"Change Your View"

   Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
   And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were in trouble, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
   But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
   And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
   So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
   But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
   And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
   And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
   Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." Matthew 14:25-33

Have you ever really wanted to be like Peter? I know I have! The whole idea of doing something this amazing with Jesus is pretty appealing to me. Walking on water, walking in the anointing of God, with signs, wonders, and miracles all that stuff cool God stuff ... definitely has me crying out to Him, "Lord, bid me to..."

I long to be like Peter who was the one and only disciple that dared to ask Jesus to 'bid him to come.' He then responded to that call and actually got out of the boat! Pretty amazing, right? I say that because I know from personal experience, both my own and years of watching others, that most of us have dared to call out to Jesus and asked that we might join Him in some endeavor or another. And the truth is, we all have the best of intentions when we call out to Him, asking Him to use us to further the kingdom. We all have a hearts cry to do big things for Him. That is always the intention! Then comes His response. He bids you to come and now its time to step out of the boat and step into that moment of walking with Him! Trusting Him to help us walk.

I've been thinking about Mark 16:17-18 lately where Jesus said, "And these signs WILL follow those who believe; In My name they WILL cast out demons; they WILL speak with new tongues; they WILL take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they WILL lay hands on the sick and they WILL recover." These words are the words of Jesus to His disciples, to us who are called by His name. They are His words, bidding us to, "Come and do likewise." They question remains WILL we get out of the boat and join Him? Everywhere He went these are the things that He did with never any question about the outcome. Do we believe? Do we act like we believe? Do we have these signs following our 'beliving?' For example, do we, beliving His words, step out in faith and lay hands on the sick? Do we lay hands on them believing that healing will come?

Peter, was out of the boat because He believed and responded when Jesus said, "Come." He was out there walking when he got distracted by the wind and the waves. Suddenly the storm was bigger than being out there with Jesus. When we are laying hands on the sick do we understand that we are responding to His command and trusting Him or do we too get distracted by the sickness or others opinion? Do we truly understand that it is all about Him! He equipped Peter to walk and if we are being obedient to His command He will equip us as well and according to these, His words, its as simple as believing!

When Peter believed, he walked. When he didn't, he sank. "But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Its important to note that as soon as he started to sink he turned to Jesus and it says that just that quick, or rather, immediately "Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Just that quick, Peter's view changed from the storm and once again he was looking up toward Jesus. He will always respond with an outstretched hand to help lift you up, so, how about you? The next time you are being obedient and stepping out, 'laying hands on the sick ...etc.' and you are doubting or feeling less than confident, cause its a big sickness' and your just you, remember to change your view! Stop looking at the wind and waves and what you can't do! Instead, look up! His is the healing/helping hand that gets it done!