THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

November 11, 2020

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

This week is a continuation of last weeks devotional, so I encourage you to go back and read it, if you've not yet done so.

It's during times of difficulties that our faith and trust are put to the test. We have to choose during those moments, "Do you trust Jesus, or do we worry and fret and pull away from Him?"

There are a couple incidents where the disciples' faith in Jesus was tested. And both times, they had either just been with Jesus or Jesus was right there with them.

In Matthew 14:22-33 is a story that is familiar to most of us. The disciples had just been with Jesus and had witnessed the miracle of Him feeding over 5,000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. Wow! What an incredible boost of faith to have seen that take place!!

After everyone's belly had been filled, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After the crowds left, Jesus went up on a hillside by Himself to pray.

The boat was a long way from land when a strong wind hit and the boat was tossed around by the waves. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. The men became terrified, when they saw Him, and said, "It's a ghost!" They cried out in fear.

Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Peter said, "Master, if it's You, command me to come to You on the water." Jesus said, "Come!" Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he became terrified. Beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Master, save me!" Immediately, Jesus was there! He reached out His hand and grabbed hold of Peter. He said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Those in the boat worshipped Him, saying, "You really are the Son of God!"

In Mark 4:35-41 we read another story involving Jesus, the disciples, and a storm.

Once again Jesus had been teaching a large crowd of people beside the sea. He got into a boat on the sea and sat down to teach them.

That evening, Jesus told the disciples, "Let's cross over to the other side." So they set sail and were out to sea when a great windstorm arose and the waves were rushing into the boat. The boat was beginning to fill up.

Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke Him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are perishing?"

He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind stopped and became totally calm. Jesus asked them, "Why are you afraid? Even now you have no faith?"

They were struck with awe and said to one another, "Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

Although Jesus was nearby, when He was out of sight, the disciples panicked as soon as a storm hit.

We often have that same tendency. We know that Jesus is always with us; we know that He promises to never leave or forsake us; we know that He loves us and cares for us; yet as soon as a storm hits, we become fearful and start crying out, "Jesus, where are you?!"

Perhaps it is during those times that His response to us is much the same as it was to the disciples: "Why are you afraid? Even now you have no faith? O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Jesus will quiet the storm and give us assurance that He is there with us, just as He did to the disciples. But I believe that He also desires that instead of fear and/or doubt being our response, we respond in faith.

In 1 Kings chapter 18 we read the story of the showdown on Mount Caramel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. God responded and consumed the sacrifice that Elijah had set up. When the people of Israel saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The Lord, He is God!" Then the 3 years of famine ended and God sends rain.

Immediately, in the next chapter we read where Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah threatening to kill him, due to him killing the prophets of Baal. Frightened, Elijah, got up and ran for his life. He left his servant, then went on another day's journey into the wilderness. He prayed that he might die.

Elijah had just been witness to an amazing miracle and had heard the people declare that the Lord is God. Yet, as soon as his life was threatened, he became scared and ran away in fear.

But God didn't just leave Elijah there alone. He sent an angel to bring food and drink to His servant. Forty days later, Elijah ended up in a cave on a mountain. God spoke to him there, asking why he was there. There was a mighty wind and an earthquake, but God wasn't in either of them. Then God spoke to Elijah in a small, still voice and once again asked what he was doing there. Elijah responded that he had been faithful and zealous for the Lord, and now he was the only prophet left in Israel. God reassured Elijah that He had preserved 7,000 in Israel whose knees have not bowed to Baal.

It's when we start feeling fearful and allow our thoughts and emotions to overtake our faith that we begin feeling sorry for ourself and start questioning God. Even after great miracles and seeing God answer prayers, we can become discouraged and disheartened and disappointed.

None of us know what life will bring. We don't know what may happen in our nation or in the world. But in the midst of each of our days, one thing we can know with certainty is that Jesus is faithful and will always love and care for us. Let's be faithful and filled with trust in Jesus, remaining steadfast in our commitment to Him!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

I have heard many times that faith is like a muscle. You have to exercise it to make it strong. I heard that again recently, and had a little different thought about it.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a weight lifter. But I've known fellers who were, so I think I have these details right.

I would probably just hurt myself if I started out lifting 200 lb weights. But someone with more muscles than I would be wasting their time lifting 200 lb.

I should probably start with about 150 lb. That's because I can lift 150 lb, but its a strain. Especially if I keep at it. The more I lift what I can barely lift, the more my muscles tear and strain. Then they grow back stronger than they were before. I could lift 100 lb, and it would probably help, but wouldn't build me up as well or as quickly. I am able to lift 200 lb as long as it is already waste high and easy to hold. If I tried 200 lb from the ground, I would rip my muscles to shreds, and they probably wouldn't heal back well or soon.

In time, I would be able to move to 175 lb, and later 200.

Exercising our faith is similar. Thankfully, God gives us exercises that strain our faith without breaking it. It may be painful. So we are left with a decision whether to keep living in faith or to give up.

ON THE MENEWE:

The Best Sloppy Joes

Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 8-10 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain well. Return to skillet.

Stir in rest of ingredients (except frozen Texas toast!). Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare Texas toast according to package directions.

Serve hot beef mixture over the garlic Texas toast. Sprinkle top with cheese, if desired.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Today is Veteran's Day. Take a moment today to thank someone who has served, or is still serving, in the military. It's those men and women who willingly serve to keep our country safe and allow us the freedoms that we enjoy each day.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

You can't go back and change the beginning,

but you can start where you are and change the ending. - C.S. Lewis

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org