In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, 'It's a ghost!' and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying 'Cheer up! I AM! Don't be afraid.' Peter answered him and said, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.' He said, 'Come!' Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?' When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:24 WEBAt the word of Jesus, Peter gently touched the water with his foot and it became solid. So he stepped out of the fishing boat onto the surface of the sea. Then Peter began walking across the water towards Jesus. He must have thought, 'This is amazing, I am actually walking on water!'
Soon though, the wind started blowing harder against him, and the waves became violent. He thought, 'Hey wait, this is crazy! What am I doing out here?' Like a rock, when Peter began to waver and doubt, he began to sink into the water. Doubt literally means 'Divided in two.' Faith and doubt are polar opposites. Faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus regardless of the circumstances around you.
Jesus saved Peter and when they got into the boat, Jesus asked Peter one question: 'Why did you doubt?' Apparently Peter's point of failure was doubt. Whether he doubted himself, his ability to do it, or if he had heard the Lord had actually call him at all, is not clear. What is clear is that Peter was walking on top of the water, but when he began to doubt, he sank.
Sometimes the Lord calls us to do something and we step out in faith, but then resistance comes. If you do anything meaningful, resistance will come. It becomes scary, and the wind really starts to blow against us. At this point we can keep our eyes on Jesus and stay the course, or begin to doubt and sink like a rock.
Today, forget the wind. Focus on Jesus and keep taking those steps that He called you to do. Do not be distracted by the noise and things that go on around you. Get up, keep going, take the next step. Fear and doubt are your enemies. Push them out of your mind and refresh yourself with scripture. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that you strengthen my faith, build me up, shape me into what I need to be. Teach me, guide me, and give me a clear vision and a clear mind. Help me focus on You and give me grace to serve You wholeheartedly, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: Happy Sunday! The RHM Live weekend service is happening today at 10am EST! We will be continuing our online Bible Study with Chapter Three of the Book of Acts. To find out more or join us this morning, go to this page:
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Amen
Teach me, guide me, and give me a clear vision and a clear mind. A wonderful prayer to start this day! Thank you for the words, Pastor Dion!
Amen! Strengthen my faith Lord
Thank GOD for his words this morning. So true and Right on time. Amen
God take away my doubtful and fearful nature. Please Lord AMEN.
Amen!
Amen! Guide me Father where I should go, give me strength
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Jesus please take away my fears and doubts and give me strength.I love and worship you.You are awesome. Amen.
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Please help me keep my focus on You when life buffets me
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Father, here I'm. use me as You wish. Take away my doubts and fears, lead me in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Yes God is our king love your Lord amen
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Oh Lord, please increase my faith by the power of Thy mighty Spirit and remove all doubts and fears, please be my forever rock and fortress, and when I slip and fall, please reach for me, catch me and lift me up, in Jesus name I ask and pray, Amen!
Amen!
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Amen. I believe we all suffer from what Peter suffered from, we all doubt. No matter how hard we try to not doubt at times we will sink into doubting. We doubt our own abilities, we doubt that God will answer our prayers, we doubt that our pre-believing loved ones will be saved, we doubt we will receive financial increase, we doubt we will be healed....... yes we all have times of doubt, but if we just cry out to Jesus for help as Peter did, He will lift us up and rescue us. He may rebuke us for doubting but He will not show any less compassion. Having faith in what we do not see is difficult, but with God and Jesus all things are possible. So we need to get out and walk on the water and believe with all our heart, souls and minds that He will be there with us every step of the way, even when we start to sink.
Amen!!
Lord, please help em keep my eyes on You as I work and look for a house I can afford. It's scary and discouraging, and I need Your grace to do this. Amen.
Amen Lord Jesus
Amen!
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father I pray that you strengthen my faith, build me up, shape me into what I need to be. Teach me, guide me, and give me a clear vision and a clear mind. Help me focus on You and give me grace to serve You wholeheartedly, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
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Amen