Matthew 14:22-36
Every so often you hear a story about some amazing accomplishment by someone and the question arises, "how did they do that?" Quite often the answer is that no one told them that they couldn't do it. Most often in our lives we are given a littany of reasons why we can't do something. Rarely are we encouraged to do something extraordinary.
Certainly Peter walking on water was one of those things. How about the little kid that started the Peanut Butter & Jelly gang? How about The Wright Brothers? How about Rosa Parks? How about the gay couples getting married, som of whom have been already committed to each other for decades? Perhaps more so here in the United States but we have a reputation for being the home of opportunity and the home of the free, religious freedom and resepct fo everyone's way of life and faith. All very heady stuff. All very complcated and messy sometimes too.
I could on with a long list of people who 'made it' inspite of incredible odds. People who are literally told they can't do whatever and then go ahead and made it happen. To me it all has to do with faith and committment. So once again I am reminding you how much it is that God loves you, how muc He wishes you to succeed and that you should have faith and love in yourself.
On countless levels all day long the knowledge that you are loved, that you are special and loved will help you. It is foundational and it is true. When no one else seems to have faith in you and tells you "no you can't" there are two critical people that are on your side, God and You.
Certainly Peter walking on water was one of those things. How about the little kid that started the Peanut Butter & Jelly gang? How about The Wright Brothers? How about Rosa Parks? How about the gay couples getting married, som of whom have been already committed to each other for decades? Perhaps more so here in the United States but we have a reputation for being the home of opportunity and the home of the free, religious freedom and resepct fo everyone's way of life and faith. All very heady stuff. All very complcated and messy sometimes too.
I could on with a long list of people who 'made it' inspite of incredible odds. People who are literally told they can't do whatever and then go ahead and made it happen. To me it all has to do with faith and committment. So once again I am reminding you how much it is that God loves you, how muc He wishes you to succeed and that you should have faith and love in yourself.
On countless levels all day long the knowledge that you are loved, that you are special and loved will help you. It is foundational and it is true. When no one else seems to have faith in you and tells you "no you can't" there are two critical people that are on your side, God and You.
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
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