Peter

Out on the Waters

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But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30 NKJV

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that God’s call to live by faith  is His call for us to come out on the waters. Walking daily in such a life is more than challenging, it is overwhelming. Like Peter, we are sometimes overwhelmed by wind and waves and most of us aren’t ready to walk on water even on a calm night!

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But the call of Jesus as it echoes out over our dark waters carries with it a guarantee. Hearing His voice means that He is  out there waiting for us as even if we start to sink on our way to Him. Our assurance is that our way is not just about difficulty, it is about the miracle of God’s Son. With His call comes His promise, to reach down and pull us out of the waters so we can walk with Him.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”   Matthew 14:31 NKJV

What are Your Plans?

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I loved the scene from the film “Evan Almighty” when Evan (Steve Carell) tells God “But I have my plans!) then God (Morgan Freeman) laughs and responds, “Your plans?”

I laugh every time because it is a conversation I have silently had with God on so many occasions. “But I planned to sing a song, make a friend or start a new job”. Those were my plans! But God in His infinite love and mercy pulls out His schedule, glances down and shakes His head lovingly. “Nope! Pete…You’re just going to have to trust me with this.”. Ever notice how our Heavenly Father loves to put the ball back into our court and then waits to see our response? Here are a few folks from the Bible who also had plans:

Job would have liked to stay rich, safe and blessed.

Mary was planning what to wear to her wedding

Elisha just wanted to finish ploughing his father’s field

Peter wished he could catch a few fish.

But God had other amazing, astonishing and challenging plans they could never have even imagined. God also has awesome plans for you and me. What are your plans? What might God be calling for in your life today? Whatever it is we know that His plans are way better than anything we could dream!

Who Me?

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And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” Matthew 14:28-29a

The Osprey are a large fish-eating raptor which is not exactly either an eagle op1030165r a hawk. One thing that seems unique is their habit of building a large nest and then continuing to add to that nest year after year. They like to make their nest where they can see in every direction such as a dead tree or a utility pole. Sometimes the nest gets so heavy that it can cause the tree top to break and on utility poles they can cause a power outage.

Some of us Christians are a lot like our Osprey friends. We like our big safe nest and don’t venture out unless we are sure the coast is clear. The disciples were no exception. They peered out over the edge of the boat in terror as they saw the form of a man walking out on the waves that night. When Jesus called out for them to not be afraid they really weren’t convinced at all! But Peter came up with an idea that was totally crazy. He called out to the person on the waves, “If that is really you then tell me to come!” See Peter was no longer satisfied just peering over the edge of his nest. He was ready to go anywhere if Jesus called him to go. He may have said the wrong thing at times but his faith urged him to take a risk, to dare everything on the word of Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus calling you to step out of your boat today? We can stay in the nest of safety or we can walk on water to go to Jesus. The choice is yours and mine!