Dana Rongione says of her new book, “The question still rings out—do miracles still occur today, and if so, why do they seem reserved for a chosen few?

“In this thorough exploration of some of the most powerful miracles of the New Testament, you will find the answers to those questions and more. The God of the New Testament is the God of today. He is still faithful. He is still working. And He can still be trusted.”

I’m honored to be part of a launch for my friend Dana and her new book He’s Still Working Miracles: Daring To Ask God for the Impossible. I’m also honored and humbled that she has used a quote from one of my posts.

The book debuts August 9th. On that day, you can sign up to receive a free Kindle copy of the book right here: http://stillworkingmiracles.weebly.com

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After the story of the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples have departed in a boat, leaving Jesus behind to pray. As a storm came and tossed the boat about, Jesus appeared walking on the water, frightening the disciples. Jesus cried out to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matt. 14:27 NIV)

Dana picks it up here…

Upon first glance, we don’t fault the disciples for being afraid. Who wouldn’t be in such a state of turmoil and confusion? But what we often forget about this story is that it takes place on the heels of the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples had just witnessed Jesus do something they had never dreamed possible. In fact, their twelve baskets of leftovers were still in the boat with them. Would God have provided their meal for tomorrow if He knew there wouldn’t be one? Would He have sent the food knowing they’d never have a chance to eat it? Christian writer, Lynn Mosher, paints a beautiful picture of this account of spiritual amnesia…

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The disciples fail to understand the meaning of the miracle of the loaves. Lacking insight into its significance hardens their hearts that Jesus has the power to do whatever they need. With the smell of fish still clinging to their fingertips and the bread crumbs still resting in the folds of their garments, they do not remember how those things got there. The bread merely filled their stomachs. Even though they take the baskets of leftover bread with them into the boat, they do not take the Bread of Life with them into their hearts.(i) ***

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What about us? What’s our excuse? We’re surrounded by blessings, yet we accuse God of not providing. We have the receipts for bills paid despite the empty bank account. We have the Word of God with its recorded events of how God has seen His children through time and time again. We have God’s promise that He is faithful. What more do we need? Why do we allow the storms of life to make us forget the truths that we know? Why do we allow them to shatter our faith?

Whenever I think of this story, I remember a picture I saw a few years ago. It displayed Jesus standing tall on the water, and Peter standing before Him with a children’s swimming float around his middle and a cheesy grin on his face. At the time, it made me laugh, but the more I think about it, the more it makes me cringe because I see myself in that illustration. Faith doesn’t involve safety nets, nor does it implement a backup plan. True faith requires us to lean wholly on Jesus and to release our grip on the boat.

You aren’t truly trusting until you’re slightly out of control―like Peter when he stepped out on the water. You aren’t truly trusting until you’ve leaned so hard on Him that if you fell, you couldn’t catch yourself. Trust means setting aside all secondary options, backup systems, and emergency parachutes. Trust says, “I’ve gone so far now that there’s no return for me. If God doesn’t save me and hold me up, I’ll go under.(ii)

Are you facing a storm today? If so, don’t be afraid. Are you tired and weary from getting nowhere even though you’ve toiled and tried? Look to the Master. He’s reaching out His hand. He bids you come. Take that first step out of the boat, and whatever you do, keep your eyes on Him. He’ll keep you from going under.

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i See LynnMosher.com: https://lynnmosher.com/take-bread-with-you-even-if-its-just/
ii Ron Mehl, What God Whispers in the Night, (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 2000), 61