.

It’s not the disaster but the fear of disaster, what it might do, that gets us down. Peter was walking on water, bold and believing, he saw Jesus first. He was distracted, not attacked by the waves, not lashed to falling by the wind, Peter simply saw the wind over seeing Jesus and then he started to sink – he wasn’t sunk, it didn’t say he had trouble swimming – the scripture simply said Peter saw the wind and down he slipped – no more walking on the water towards Jesus. (But Jesus was already there – immediately).

That’s us, we sink into fear and unknown when we should just keep our eyes upon Jesus, really. It is not unusual – it is not uncommon – I mean how many of us really walk on water too – but when we find ourselves out of our element – seemingly out of reach – reach up our hand and know His immediate grab. Better yet – hold onto Him thru life always. Know Jesus by His love – rescue first – recovery – restoration – repeat as needed. Restoration and as David says: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Please read these scriptures of Peter sinking and Peter thinking, and also the psalm for us to be praising like David. The scripture set is really about us remembering Jesus IS Lord and Savior – He has POWER over the devil and schemes of the devil. And the faithfulness of Jesus reminds me of an immediate sinking I had, actually a couple times for separate fears, and the subsequent rescue of the Lord. It was my mind that ran away from me, my eyes on my fear, that was the devil causing me calamity in consciousness and concern,  misplaced focus of lies and what ifs. I really sunk and Jesus really was there. He still is. He always will be. Up and away from fear. Let us let Jesus perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle each of us!!!

Amen

(PS – Attached is a photo of a drawing I made, I placed it in public display at a local fair – quietly standing witness – that maybe someone would understand – that reminder that faith forever focuses. The Lord pulled me out of my fearful sinking, I remember it like it is today, Jesus is truly Lord. Amen Amen)

((PPS – I saw a duplicate printout sitting on the kitchen table – a copy that I will bring to church today where I am sharing a short message about Jesus rescuing – and this printout photo kept myself calm when wondering about a current situation. For me, remembering Jesus pulling me out of the water helps me not get back into the sinking situations of fear… Lord help us every day to trust YOU!))

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Matthew 14:20-33 NIV

[After miracle of loaves and fishes] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

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?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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Psalm 16 – A miktam of David.

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

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1st Peter 5:5-11

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.