“Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread” (Matthew 15:1-2).

We are not here to live out traditions, but to follow the Lord.  Traditions are fine when they help us live a life of devotion, but we do not live for the traditions.  It is like living for what Scripture says, rather than living for the One who wrote Scripture.  Our faith is not based upon our behavior, per se, but upon the relationship we have with the One who created us.  Take the next step and walk with the Lord.

Lord, sometimes my traditions do get in the way, and I am led by my need to feel good about myself.  Help me to live into the life You are offering and carefully do those things You give me to do.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I may humbly walk by faith, knowing that I am always in Your presence.  Teach me to live Your law for Your sake and not just to appease or even please You.

Heavenly Father, You have created an ordered world and through Your only Begotten Son, You have called us to live for You and to do so according to Your order of things.  Through the grace given through Your Son, lead us so that we live according to the law of love, loving You and others.  Teach me to be respectful of traditions, but not to live for them, but for You, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit are One God, now and forever.  In Your holiness, lead me to become holy as You are holy.  Amen.

“When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch the border of His cloak; and all who touched it were cured” (Matthew 14:34-39).

Many flock to Jesus because of what He can do.  Some come because of who He is.  Do you go to Jesus for what He can do or because of who He is?  He is our Lord and Savior, and He has called for us to be His friend.  Do not just stop with working for God but get to know Him.  He has come to establish an eternal relationship so that we may be in His life, and His life in us, now and forever.

Lord, I confess that I am often selfish and come to You when I want or need something.  Help me to include You in my daily life.  Lead me to know that You are always present and with me.  I do not want to just be one of the crowd that hangs around You with anticipation for what You can do for me, but one of Your disciples who learns to love as You love and does what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Guide me into that kind of life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to prepare us to dwell with You forever.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace to not just hang around You, but to walk with You leading me.  May I look to You as my friend.  You know what gets in the way.  Remove those obstacles that are in the way of You being in my life now and forever in such a way that I know and live in the truth that You are always with me.  Amen.

“When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.  And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!” (Matthew 14:32-33)

We see something miraculous and then, in ordinary time, go back to being unbelieving.  Such belief is conditional.  Our Lord is leading us to have unconditional faith, trusting in Him above all things.  He is the absolute Lord of all.  With Him, all things are possible.  Apart from Him, nothing is possible.  Do not try to lead yourself and seek to do what you will.  Look to the One who calls you and do as He directs.

Lord, I often get in the way.  My mind knows these things, but I go ahead anyway as if I were in charge.  Lead me, Lord!  Take my mind off what I can do so that I look to You for all things.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live according to the way You know I need to live.  Help me to understand humbly and simply that apart from You I can do nothing.  I cannot even command my body to keep living, for that too is in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You have dealt with us, foolish generation after foolish generation, in Your great love and mercy.  Lift me up to be with You and stop depending upon myself alone.  Guide me in the goodness You have given me and teach me to see when I am not looking to You for guidance.  Of course You are God.  Remove the doubts and plant in me Your presence and purpose so that I may always follow You.  Amen.

“But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31)

Peter became frightened.  How many times do we become frightened and sink back into the abyss of this world?  You and I fear.  You and I doubt.  But the Lord is Lord of all.  Be not unbelieving, but faithful.  Act upon what Jesus is directing you to do.  Do not be distracted by what you see around you but step out in faith according to the Lord’s leading.  It sounds simple, but we often get our fears in the way of our faith.

Lord, you told me to have no other gods before you.  I look inwardly and find that I depend upon myself and when I do not do what You are telling me to do, I fail.  Take me farther along the narrow path to learn to trust You above all things.  Let me not ask You for specific things, but simply learn how to trust You in all things.  You are the only One who can lead on the narrow way.  Teach me how to follow.

Lord Jesus, with great compassion You lift me up when I am sinking.  Teach me to keep my eyes upon You always.  Help me to not look to myself, but to always look to You, who alone is the author and finisher of my faith.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live into the life to which You have called me.  Help me to see when I am looking only to myself instead of You so that I may walk wherever You lead me.  Amen.

,“Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:28-29).

How quickly we can be excited when given the chance to do something.  Do we keep our eyes, hearts, minds, and souls upon Jesus?  It is not us doing it, but Him.  Without Jesus, you can do nothing.  With Him, all things are possible.  Never lose sight of the simple fact that Your faith completely depends upon Jesus.  He is the source of your being and the One through whom all things were made.  Look to and in Him mountains can be moved.

Like me, you may love the story of Peter walking on water.  Who would not love the thrill of that?  But Jesus is not interested in what to us are parlor tricks.  He will make of us children of the Heavenly Father.  It is not, will not be, nor never can be, about us.  It must always be about Him and what He is doing.  Be led by the Lord.  You are not His partner, but His follower.  Do not mix up these roles.

Lord Jesus, with great compassion You have lifted me up to walk with You.  Guide me in my daily life to seek nothing on my own but do all things through You.  Help me to get my selfish desires out of the way so that I can do whatever You ask me to do.  Take my mind away from distractions to the place where I look to You for direction.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to learn how to be obedient to Your commands.  Amen.

“When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:26-27).

How often does fear govern our thoughts and actions.  We see something and we cannot believe what we see.  Has not God made all things?  Is He not more than able to do what seems to us impossible?  Fear not and do not be limited by Your mind’s ability to comprehend, but be guided by the goodness of our Lord who will lead you through all of your circumstances.  Trust the Lord, for He is trustworthy.

Lord, sometimes You surprise me, but it should not amaze me.  Of course You are always with me, for You promised that You would be.  Let me not have anxiety over Your being with me, but live with assurance that You are with me.  Guide me in the truth so that I walk humbly with You My Lord and do what You give me to do each day.  Keep my heart calm and my assurance true, knowing that You are the God of all, since You and the Father are one.

Lord Jesus, I often think of You as someone distant who comes to me.  You have breathed Your Holy Spirit into me and so, of course, You are always with me.  Lead me in the assurance of salvation which You have given me in order that I may be bold in faith, kind toward others, and always willing to do what You give me to do.  Guide me through the whole of this day to be faithful to You, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:24-25).

No matter the location or circumstances, Jesus will find you.  This is the literal miracle here, but also the lesson that as we are tossed about by the storms of this life, nothing is able to hinder Jesus from coming to us.  Learn to trust that the God of all creation can do what He has promised.  Always be ready to have Jesus present in every circumstance.  Receive Him, knowing He has already received you.

Lord, I do know that I am distracted by the noise of this world.  When I need You most, I often do not feel that You are with me.  You are, for that is what You promised.  Give me eyes to see that You are always with me.  Lead me according to Your goodness to recognize through the storms of this life that Your purpose will be fulfilled as You promised.  Let not my heart be troubled; but grant that I always trust in You.

Lord Jesus, You come walking above all the storms of this life.  You will take me by the hand though the tempest be all around me, and You will keep me from being overwhelmed by any storm that is raging around me.  Grant that I may be comforted by the truth of Your presence today and every day.  Guide me to know that in You I may have confidence.  Lead me in the reliance You give to be faithful in this day You have given me.  Amen.

“Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.  After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone” Matthew 14:22-23).

Do you go to places where you can be alone to pray?  How often are we distracted by the constant noise of this world?  Jesus teaches us to have intentionality so that we are not constantly distracted.  If you know what it is like to set aside time for something special, how about making it a regular routine to set apart time to spend with the Lord?  We need time to commune with the Lord.

Lord, I do know how to carve out time for doing what I love to do.  Teach me to carve out time for you.  I say I love You.  Help me learn how to spend time with the One whom I say I love.  Let me not be distracted by anxiety or concern, but just spend some time with You.  You know where the diversions are in my life.  Help me to come out of the uncertainties of this age to feel Your presence and purpose regularly.

Lord Jesus, by Your example, help me to be regular in devoting time to spend with You.  Help me to not get caught up in the hurried nature of this world.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You I have hope upon hope.  Lead me this day in Your mercy and goodness to do what is needed, beginning with taking time throughout the day to commune with You, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces: twelve full baskets.  There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children” (Matthew 14:20-21).

Our Lord satisfies the hungry heart.  He provides for all our needs.  The Lord does this for billions of people every day, but we often give it no thought.  The Lord has promised salvation which comes by living a life of faith.  Everything you know and experience either leads to a deepening relationship with the Lord or else drives you farther into yourself and apart from the Lord.

Lord, You know me better than I know myself.  You know where my doubts and fears reside.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the new life You give me knowing that only in You will I become what You will make of me.  Remove the hindrances from my heart so that I continue the Gospel road that You have set before me.  I have already experienced the greatest miracle in being given Your grace, mercy, and love.

Lord Jesus, You have come to rescue us from this world of constant rebellion.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me.  Lead me today through all the obstacles that will come and help me to look to You for all things.  You are more than able to provide all that is needful.  Help me to move outside of myself and serve others in the way I would want to be served.  Amen.

“And ordering the crowds to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looked up toward heaven. He blessed the food and breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds” (Matthew 14:19).

The disciples were not in the place to ponder what the Lord was doing, they just did what He said and started passing out food.  Sometimes the Lord will have us do something we understand and in the midst of it, do something we do not understand, even miraculous.  Begin the task with humble submission and do what the Lord gives you to do.  Learn to obey all that the Lord commands.

Lord, You know that I have a stubborn independent streak that runs deep within me.  Like a small child, I swat Your hand away and say, “I can do it myself.”  I often do not know what I am doing, let alone know how to do what needs to be done.  Teach me to trust You in and through all things that I may be faithful to Your command.  Take me away my doubt to understand truly that with You, all things are possible.

Lead me, Lord Jesus, through this day You have set before me.  What is past is gone and what lies before me is another day of learning how to be faithful to You.  Abide in me that Your love may pour out of me for others who are around me.  Lead me in Your goodness to do what needs to be done, even if I do not fully understand what You are doing.  Guide me today in Your grace to be a person acting by Your direction, doing what You give me to do.  Amen.