Because of the Crowd

Luke 19:3 “And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd…”

Crowd:  block, hinder, A group of people united by a common characteristic, as age, interest, or vocation.

Zacchaeus could not see Jesus because of the crowd, Beloved; What is crowding your life? Can you think of anything that is preventing you from seeing Jesus? is it the crowd of hopelessness, the crowd of loneliness, the crowd of inadequacy, or the crowd of fear? well, whatever crowd it is we  must climb above it. David said, “when my heart is overwhelmed..lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”(Ps 61:3)   

Zacchaeus knew the importance of having a vision, therefore, he took drastic measures in order to get a clearer view of Jesus (The Word of God) for himself. He did not allow his sin , or his size to crowd his view of the  Savior.
 
Where there is no vision of the people perish.(Prov 29:18) so therefore Beloved, do not allow anything to crowd  your vision of Jesus.” Let us look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.”(Heb 12:2) since “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”(Rom 8:31)

Come Close

” Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”(Matt 14:29)

Moving towards-approach, come close, draw near


Peter got out of the boat and moved towards Jesus. Beloved, whether we are in a boat of trials, sickness, famine, disappointments, criticism, or fear; regardless of the boat we are in let us never allow the storms and winds to prevent us  from  moving towards Jesus.

As long as we are coming closer to Jesus we are moving in the right direction in spite of the windy, stormy , or fiery circumstances we may be  seeing.” For we walk by faith, and not by sight.”(2 Cor 5:7) and as we draw near to God, He will also draw near to us.( James 4:8)  and keep“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..”Heb 12:2
 

Even If

"Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."(Matt 14:29) NIV

Even If-   despite of, supposing, in spite of, although
 
Peter decide that he would step out of the boat Even if he drowned, but to his surprise God allow him to do the impossible; Peter was able to walk on water.
We are terrified to take risk for one reason or the other, whether it is because we fear failing or  being ridiculed, but like Peter we must not be afraid of what the other disciples think . Even if he drowned Peter was leaving that boat.

Beloved, Are you stuck in a boat of stagnation, a boat of mediocrity, a boat of rejection , a boat of loneliness, a boat of disappointment and intimidation because you are afraid to take a risk? Well. now is the time to make up your mind move out, step out, and come out. Even if you fail at your attempt do not remain in the boat.

  Beloved, let us take the leap of faith and like Peter move towards Jesus, Even if we fail at lest we know we tried and we can still keep trying; If we change nothing, nothing will change.

"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."(Isaiah 50:7)

Even Now

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."(John 11:23-27 ) NIV

Even Now- already, presently, before expected time

Martha  thought that God could only raise her brother on the last day, but Jesus announced to Martha that "I am the Resurrection and the Life" meaning I am here right now I can raise him before the time you expected.

Whenever we face difficult circumstances  we  may be tempted to believe that things will always remain that way; Jesus reminds  Martha that even though her brother is dead ; Even Now He can restore life to Lazarus. Beloved you may be feeling helpless, hopeless, disappointed, or discouraged but Even Now God can revive your joy, Even Now God can fulfill He promise, Even Now God can make the impossible possible, Even Now God can change your life for the better.

Beloved, Even Now let us release our faith and expectation  to the God who is a very present help  to us.

"Now faith is the substance of things hope for..."( Heb 11:1)

God Is With You

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. “(Isaiah 43:2)

God did not promise us a life free from problems, and testing; instead He has promised to be with us.
Beloved, we are never alone, God is with us when we are passing through the waters of life, and we are walking through the fiery trials. Notice that because God is with us whatever we are facing will not be permanent, we are simply walking through and passing through; therefore we will never be destroyed by it.

Whatever we may be facing at the moment, remember Jesus declares that; “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20) and “with God nothing is impossible” ( Lk 1:37). Beloved, because God is with us He will make the impossible possible.