Skip to main content

Stepping Out on The Word of God!

Scripture: Matthew 14:20-35 - Jesus Walks on the Water

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him.

In this week's passage, we see that Peter stepped out from the safety of the boat to join Jesus as he was walking on water. This is often used to illustrate the importance of stepping out on faith. However, Peter did more than step out on faith; he stepped out on the word of God. Check this out in … 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Jesus said one simply word “COME” and Peter heard that from Jesus which strengthened his faith and he acted on that word. Nevertheless, once on the water… 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Although Peter was with Jesus, walking on water, he allowed himself to doubt his faith but more importantly he doubted the word of God, and began to sink and Jesus reached out his hand and saved him. What a mighty God we serve!

How many of us were on the boat of life, facing the winds of life, bad relationships, family issues, sickness, death, or hopelessness, and then we saw Jesus, asked to join him, we are out of the boat and now we doubt his word? Yet he is still saying to each of us COME, just step out of your situation and join me, and even when you begin to fail I will reach down and save you. Simply step out on my word… COME!

It is simple; usually we make two mistakes while we are out of the boat. When things are going well we tend to believe that things will always be good. When things are not going well, we tend to think they will always be bad. Both ideas are wrong. Life and all it consists of -- our marriage, our faith, our relationships, and our finances tends to go up and down in cycles, but there is one consistent presence in all of this: God's word! His word never changes and as we study his word, as it will allow our faithfulness in him to grow. Today, whether your boat is in or out, lean on the Word of God, and learn of the faithfulness of God and be thankful for his goodness; be thankful for his love and mercy. Be thankful for all that he has given us!
Finally, when you have given your best and seem to be making no progress, there is no need for you to struggle with what ever it is you are trying to deal with. You cannot do it alone. Take refuge in the grace of God's word. Pray and surrender all of ur concerns to Jesus, and open yourself to his guidance and provision. Then step out on his word... "COME" Step out on Faith! AMEN!
Have a blessed week!
Elder Michael L. Hargett
Peace of God Outreach Ministries
Pastors Gary and Patricia Stern
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Time of Refreshings

Last week the women of Peace of God Outreach Ministries celebrated Mother’s Day followed by an anointed service on last Wednesday night, followed by a women’s conference on Saturday, and yesterday everything culminated with beautiful Sunday Service. The women of Peace of God Outreach Ministries are known as the Daughter of Thunder. Their theme this year came was “A Time of Refreshing” from Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” We indeed had a beautiful services all last week. First giving honor to God and to my Senior Pastors Gary and Patricia Stern for their vision and leadership. I give honor to the Daughters of Thunder for their hard work which showed throughout the outstanding programs and worship services. As for me, and the Sons of Thunder, it was a blessing to assist with setting up and breaking down. Everything was in place, decent and in order. Worship such a...
Post a Comment
Read more

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Isaiah 46:3-4 Listen to me...you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I found this illustration for Father’s Day. It is the story of Derek Redmond, a star runner in the 1992 Olympics. Derek was competing for the medal in the 400 meter race. Less than half-way through, he ripped a hamstring muscle and fell to the ground in agony. While the rest of the runners moved past him, Derek managed to get to his feet and began struggling to move forward. Then something caught the attention of the television cameras. Jim, his father, ran past security and onto the race track. At first Derek shrugged him away, saying, "I'm going to finish the race." Jim said to his son, "We've started everything together. We'll finish this together." He put his arm around his son and held him as they crossed the finish line together. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

“Not Words – But Action in 2009”

1 John 3:18 "little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” The biggest hindrance for those who are living in the world is accepting authentic Christianity. For many it is not the theology, it is the lack of finding truly transformed believers whose lives give witness to the power of change the Holy Spirit makes in us. Being "NEW" is not an option when we come to Christ … everything changes, all things become new … and it must show to the world, to the Church, and to our family and friends! It is not like a New Year’s resolution but The Bible teaches us that in Christ we become a "NEW CREATION” and the world must see how our lives have been transformed by God's power. It is much too often people who claim to be believers talk as if God is real but act as if He were not. Let us love this New Year, not by what we say but rather by what we do… HAPPY NEW YEAR! Have a blessed week, In Jesus’ Name… Amen! ...
Post a Comment
Read more