Walking On Water

We all want more faith, but rarely enjoy the faith growing process.  Faith does not just happen it takes time, it takes loss, it takes fear, it takes coming face to face with our pride and it takes realizing that we can not do it alone. Today I was reading the old familiar story about Jesus walking on water and calling Peter to him. This message inspired me, because even though Peter did not manage to walk on water for very long, he did more than most people just by stepping out of the boat.  No one else got out of the boat.  Faith requires action, it requires that first step, which in my opinion is the biggest step.  Until this moment Peter had never seen anyone walk on water yet decides that he can do it too. I think there is a lot to learn from this passage!

“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?”” Matthew 14:25-31

1. Faith Takes Action

We have to take action, we have to move.  Jesus asked Peter to take a step and Peter did it.  He did not ask questions he stepped out of a boat in the ocean and into the water.  Would he sink?  Would he walk?  He did not know where his feet would go, he just did it.  God is asking every one of us to do something, He has something that He wants each of us to do.  But we have to take the first step, we have to step into the unknown.  It is terrifying I know, that is why I think that first step is the hardest.  Your faith will growth which each step, and God gives you such a peace when you are in His will.  Everything in this world will try to keep you from taking the first step, doubts, fear, pride, other people…it will all try to stop you.  But you have to decide that what is on the other side of that step is greater than the things telling you that you can’t.  You have to tell yourself that God is greater, and if He is asking you step out of the boat then you are going to be okay.  Will there be an absence of storms, probably not, but who better to have with you in a storm that God?

^” If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

2. Doubt Kills Faith

Peter was doing great, he took the unknown step and he did not sink.  And now he was walking on water, I can not imagine how awesome that would be!  His eyes were on Jesus and all was well.  Then doubt came in, and doubt killed his faith.  He had walked with Jesus, had seen miracles, even walked on water, then doubt comes in and he forgets all of it.  How often has faith brought you so far, and then doubt swooped in?  God has given us promises in His word and once we start to doubt those promises our faith can fail.  We begin to sink, life begins to overwhelm us.  Faith sustains us through the storms of life, without it we get knocked down and can not get back up.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6

3.  Jesus Is Always There In the Midst

Jesus was with Peter the entire time, He never left his side.  Peter just failed to stay focused.  Sometimes we get so caught up in doubt we forget to keep our eyes on Jesus, we feel like He is far away, but He has not moved.  He is always right beside us, we just have to stay focused.  Faith requires focus on Jesus. And if we do lose focus and begin to sink, He is always there with a helping hand.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus,

Coming Soon….

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23

Dear Friends, “Coffee Breaks With Jesus” will be doing its first ever blog series starting in August! In this series we will study 2 different Fruits of the Spirit a week and then conclude it into a 5 week study. I hope that together we can grow closer to God through studying His Word and applying it to our lives!

Lots of love,

Fear Not

Sorry it’s been so long my dear readers,  it’s been a long month.  I have stepped into a new stage of life by moving out on my own and taking on some new responsibilities.  This summer has been such a challenge for me, with my boyfriend being 4 hours away, moving out on my own,  difficulties at work, etc.  I found myself in a constant place of fear wondering where this summer will end.  Will my needs be met?  Is everything going to be okay in my life?  Will I be okay?  So many questions…so many selfish questions.  That’s exactly what they were selfish, and they were draining me of life and eating me alive.  Fear is the exact opposite of faith, fear removes God from the equation and puts me in charge.  Now that sounds like a disaster!  So whether you are worried about a relationship, finances, a new houses, or whatever else I want to encourage you today ( and myself!) to subtract fear from the equation and multiply your faith. This weekend I pulled a few verses from God’s word and just prayed them a lot.  I even hung some of them on my bathroom mirror just to remind me what God has to say about fear. I’m going to share them with you, and pray that in your time of need they comfort you as well.

When you feel lonely or just down, I love Deuteronomy 31:6.  I love seeing all-encompassing words in my Bible, words like “all”, “always” and “never”, I often circle them when I come across them.  Sometimes as humans we use these words and fall short, but if God says it you know that He means it!  And in this verse He promises to NEVER leave us, so we have no reason to fear.  If that doesn’t bring some comfort then I don’t know what will, because if I want anyone in my corner it’s going to be God.  So take heart my dear friends, you are never alone!

 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

When you are living paycheck to paycheck, have an unexpected financial emergency, need a raise or any other type of physical need I love the following verses.  We serve an incredible God who loves us dearly, and when we as humans love someone how much more do we care about their needs?  God is the same way, even when we can’t see it He is taking care of us in ways we can’t even imagine.  Your only requirement is to love Him in return.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?  “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”  Luke 12:22-30

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

 Sometimes we can feel like a failure, like we just aren’t good enough.  Maybe you have an addiction, a sin that you just can’t shake on your own or maybe you are just comparing yourself to someone “who has it all together” (as if there even is such a thing).  You fear that you’ll never measure up, that you are a disappointment to God.  This is lie, you have the power to overcome your sin through Christ, you are more than enough through Christ and God is not disappointed in you.  He knows what you are capable of, He knows your value, and He loves you.  His love casts out fear!  You may not be perfect but Christ’s love for you is.

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”  1 John 4:18

“For I am the Lord your God  who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”  Romans 8:38-39

And lastly I have this verse that pretty much covers just about any kind of fear.  My first night at my new house, there was a storm and the power went out for awhile.  I am not a fan of the dark or storms, yet here I was, just me and my cat (cats aren’t very brave either therefore are terrible at emotional support…).  There I was in a dark new house and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous.  In that moment of weakness my boyfriend reminded me of this verse, which I prayed until I felt peace about my situation.  I had nothing to fear but fear itself,  I was perfectly safe yet I allowed my nervousness to turn to fear.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I pray that you find some encouragement in these verses.  Memorize them, write them down, learn to pray these scriptures over your situation.  They will help you multiply your faith and subtract your fear.  God did not give you fear, He came to bring you peace.  So take hold of His promises, that’s what they are there for.  The Bible is your sword against the enemy, but it will do you no good if you don’t learn how to use it.  So stay strong dear friends!

Lots of Love,