Jesus had His disciples get into their boat and go to the other side, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. The boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves…Jesus went to them, WALKING ON THE SEA. “…when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! IT IS I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You (Jesus just said “it is I”), command me to come to You on the water.” So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he WALKED ON THE WATER (intently looking at Jesus) to go to Jesus. But WHEN HE SAW that the wind was boisterous (he stopped looking at Jesus), he was afraid; and BEGINNING TO SINK he cried out, saying, “LORD, SAVE ME!” (Matthew 14:22-30)
Solomon tells us, “Let your eyes look STRAIGHT AHEAD. Keep looking right in front of you.” (Proverbs 4:25) In the last days deceivers will come and say, “Look! Here is the Christ!’ Or, ‘There He is!’ Do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will appear. They will do great signs and miracles. They will TRY TO FOOL GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE if possible.” (Matthew 24:23-24) As we allow God to LEAD US, He transforms us from the inside out and empowers us to participate in His mission of drawing others to Him. FOLLOWING JESUS means becoming fishers of men, sharing His love and truth with others.
What must we do to KEEP OURSELVES in God’s love, “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares…LOOKING UNTO JESUS (aphoraō: to turn our eyes away from ungodly things and fix them on the unchanging thing), the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.” (Philippians 4:8) These are all Christ’s characteristics.
SET YOUR MINDS on things that are ABOVE, not on things that are ON EARTH (worldly things).” (Colossians 3:2)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham