I imagine there were three reactions to God parting the Red Sea. Each reaction says a lot about the relationship that person has with God.

the first reaction is of thankfulness and joy. Those people saw the waters parted, recognized God was providing and quickly ran through and accepted God's gift. Those people understood the power of God and had no doubt.

The second reaction is one of stunned awe. They stopped and marveled at what had happened, but they were so surprised that they didn't think to start running. Those people did not recognize that God's power was limitless. They were so busy trying to understand God's gift, they did not accept it.

The third reaction is one of fear and disbelief. Not reverent fear, but distrustful fear. They timidly approached the water and walked through, but constant eyed it with suspicion, waiting for it to come down over them. These people doubt the power of God and His love for them. They are always looking for a catch in God's love and because of that, they can never fully receive it.

How do I react to the work God does for me today? Do I doubt Him? Do I question His power? Or do I fully accept it with humility and thanksgiving? I need to make more of an effort to recognize that not only is God all-powerful, He loves me unconditionally and would never do anything to me outside of love.

Matthew 9:9 - "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collectors' booth; and He said to him, 'Follow me!' And he got up and followed Him."

Matthew was in the midst of work, in the midst of living his life, when Jesus came and called him. He was not concerned with what his friends would think, or what would happen to his job when he walked out. His earthly status was not as important as his spiritual status.

There are many things I do that I feel are necessary. It is important to have a job, as it is scriptural to be good stewards of our money. I need to work to provide for myself and pay off my debt. But do I rely on my job to allow me to do that or am I relying on the One who provides? If I lose my source of income, would I worry about where my next meal, next car payment will come from? More importantly, would I be willing to leave on my own volition or would it take a circumstance that forces me out? I have been in difficult situations with finances and have trusted in God. But I still have a hard time leaving when God says go.

Matthew had the privilege of having Jesus there and knowing for certain that it was His voice calling him. I must learn to recognize Jesus' voice so that I know when it is He who calls me.

Matthew 9:29 - "It shall be done to you according to your faith."

God answers the prayers of the righteous. The righteous shall live by faith (James 5:16, Romans 1:17). Our faith determines the measure of our blessing. If I have faith only enough to believe I will receive little, little will be given. But If I have faith enough to believe I will receive much, much will be given.

Based on Steve's sermon

Mark 10:17-27

The young man went to the right source. he wanted eternal life, and to feel full. Instead of going after greater riches or looking at others for comfort, he went to Jesus to find the answers.

The man calls Jesus "good teacher." He recognizes the authority of Jesus as God.

vs. 17 - Jesus was about to leave town. The man did not delay, but ran up to Him and knelt before Him. even though he was a wealthy ruler, he humbled himself before Jesus.

It's one thing to know the commandments (vs 18-19, btu this man has kept them all from his youth. He had a great dedication to serving God. Salvation always is achieved by doing. We must obey (Hebrews 5). We must make an effort to keep Jesus' commandments. If we are ambivalent about the commands of Jesus, we are not serious about our love for Him.

Jesus was willing to tell the man the truth and risk him walking away because He loved him. Far too often we take offense when people reject the gospel. We take it personally, and want to find a way to make it seem more appealing.