The basis of our blog is found in Matthew 14:29 when Jesus calls Peter out of the boat to walk on water as Jesus was already doing.  Have you ever paid attention to what Jesus was doing just prior to this? 

Matthew 14:22-23 MSG — As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

Wow! I am not sure I have ever paid attention that prior to walking on water, Jesus spent time alone praying with God. Jesus is our perfect example. If He realized the need for quiet time with God, shouldn’t we? Isn’t it amazing that after His quiet time alone with God, He walked on water? We too, can do the same. 

Over the years since I have set aside daily quiet time with God, I have come to realize that when I am feeling like I am distanced from God it is because I allowed myself to get sucked in by my busy schedule and the noise around me. God hasn’t moved, I have. The only way for me to rectify this distance is to pull away from the noise and draw close to God. 

Do you feel distanced from God? If so, be intentional about spending quiet time with God. Turn off the noise and draw close to Him. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the examples Jesus gives us. Forgive me when I have moved away from You. Help me to embrace the quiet and draw close to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Psalm 46:10 NIV — He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Last week Julie shared with us about the presence of God. This week let’s examine our  need for quiet time with God. 

The world we live in is a constant state of busy noise. We can control some of the noise such as the TV or radio, but there’s some noise that is constant. For example, we always have the low hum of the refrigerator or the welcomed lull of the ac/heat. Unless you live alone, you may also have the noise created by those around you. Talking, the sound of movement or the activities of the house are never ending. 

Do you set aside a daily quiet time with God? How do you find a way to “be still” and be with God? Do you value and protect your quiet time?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for our quiet time together. Forgive me for days that I fall into the trap of my busy schedule and fail to protect our quiet time together. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Spend some quiet time alone with God, reading His word and allowing Him to draw you close.

Psalm 46 NIV

Matthew 6:5-14 NIV

Mark 1:35 NIV — Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 5:15-16 NIV — Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Matthew 14:22-33 NIV

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Matthew 6:33 NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Click here to watch a video about letting go as we finish our week together on surrendering to God.

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Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV — Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Those of you who know me may remember that in the summer of 2019 my family and I were in the process of preparing our house of 18 years to sell. At the time I did not know how long the process would take nor did I know where we would end up living. However through the process God showed me that I must surrender control. He gave me peace and I learned to rest in the knowledge that He would guide and direct our path. My ability to surrender does not come easily. However I have learned  when I surrender to His control, I can relax.

I encouraged you earlier in the week to ask God to reveal an area that you needed to surrender control. Did He? Have your eyes been opened? Perhaps it is related to your health or the health of a loved one, your future, or your finances. The list could go on and on. Whatever the area for you I pray that you are able to surrender and trust God so that as a result you may be able to relax. Maybe you can even take a nap!

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to let go and surrender. May I allow You to be in control so I may relax in your loving arms. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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While studying about the word “surrender” I ran across Psalm 9:9-10 NIV —
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Now look at the same scripture from The Message — God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.

WOW! Trust=Relax! What an aha moment for me! When you and I are able to surrender and trust God we are able to relax. So what takes us so long to get to the point of surrender? One definition of surrender is “to abandon oneself entirely to; give in to.” Therein lies our issue. We do not like to abandon ourselves, our ideas, and our control. Yet if we would surrender, we would be able to relax. Letting go of control and allowing God to lead is a form of water walking. Are you willing to surrender, relax, and walk on water with God as your guide?

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to let go of control and surrender to you. Show me how to relax in the shelter of Your safe-house. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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