Just like Peter are You In or Out the Boat?

Good morning to all on this wonderful Tuesday morning. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world. Waine and Aleron are in Kingston, Jamaica; my two men on a road trip together. Pray that their time is well spent as father and son have time to transition. Aleron is our last child; the last one to leave the nest and make a life for himself. God is worthy of all praise for this accomplishment; Waine and I are humbled and very grateful. Pray for their safety and traveling mercies for all of us.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 14 today, verses 22-36, "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." Amen and amen!" Praise God I just found the spell check!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes when I read accounts of the 12 disciples, they seem like the "keystone cops", a bunch of knuckleheads! And they were the chosen which then humbles me because would I react the same way. I think not because when Christ ascended into Heaven He left behind the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit assists Christians to discern and connect with the Holy Scriptures and with the Body of Christ! Thank God for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, because as I read the accounts of the disciples I cannot imagine them just now saying that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God! They had spent all this one on one time with Christ and yet had doubt. I am sure Jesus felt their doubt which is why He sent them on the boat themselves so that He could have some one on one time with His Father God to rejuvenate Himself; He had just fed the 10,000 and then sent the disciples on their way while "He dismissed" the crowd. What do yo think He said to them? There are no accounts because the author of this scripture was in the boat! I think Jesus blessed them and extolled them to give their lives over to God by accepting Him as the Christ Messiah. We will find out when we meet Him in the Heavenly places! And then the next miracle--Christ gets up and walks on the water to meet them and the first words out of their mouths was "its a ghost"--I think it was common for Jewish priests to perform magic tricks. There are accounts of this in the old Testament which is what Moses had to fight against so the disciples thinking they were seeing an apparition was probably the normal but Peter knew it was Christ and asked to be called! Isn't that beautiful?! When we recognize the void in our lives and recognize that Christ can fill that void we too asked to be called and when we step out on FAITH we are transformed. And just like Peter, when we take our eye off of God, we will fail.  But just like Peter we can call out for help to Jesus. And just like Peter Christ will immediately help and save us! The help is always immediate and out ability to accept and see the help is dependent on our faith! Hallelujah!

Christ is asking you about your faith today. How much do you have and where are you placing it? Do you doubt His ability to feed you, the 10,000 didn't but the 12 did. Do you doubt that your safety and happiness is in His hands? Peter didn't the 11 did. Are you in or out of the boat?

Be blessed today and walk on the water with Jesus!

Stephanie