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.

Faith in God is an amazing, and difficult, thing. We put our faith in other people or in other things because we have experienced them, or witnessed them to be true. We know that people have flown in planes and survived, therefore we know it's safe. We've sat on chairs before, therefore we trust similarly structured objects to also hold our weight when we sit on them. We've seen others display their love for us, therefore we trust that that love will continue. Yet there is nothing concrete we can use to explain our faith in God. We have His word, but that relies on faith that it is truly inspired. We have answered prayers, but that depends on faith that it truly was God's work and not just chance.

1 Peter 1:8 - "And though you have not seen Him, love Him."
James 1:6 - "But he must ask in faith, without any doubting."

Faith in God is a constant, active thing. it's not a lackadaisical second thought, but requires determination to declare that although I cannot see, I believe. And not only believe, I love. This is not phileo love, which says that I am fond of God. But is agapeo, the verb form of agape. Do I truly have a brotherly, benevolent love toward God, or is it just an appreciative fondness?

Hebrews 1:1,6 - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Faith, once accepted, can be freeing. It is not necessary to know God before we can receive salvation, it is only necessary to accept that He can offer salvation, and admit we need it. In fact, before we are saved, it is impossible to know God, because we do not have the spirit of God. "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. " (1 Corinthians 2:11). When we are saved, the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Spirit teaches us (Luke 12:12, John 14:26). The Spirit reveals God's wisdom. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

Put your love to the test

James 1:1-12

John MacArthur says that things are put to test "with the purpose of discovering that person's nature or that thing's quality." Cars, furniture, bridges and other such things are tested before being released to the public in order to prove they can stand up to the task for which it was created. Software programs are tested for errors. Food is tested to see if it lacks anything. In the same way, our trials and tests are used to prove that what we have is sufficient, or to find what areas need to be improved.

vs. 2 - The word for "consider" can also be translated "evaluate." It is not natural for us to rejoice in trials, but it is necessary. This is something we must train ourselves to do - make a conscious effort to face trials with joy.

vs. 3 - "testing" can also be translated "proving."

vs 4. - "perfect" - in regard to spiritual maturity; "complete" lit. "all portions whole."

vs. 12 - "approved" lit "passed the test."

A crown was not just reserved for royalty. In ancient Greek athletic events they would put a wreath on the head of the victor - the crown symbolizes a reward. Here it is the reward of eternal life.

Notes from Tuesday study

Philippians 4:1-7

Paul calls the church his beloved, and his joy and crown.

- They have the same joy, thus making his joy complete.

- Do I consider others in the church to be a joy or a burden?

  * How do others affect me?

- Two words for "crown"

  * diadem - crown of royalty

  * stefanos - crown a victor wears. This is the word Paul used.

  * The church is his reward for victory - He finds strength in them.

How do I paint the picture of my relationship with the church? Are they my strength?

In verse 2, Euodia and Syntyche are not like-minded and are at odds. Paul urges them in verse 3 to bring about correction. Galatians 6:1 - Restore each other gently.

1 Corinthians 1:10 - We are either complete in the same mind, or we are divided.

Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all men --> It is active and takes effort on our part.

Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord! our joy is found in God. Despite our circumstances, we should be full of joy because of God. 

vs. 5 - Gentle spirit, forbearing spirit - we must continue to strive in our gentleness and humility. If we rejoice always, it will be evident to everyone that we have joy.

vs. 6 "Anxious" - apply deep thought to something, which causes division in your mind. Everywhere else in the Bible it refers to the way we think. By not trusting God, we cause a division among ourselves.

The anchor holds in spite of the storm

Matthew 14:22-31

Peter had the faith to step out into the storm to go to Jesus. And although he became distracted by the wind and faltered, when he fixed his focus back on Jesus, he was safe again.

Lately I have been too afraid to take the initial step out of the boat. I am afraid to go to Jesus because of the difficulty surrounding my journey to reach Him. I would rather stay on the unsteady boat than find comfort in the arms of my Savior. He kept Peter safe, even when he began to drown. He will keep me safe whenever I focus on Him.

Being in the water probably wasn't high on Peter's list of places to be. But at that moment it was better than any place else he could have ever wanted to be, since he was with Jesus.

This is something I understand, but is it something I believe? Am I ready to be in a miserable place, knowing that Jesus is holding me in His arms, or would I prefer to keep Him at a distance, so I could remain in a more comfortable place (by human standards)?

"Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24) I do not have a lack of belief. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, and He has the power to save my soul. I believe that God loves me, despite my imperfections, and wants to have a relationship with me. I believe that through Him all things can be done, and I wil not lack in anything. But I still, at times, have a crisis of faith. I do not always have faith that God will do and take care of the other things. God promises food and shelter. Beyond that, none of His promises are physical. And it is often the physical that I desire. And they do not seem like bad desires. I do not seek wealth or fame or status or anything that glorifies myself. I long for a family and people to love who will love me back. But do I long for that more than I long for a right relationship with God? Am I trying to settle for what I think is best when God has something better in store for me if I am patient?

Hebrews 13:5 - Being content with what you have.

Philippians 4:11 - "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in."

Paul did not want, yet God supplied. My wants are spiritual - love, encouragement, strength, support. Yet the way I wish to receive them may not be the way God chooses to reveal them to me.

These things I want from God, yet what am I doing for Him? I sit and mope as I long for the things I want instead of going out and making the most of my time without them. I am so worried about the future and so caught up in the past that I can not live in the present. "Forgetting what lies behind... " (Philippians 3:13). Do I have so little faith that God will bring about good things in my life that I feel the ned to hold on to former good things? And as I look ahead, my hope is built on the things I think should be, which is still a measure of faith, but it is only partial, conditional faith.