WHAT'S KEEPING YOU IN THE BOAT?

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29

Jesus gave Peter a clear command to COME out of the boat onto the water. Is Jesus calling you from the boat today? Has Jesus been calling you from the boat? Ask God to give you the faith today to step out of the boat. For Peter and many of us getting out of the boat wasn't the finish. Once on the water Peter began to lose that brave faith he had upon Jesus command to COME.

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:30

Not only is Jesus calling us out of the boat, he is calling us to continue our focus on him when we are on the water. Peter had the faith to get out of the boat, however he began to focus on his surroundings, which caused him to fear for his life. Many of us are able to step out of the boat, but once out of the boat we take our focus off Jesus and see the storms of life around us. Today if you have stepped out of the boat and like Peter you are focusing on the storms, call out to God and ask him to help you!

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31

When we lack faith in times of trouble and even when we are faithful to step out of the boat and we lose our focus on Jesus, if we are willing to call out to him and ask him to help us, he will be faithful in rescuing us. After Jesus stretched his arm out and rescued Peter and brought him into the boat, he questioned his faith and doubt as he was walking on the water. On this earth we all will have times of doubt and lack of faith during storms or struggles. So don't focus so much on trying to avoid the storms and trials. Don't beat yourself up when you struggle to have the faith necessary in the storm. Instead put your focus on Jesus, call out to Him during your storm and allow Him to reach out and rescue you!