Get Out of the Boat!

Jesus could walk on water!  No big surprise, right?!  Jesus could raise the dead, open the blind eye, cause the lame to walk, and he fed the 5,000 with just 2 fish and five loaves of bread (Matthew 14).  So walking on water for Jesus is no big surprise.

If you read the story of Jesus walking on the water in Matthew's gospel you encounter another amazing part of the story -- Peter walked on the water with Jesus.  Matthew records that after seeing Jesus, Peter asked if he could come out on the water.  Jesus called Peter out of the boat and just for a moment he walked on water with Jesus.

Now Peter was just an average guy like you or me, and yet he walked on the water.  By faith, he got out of the boat and walked with Jesus!  I wonder what it would take for us to walk on the water with Jesus today?  If we asked him, would he bid us come?  If we were willing to move past our fears and "get out of the boat" would something miraculous happen?

For most of us, walking on a lake in the midst of a storm isn't a part of God's plan, but stepping out by faith and walking with Jesus in the everyday storms of our lives is a part of God's plan.  In what area of your life might God be asking you to "get out of the boat"?


If Jesus calls, go ahead and get out of the boat.  Believe God for the miraculous, and begin walking with Jesus!

Gift Discovery

You are gifted!  It's true we all have natural abilities and talents which can be used for God's glory.  We also have available to us gifts of the Holy Spirit which are supernatural, spiritual gifts designed to build up God's work.

Last night at New Life's Midweek Fellowship we focused on discovering gifts--natural and spiritual gifts.  One of the questions for discussion was this . . . "What is the difference between natural gifts or talents and supernatural or spiritual gifts talked about in the Bible?"

Here's what we came up with in the Bible study discussion.

1. A natural talent of gift is the result of genetics or training, while spiritual gifts are the result of the
     Spirit's presence and power in the church or a believer's life.
2. A natural talent can be possessed by anyone; spiritual gifts are only possessed by Christians.
3. While natural talents and spiritual gifts should be used for God's glory; spiritual gifts are given to
     individual believers in the church for the specific purpose of building up the kingdom of God.
     Natural talents on the other hand can be used for entirely non-spiritual pursuits.

I'm looking forward to more great discussion on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in upcoming weeks.  Come join us on Thursdays at 6 PM at the church (1300 Blue Ridge Road).  We all need more of the Spirit's presence and power in our Christian lives.

See you Sunday, Pastor Tom

A New Year's Resolution!

January is a great time of year for a fresh start!  Ever think that this might be the greatest year ever in your life?  I've thought about a few resolutions worth striving towards in 2015.  Here's a short list . . .

1. Spend more time in prayer -- In previous years, I've selected new devotional guides and purchased journals.  These are all good ideas.  This year I'm focused on spending more time in God's presence listening for God's voice -- for his grace to transform my life and his guidance to direct me in every endeavor.

2. Spend more time at church -- I'm a pastor, so over the last 20 plus years, I've spent quite a bit of time at church and I can testify that church attendance hasn't hurt me in the least.  In fact, it has enriched my life in many ways.  Church attendance has made me a better steward of my time, a better steward of my finances, and a better steward of priorities in my life.

3. Take some special travel trips -- I've already planned a special fishing trip and a potential missions trip for 2015.  Can't wait.  I'm also hoping that Jeni will plan a vacation for just the two of us.

4. Give more to God's Kingdom -- It is truly more blessed to give than to receive.  You really can't out give God, but I want to keep trying.  In 2015, I want to give more to the church and more to kingdom causes than I did in 2014.  

I'm sure there are many other worthy resolutions like loosing weight or exercising more, but I'm convinced that if I accomplish the four listed above, all of the other desired life changes can happen as well.

I'd love to hear about some of your new year's resolutions.  E-mail me at tom@newlifecolumbia.org

Pastor Tom 

Pray It Forward

In 2014, God did some really great things at New Life and I learned a few lessons along the way.  When 2014 began, we were without a building.  As 2015 begins, we now have a renovated building and a list of new ministry opportunities which we hope to launch very soon.

Most of you probably remember the Pay It forward movement.  If you saw the movie, "Pay It Forward" (2000), then you understand the basic idea -- randomly show three acts of kindness (something a person can't do for themselves) and change the world.  It's a great concept!  

Another great idea has come along -- "Pray It Forward".  If you google that phrase you will notice that the idea has been around for a while.  In fact, pray it forward is a biblical idea.  Remember Joshua and the battle of Jericho?  God promised to give Joshua and the Israelites the city of Jericho.  All they had to do was "pray it forward" by walking around the city seven times on the seventh day.  God gave them the victory before the battle even started.

How about the healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-19).  Remember his story?  Naaman was the captain of the army of Aram (Syrian or Aramean).  He was a warrior, but also leprous.  Although he wasn't an Israelite, he heard about the prophet Elisha from a servant girl.  When he travels to meet with the prophet with hopes of healing, he is disappointed by the prophet's command to wash in the Jordan river seven times.  At first he turns away, but then he "prays it forward" and goes and washes in the river.

What great need do you have that God wants to meet in 2015?  Is it the salvation of your spouse?  Is it the cure of your disease?  Is sit blessing for your children?  Or maybe spiritual and emotional growth in your own life?

What small or great promise has God given you that you are hoping to see fulfilled?  Is it the growth of your church or your career?  Is it the promise of debt-free living or peace in your home?

Over the next few weeks in January, I want to encourage you to -- 1) Identify a specific prayer focus, 2) Commit to memory 1 or 2 Bible verses which back up God's promise to you, and 3) Begin to consistently "Pray it forward".

I know God has some great things in store for 2015.  I believe that every failure in the Christian life is a prayer failure.  If you pray, pray through, and pray it forward, God's plans for your life will be fulfilled.

See you in 2015! Pastor Tom

The Miracle of Christmas

This Sunday, I'm celebrating the miracle of Christmas.  The Bible proclaims the sacred story of God's Son becoming the Savior of the World.  God planned it from before time began, but humanity began to see the salvation of the Lord only as a baby was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

When I think about the miracle of Christmas, I am reminded of two important spiritual truths -- 1) God loves small beginnings, and 2) when God puts into motion a plan or a promise, the promise will be fulfilled.

The miracle of Christmas produced great peace in the hearts of those greeting the baby Jesus for the first time in the Temple of the Lord.  Think of Simeon and Anna as they served faithfully in the Temple waiting for the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy (Luke 2:21-40).  When Simeon saw, Jesus his heart was filled peace at the sight of the Lord's salvation.  God had a plan and His plan was being fulfilled.  Simeon's heart was at rest (Luke 2:29).

The miracle of Christmas also produces great joy and thanksgiving in the hearts of those awaiting salvation from the Lord.  Anna, like Simeon, was overjoyed when Jesus was presented at the Temple.  She was thankful to see that God's plan of salvation for Israel and the whole world was beginning.

This Christmas, I hope you will celebrate the incredible miracle of Jesus' birth.  It's amazing that God would become a baby to redeem the world and restore us to peace, joy, and love.

It's Christmas . . . Let's celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Spread the word and see you Sunday at New Life!  Pastor Tom