Good morning dear friends.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 14:22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Today's thought is not original. It comes from a great conversation I had with The Rev. Tom Monroe, a stewardship strategist with a company based in Atlanta. Tom was a pastor on the staff at First Baptist Dallas, one of the country's biggest Baptist churches. One of his church members sold real estate and once while cleaning a home to sell, she came across some books by a Methodist preacher. Tom said he received these as gifts and in one he came across a passage that touched his heart. It concerns the above passage about the miracle of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. That Methodist preacher wrote (and I left that name at the office!) that while we know this story well, he came to an understanding that the only one who was in the most secure place was Peter. The eleven were in a boat probably built by their own hands, and it was a product made of wood, tar, and pitch. The waves or the wind could easily sink the boat and take them to the bottom of the sea. Peter, on the other hand, was in the arms of Jesus and this writer asks, "Who can break the arms of God?"
The answer is of course, no one. But we try! We find ourselves at times trying hard and we act like we're almost to the bottom of the sea, but in reality if we have faith and if we have placed ourselves in God's arms, there is no one nor anything that can break the arms of God.
What a secure feeling and thought: You and I are in the arms of God! Friends, there is no better place to be!
What a secure feeling and thought: You and I are in the arms of God! Friends, there is no better place to be!
PRAYER: Loving God of all strength, thank You for Your hold on our lives. If one of us is feeling like we're almost at the bottom of the sea, lift us up! If one of us is feeling like we're slipping out of that firm grip that is Yours, tighten it! No one can break Your arms! We pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
PS Many leave today for Fort Worth for the start of General Conference. I start work early tomorrow with the committee on which I serve and every day will be a long day with lots to do. Pray that God would bring His strength, joy and peace to us all. Thank you!
