Daily Devotional
Keep Looking to Jesus
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’”
Matthew 14:27
September 11, 2020
Ponder This
Sometimes I ask a friend, "How are you doing?" He’ll say, “Oh, I'm doing pretty well under the circumstances." How did he ever get under there?
Dear friend, don't look at circumstances. If you look at circumstances, you're going to fall.
Remember when Peter and the other disciples were in the boat on the Sea of Galilee, the waves were dangerous, and Jesus came walking toward them on the water? Peter saw Him and said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee on the water." The Master said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and started walking. I can imagine his heart was jumping with joy. "This is wonderful!" Then an unkind wave slapped him in the face. He looked around and said, "This is impossible." And it was. He started to sink.
What happened? Peter simply failed to keep looking to Jesus. He looked at circumstances, that's all.
Listen, there are plenty of waves around us, but you’d better get your eyes off them and on Jesus. Don't look at yourself. Some Christians are always looking at themselves, examining themselves, taking themselves apart piece by piece—morbid introspection. Just take one glance to see that you're no good—none of us are—and that'll do. From there on, look to the Lord Jesus!
Everything that threatened to be over Peter's head was already under Jesus' feet. Don't forget: Jesus was walking on that water!
Practice This
Circumstances are like a mattress. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. Under the circumstances, you suffocate; above them, you rest pretty well. Take your eyes off self and circumstances. Fix your eyes only on Jesus.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
