Get out of the Boat

There is so much we can learn from the event of Jesus walking on water and Peter getting out of the boat to walk on water. A great study that we have done is called, “If You Want to Get Out of the Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat,” By John Ortberg. I have gone through it several times with different small groups and I learned so much from it. God can do great things in each of us if we are willing to step out in faith. And there is so much more in that story.

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Knowing and Discerning

Jesus often talked about discerning the truth. We should not follow someone blindly, but be sure that what others teach is the truth. He reminds us that there are many false teachers out there. He also reminds us that we should have enough knowledge and wisdom to know if a teaching is true or not. If you are a part of a church, find out what their beliefs and teachings are. Does it follow the word of God? Do they teach from scripture? If not, find another one. Do they compromise what the Bible says to fit in with the world? If so, find another church. Jesus chastises the leaders of His day that they can discern the simple things but they do not see the truth that He is who He is. We need to be discerning and know what we believe. John says to not follow the world, but to follow Christ.

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The Narrow Way

Many people today think that there are many ways that lead to heaven. But there is one way and that is through Jesus Christ. He is the only way. It is not through doing good deeds or through priests or other people. It is through faith in Him. Trust in Jesus and you will be saved. That is what Jesus is trying to tell the people of His day (and us). The priests had added many traditions in addition to the law, but they didn’t get it. God wants a relationship with us. He wants our hearts. That is why Jesus came. To pay for our sins and offer a relationship with Him so that we may be saved. All roads do not lead to heaven. It is a narrow road through a narrow gate in which Jesus is the door.

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A Rock Solid Foundation

Jesus knew a thing or two about building. One thing he knew was that you need a firm foundation, and what it stands on. Our faith is no different. We need a firm foundation and we need it to stand firm. We can only do that with Christ being that foundation. And what we stand on is His words…the truth.

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The First Christmas

I remember watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special. With all the hustle and bustle of shopping and gifts and trees and decorations, we lose sight of what Christmas is all about. But Linus got it right. Remember? He recited part of Luke 2. ‘Christ’mas is not about any of that. It is about the birth of our Savior.

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