When you go down and you have to look up for the answer that is when Love is training us. That is something I have learned from a whole lot of hurt and I have seen it from so many people and places. If you are in pain while you are reading this when you are ready to cry out Love will listen and He will be there.
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “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. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 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.” – Matthew 14:23-32
I believe Jesus meditated and for me that is a huge source of strength. When the Bible says Jesus went away from the crowd to “pray” I believe He very likely was meditating during some of that time. This is in part what I believe the Bible is saying when it says “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Meditation teaches focus and more importantly meditating on passages of scripture have radically changed my walk with Christ.
The focus or the ability to lose it is common especially today and especially in a relationship with Christ. This is a big part of why I believe Paul said “I will not be mastered by any.” Yes all things are lawful but if something takes our attention off of Love then is it really profitable?
Could it be that sometimes we need to remember that or be reminded of this idea?
Jesus was walking on some very rough water toward the disciples who were in a fishing boat on the lake in the same rough sea. Jesus after calming them down was asked by Peter if he (Peter) could come out to Him by walking on the water to Him. I like what Peter said here; “Lord if its you tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus did tell Peter to “Come” and my mental picture here is Jesus with a big smile like a father watching their child’s first steps. Peter made a few steps but then he lost focus on Love.
Fear made him think about the impossibilities around him instead of the possibilities with Him (Jesus).
Immediately Jesus helped Peter after he cried out or realized that he had made his focus fear. Once they both got in the boat a second victory was had as everyone said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Two victories for one sinking I would call that a very successful day! First Peter realized he needed to keep his eyes on Jesus if he is to walk in Love and second the men on the boat realized yet again that Jesus was the one and only Son of God.
Would you like to develop some strength and still some waters in your life today? How about start a meditation practice on scripture?
Sit in a quiet place and at a time when you probably will not be disturbed. Close your eyes and breathe normally and deeply a few times to relax.
Now after a few breathes when you breathe in say to yourself:
“Be still and know”
And when you breathe out:
“That I am God”
When you do this picture God on His thrown and see Him as all powerful and able to take care of your every need.
After a few minutes of this continue by doing this one- Breath in and say to yourself:
“Take courage! It is I.”
And breathe out saying,
“Don’t be afraid!”
When you do this picture Jesus looking into your eyes as he keeps you from sinking in the trouble you face at this moment.
Remember this moment was known about by God and planned just for you so that you could become more loving and therefore be more like Him.
You can do this with any picture but the main thing is that you find a scripture that brings hope and courage to you and you allow the picture to bring you the knowledge that God is Love and HE LOVES YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Source: Uploaded by user via Bob on Pinterest
I fully agree that we need to keep our focus on Jesus. When our attention drifts away from Him other things move to His place. Perhaps fear, discouragement, anger, and a number of unhealthy things. I am so glad I found this site with meditation on Him and His Word is encouraged. I have increased my meditation and have found my faith growing through His love, that I have become more aware of day by day. Thank you, thank you.
I wrote this little poem sometime ago. Hope it blesses you. Peace and love in Him, M
ALL SEEING LOVE
As doves may fly to very ends of earth,
but lack the strength to journey back to home,
so I might fly so far away, and faint,
and find no soul to kindly give me help;
but God will see and reach to clasp my hand,
to lead me with His strength and sight back home.
As lava comes so thick and molten dark
to smother and to hide all standing things,
so can a darkness drop and cover me,
and hide the sunshine and its gleams of joy;
but God does see through dark the same as light
and shines His love dispelling all the black.
There is no place beyond the sight of God.
The darkness cannot bar nor shut Him out.
His breath does melt the distance like a torch
disintegrating countless miles to naught.
The faithful, in His presence find great strength,
while others stumble thinking them such fools.
Author notes
NKJV Psalm 139:9-12, “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me.’ Even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.”
This is such a beautiful psalm. It touches me every time I read it.
Thank you Sis!
That is a Beautiful poem! Can we share that here?
One part that really sticks in my mind is about the lava. When lava first comes out of the ground it looks so bright and full of hope but then it closes in on something and hardens and forms crustations- this was much like the depression I wrestled with earlier in my life.
“As lava comes so thick and molten dark
to smother and to hide all standing things,
so can a darkness drop and cover me,
and hide the sunshine and its gleams of joy;
but God does see through dark the same as light
and shines His love dispelling all the black.”
The amazing thing to me is just like you said these “lava” points were and are allowed by God so we can grow closer to Him and see the reality ofHis Love. How very blessed we are the chosen few who have depression. How blessed we are the hand picked by God who have anxiety attacks. God is in the business of Loving!!! And no one, and no thing will even make a close second on the deepth and width of His Love and Peace.
This is why a believer Loves- not to fill a church pew but to fill a heart with a Peace that passes all understanding!
Thank you for sharing this and again I really would like to have some of your poetry in some blog post. You might also want to go to a site called thoughts.com its a great site to have people actually read your work.
Thank you agin Sister for your beautiful poem and your encouragement,
Bob
Bob,
Most certainly it can be shared, and hopefully it will be a blessing to someone else.
Peace and love, M
M,
I am sure it will bless many- Thank you very much!
Bob
Use it however you like, if it fits in a lesson or study or whatever, feel free. M
Bob,
The only thing that brought this poem to mind was a message from “AllPoetry.com” reminding me of my membership with them. I haven’t been active on it for several years. Anyway, when I checked on it the other day, that particular poem brought to mind the fact that however far we seem to feel God is from us He is still there and reaches to any depth or distance to give that help we need.
I thought of you and your strong belief in the love of God and had to share it. I don’t think I will do the thoughts.com thing, as like I said they have been quite a while on the other site. I do appreciate the info on it. I will probably take them off AllPoetry, there are only a few of them, and let them rest, lol. I have found that, for the most part, these days there are very few folks interested in poetry.
If I see that one relates and will help expand on a thought appropriate to the subject at hand I may post one again as part of a comment. Which of the two sites would be best, or does it not matter,” Grace of God” or as a response comment on “Journey”?
Again I am gleaning so much from your studies. I also wanted to say that even though I have had much of my past life taken up by severe problems, the last several years have been wonderful, with only small and occasional visits into the anxiety trap. The thing is I do arrange my life around the avoidance of anything that may cause a problem. I have a wonderful, supporting husband and family, so I am truly blessed. Our church family is also very wonderful, with many that are truly loving. But, I do believe that grace and love has been severely neglected. Of course, there is a reason for that. I’ll stop there.
I am planning on keeping grace and love and faith fully in my life, without causing disturbance to others, if possible. I belong to God and not a specific religion. At the same time, I am feeling some concern about the matter. By the way I am a 71 year old grandmother. Isn’t it wonderful that grace and love are not respecters of age? No limit on the amount received or given.
Keep up the good work that you do and again I thank you from the bottom of my heart. M
M,
You continue to bless me every time you post. I appreciate you so very much. The seeds of Grace all too often fall on hard ground these days and I dont hear about how Grace and Love from Above is moving through people. God is great and He is always reminding me that He is the Great “I Am…” and all I need to do is to rest in that.
So you dont write poetry any longer? Have you ever thought about compiling your poetry in a Kindle book? That way it would be preserved for people to see, read and enjoy for years to come!! If you think you might want to do that I can show you how to get started with it- its really easy.
Please post your poems anytime and in any place you would like to- they are always welcome here. I know that where ever you place it, it will be in the place where He wants it and as such it will bless the ones that are supposed to read it.
I am so very blessed to hear that my studies mean something to you. Thank you and you are always in my prayers, meditations and thoughts and I hope I will be in yours. Please ask your church to pray for me as I will be leaving later this week heading back to Iraq on another educational mission. Some day and I dont think its too far away I hope God will have me stop bouncing around the world and let me start a church but that is kind of up to Him.
It is a Beautiful thing that Grace and Love dont care about age, race or anything else that so easily entangles us. The Love From Above is all about knowing that Jesus paid it all and there is nothing I can add or take away from what He did. He made me Holy and outside of Him there is nothing that is any way, shape or form good about me.
Thank you again and please keep sharing,
Bob