Definitions I Found Helpful

Church:
A society of Christians "voluntarily associated together for the worship of God and spiritual improvement and usefulness."

Christian:
One who "understands the doctrines, is acquainted with a work of God's Spirit in effectual calling" and whose "repentence from dead works, faith in Christ, subjection, life and conversation correspond with his profession."

Walking on the Sea

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God. —Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV)

I love the way scripture is opened up to us differently every day. I love each new glimpse of Christ. I love the reassurance it gives me that I am His as He reveals Himself to me. I’m not going to try to explain this passage, only the little glimpse I saw in it this morning.

In the Old Testament, the sea is representative of turmoil and distress, danger and even death. We are baptized under water as a symbol of death to self and sin, of new life as participants of Christ’s death and resurrection.

And in this encounter between Jesus and his disciples, they are “beaten by the waves”... “a long way from land”...“with the wind against them.” They are in a sea of danger and distress, and then they see Christ. They should be overjoyed, but they are terrified. He is doing the unthinkable, the impossible. He is walking above the sea.

All are in doubt, but Peter expresses it aloud, “Lord, if it is you...” Christ, whose first words were encouragement, now calls Peter to himself. Peter “came to Jesus” but then he “sees the wind” and starts to sink. And of all the things Jesus could have said at this time, why does He ask Peter, “why did you doubt?”

We are often caught up in seas. And we think that our little boats are all that stand between us and destruction. But that’s not true. God Himself upholds us. Look at Paul’s many shipwrecks and you will see that God is not adverse to removing the very boats out from under us if it will help us to cling to Him.

It is possible to walk above our fears, to take courage, to trust Him. It is not easy or natural, but it is possible. I want to walk on the sea, too.

The Aroma of Christ to God

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life...” — 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

There is such strange liberty in the Word of God. For years I have considered evangelism to be someone else’s gift. I have excluded myself on the basis of my own insecurities and shortcomings (thereby placing the lion’s share of the responsibility for “success” or “failure” on myself). But God has freed me from this bondage—the idea that Christ’s success depends on me.

There is a gift of grace, a “faith to faith” that spreads through us but is not of us. The sovereign grace of God is His alone to give, yet is delivered through the rough instrumentality of mortal creatures. “We have this treasure in jars of clay” says Paul in 2 Corinthians 4, “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (ESV)

How liberating that is! Salvation will never be in our hands. We cannot convince by argument or ply by emotion. Yet conversely, we are not hindered by past, or circumstance, by imperfection of speech or by the clothes we wear. Those whom we might intend to draw to Christ may nonetheless be repelled. Those who we do not seek may search Him out in us despite ourselves. I find great liberty and cause for boldness in this.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession...” (ESV)

What is this triumphal procession? Is it not that we carry the very presence of God, the Holy Spirit, with us wherever we go? Remember David, in 2 Samuel 6, bringing up the Ark of the Covenant to the city of David—to the people with whom the presence of God was intended to dwell? Verse 15 says,

“So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.” (ESV)

A triumphal procession indeed!

“And through us,” Paul continues, “spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” Fragrance. Aroma. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers all teach that acceptable sacrifices are received by God as a “pleasing aroma”. And we know that the sacrifice of animals was a mere foreshadow of the things to come. How much more pleasing, then, must God find the one true and perfect sacrifice made by Christ?

“...For we are the aroma of Christ to God...” (ESV)

Yes, we who are covered with the righteousness of Christ are indeed accepted as God’s own beloved children, adopted and heirs with Christ, a pleasing aroma to God.

“...the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” (ESV)

Not only to God, then, but to all we meet, we carry this fragrance of Christ. We may not identify ourselves as Christ’s, but it will be known. His seal is upon us. And to those who are of Him, we are a fragrance of life, loved and loving one another beyond human capacity. But to those un-reconciled with God, to His enemies, we are hated, also.

We are called to love, called to Christ-likeness. We are called to bear witness. But the mystery of salvation is not in our hands. “...Thanks be to God.”

In Pursuit

Seek: to inquire after; aspire for; endeavor to discover; go in search of; beseech; pursue; labour after.

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. -- Psalm 10:4

He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD. -- 2 Chronicles 12:14

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. -- Psalm 14:1-2

How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? -- Psalm 4:2-4

Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. -- 2 Chronicles 14:2-4

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary." And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. -- 2 Chronicles 30:18-20

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. -- Psalm 27:4

I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. -- Song of Solomon 2:2a

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. -- 1 Chronicles 16:8-11

I, Myself

The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you." --Duteronomy 31:23 NIV

"See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. --Deuteronomy 32:39 NIV

Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. --Isaiah 41:14 NIV

Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor; I will not look on you with pity or spare you. --Ezekiel 5:11 NIV

" 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. --Ezekiel 17:22

"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. --Ezekiel 34:11 ESV

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. --Ezekiel 34:15 NIV

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." --Luke 24:39 NIV

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." --John 17:26

Blessings,
Maggie