Matthew 14:22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for the children in your life, that they may grow up holy and that they recognize the beauty of God's truth.
(I just coded a quick email program. Please let me know if you get this. Thanks!)
Whenever I have a big decision to make, I ...
... talk about the decision with family and friends
... I wait around for the big sign or affirmation from God
... agonize at night playing out the scenarios in my head
.. and a whole bunch of other things to help me cope with my fear of the unknown.
As I look at certain things in my own life, there is a sense of fear in many of the aspects that are there. Those fears often paralyze me from acting. After all, it's the unknown. We have the ability to Google anything we have a question on and it no longer is unknown. We have the ability to get driving directions from our phones and our cars. Praise God for technology, but sometimes I think I'm spoiled because it makes me fear the unknown that much more.
Peter walked on water toward Jesus. Being a bad swimmer, the last thing that I'd want to do is take a step into the water in the middle of the night. Peter did it, and I'm sure there was that same fear in him.
He took the first step, and then the next, and when he began to get consumed, Jesus was there. He called Peter and when he was drowning, He was there for him.
I don't know the plans God has in store for me, but I do know that He is there calling and leading me. I never knew that when I took the first step in doing these readings / reflections in 1996 that it would have resulted in this. I just wanted to help a friend grow closer to Christ, and in return, He called me to walk toward to Him. That's God grace that can save us from rocking boats and deep waters.
Take care and God Bless.
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