I would imagine we all have experienced times where we are gripped with fear of the unknown. Like my sister and brother who when they were younger took skydiving lessons. Yes, they jumped out of perfectly good airplanes at 13,000 ft above the earth. They said the hardest part of their adventure was the first step out of the plane into the unknown atmosphere. Wow! I don’t want to even imagine how I might feel. I would probably scream like a baby.

Let me say no matter how old or rickety the plane might be, it’s made to fly and becomes a comfort zone for those in it. But, when we are faced with defying the established laws of the universe, as those who are expected to jump out of a plane are, you will more than likely get hit in the face with fear, doubt and anxiety. Why, because we weren’t made to fly.

With that in mind let’s look at Matt 14:23-33, where Jesus sends the disciples by boat to the other side before Him. Being in a boat on the water was a comfortable and familiar way of life and for some like Peter and Andrew it was where they had

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It’s only when you get out of your boat do you see the miracles of God. 

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made their living. Yet, things were radically going to change in their surrounding and life. A boisterous storm moves in changing the atmosphere and out of the dark Jesus comes walking on the water overturning their comfort and ultimately challenging their faith. Thinking Jesus could be a ghost fear began to grip and overtake them. With calming words of “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Jesus speaks to them. But Peter wanting more evidence, like a child saying to his peers “prove it”. He blurts out, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” The vary fact that Peter would even consider asking this was mind-boggling. What he asked shows that he believed that Jesus had the power to override any earthly limitations or laws. I believe a mixture of assurance and dread came over him when Jesus answered with the word, “Come”.

It was probably like the feeling my brother and sister felt when it was time to jump out of the plane. That first step of transitioning from security and familiarity over to the unknown is one many will never overcome. But if never taken there is the absent of experiencing the wonders and adventure of over-riding the established

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God doesn’t want us to stay where were at but to crossover to the other side

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limitations. When Peter acted on the word of Jesus, which revealed his understanding of who he understood Jesus as, he walked on water. Peter began to move in another dimension, one that none has ever walked in to the same extent. He not only gets the award for being the only one to walk on water but more importantly he confirmed to himself the belief that Jesus was able to empower him to walk above the circumstances and limitation of his surroundings. Peter’s action that night of walking by faith in who he understood Jesus to be demonstrates Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers in 2 Cor 5:7-8.

Paul also tells the church in Galatia, “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Gal 2:20b). There are times along our journey that you and I must decide to get out of the boat of comfort and familiarity and walk upon circumstances that come our way. This can only be achieved as we believe in Jesus and respond to His word to the extent of having confidence that even if we sink He will lift us up!

 

Thoughts to Ponder:  

Have you ever been skydiving, bungee jumping or anything that made you have to take a first step of Faith? How did it make you feel?

In Matt 14:23-33, describe the different emotions that came into play in this story such as Peter when he decided to get out of the boat and the disciples who stayed in the boat?

In Paul’s words to the Galatians, “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Gal 2:20b), explain how it applies to how Peter responded to Jesus? Read these scriptures and discuss how they apply 2 Cor 5:7-8, Rom 1:17, Heb 12:1.

 

Quotes to Tweet:    

• It’s only when you get out of your boat do you see the miracles of God. – billvirgin.com
• God doesn’t want us to stay where were at but to crossover to the other side of storms in our lives. –   billvirgin.com
• When we walk in the understanding who Jesus is we can have confidence that even if you sink God will be there to lift you up!- billvirgin.com

 

• It’s only when you get out of your boat do you see the miracles of God.  – https://ctt.ec/m83X7+

#IWantWalkingOnTheWaterFaith     #GetOutOfTheBoat    #KeepYourEyesOnJesusNotTheStorms