In July 1973 I was at a men’s retreat on the Ogeechee River. One of the elders of our church was on the dock with me explaining the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I was having trouble even though I had heard a lot about it, I could not let go. He used the example of Peter getting out of the boat and I understood as Peter had always been a hero to me. We prayed, I fell on my face and got up praying in tongues…praise God.
As I studied recently I was reminded that Peter got out of the boat, no one else did and no one else walked on water. I found it interesting as we read in Matthew, Jesus has just finished teaching parable after parable about the Kingdom of God and then He feeds around 10,000 people with 5 loaves and two fish and His disciples were still lacking faith. You remember the story, once they reached the middle of the sea a terrible wind storm came and threatened the boat. Jesus, who let them go on ahead as he went alone into the mountains to pray catches up to them walking on the water!!! What a sight, huge waves, and here is Jesus walking among them. Peter in the first of his many trials of faith cries out, Lord if that is you, command me to come to You on the water. Jesus simply says, come. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water until he got frightened of the waves. He cried out to Jesus to be saved, Jesus chastised him about his lack of faith and brought him back into the boat and the wind stopped. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” A horrible question from our Redeemer and Savior. Matthew 14.
I admit that I take miracles of everyday life, I might even say casually, thank you Lord, and go on my way. But you let me get my butt in a jam and cry out to Jesus. Once He delivers me from the crises you will find me on my knees just like His disciples in this story, worshiping Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
Many people I know today take the salvation story casually and say, yea yea I have heard all of that. If that is you, I plead with you today, reread this chapter in Matthew and get out of the boat! Put down your oars and make Jesus Lord of your life, trusting Him completely to guide you through the storms of life. Remember only Peter got out of the boat and only Peter walked on water. Amen
L.I.F.E. meets tonight at 7:00, please join us if you can, we will continue our study of a great shepherd and have communion.
L.I.F.E. Ministries
114 Wynngate Rd.
Wilmington Island, GA 31410
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Jim Bulluck…..PLEASE NOTE: EMAIL CHANGE TO: [email protected]
912-695-6510 office
912-695-6510 cell
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