Message for February 2, 2025 from Pastor Shirley

Matthew 14:22-32  “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water. “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”   

Peter said, “Lord if it is you – tell me to come to you on the water”.   Jesus said, “Come.” 

Peter got out of the boat  and was walking on the water toward Jesus.  Then he saw the wind.  Since wind is not actually visible Peter saw the effects, the sound of the wind.  The Amplified reads verse 33 as, “ But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened”.  He began to look at what the wind was doing around him (distraction).  Peter became afraid and that is when he began to sink.   Peter lost his focus on the one who was standing before him.  The one who said,  “Come to me.   I AM – Take courage – I AM – Stop being afraid!   I AM will be to you what you need in that moment of time – Trust ME”.  

A rubber band would be useless if it cannot be stretched. Faith is much like a rubber band in that it is ineffective if it is stretched.  When God shows up the biggest in our lives is when we are willing to stretch and step out.  Peter stretched his faith and got out of the boat even though the wind was still blowing fiercely around him . Then he got distracted.  Faith like a rubber band goes beyond what we feel and see.  When the winds of adversity blow around us rocking the boat of our lives, keeping our eyes on Jesus is the key to not be distracted and not sink!