Renew Your Mind Podcast

Wisdom is gained from taking lessons from all that happens around you. The Psalmist reveals that "Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge". Having an ear to take lessons even from a supposedly insignificant creature like an ant makes you wise.

Why did God go through all of this? Purely because He loves us. He loved us without any performance from us. God doesn't love us more or less based on our actions, but on Jesus. This makes the gospel a stumbling block to some and an offense to others. He died so He could spend eternity with us!

Being a christian is not about improving your life or behaviour modification but exchanging it. What's the point of bathing a dead body or dressing it in new clothes? Jesus came to take our place so we could take His. He died so we may live. He was rejected so we could be accepted. Divine Exchange!

Truly, the good news is good news and even sounds too good to be true, but it's true. The second line of this news is: God came down, not because we asked Him to or even knew it was possible, but simply because He chose to. Many beautiful relationships have died out because no one took the first step to initiate or maintain them. But God did, in our case. God took the first step!

The Christian message is jaw-dropping and amazing, and it's almost too good to be true. To some, it even sounds blasphemous. The first line of the Good News, which has life and destination-changing implications, is: 'Without controversy, God became a man!' The uncreated Creator made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant. Will you believe this report?

This manna! What a reaction to a daily miracle the Israelites enjoyed. Unfortunately, we get familiar with the miracle we prayed for, fasted for, and were anxious for, all because we think there's one thing we lack that will make our lives complete, just like the manna we once did not have. Never lose sight of the manna you once prayed for.

The world is ruled by ideas that people were convinced about: The internet, democracy, education, etc. For us, our victory is based on how much of God's faithfulness we've convinced ourselves about - faith. The same conviction Peter needed to step out of the boat was the same he needed against the contrary winds.

Everything goes wrong when we take our eyes off Jesus. Keeping our eyes fixed on Him is what keeps us walking on water. The strategy is to stay focused on Him, not looking back or getting distracted. And when fear strikes, call on His name.

We will never experience the miraculous if we don't step out of the boat. The right time to step out is when Jesus calls us to. Often, natural circumstances won't look favorable. The preacher says, 'He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.' This is why many people never take the leap – we're waiting for the storms to subside before we act.

While everyone else on the boat was screaming and terrified, Peter wanted an encounter. While others have their cameras on 'speed dial' to take a picture of the next famous or successful person they meet, we should seek to engage them and learn from their wisdom. Peter knew that if Jesus could walk on water, he could too – if only Jesus told him to. Be like Peter!