Let Jesus in Your Ship

John 6:15-21 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

As I was grappling with the Holy Spirit last night regarding some unfamiliar waters in which I find myself, He led me to this passage in John. He reminded me He has control over my unfamiliar waters, asked me to recognize him in them, and showed me not to fear. He challenged me to willingly accept him into my life's boat tossed about in the waters for the purpose of arriving in the place He wishes me to go. Praise God!

What waters do you find yourself in today? Will you willingly let Jesus into your vessel? He has a destination for you! Life and it's storms are not random.

Examine Yourselves

I Peter 1:15-16: As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Recently, as I look at the concept of being holy, and I couple that command with the words of 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith," I am overwhelmed with a desire to do just that. My prayer today, and hopefully every day from hence forth, is that God will show me any "manner of conversation" in my life that is not holy. I have a strong desire for a deeper understanding of holiness. I know we cannot be seen by God as holy except through the blood of Jesus. I understand that doctrine. But I also see God commanding us to live holy lives. This is not conforming to a set of rules set forth by man, but conforming to the image of Christ. At the risk of using a Christian cliche', I think perhaps asking the question, what would Jesus do, is a pretty good idea! I think holiness encompasses more than my finite mind can comprehend, but in the context of I Peter 1, holiness is generated by strong, holy thinking (verse13), and by abandoning our old lifestyle that did not reflect God (verse 14). It sounds so simple, but how much of what I think, say and do reflect true godliness and how much reflects patterns that have been established from childhood that perhaps are not godly, are unholy? At present, my spiritual quest is focused on this matter of holy living as dictated by God. I believe it will fall somewhere between careful conformation to man's religious rules and regulations and permissiveness in the name of liberty in Christ. I'm not convinced that the practice of true holiness even belongs on the same continuum with the two... God, I pray you would show me my heart as it compares to your standard of holiness.