January 23, 2012

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS REALLY REAL?

Key Verse
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15)
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Central Truth

Our answer to Jesus' question of "Who do you say that I am?" should color how we live our lives.

Reflections

Before moving to Dallas, I spent my summers working at Kanakuk Kamps. One of my favorite things there was working the zipline. I loved seeing 7-year-olds fearlessly jump off the bridge, flipping upside down and squealing with delight as they zipped down. It was even more fun to see a child conquer her fear and tentatively step off the ledge and then run back up the hill and beg to go again. There were always kids who chose not to go for fear that the ropes wouldn't hold them. I was sad to see these kids miss out on a fun adventure while others made memories.

At the beginning of each class, I'd sit the girls down and explain that the harnesses and ropes could hold thousands of pounds and that they only weighed 40-80 pounds. Therefore, there was nothing to worry about. Some heard my words, believed them, and approached the ledge with confidence. Others heard my words, believed them, and tearfully chose to step off the ledge. These girls came back again because they had tested the ropes and knew they were sturdy. A third category of girls heard my words and, even though they didn't think I was lying, didn't trust what I told them enough to step off the ledge at all. We can respond to Jesus' question of "Who do you say that that I am?" with the right answer, but if we don't really believe that answer we are not going to live a life that shows we trust His words. We live what we believe. Stepping off the ledge means taking up our cross and following Christ daily.

In verse 27, Jesus says that when He returns, He will "repay every man according to his deeds." He is not saying that we earn our salvation through good deeds, but that if you truly believe that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16), your life will show it, and you will be rewarded for trusting in Him.

Do you believe that what you believe is really real? If so, let's act like it!

Discussion Questions

1. What do you say you believe?

2. Do you trust what you believe enough to live a life that reflects it?

3. Is there a zipline in your life you are afraid to jump off but you know God is asking you to trust Him?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
MATTHEW 16-20 (JANUARY 23-27)

Read Matthew 18:12-14

-What does the shepherd do if one sheep is lost?
-Scripture tells us that Jesus is our shepherd and we are His sheep. Read John 10:14
-He wants all of His sheep (people) to trust Jesus as their Savior. Read 2 Peter 3:9
-How do people know and hear about Jesus?

Activity: Get a roll of toilet paper; this will represent your lost sheep. Take turns hiding the 'sheep' around the house and the rest of the family looks for it. Each time you find it, stop and pray for someone you know who has not trusted Jesus as their Savior.

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

  1. Lamp

    January 23, 2012 05:35 AM

    Great job! That verse is loved by many people at Watermark and your Journey did it the justice it deserves! Lamp

  2. Todd Wagner

    January 23, 2012 05:39 AM

    Mrs Toussaint. I am praying with you today that 1000's trust the fullness of all the Lord has provided in Jesus. Whether their sin ways 40lbs or 4000 or more may they see the sufficiency of His provision. Way to go Julie. Grateful for you.

  3. Laura Smith

    January 23, 2012 06:05 AM

    Julie - Thanks for a great JTJ this morning! These thoughts have been on my mind a lot lately about how to live out my trust in the Lord. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts on stepping out in faith!!!

  4. Melody

    January 23, 2012 07:47 AM

    Thanks, Julie, for reminding me God is faithful. If I step off the cliff the ride may be wild but always protected.

  5. Lauren Cook

    January 23, 2012 07:53 AM

    Julie, What a great start to my day! I have been anxious about academic and work performance and the zip line metaphor really helps me put things in perspective. Thank you for reminding me of God's promises, which put me at ease.

  6. mo

    January 23, 2012 08:22 AM

    Always encouraged by you Julie. Thanks for the reminder to jump today!

  7. Alli Penuel

    January 23, 2012 08:43 AM

    Great words to begin my day! Does my life reflect what I believe? Do I have enough confidence in my loving Father to step out in faith? Thanks for the challenge, and don't forget to add "super cool sister-in-law" to your bio!

  8. Lee Danis

    January 23, 2012 09:11 AM

    Julie, when I saw your face I knew we were in for a great devo and you did not disappoint us. Trust, confidence, obedience, faithfulness - their all part of jumping off the ledge,and when we do we have greater security in Him. I am sure you will be missed at W.

  9. Troy Dandrea

    January 23, 2012 09:13 AM

    Great word this morning, Julie! Continually trusting Christ to hold the weight of whatever He calls us to do is a faith that pleases His heart. It's a zip line move of trusting Christ in your venture towards Flagstaff & we're glad you're coming!

  10. Lee Batson

    January 23, 2012 09:24 AM

    Julie! Great illustration about trust. Thanks for your words of wisdom. And, since I haven't seen you since it all went down...congrats on your engagement!!! -Lee

  11. Bobbie

    January 23, 2012 09:44 AM

    Thank you, Julie! Great illustration! Best wishes to you and your soon-to-be husband in Flagstaff! :-)

  12. Sue Bohlin

    January 23, 2012 10:00 AM

    OK, first off, connecting your bio to your key verse was sheer greatness. Loved.It!! Secondly, for several summers our son Kevin was in charge of the high ropes course at Kids Across America in Branson. Lots of the kids who came to this camp were full of bravado when facing drug dealers in the inner city, but terrified of the sounds of nature like frogs and crickets. Getting up on the high ropes was just more terror. Kevin would say, "You scared of being 40 feet off the ground? Really? Well, if you think THIS is scary, let me tell you about something WAY worse--hell!" A bunch of kids trusted Christ 40 feet off the ground that way--which is not on the recommended list of evangelism techniques for the Kanakkuk Camps, by the way. Neither is the way he'd deal with kids who had finished the high ropes course but were too scared to push off from the platform for the zip line. After many minutes of coaxing them to no avail, he'd tell them to close their eyes and pray. When he'd hear "Dear Jesus," he'd pull the lever so the platform door would drop out from under them and they'd be zipping! Oh yeah. That's my boy. :-)

  13. Jim

    January 23, 2012 10:24 AM

    Great job Julie. Praying that regardless of our circumstances, all of us on The Journey will faithfully follow Jesus today.

  14. Eric c

    January 23, 2012 10:38 AM

    Thanks JP (JT)! I've struggled with not completely believing most of my Christian life. Praise God that He gave me the faith I needed to love and trust Him with all that I am. Congrats to you & Marcus. There will be many great moments and good laughs in your home!

  15. Greg

    January 23, 2012 11:48 AM

    I was encouraged a few years ago by Ray Vander Laan and his description of Caeserea Phillippi. This was believed to be the very door of hell. The snow melt from Mount Herman in the north came out of this rock face at the head waters of the Jordan River. Pagan ritual was there as people tried to entice their gods to bring forth water. Jesus didn't encourage His disciples to stay in Jerusalem, where it was nice and safe, but he went and it was there that he said "upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail". Upon these rocks of child sacrifice and every ugly practice - at the very gates of hell - He comes knocking. Let's go with Him and let's have a great week of worship.

  16. Jana

    January 23, 2012 01:10 PM

    Thank you for your words today. I asked God to reveal to me if there is a zipline in my life because one did not immediately come to mind. He quickly revealed to me that there is: my kids. Now I'm praying for His guidance as to how I will trust Him 100% (not just 75) with these precious gifts He has given me to steward. I am praying as well that many others will respond in the same way.

  17. Marcus T

    January 23, 2012 01:13 PM

    Awesome devo, fiance! You rock! Your love for the Lord and the Word are such an encouragement to me! We should get married and stuff.

  18. lisa byrd

    January 25, 2012 08:19 AM

    Julie, What a great job you and God did w/ this Journey entry. Your substitution of who your friends/famly say you are was lovely as an intro to the Scripture and Jesus' words. I will remember this illustration. Thank you. Your descriptions also reveal much about your friends and family had to say about who you are: creative, silly, fun-loving, adventurer, truth teller, child of God

  19. Reggie

    January 30, 2012 04:06 PM

    Loved the illustration of stepping off the platform of safety and trusting in the strength of the cables to hold them on the zip line. Great way to focus on trusting Christ and what He chooses to provide rather than being frozen in fear. Thanks, Reggie

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Julie Penuel

Julie Penuel

Hi, my name is Julie Penuel (soon to be Mrs. Marcus Toussaint!). Instead of writing a bio I thought I'd just ask my friends, "Who do you say that I am?" Below are some of their answers.

Julie is . . . fun, spunky, a cat-hater, a daughter, a fiancé, a sister, a friend, "Aunt Buggie," a granddaughter, "Running Dear," a small group leader, a cheerleader, a truth teller, a listener, a child of God, a new creation, appointed friend of God, creative, silly, generous, fun-loving, thoughtful, caring, the life of the party, joyful, an adventurer, loyal, Christ follower, and an honest friend.

At the end of May I'll be moving to Flagstaff, Arizona to be with my sweetheart!