Stay Encouraged

[Azriel]

When we read Ezekiel 37:1-11, we read about how God took Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones. Then asked him “can these bones live?” When he was presented with this question his response could have been based on what he saw through his physical eyes. However, Ezekiel knew the power of God and would not restrict His ability that’s why he responded, “O Lord God, you know?” This was the answer God was looking for, allowing Ezekiel to not limit what God can do. He remembered all the great things God had done in the past. Through believing in God, Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones. There was noise in the place, because that which was broken was being made whole. When the bodies were made whole, then they could be filled with the Spirit of God.

This occurrence in the Bible is probably what the world looked like to Jesus, as He stepped down through forty-two generations to redeem the world. A valley filled with dry bones, which is a metaphor for a people that had lost all hope in verse 11. Sin had run rapid throughout the world choking the life and hope out of the people. This was the reason Jesus had to come to release the grip that sin had on us, and allow us to be reconnected with our Heavenly Father. This valley is what the entire world looked like to Jesus, but He focused on what we were to become after He paid the price for us. Once He was resurrected all power is now in His hands, and we have been given the opportunity to have life more abundantly. When we accepted Him we were made brand new, covered in His blood, and filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s why we can’t stop praising His name. Because, He has been better to us than we have been to ourselves.

You have been brought out of your valley of hopelessness. Now you have a responsibility to allow the Lord to lead you to a place that appears to be lifeless. Once you are their let Him guide you in all you say and do, and watch how the Lord will work. Once He’s done working in the place you are at, it will be filled with life! They will be healed, delivered and set free, and won’t be able to stop praising His name!

I Just Can’t Stop Praising His Name – Broad Rock Baptist Church

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[Rowan]

Peter walked on water to Jesus, but fear set in and he began to sink. In reference to his fear, Jesus used the word 'doubt,' in Matthew 14:31. Fear is simply negative faith or faith in reverse. Where did this fear come from? Second Timothy 1:7 says, 'For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.' It didn't come from God. This fear was able to come upon Peter because he took his attention off of Jesus and put it on his situation.

Fear or doubt cannot 'just overcome' us. We have to let it in. If Peter had kept his attention on Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith he wouldn't have feared. In the same way that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, fear comes by hearing or seeing something contrary to God's Word. We would not be tempted with fear or doubt if we didn't consider things that Satan uses to minister fear and doubt. The wind and waves didn't really have anything to do with Peter walking on the water.

He couldn't have walked on the water apart from Jesus even if it had been calm. The circumstances simply took Peter's attention off of his Master and led him back into carnal thinking. Likewise, Satan tries to distract us with thinking about our problems.

Peter's faith didn't fail him all at once, as can be seen by the fact that he only 'began' to sink. If there had been no faith present, he would have sunk all at once and not gradually. This illustrates that the entrance of fear and the exit of faith do not happen instantly. There are always signs that this is happening. If we will turn our attention back to Jesus, as Peter did, He will save us from drowning. No problem is too big for God. We should cast our care about the problem over on God and just keep our eyes on Jesus, the Word.

But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31 Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? Matthew 14:30-31

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). Romans 10:17