FEAR!!! GET OUT OF THE BOAT

August 29, 2013

FEAR!!! GET OUT OF THE BOAT

I remember at a young age having nightmares about the backroom of a church, kids use to tell wise tales about I can picture it even today a little old lady chasing me through the catacombs of the church only to wake up to the sound and love of a mothers voice that always assured you when you heard that voice, it was only a dream. Nothing will ever happen to me my moma and daddy will always be there. Oh when life was so simple when all it took was a mothers voice to assure you it will be all right.

Then one day life started to take on a nightmare of its own that you never seemed to wake up from. until I headed God’s voice and got out of the boat. Lets go to Matthew 14:22-36 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were TERRIFIED. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “TAKE COURAGE! IT IS I. DON’T BE AFRAID” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Going back to verse 26 the initial reaction was THEY WERE TERRIFIED. My friends what are your fears today?

What is keeping you from having that heartfelt passionate and intimate relationship with Christ? Where does your fears lie and how deep does it go? Remember, Satan’s mind control over us is with fear! but in 1 Peter 5:8 it tells us: “Be self-controlled and alert.” key word BE ALERT Webster explains the word alert he tells us it is A attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.

Deuteronomy 11:16 tells us to “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 1 Peter 5:8 says Be sober, be VIGILANT; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Acts 17:11 also tells us ……they received the word with all READINESS, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

“yes my fiends Jesus paid A price on Calvary with His own blood so that we will not FEAR, Jesus comes into our lives if we ask Him just to fill us up, To give us life to the fullest. He has come to quench our spiritual thirst. But we have to recognize and be VIGILANT. because Satan is out to destroy you, so why should we give him this opportunity. keep your mind and body focused on the Savior and His Word that will Guide us Daily to all truths.

“Trust in him at all times. For God is our refuge.”  But there must be a PASSION, or A THIRST for what Our God is willing to give us Psalm 42:1 & 2 says: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” I thirst for God, We need to recognize our need to be filled by Him. and Not by the things of this world that one day will pass away. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were TERRIFIED.

And they cried out in FEAR. What are the fears that keep you from the Master’s touch today. He is telling us to come today to Him Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Yes Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus, That must be our initial step. To get out of the boat, and come to Him. Get out of your daily routine get out of the boat and walk on water. He is calling you? make His Passion to save you Your Passion to be saved and tell others also about the saving grace of our God? What A risky step! But by Faith it is possible but it must be all about Faith and God’s saving grace.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” And getting out of the boat can only lead to an intimacy with Jesus, that will eventually take us to his pure and holy kingdom. So friends tell God today “God, I’m going to listen, obey, and trust You. I’m going to get out of the boat. I don’t really want to because I’m satisfied and content with the status quo.

I have a good job, I got everything I need in life, why am I taking a chance with you. But my friends have faith God is calling you today, to get out of the boat and follow him, and tell yourself I’m going to go because He is calling me and wants to save me from the forces of evil, and imminent destruction “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

OH WHAT LOVE. BUT WHEN HE SAW THE WIND, HE WAS AFRAID AND BEGINNING TO SINK, CRIED OUT, “LORD SAVE ME!” 31 IMMEDIATELY JESUS REACHED OUT HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 THEN THOSE WHO WERE IN THE BOAT WORSHIPED HIM, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Yes we will sink at times because of life’s situation and circumstances. But Christ will always reach out His hand to us and catch us no matter what the storm of life maybe and when our family, friends, love one’s, neighbors, co-workers, and the world sees our FAITH and PASSION. through our prayers and Gods extended hand they will believe also.

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY