesus was Lord and they would believe in Him and never waiver in their faith again, right? Well that is not exactly how this story ends…

    And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark 6:45-52
    The Bible says “straightway”, so immediately after that the disciples entered the ship as Jesus instructed them to do, but after He left them for a while He finds them floundering in the water. And this time they let the circumstances that surround them cloud their vision of another miracle that was taking place.

      We let the world take over and we are so busy just trying to stay afloat. When the Lord shows up in a miraculous way we actually become frightened. We can’t remember all of the times He has taken care of us in the past and the clarity that we need in our lives has been over thrown by the devil. Don’t let satan keep you jaded. When the savior shows up to calm the storm in your life make sure you do not mistake Him for a fearful or foreign object. Fuel your faith with thoughts of all the amazing things He has already done in your life, keep paddling and fix your eyes on the horizon. You will see Him coming.


-PW

In the forth quarter...

For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them. Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. Psalms 21:11-13


I cannot believe I am actually using a football story as a devotional, but I guess if God can make the rocks cry out he can use pig-skin too!

Recently my husband and I were unable to watch the live game of our favorite football team. We decided to record the game and watch it when we returned home. But before we could get home to watch the recorded game we learned the final score and to our surprise our team came out on top. We were so excited a hurried home to watch all of the great plays we had missed. However, this game was no shut-out! Actually it came down to the wire and our favorite team was able to pull off a win in overtime. It was so humorous to me that we were watching what most would call a “nail biter” with a smile on our face. Even when the other team would score we were still content, knowing that in the end we would have the victory. And in that moment, in the corky way that God sometimes speaks to me, I heard Him loud and clear this night: “You already know who has the victory, so keep on smiling.”!

I remember this night often when I feel like Satan has the upper-hand on all that is taking place in the world and in my circumstances. The Lord reminds me that He is still working ALL things for the good, and that I can continue my days with a smile on my face. I have read how this “game’ ends and it’s not a pretty end for ol’ Satan.



And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev. 20:10

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Cor. 15:57

--PW

Keep the Faith

Dear PW,

   I have been going through a transition of sorts these last few months and I just wanted to let you know that I feel blessed that you are my cousin. I hate that as we grew up we did not get to spent more time with each other but I wanted to let you know that I feel lucky to know you.
   I've been going through some horrible things recently... husband troubles mostly. Through reading about your life through your family blog and the stories of your friend Sarabeth it has helped me renew a faith that had long ago been lost. And out of all my so called friends, Sarabeth is the one that reached out to me. A person that does not even know me and really shouldn't care- but does.
Much love!
Cousin in Crisis

Dear Cousin in Crisis,

   Thank you so much for this sweet note! I love you and I wish that we had spent more time together when we were closer too. It is funny how things work out and if it was not for my move that took me over 700 mile away from my family I would have never made that  family blog and then we might not be having this conversation right now.
   It just goes to prove that we know nothing about the plans of God. In so many ways I can look back on my life and see times when I had little faith in how God could really be working things out for the good in my life, but when I chose to continue to trust in Him, He worked things out in a miraculous way.
   I had no idea about your failing marriage and I would love to help in any way. If you ever need to talk I am always here for you. Like I said I have really no clue what all is going on, but I am sure that all of this started about the time that you decided to let the Lord make a change in your life.
   That is how Satan works. In my short years as a pastor's wife I have run out of fingers to count the times that I see this same thing happen to new members in our church. Satan's stratagy always seems to be one of division. It is so much easier to bring down a family from serving the Lord by stirring up trouble between the husband and the wife.
   I know that it is hard to keep the faith through all this, but I strongly encourage you that if you stay on the path the Lord has for you HE WILL WORK ALL THINGS FOR YOUR GOOD! Read this verse daily and remind yourself that God has got it all under control: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

A few facts that I have learned in times like you are facing:
 -God does not always, actually rarely ever does He reveal His "plans" to us until after they come to pass.
 -and that He is on His own time schedule not ours, He will show up and show off at just the right time:)

   I love you and I think that when you are weighing whether or not following the Lord is worth losing the life you have known, remind yourself of your childern's recent decission to turn their own life over to the Lord and become a Child of God. I promise that it will make all the difference.
-PW

Blessed

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:10

I have quoted this verse, claimed it and owned it, more times than I would like to say. I has been my promise that better things await me and in the midst of my trial I am still a heir to The Thrown. However, the Lord has revealed this verse to me in a whole new way. Have you ever heard it said that you can read a verse and receive a message through it, but then read it again at another time a God will speak to you in a different way. Now some would say "Oh yes, it is all in the interpreting.", well I don't think that there is multiple interpretations in the Word. I think that Jesus spoke or inspired the penman just the way He wanted it to be received, but I do believe that there are pieces and truths in His word that are hid from us until just the perfect time. My example is this verse from Matthew 5. As I read it in the middle of my trial I claim it as a promise that in the end we, as Christians, have the victory. And this is a true statement. But there is another promise. Do you see it? If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ-a Christian, than the Kingdom of Heaven is already yours. So if you read this in reverse the promise is that those who are heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven will be persecuted for righteousness sake. Now I know that doesn't seem like something you want printed on a magnet and posted on the fridge as a daily reminder, but I am leaving out the best part: Blessed. This Christian life is not an easy walk and He promises (in many verses) that there will tribulation, but "blessed" are we that that can claim many verses that also state we will never have to walk it alone.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:19-20

-PW

November 8th, 2011

Word of the day: Election

 2 Peter 1:10: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

God has a plan for you to prosper. Make sure you are living the life He elected you for. In God's Will, "your calling", you shall never fail.

-PW

Through the Fire

1 Peter 1:6-7
  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Earthly trials constitute a problem of our salvation, but they are only for a season. "Manifold temptations" means diversified trials. Hold strong to the fact that your salvation cannot be destroyed and be encouraged that God is using this "season" to refine your faith.

-PW

Fruit of Your Hands

Proverbs 31:10-31
(*Traits of a virtuous woman)

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (*Rare) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (*Trustworthy and constant in her love) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (*Industrious) She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (*Thrifty) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (*Self-motivated) She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (*Enterprising) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (*Willing to do hard work and work long hours) She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (* Willing to do monotonous work) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (*Compassionate) She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (*Prepared) She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (*Clothed as a princess) Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (*Her husband is seen as a leader, if even it is only as the leader of is household) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (*Entrepreneur) Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (*Not swayed by circumstances) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (*Wise and kind) She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (*Duty-conscious) Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (*Blessed by her family) Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (*Not satisfied with mediocre) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. (*Woman of God) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (*Praiseworthy)

-PW