| "I tell you the
truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was
done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw
yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will
receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matt 21:21-22) |
|
Can You Take a Shower in 4 Minutes?
Rivers of Faith, Part 20: Doubtful Delusions
If anyone had asked me if I could take a shower in 4 minutes, I
would have said, "Impossible!" I very much enjoy my time in the
shower. I take my time lathering myself with soap and scrubbing
shampoo into my hair, and I enjoy the hot water that removes the
soap from my body. And the hotter the water, the better! It reminds
me of how nice Tahiti must be, and as the steaming liquid cascades
over me, I often find myself asking why I live so close to the
Arctic!
Last year, in a campground in Nova Scotia, I found myself confronted
with this question: "Can you take a shower in 4 minutes?" Showers in
this particular campground were a bit on the expensive side. In
fact, at a Loonie (1$) for four minutes, it could be considered a luxury item!
A 20 minute shower would have cost me my breakfast!
So with a Loonie (1$) in the palm of my hand, I faced that
lavish shower. I lathered up my hair with soap before entering this
kingly place, and with shampoo running into my eyes, I bade farewell
to the gold-coloured coin and jumped in. Believe me, I hurried! And
I succeeded in washing and rinsing myself before the water ran out 4
minutes later!
I did it!
Why had I doubted that it was possible? Didn't I believe the
promise: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
(Phil 4:13 NIV)?
But then, Jesus, too, likes to ask us that question and he did ask
to Peter: "Why did you doubt?" (Matt 14:31 NIV)
At that time, Peter had just walked on the lake. But "… when he
saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,
'Lord, save me!'" (Matt 14:30 NIV)
Even today, with our modern technology, water-walking isn't too
common! Peter had done the impossible! Still, as soon as he realized
his circumstances, he doubted.
Would we have done any differently? Our loving God asks us that very
question over and over: "Why did you doubt?"
We may not look like we are doubting, but as we face the challenges
of our everyday lives, deep within our hearts we are often shaking
uncontrollably. "I don't know how I will be able to face this trial,
Lord! I leave it in your hands Lord! But what if you don't come
through? What then? Are You REALLY going to help me???"
More often than not we forget who we are dealing with. We forget
that it was God's power that raised Jesus from the dead. God's power
created everything in the universe! God makes vast armies flee. God
specializes in the impossible! And He wants to share this power with
everyone who will believe!
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order
that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of
his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great
power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his
mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from
the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every
title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the
one to come." (Eph 1:18-21 NIV)
"Why did you doubt?"
We have no good reason to doubt! Imagine the power that God would
grant us, if only our doubt didn't stand in the way!
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only
can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to
this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be
done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in
prayer." (Matt 21:21-22 NIV)
Imagine what we lose when we do doubt!
"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who
doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That
man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a
double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:6-8 NIV)
Why is this question so important to our God? This, my friend, we
will discover in our next inspirational story. In the meantime let
us reflect on what our loving God is trying to tell us.
Do you doubt that you can't take a shower in 4 minutes?
Rob Chaffart |
|
Announcements: |
| One of the ministries connected with Answers2Prayer
provides inspirational stories
http://www.sermonillustrator.org
. If you have written inspirational stories and would like to share
them with others, please feel free to submit them to me. The writer
of any story published on our site will receive proper credit.
Please submit your story to:
prayer@PROTECTED
. Thank you. |
|
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
add@PROTECTED |
| |
To subscribe or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.answers2prayer.org/illustrator.html
Or send an email to:
add@PROTECTED
and write as subject "subscribe".
Be aware that you will receive a confirmation message.
Once you receive it, please click on the link mentioned
in the email. |
| Provided by Answers2Prayer
http://www.answers2prayer.org |
|
