The following is an excerpt from Max Lucado’s Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.
“Biographies of bold disciples
begin with chapters of honest terror. Fear of death. Fear of failure. Fear of
loneliness. Fear of a wasted life. Fear of failing to know God.
Faith
begins when you see God on the mountain and you are in the valley and you know
that you’re too weak to make the climb. You see what you need…you see what you
have… and what you have isn’t enough to accomplish anything.
Peter had
given it his best. But his best wasn’t enough.
He is aware
of two facts: He is going down, and Jesus is staying up. He knows where he
would rather be. There’s nothing wrong with this response. Faith that begins
with fear will end up nearer the Father.
We must
realize all we are doing to produce lasting peace in our own strength is not
working. We work, but there is never enough money to go around. We try, but it
seems relational harmony doesn’t last long enough. Our households are in
upheaval more times than not. Then we panic because we are running out of human
strategies to ‘keep the peace’. We need to experience the peace of God.”
Mike Bickle says in his Song of Solomon studies that, “It
safer in the water with Jesus than on the boat without him.”
I know for certain, that being on the race, I am on the
water with Jesus. Trusting him and fixing my eyes on him only. Obviously this
is easier said than done, but even when I begin to sink I am still safer among
the waves with his arm outstretched then in a boat being tossed through the
waves. Currently, there is giant wave heading my way, but I know that I am
taken care of because I am in the will of our Lord. Yesterday I found out that
I am “in the red” as they say. The reason I am “in the red” is because of my
support situation. Basically as I was informed that I am “in dire need” of
funding. In two weeks ticket purchases for Eastern Europe
are being made, and because there is no more money in my account a ticket
cannot be purchased for me. If this situation doesn’t change I will be leaving
the race prematurely. As I have spent time in prayer and worship I am
completely at the mercy of our Father and what he chooses to do. I step forth
in faith and boldness and proclaim that I will finish the next seven months on
the race through God using people like you. Pray about contributing to my
ministry, as the Lord leads please give. If you can’t not give financially,
join with me in prayer knowing full well that the Lord will use others to
provide the funding. We are in this work for the kingdom together. Daily, I
will be keeping you posted over the next two weeks to let you know where we
stand and what the next step is. I believe wholly that within two days I will
be posting another blog praising the Lord for his complete provision and how
through you He has provided my funding not only to get to Europe,
but to complete the entire year. I look forward to rejoicing with you! Please
click here to donate!
