What Are YOU Looking At?
“But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30
Walking on water. Can you imagine anything more exhilarating and exciting? How about if the water is part of the stormy Sea of Galilee?
If you are familiar with the New Testament, you know the story of Jesus walking on the water… and Peter joining Him. It was both a triumph and a lesson in faith for Peter, for the other disciples in the boat, and for us today.
THE TRIUMPH
When the disciples saw the Lord walking on the water that dark and stormy night, they were afraid. They thought Jesus was a ghost! But He quickly calmed their hearts by saying, “Take courage, it is I [literally I AM]; do not be afraid.” And Peter replied, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And Jesus said, “Come!” (Matthew 14:27-29).
And with his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, Peter hoisted his body over the side of the boat and planted his feet on the raging sea. He let go of the gunnel and began walking on the water with the Lord. No doubt he said to himself something like this, “Wow! This is INCREDIBLE!”
THE TRAGEDY
But as Peter walked on the water to come to Jesus, an unkind wave slapped him right in the face. And tragically, Peter took his eyes off the Lord, and began to look at the tumultuous sea. When he did that, he became afraid and started to sink. “This is INCREDIBLE!” quickly became “This is IMPOSSIBLE!” One of the greatest personal miracles Peter ever experienced was cut short… all because he took his eyes off the Lord.
THE LESSON
You and I were saved to walk on the water, so to speak. The Lord calls us to join Him in overcoming every storm. And the key to victory is to keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. The only reason Peter had a sinking spell was because he began to focus on the sea when He should have been focusing on the Savior.
What are you focused on today? Your health woes… your financial storm… your black skies and raging seas? If you focus on the problem, your heart will fill with fear. But, if you will focus on the Problem-Solver, your heart will fill with faith.
God is able, my friend. Whatever storm is threatening to come over your head is already under His feet. Look to Him… and keep looking. Trust Him to see you through the darkest of days. He says to you and me today, “Take courage. I AM the great I AM who is present in your storm. Do not be afraid. Simply look to Me and trust in Me.”
Will you do it? If so, you’ll begin walking on the water with Jesus and live a victorious and exciting Christian life. God didn’t intend for you to live “under the circumstances” but “over the circumstances”… and every trial and trouble that comes your way.
In Christ.
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Love, |
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Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls. Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
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