“Behold, the
virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23 NKJ
citing Isaiah 7:14))
virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23 NKJ
citing Isaiah 7:14))
Seventeen year-old
Butch cautiously walked out into the river. His uncle was teaching him to swim
at his old swimming hole. When he reached his uncle, they switched places,
Butch with his back to the middle of the river and his uncle facing him. The
water was only waist deep so Butch stepped back thinking that it would be
better if the water came up to his chest. What he didn’t know was that he stood
on the edge of an underwater hole. As he stepped back, he fell into that hole
and sank out of sight. His uncle roared with laughter as Butch came up for air.
Butch thought that his uncle had intentionally tricked him, so he got out of
the water and refused to continue the swimming lesson. He was terrified of
water ever since that day.
Butch cautiously walked out into the river. His uncle was teaching him to swim
at his old swimming hole. When he reached his uncle, they switched places,
Butch with his back to the middle of the river and his uncle facing him. The
water was only waist deep so Butch stepped back thinking that it would be
better if the water came up to his chest. What he didn’t know was that he stood
on the edge of an underwater hole. As he stepped back, he fell into that hole
and sank out of sight. His uncle roared with laughter as Butch came up for air.
Butch thought that his uncle had intentionally tricked him, so he got out of
the water and refused to continue the swimming lesson. He was terrified of
water ever since that day.
Years later, as a
father, Butch sent his children to Red Cross swimming classes so that similar
experiences wouldn’t happen to them. One day his son asked him to go swimming
with him and Butch explained that he didn’t know how to swim. Finally, after
much harassment, Butch agreed to enroll in a swimming class himself. He did
fine as long as the lessons were in the shallow end of the pool. But
eventually, the day came for deep end exercises and Butch was terrified. When
the instructor asked him to jump in the water, Butch said, “I’m afraid to jump
in.” Realizing that his fear was real, the instructor jumped in the water then
looked up at Butch and said, “Do you believe that I can help you and save you
if need be?” Butch answered, “Yes, ma’am. I do.” Grinning the instructor
replied, “Prove it. Jump in.” Butch did and now enjoys regular swimming
occasions with his son and family.
father, Butch sent his children to Red Cross swimming classes so that similar
experiences wouldn’t happen to them. One day his son asked him to go swimming
with him and Butch explained that he didn’t know how to swim. Finally, after
much harassment, Butch agreed to enroll in a swimming class himself. He did
fine as long as the lessons were in the shallow end of the pool. But
eventually, the day came for deep end exercises and Butch was terrified. When
the instructor asked him to jump in the water, Butch said, “I’m afraid to jump
in.” Realizing that his fear was real, the instructor jumped in the water then
looked up at Butch and said, “Do you believe that I can help you and save you
if need be?” Butch answered, “Yes, ma’am. I do.” Grinning the instructor
replied, “Prove it. Jump in.” Butch did and now enjoys regular swimming
occasions with his son and family.
What an example of
true faith . . . belief that acts. Our profession of faith isn’t enough. The
profession must be coupled with action that proves the profession is authentic.
This is true even in everyday life. When confronting the deep end of life (i.e.
career issues, work problems, family problems, children problems, marriage
problems, spiritual issues, etc), we are challenged to prove our faith. The
Holy Spirit whispers, “Do you believe that I am with you?” And weakly we say,
“Yes. I do.” And he responds, “Prove it. Obey my instructions.”
true faith . . . belief that acts. Our profession of faith isn’t enough. The
profession must be coupled with action that proves the profession is authentic.
This is true even in everyday life. When confronting the deep end of life (i.e.
career issues, work problems, family problems, children problems, marriage
problems, spiritual issues, etc), we are challenged to prove our faith. The
Holy Spirit whispers, “Do you believe that I am with you?” And weakly we say,
“Yes. I do.” And he responds, “Prove it. Obey my instructions.”
Dear Father, thank
you for coming to be with us. Forgive our doubts and fears. Grant to us an
enduring, confident faith that keeps us from drowning in the sea of life. I
pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for coming to be with us. Forgive our doubts and fears. Grant to us an
enduring, confident faith that keeps us from drowning in the sea of life. I
pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today knowing that God is with us,
courageous today knowing that God is with us,