In Mathew 14:25-33 Jesus gives us a very practical lesson in faith. The disciples were in a storm on the sea and Jesus came to them walking on the water. Jesus greeted his disciples in a simple manner: “cheer up guys it’s me. In other words, “no sweat guys, with me in the boat you can walk through all the storms of life”.

Peter liked that and asked Jesus to command him (Peter) to come to Jesus on the water. Peter recognized that if the word (Jesus) said he (Peter) could walk on the water then it was possible.

Whatever you find in the bible that applies to you is possible. Jesus said come, so Pater took him at his word and walked on the water by faith in the word of Jesus. The word (Jesus) said it, Peter believed it and that settled it; he (Peter) walked. Sounds like the child like faith Jesus told us we needed (Mark 10:15).  

But Peter took his eyes off of Jesus (the word) and looked at the wind and the waves and faith wilted, allowing the opposite force of fear to grip him. How often we take our eyes off of Jesus (the word) and allow the words of people, the thoughts satan brings us and circumstances and situations, to get us in to fear.

We need to get in the word and saturate ourselves with it so we are fear proof and full of faith (Rom 10:17). But, how merciful God is, he reached out and saved Peter. The word says God will never allow us to be tempted or tried more than we can handle but will always provide the way out (1 Cor 10:13).

As Jesus and Peter got back into the boat the storm ceased. Get Jesus in to your boat (life) and trust him and you can experience his miracle power to get your through the storms of life. Praise God. Preached myself happy again.

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In the 7^th verse of the famous love chapter of first Corinthians (1 Cor 13) we are told that love: “is ever ready to believe the best of every person” (AMP). Wow, if we all did that in our conversations what a difference it would make to relationships, families and churches. So often our first reaction to a name or situation is to give our opinion, to criticize or judge whether based on valid facts or not.

The book of Proverbs is replete in advice and wisdom in this area. When we think to talk about others let’s be guided by Proverbs. We are told to guard our mouth (Prov 13:3) and to keep our peace (Prov 11:12); to cover shame or conceal a matter (Prov 12:16; 25:2). “Love covereth all sins” (Prov 10:12; KJV); “A talebearer revealeth secret: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Prov 11:13). Our pleasant words of wisdom can bring life and health (Prov 4:20-22; 16:24) and make the heart glad (Prov 12:25).

Perhaps one of the strongest admonishments on this topic is to be found in Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Prov 18:21). That verse hardly needs explanation; we will reap what we sow.

Our discussion of people and issues in conversation should always be positive and aimed at protecting our spirits and the person we are discussing. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Prov 25:11). Amen.

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 “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27; KJV). Wow, do you ever stop to think what that means to us as Christians? We have Jesus on the inside of us in the form of the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). All that Christ died for, all he rose for, his victory and power and authority are ours (Matt 28:18).

We find out what is ours in the Bible and he gives us his power (Acts 1:8) to be all he wants us to be and to live the life that God lives (John 10:10). God’s power works in us to bring about change (Phil 2:13; Phil 1:6). In fact, Paul said that he could only boast about that which Christ had done in and through him; everything else was of no significance (Rom 15:18).

If you think about it, all we need to do as Christians is to rest in him (Matt 11 :28), study and believe his word (John 6:29) and cooperate with him as his word and power change us, guide us, direct and use us for his glory.

Knowing this, we should have such a heart to be in his word; to pray, praise and worship him, give him thanks and hang on every word as we are taught by his ministering servants.

It sorrows me to look around our churches and see blank, impassive faces during worship and hear gossip going on as we are taught the word of God. Christians, wake up to who you are in Christ, what we have and what God expects of us.

We are his hands and feet and voice in this earth. His will can only be done through us. Be exhorted today, time is short.

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 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might may have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 KJV).

What an encouraging verse this is. The word used there for "tribulation" is the Greek word "thlipsis" which means pressure, opposition, stress, squeezing. We have all experienced it at one time or another, whether it’s from people that make life difficult for us or whether it’s trying circumstances that we find ourselves in.

There are many other related and encouraging scriptures in the Bible. We are told that God comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we can do the same for others (2 Cor 1:4). It also says that: "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17). God's grace is sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9) and “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us"(Rom 8:37). The meaning of the last phrase is "super victorious". Of course, you may not be feeling super victorious right now but don't go by your feelings, go by what the word says. Keep confessing these and similar scriptures, stay patient and trusting the Lord and he WILL bring you through the squeezing to the other side.

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A blog by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs; click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

As we look around us today we often see people in fear and confusion as they watch TV and listen to the fear mongers in the media. But fear and confusion should have no place in the life of the Christian: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7; KJV).

God says that perfect love drives fear from our lives (1 John 4:18). Fear is the opposite of faith; faith believes God, fear believes the reports of the devil.

If our lives are driven by selfishness and evil motives then confusion easily results (James 3:16). However, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33). How do we walk in peace? In Isaiah chapter 26 and verse 3 it is written: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee”.

Let’s commit to walk in love, focus on God’s word and believe it, not the noise in the world around us. Let’s cut through the confusion in our world and be beacons of God’s life, peace and truth. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

True life and freedom are not to be found in rushing after everything the world says is important. God’s greatest desire is to bless us, but his word says: “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (God’s provisions and blessings) shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). We need to put God first and do things God’s way. Wow, I don’t know about you, but I needed to hear that.

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