On that day, when evening came, He said to them (His disciples), “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.  And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.  And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”  –Mark 4:35-41

Life is a series of “crossings to the other side”, all within our one life-long journey to eternity. With callings, God is drawing us forward, into His will. If He knows that it’s important for you to get into the boat and cross over to the other side, then it’s often in your best interest not to tell you about the storm that will arise in the middle of your journey. Otherwise, you may not be so willing to get in that boat. Or your trip might be filled with such anxiety, that you’re ready to abandon ship with every gust or wave. If we knew the trials and tribulations life’s choices would bring us to, we’d likely never make them. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 Paul writes:
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

God condescends to our weakness, leading us with limited views of His will for us, until we are strong enough to see the whole picture. He calls us to commitments of marriage, ministry, sacrifice and service. He gifts us with visions and anointings for high purposes. And He often withholds from us the frightening details of our mission’s encounters. God has calculated that, if trouble must be faced, it need not be anticipated. For he knows that He has hidden grace in each occasion, sufficient to overcome.
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus disciples are simply told: “Let us go over to the other side.”

They're not warned about the terrible storm that nearly capsizes the boat.  That information is kept from them. All they need to know is that they are traveling with Jesus, over the lake to the other side. If we knew how often we’d regret marriage, or children, or choices in companions, careers, or churches; if we knew that in the midst of a commitment we made by the Lord’s leading, that we’d regret ever embarking on the journey; we’d have serious second thoughts, and in many cases, we’d never make the right decision. If God had to issue disclaimers and get us to sign off on waivers, rather than to trust Him, the fact is frankly speaking, we’d probably never really follow Him. The dread of tribulation and trials would be too much for us. If we knew that before it was all over we might lose friends, loved ones, social standing, popularity and acceptance, we’d probably never take those first steps in response to God’s call. The fear of loss would be too much to overlook, in order to see the greatness and glory of His ultimate purpose in reaching the other side.

But ask any Christian veteran, who has stayed the course of spiritual warfare through life’s journeys, and they will tell you the same story of God’s power and glory revealed in the midst of the storm-tossed sea.

More on Getting To The Other Side tomorrow, so until then…
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Stay On The Path!

And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows— how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. --Mark 4:26-28 
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. —Psa. 90:12 

Life has a rhythm, a lot like walking. The foot that’’s reaching ahead to where you want to go will soon be the same foot you withdraw from where you’’ve been. In the motion of walking – like the motion of living – we straddle both where we were and where we’re headed with each step.  Where you are today is the result of steps you took yesterday. And tomorrow you will either regret or rejoice in the steps you take today.

Sowing & Reaping…
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And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil... —Mark 4:26 

​The entire Kingdom of God operates on the sowing and reaping principle. The farmer sits at his table today and eats the fruit of last years’ labors. He then gets up and returns to the field to labor for next year's’ happiness.  Just like the natural laws that govern farming, our lives also are the result of sowing and reaping. If one can manage his life with that rhythm in mind, rather than always living only in the moment, he can live a productive life. Today’’s decisions can set up tomorrow’’s happiness. So don’’t react negatively to today’’s regrets over the fruit of yesterday’’s planting.  But simply correct your sowing for tomorrow’’s improvement...

Like the stride of a walker, the value of his steps lay in the direction of his path. It’’s where he’’s going that makes each step important. In the same way, the value of the present is that it’’s an opportunity to either reconsider or reconfirm the direction of yesterday. Then either renew or change your direction for tomorrow. The present is the only point along your path where you can insert a change of direction.
It is certain that the Bible teaches the great principle that happiness is harvested. In that very principle, the Apostle Paul planted himself as he pursued God’’s purposes for his life.

 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it (perfect spiritual maturity) my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. —Phil. 3:13-15

Paul understood that his life, lived in its present moments, was no better than the pursuit in which he invested those moments, while they were his to control. Standing around, trying to find happiness and meaning in each solitary moment of life is a sure recipe for depression. Because the aimless, unproductive soul is weary. Purposelessness deprives the soul of its power of life. Thus Proverbs declares:

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing. —Prov. 20:4 

Paul also understood that sowing his life into pursuing “the goal of winning the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” was what made his life worth living. Previously Paul had sown all his efforts into developing the best life he could live for himself in the here-and-now. But after finding Jesus he realized the ultimate worthlessness of “pursuing all that the here-and-now has to offer, rather than “what lies ahead”. In fact, the principle of sowing and reaping was exactly what Jesus had in mind when He called us to discipleship by saying:

If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. --Matt. 16:24 -25

The words of Jesus countermand the entire modern social concept, of using the divine principles found in the rhythm of life, in order to develop your best life here-and-now, rather than to sell it off in sacrifice, for His best life now and forever. This is exactly what Paul understood as he reconciled the sins and failures of his past with the blood of Jesus. That ended all grieving and remorse. Time to move on. He then reset all his priorities and redirected all his efforts towards fulfilling Jesus’’ claims over his life. This won’’t remove trial from your life, but you will live your days without regrets defeating your tomorrows before they come. Because you’’ll enter each new day in the peace produced by your efforts of the previous days. I know that tomorrow, when I come to it, I’’ll be happy in the fruit of the life I’’ve lived for Christ today.
In one of the rare glimpses of our life with Him in eternity, Jesus prepares us by stressing this important principle: that our faithfulness today will set up our position in the life that awaits us.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ —Matt. 25:23 

Paul also reinforced the same focus for us, as we walk with God today.

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. --1 Cor. 3:11-15
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So the rhythm of life, with it’s overlapping cycles of sowing and reaping, will carry us right into eternity. When our life is weighed out for all it’s worth, be certain of this, that your deep concern will not be whether you were happy in every day, but did your days bring you to a happy place.
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Stay On The Path!

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"  —John 21:21-22
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Many years ago as a young "Jesus Freak", we wore out a song that was our anthem, "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus". The 2nd verse was my favorite: "Though none go with me still I will follow. No turning back. No turning back." That sentiment was forged into our spiritual DNA. And it became the minimal requirement for being a follower of Jesus. For there was no such thing as a "Christian" who wasn't entirely a Follower of Jesus...

Since those days, Christianity has seen its esprit de corps motto updated with one that more accurately expresses the sentiment of modern culture: "If All Go With Me I Might Follow". That statement reflects the message change of the modern Church, from one of individual responsibility to group dependency. The explosion of social media indicates the fact that people today can't seem to act without abundant amounts of approval from peers. Group Faith is replacing Individual Salvation for a society that is becoming increasingly dependent. Christianity may be for the child-like, but it doesn't work for the immature, who can't seem to grow up enough to become independently responsible for their faith.

Group faith stunts spiritual growth because it works on the premise that you cannot advance into freedom without your group advancing into freedom. That "team" idea works well in team competitions. However, most important things in your life are not going to be team competitions, but individual efforts. What if morality were made into a "team competition"? A few adulterers, addicts, liars, and thieves, would set the standard for the whole society. Their commitment to sin would become the excuse for everyone else to compromise and fail. It's the embracing of group dependence that is accelerating the moral failure of our present culture.

Jesus taught individual faithfulness OVER group harmony because moral compromise and spiritual timidity within a group is never broken by consensus, but by the revival of the individual. Groups are moved by individuals. Individuals are not moved by groups. So just as Jesus admonished Peter to not base his obedience upon what his friend did, so I challenge you today. Stop waiting for the herd to move. YOU move. Follow Jesus. Follow humbly...decisively...obediently...faithfully. "Though none go with me still I will follow. No turning back. No turning back."
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Stay On The Path!

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1Th. 5:16-18

One thing you can never have too much of is Thanksgiving. God never says, “Enough. You may stop now.” Prayer may be rejected but Thanksgiving is never rejected. Prayer may go unanswered but Thanksgiving is never unanswered.  You may pray amiss but you cannot Thank God amiss. I’ve seen wrong prayer but never wrong Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is always right…Thanksgiving is always good....

“It is a GOOD THING to give thanks unto the LORD” – Psa. 92:1

The Thanksgiver is a Good-doer. In any situation, he who gives Thanks to God always does the good thing. When you do not know what to do giving thanks to God is always the good thing to do.
It is the Attitude of Gratitude that enhances Altitude. If you want to enhance your Altitude have the Attitude of Gratitude. The Thanksgiver will soar with God. Thanksgiving brings you to cruising altitude. Remember, you must reach cruising altitude before the cabin service can begin. If you want Heaven to serve you, be a Thanksgiver and reach cruising altitude so your provisions can be served! People often say, “I don’t even know what to pray for.” But God already knows what you need. As soon as you reach cruising altitude, your answer will come out.  The Thanksgiver will ARISE!

Thanksgiving is the act of grateful Heirs making their claim! Anyone can think about God’s attributes and works, and remain unaffected by Him. But the Thanksgiver is a Beneficiary. Thanksgiving files the claim. When the actions of life are against you, Thanksgiving has an overcoming reaction that will KEEP you. God is looking for a Thanksgiver who will react to the actions of life, with thanks to God, so that He may be the KEEPER of that person! The Thanksgiver isn’t thanking God for life’s trials, but through life’s trials.
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You will never find a Thanksgiver where you last saw him. Because God will move him forward. God will make him to appreciate. The Appreciator will appreciate. For you can never rise above your appreciation of God. If the value of your circumstances depreciates, be a Thanksgiver and express your gratitude to God through the situation. For he who appreciates God will himself appreciate. The key to seeing your own value appreciate is to give appreciation to the One who owes you nothing, but gives you all. When you lift up your voice in Thanksgiving to God your life will be lifted up. Your life will follow the direction of your appreciation. When your Thanksgiving goes up you will follow. For God is the Thanksgiver’s KEEPER!
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Stay On The Path!

​Let’s think about ourselves in 2 parts: Personality and Nature.  Personality being the outer, moldable layers of our soul, while Nature refers to the deeper unchanging forces of our core being.  Consider the parable of The Scorpion & The Frog…
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The scorpion solicits a ride across the river from the frog.  In exchange for the ride he offers to protect the frog.  The frog, knowing the deadly nature of scorpions, refuses, saying, Absolutely not! You’re a killer.  I’ll get you partway across the stream and you’ll sting me to death.  It’s what you do.  But the scorpion has developed a charming personality, and becomes convinced that he has risen above his lethal nature, which surprises the frog into changing his mind.  The frog agrees to the partnership....

Then His mother and His brothers came and, standing outside, they sent word to Him, calling [for] Him. And a crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, Your mother and Your brothers and Your sisters are outside asking for You. And He replied, Who are My mother and My brothers? And looking around on those who sat in a circle about Him, He said, See! Here are My mother and My brothers; For whoever does the things God wills is My brother and sister and mother!
—Mark 3:31-35