Choose your Dreams, not your Doubts

 

Romans 1:15-17, So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The great apostle was motivated to follow God’s direction and focused his energies on fulfilling that plan. He was not so enamored with doubts and fears but a goal, ambition…a dream fueled his efforts. This in my estimation is worthy of immolating.

Dr. Wiersbe observed,

No wonder Paul was not ashamed: he was taking to sinful Rome the one message that had the power to change men’s lives! He had seen the Gospel work in other wicked cities such as Corinth and Ephesus; and he was confident that it would work in Rome. It had transformed his own life, and he knew it could transform the lives of others.^[1]

This ambition to share the hope that in Christ Jesus was stimulated by the truth that the gospel is God’s power to save and transform lives.

The gospel is the inherent, omnipotent power of God operating in the salvation of a lost soul that accepts it.^[2]

We must also choose our dreams and refuse to listen to our doubts and fears. Few things are as potent as self-doubt; it breeds failure and completely slaughters our dreams. While it’s true self-doubt may raise some questions, bring temporary setbacks, or even reveal hardened obstacles, it is also true that through the right kind of doubt we grow and eventually realize our vision. We must focus more on our ideas and much less time on our reservations.

Doubt is a normal reaction when launching fresh ideas and facing new challenges. In such cases we must pull ourselves out of self-doubt to become more engaged. Fears can even make us believe we aren’t good enough.

Escaping the grips of self-doubt-based fears means setting realistic goals…at least in part. It is essential to break our big goal into manageable milestones…achievable steps. They become less intimidating or overwhelming and they build our confidence as we reach each of them.

Also, positive affirmations should be used to replace self-doubting thoughts. Pay close attention to the messages we tell ourselves! Use positive truth-filled and balanced statements to assert reality, God’s perspective, process our experiences, and make meaningful decisions instead. Self-induced doubts can be overcome by these fear killers.

Yes, Paul’s sense of obligation to the unsaved Gentiles produced an eagerness (Rom. 1:15) to evangelize them for Christ’s sake. He was entirely focused on a singular ambition!

Beloved, focus more on your dreams…ambitions and not your doubts! Don't allow your mistakes to be stumbling blocks toward quitting, instead make them building blocks to realizing God’s plan and your dreams. Stay at it, think about improvements…make yet another adjustment, apply more polish, modify it further, and tweak it yet even more. We are talking about a God-given idea…a holy ambition! Do it again...then again…this is the path to your dream. It’s okay if you must pray and fast more than usual, trust God for things you have never trusted him for before, use your head more than usual, search the Scriptures with greater diligence and discernment, break a sweat because your heart is really invested, innovate…modulate, or create! These things are likely necessary! You may sacrifice some efficiencies along the way but still choose your dreams and not your doubts. 

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^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 517.

^[2] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 24.

Trusting God Instead of Fears

Trusting God Instead of Fears

Psalm 62:1-2

Subject: Trusting God

Introduction:

Are you feeling inadequate or uncertain about yourself? Do you feel insufficient about your physical appearance, spiritual growth, relationships, financial stability, or even professional skills?

Failures can drive feelings of insecurity encouraging us to become too critical/extremely faultfinding of ourselves. Even though we may be talented and treasured, you tell yourself otherwise.

Fear in the form of insecurity can become a vicious circle. If you feel bad about how you look or doubt your value, you may shy away from social situations or shun experiences that would test your abilities. And in doing so, you cripple or even wreck your potential for effectiveness, victory, and interrelationship.

What is the further impact of being insecure? 1) You’ll have difficulty trusting others. 2) You may feel paranoid in many things and worry people are coming over to get you. 3) You may be mistakenly perceived as superior or conceited when trying too hard to cover up your insecurity. 4) You may feel at times like panicking over small issues and exaggerating the problems.

Relevance: We are often tempted to give in to our fears and insecurities, but the Lord presents Himself as the only viable alternative to our fears. Psalm 62 says trust God instead. The Psalm is a healthy reminder for troubled times…when we feel threaten as we live a God focused life. Psalm 62 is for us. David affirmed that the Eternal God of heaven is the Source of his personal security, therefore he could not be shaken! Likewise, He is our refuge, the place we run to hide.

Message:

Psalm 62:1, Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

“Truly” implies the presence of fears, worry and anxiety rooted in a measure of uncertainty. There appears to have been a battle with such fears, but the Psalmist emerges with a sense of affirmation. He is now asserting the reality of his exclusive confidence trust in the Lord.

I.               Fears are the Basis for These Challenges.

A.    Fear. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. To fear is to be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening. (from Oxford Languages)

B.    Worry. Worry is a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Worry gives way to anxiety or unease; allows one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. (from Oxford Languages)

C.    Anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. (From MedlinePlus)

1.     Why do I feel the need to be in control?

2.     Several things can drive controlling behavior. The most common are anxiety and personality disorders. People with anxiety disorders feel a need to control everything around them in order to feel at peace. They may not trust anyone else to handle things the way they will. (from WebMD)

D.    Uncertainty. Uncertainty encompasses something that is uncertain or that causes one to feel uncertain. It is suspicion expressing a lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

1.     It is doubt, skepticism, suspicion, or mistrust pointing to a lack of sureness about someone or something. Uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result. (From Merriam-Webster)

2.     What brings uncertainty? Uncertainty is the result of having limited knowledge about an occurrence or event, making it difficult to control, plan, or predict a future outcome, which can often be distressing. (From umich.edu)

E.     Insecurity. Insecurity is uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; it is lack of confidence. It is a vulnerability, the mindset of being open to danger or a threatening condition. Insecurity is a perceived lack of protection. (from Oxford Languages)

1.     It is often a feeling of inadequacy (not being good enough) and uncertainty. It produces anxiety about your goals, relationships, and ability to handle certain situations. Everybody deals with insecurity from time to time. It can appear in all areas of life and come from a variety of causes. (from WebMD)

2.     The Lord called Gideon a “mighty man of valor” (Jud. 6:12) even though he was insecure and fearful. Jesus likened Peter a stable and steadfast rock even though he was a pebble and kept crumbling. God called Abraham “father of many nations” when he had no children. Sarah was called a “mother of nations” even though she “laughed” and mocked the Lord for being childless. (Based on Gen. 17 & 18 and Insight for Living)

3.     God knows that people are insecure for various reasons. Moses, Gideon, and Abram expressed their insecurities in different ways. But, what does God says about insecurities? We can conquer insecurity the same way we do any temptation rooted in our carnality and flesh. 1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

                                                                        i.     God promises that we can, in the power of the Holy Spirit, respond to any given temptation by resisting it. Finally, Paul adds to this promise that God will always make a way of escape out of whatever temptation stands before us. So, we not only come to it, but we can go through it also!

                                                                      ii.     What is the prayer for 1 Corinthians 10:13? Father, forgive me O Lord for my past sin, and by your grace and through your Word, strengthen me with your Holy Spirit so that I too may overcome the temptations that Satan uses to sever my fellowship with you. Through the name of my Protector and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, I ask this. Amen.

II.           God Answers our Fears and Insecurities with Promises.

A.    What causes our insecurity? There is no one cause of insecurity; many factors can lead to the condition. Insecurity may stem from a traumatic event, crisis such as divorce or bankruptcy, or a loss. It can also result from one’s environment, as unpredictability or upset in daily life can cause anxiety and insecurity about ordinary, routine events.

B.    What Does the Bible say when I’m feeling insecure? Some Supportive Verses against Fears and Insecurity….

1.     Ephesians 1:4-6. Remember who you are in the Lord, your spiritual identity. 

2.     Romans 8:31-32. Count on the fact that God is for you. He is with, in, and for you! If he is for you, then nothing can stand against you. He's given his Son for you. And not just in the past. Jesus, the risen Son of God right now is at the right hand of God interceding for you. And nothing in this world can separate you from his love for you.

3.     1 John 3:1. Take God’s view of yourself as a person he loves and calls His child.

a.      What is the love of the father? The Father's love for us is nowhere clearer and more compelling than in the sending of his only Son—freely, unprompted, and undeserved. The same Scriptures proclaiming Christ's love in dying also reveal the immense love of the Father as the sending source. He so loved us that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16).

b.     How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

4.     1 John 4:18. Embrace the truth that God’s perfect love removes all kinds of fears. The ultimate punishment or fear is separation from God. Thankfully, for those who believe in Jesus, that fear has passed. We need to learn to accept the reality of His love for us, so that our fears do not control us. If you're afraid of facing a person or a situation in your life, God's love can help you put your fears to rest.

5.     1 Corinthians 6:11. Take inventory of what you have in Christ as a person who is washed, sanctified, and justified.

6.     Matthew 10:29-31. Do not fear the circumstances because God values his people greatly. His involvement, power, control, meticulousness, and wisdom prove he highly values us.

7.     Psalm 139:13-14. Devote yourself to worship and praise God for victory. I will dedicate myself to God’s praise because he is my Creator and I marvel at his exploits.

III.        God Wants Us to Place our Faith in Him in the Most Unique and Complete Way.

A.    This Involves an Inner Trust. Psalm 62:1, says, “My soul waiteth upon God”….

1.     “My soul” speaks of the inner life or a person…the seat of our emotions and passions and the activity of the mind. Trusting God includes the essence of the real me. I cannot fake this or pretend with him…this must come from my soul…my heart and resolve are to be available NOW! My expectations, my inner life, my interior being is present instantly, attentively, and immediately! Fix your mind and heart on the Lord. Focus on him instead of your fears and insecurities. He provides a healthy place to concentrate your thoughts and emotions.

2.     “Waiteth” points to rest or finding rest. It is a silent, still, repose of still waiting quietly on the Lord for deliverance.

a.      To wait quietly entails believing God will triumph someday if not today. In his timing he will make thing right. I am to get out of the way but be responsible to trust him to exercise good judgment, fairness, and justice.

b.     Why wait on the Lord? The Psalmist speaks of the longings of his soul when he says, “My soul waiteth upon God” (Psalm 62:1). This recognizes God’s authority which helps me to be patient and to anticipate God’s work/timing with assurance. Waiting is also about what we will become as we wait. In calling us to wait, God is rescuing us from our bondage to our own plan, our own wisdom, our own power, our own control. Then we wait because the Lord has orchestrated our lives; our times are in the hands of the Lord, and we know it. We are hemmed in by God, totally given over to Him.

c.      What is the power of waiting upon the Lord? Waiting upon the Lord prepares us to receive the blessings He wants to give us. God will fulfill His promises in our lives, and as we wait patiently, we will receive what he promised (Heb. 6:15; Ps. 37:9; Matt. 5:5). Trust him to renew spiritual strength, the strength to endure, stand and carry on.

B.    This Involves a Complete Trust. Again Psalm 62:1, says, “upon God”

1.     “God” in this verse is viewed as our Creator, Ruler, and Judge. This is not merely waiting on anyone or anything, but our unique Creator, Ruler, and Judge, Elohim alone and only (see also verse 2, 5, 6-8). The one who created me for himself, rules over me by his standard, and who holds me accountable is worthy of our trust. Our help is the all-powerful eternal God of heaven!

2.     Then in Psalm 62:2, it says, “He only is my rock and my salvation” then verse 5, says, “my soul, wait thou only upon God.” Rest in God alone, because “my expectation” or hope “is from him” that is it comes from Him. God is our only true refuge!

3.     Compare verse 2, “I shall not be greatly moved” with verse 6, “I shall not be moved”, and we immediately notice an improvement or a progression. The Psalmist moves from a more tenuous condition to a position of assurance and affirmation. We can expect to follow a similar pattern as we grow in our ability to trust God completely with our fears and insecurities. God is pleased with such growth.

 Conclusion:

As we end this thought, we are often tempted to give in to our fears and insecurities, but the Lord presents Himself as the only viable alternative to our fears. Whether insecurities related to physical appearance, spiritual growth, relationships, financial stability, or even professional skills, Psalm 62 says trust God instead. David asserted to us that the Eternal God of heaven is the Source of his personal security, therefore he could not be shaken!  

Finally, one more truth about trust should be observed. The evidence that we all have sinned is the fact that we die physically. Physical death is also indicative of a human condition of pervasive spiritual separation from God. Eternal death is suffering forever in the Lake of Fire.

God promises to save all who will acknowledge their sins to Him while trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior. You see, sin is defined as violations of God’s Laws. We have put idols before the true and living God. We are guilty of taking God’s Name in vain. We have not honored our parents fully and always. We have not treated people with real love and respect exclusively. We do not measure up to the perfection of God’s standard of morality. We NEED His forgiveness...He offers us forgiveness not condemnation. With this being the case...condemnation is something you chose by refusing Christ.

We are all guilty of transgressing God’s Law. We all have gone beyond the limitations established by God in the Bible, and as a result we must now be punished for our awful sin. We are all facing the death penalty. The only hope is God’s forgiveness made available to each of us through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Beloved, it was Jesus who died for our sins, was buried because he actually did die and satisfied the death penalty against sin. He also rose again the third day exactly as he repeatedly stated he would. Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, sin, and Satan through his cross and resurrection. He is alive to save you if you turn to him confessing your sin and receiving his sacrifice for you (Rom. 10:8-17). Trust the living Lord Jesus as Savior to be forgiven as God promised. 

Jesus is not motivated to condemn, but to help us see our incredible need for God’s forgiveness. Do not put your trust in a church, a membership, a denominational affiliation, a ritual or ceremony, a work of service, yourself, or a religious creed. These methods will only fail…. Trust Jesus, the Savior.

Storm-Walking Power

MATT. 14:22-33

Subject: Life’s Trials

Theme: Dynamic and triumphant living recognizes the presence and power of Christ, even in the storms.

Matt 14:22-33

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.     33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (KJV)

Introduction: Responding with rock-solid faith in Jesus Christ is the alternative to fearful responses to life’s storms. Recognizing His Presence and Power replaces the coward’s heart with a champion’s heart. Continuous or chronic defeat rooted in our fears, worries, anxieties, and perplexities can be a matter of our history beginning today. Remember our Lord Christ inspires the weary storm-tossed believer to envision a life of triumph in spite of the troubles. You see, the faith that overcomes fears, obeys Christ’s commands, attempts the impossible, and experiences Christ great enabling power is for every genuine child of God. Beloved, you and I need to cultivate great confidence in the Presences and Power of Jesus. In the incident of the disciples, it is Jesus who moved them from fear to faith. How can we be transformed by the power of Christ’s presence during life’s challenges? How can we become “Storm-Walking Christians?”

Thesis Statement: To become “Storm-Walking Christians” we must Hear Christ’s Command, Attempt the Impossible, and Experience His Power.

This is the last of a three part series on Storm-Walking with Jesus. After we hear Christ's command and attempt the impossible, we are in the correct position to....

Message:

Experience Jesus’ Power in the Storm (Matt. 14:29-32).

Peter’s impulsive request led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God’s power. Jesus’ presence in the storm inspired Peter to implement a fearless faith to attempt the impossible. Jesus gives him the power to obey. Jesus said to Peter, “Come!” And then He granted him the ability to walk on water to Him. Peter did not have this ability in himself, but he was enabled to walk on water in direct response to Jesus’ command. Peter asked to do what Jesus was doing; he wanted to share in Jesus’ power! By doing so he walked on a massive storm at sea! So what are the possibilities for us today? Well, we can....

Experience Christ’s Power to Enable (14:29).

We should never waste time, energy, or opportunity wondering if God can empower us to execute any of His commands or requirements.

Do Not Hesitate To Obey What God Tells You To Do In The Midst Of Your Storm. While we want to be sure we have God's guidance before we act, once He has spoken to our hearts it is time to take action. God's people should be people of decisive action. The more we know the Old Book the better we can determine what God expects of us in a given situation.

Bring All of Christ’s Enabling Resources to Bear as You Respond to His Will.

We may experience God’s Power through Prayer. Peter’s little walk on the water began with a simple prayer request— “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come”—but what a powerful development it was as he defied the laws of nature and entered the realm of the power of God (See Acts 4:29-33). Through prayer we can experience miraculous life-changing power to defy our fears and hesitations to become actively obedient and to be empowered to transcend the mundane.

We can also experience God’s Power through Yielding. In 2Corinthians 12:9, Paul the Apostle says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The Christian life is humanly impossible without yielding to Christ’s grace. Without such strengthening grace we are left with meaningless pain, debilitating suffering, and the harsh limitations imposed by our conditions. However, through the grace of Christ we can know power in spite of our incredible weaknesses. We can live beyond our infirmities in the power of Christ. Our obligation is to yield to His will, His authority, and His right to do His perfecting work in His people. Let Him have His way with you, and He will work powerfully through you.

Christians may experience God’s Power through the Holy Spirit’s Activity in Us. Doctor Luke tells us of Christ’s promise in Acts 1:8, saying, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you….” The Holy Spirit empowers and equips us to carry out God’s commands. This is fundamentally power for witnessing throughout the entire world during our generation. We can overcome our general reluctance to engage people about spiritual matters in obedience to Christ. The Spirit of God generates godly boldness, love, and passion in the yielded heart propelling us into evangelistic ministry and endeavors. The same could be said for spiritual growth and maturation. Beloved, the Christian life, like walking on water, is humanly impossible. It can only be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit.         

Then lastly, we can experience God’s Power through confidence in Christ. Like Peter we can become distracted by the magnificence of a storm, but we really must learn to remain captivated by the majesty, grace, force, power, and will of Christ our Lord. Beloved, Jesus is the most, the highest, the greatest, the excellent, and there is nothing above or beyond Him. He truly can handle anything and everything! Look at Him…He is walking on a monster storm at sea! He is above it! He is superior to it! It cannot frustrate or intimidate Him. He is gloriously Lord Almighty…even in the storms! As long as we look away from every other distraction to Jesus alone (Heb. 12:2), we can experience the supernatural life. He gives us the courage, the strength, and the ability we need to act in obedience. Train your eyes on Jesus in the Word, Jesus at the Father’s right hand in Heaven, and Jesus who is coming again in awesome power and you will make it through any storm-walking challenge.

“Expect great things from God; Attempt Great Things for God”—William Carey             

William Carey is known as the Father of Modern Missions because he literally lived out his belief that the gospel should be preached to people of other cultures and countries.   

Before there was an extensive world missions movement and before there were any independent missions societies, and before there were any recruits for missionary work on foreign soil, William Carey was passionately declaring that there was a biblical mandate for cross-culture evangelism. He was a true pioneer in that he undertook missions work without any established guidelines, or without any individual to serve as a pattern of success or failure that he could consult with or draw from. 

Yet, by the grace of God, he developed an all-encompassing program involving spiritual, educational, social, and evangelistic activities setting a pattern of a well-rounded missionary model of missionary work.  He served for forty years as a missionary in China planting indigenous churches and translating the Bible into several languages. He personified his sermon from Isaiah to, “Expect great things from God; Attempt Great Things for God.” He was indeed a ‘water walker!’        

           

Experience Christ’s Power to Rescue (14:30-31).

Doubt is giving credence to our fears and providing a workshop for the devil. Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty and a lack of convictions. It is the position of not knowing what to do; a condition of being unsure. When doubt is stronger than our faith we lose confidence in God. We question His promises and feed our fears forgetting what we should know about God and His Word. We in effect place a question mark where God placed a period. If this condition remains unchecked or uncorrected it can paralyze us and reduce us to slaves of our disbelief. When you think about it…doubt is a violent insult upon the integrity and faithfulness of God! It is unbelief that calls an honest God a liar! In this account Peter's doubt was feed by the conditions and circumstances around him. He took his eyes off the Lord Jesus and focused on the storm. This is why he sunk!

Deliverance can swiftly when Peter cried out to the Lord Jesus in humble trust. Peter’s faith was challenged, therefore as he sank, he frantically cried to the Lord for help. “Lord, save me!” When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Christ, the only one who could help. He was afraid, but he still looked to Christ. When you are apprehensive about the troubles around you and doubt Christ’s presence or ability to help, remember that He is the only one who can really help.                                                    

Immediately the Lord caught him, saving him from drowning in the waves. Jesus’ immediate response showed Peter that divine assistance and power are present in times of testing. Jesus will not only come to you in the storm, but He will make a difference in the storm. Though we struggle with doubts and fears, He is still with you and He will never forsake you. This is especially true in the storms of life. You do not endure them alone.

You may feel like you are sinking under the waves of pressure, debt, temptations, parenting, failures, and rejection, but our Storm-Walking Lord Jesus is always there. Look to Him! We too must cry out to Christ for deliverance, restoration, and divine enabling. There is power for deliverance in the storms!

Discovery is a wonderful part of the Storm-Walking experience. This experience was difficult for Peter, but it helped him to grow in his knowledge of himself and of the Lord. Beloved, we really get to know the Lord as we walk with Him through the storms! It is equally true that we can discover a great deal about ourselves. Some of it will be honoring and other discoveries will be surprising. All of these realizations can prove to be healthy. The storms of life are not easy, but they are necessary. They teach us to trust Jesus Christ alone and to obey His Word no matter what the circumstances may be. It has well been said, “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence.” Our Lord Jesus can rescue us from doubts, deliver us from our fears, and help us discover truths about Him and ourselves.

Beloved, recognizing the Lord’s Presence in the Storm will inspire faith, generate security, embolden the timid to attempt the impossible, and avail Christ’s power to triumph over the storms of life. Fear, intimidation, mediocrity, doubts, and frustration have stolen many believers desire to live the impossible life. They do not realize that acknowledging Christ’s Presence and Power in the Storm is the difference between discouragement and dynamic living.

What do you fear? Is it yourself...failure…success…sacrifice…the unknown…making mistakes…what people may say or think? I want to encourage you to never allow your fears to define you. Focus on Jesus and He will empower you to live the impossible life to His glory!

Conclusion: In the final analysis, Christ aims to grow and strengthen our faith and He will use the storms of life to achieve His grand design. Yes, there is power and help to actually grow through the storms. This was a major purpose for this storm—to help the disciples mature in their faith. Nothing makes our doubts surface like a serious test of our faith! Because of the storms we become aware of our true level of faith, and we have the opportunity to become more aware of our Lord’s faithfulness. We also come away knowing WHO we believe! Such awareness heightens and encourages our confidence in Him.

In the context of Matthew 14, Jesus would one day leave His disciples, and they would face many storms in their ministries. It was necessary for them to learn to trust Him even though He was not physically present with them, and even though it looked as though He did not care. On this occasion they grew in their faith…especially Peter who walked on a storm.

Jesus came early that morning with unexpected help and encouragement during the disciples’ time of desperate need—they were in a life threatening storm at sea. Beloved, their need was real; their fears were real, and their energies were depleted. But in the presence of Jesus, fear must give way to faith.

When Jesus arrived, he made a huge difference! Because of Jesus—all he taught, all he did—your life is different now! You're not alone. You have a heavenly Father, a living Savior, and a powerful Comforter. All the problems that beset you are now theirs as well. In the face of every problem, each heartbreak, every troubling diagnosis . . . Hear Christ’s Command, Attempt the Impossible, and Experience His Power!

I believe it was R. A. Torrey who said, “The first result of walking with God is great joy, abounding joy, and secondly, a great sense of security, of abiding peace.” Beloved, peace can be yours also…even in the middle of the storm. Trust the Lord and walk with Him still…even through the storms at sea. Through faith in Christ Jesus we become storm-walking Christians whose lives are empowered by Him.