I ARE JAY D.

Walking on Water

Topic Verse: Matthew 14:25-29 NIV

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.

EXCHANGING PLACES

The disciples were out fishing one night when a huge storm struck. About 3 AM (in the fourth watch), they were terrified by a figure approaching them on the water. Immediately, Jesus spoke, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter answered, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water—to Jesus.

If the Lord does not call you to do it, do not!

There is a story about a man standing at the gates of heaven. Peter says, “Name one great deed you have done.” The man replies, “Well, a gang of bikers was threatening a woman so I smacked them, kicked over their bikes and ripped out their nose rings.” Peter asks, “When did this happen?” The man answers, “About thirty seconds ago!” Just a funny story, eh?

But to walk on water, you must learn to discern between God’s voice and your own impulses.

To experience miracles, you must get out of your comfort zone.

Exchange places with Peter. The storm is raging and he is afraid. The boat is secure and comfortable. Wouldn’t you want to stay there? But you can’t. God designed you to do more than simply avoid failure. He is calling you to step out in faith and accomplish things. You might say, “What’s my boat?” It could be anything you put your faith in when life gets stormy—like a job, your family, or a relationship.

Your boat is anything that stops you from getting out of your comfort zone. Leaving it is the scariest, but most rewarding step you will ever take.

EXPECTING SETBACKS

When Peter was certain it was Jesus who was calling him, he left the security of the boat and entrusted himself to the power of God—so far, so good. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)

You must focus on the Lord, not the storm.

We all know what it is like to see the waves. You begin a new venture—a new project, getting into a new school, meeting new people, or maybe even a new relationship, ministry, or an area of spiritual growth—full of hope. Then you encounter storms and setbacks. Expect it. It is part of the journey of faith! Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

You must feel the fear and do it regardless.

Growth requires taking on new challenges. Each time you do, you will experience fear, because growth and fear goes together. But each time you risk leaving the boat it means you are more likely to do it again. And each time you step out on the water without drowning, you realize that fear no longer has the power over you. On the other hand, each time you resist God’s voice and choose to stay in the boat, His voice become a little quieter until eventually you don’t hear it at all. Wouldn’t it be worth any risk to avoid that?

Furthermore, staying in the boat doesn’t guarantee your safety; it only guarantees you will eventually die from something else. The answer to fear is to get out of the boat a little more each day, until fear loses its hold on you.

TO FAIL OR NOT TO FAIL

Peter discovered what we all discover in our walk with God: just because you sink doesn’t mean you are sunk.

Failing does not make you a failure, quitting does.

Failure is just a part of learning.

“I’ll defeat you yet. You’re as big as you’re going to get, but I’m still growing!”
—Sir Edmund Hilary, on his attempts to scale Mount Everest

“I’ve never failed at anything in my life. I was simply given another opportunity to get it right.”
—Winston Churchill

The real failures were the ones who stayed in the boat.

They failed quietly and privately. Their failure went unnoticed and un-criticized. Although Peter crashed and burned publicly, he experienced the euphoria of walking on the water. He alone knew how it felt to be empowered by God to do what he could never have done by himself.

Once you have walked on water, you are never the same. Peter would take this moment to his grave! He also experienced the joy of being lifted by Jesus in a moment of despair. Peter knew, in a way others could not, that if he sank, Jesus would be there to save him. He shared a moment, a connection, a trust the others did not. How could they, when they never left the boat?

Failure does not come from sinking. It comes from letting your fears stop you. So what’s stopping you now?

(Source: twistedrjmnz)

Via Twisted Fairytale

Honing Your Talents

Topic Verse: Ephesians 4:11 – 12 NIV

“It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

LIKE A FRIEND’S GIFT

It’s surprising to know if somebody delights in your gift. On the contrary, it’s disappointing if somebody did not like your gift.

God feels the same way whether we utilize or neglect the perfect gifts He gives us. As a loving Father, He created us with natural abilities and strengths and then, on top of that, bestowed spiritual gifts as well.

God wants you to know your gifts and how to use them because He knows how much it will improve your life.

WHAT WE CAN DO

In receiving these gifts and abilities, we have several choices: We can set them aside in disappointment and pursue something that looks better in our own eyes, we can develop them for personal gain, or we can cultivate and practice them as our own gifts back to God. When it comes to long-term fulfillment, however, we find greatest satisfaction when our gifts and abilities are used as intended, with gratitude to God.

Some people claim they don’t have any special talents or gifts, or they don’t pursue discovering them. But God desires every member of the body of Christ to use the abilities He divinely gave; therefore, each believer has the responsibility to seek out and discover God-given talents. Doing this can jump start a lifetime of enjoyable stewardship and service to God.

HOW I WILL KNOW

One way to recognize our talents is to notice things we excel at and enjoy doing. Another is to ask close friends or family members which areas they see as our strengths. Yet a third is to take one of the various tests that measure our strengths and weaknesses, as well as reveal spiritual gifts.

Gifts come from the Spirit because they are supernatural forms of power that we could not possibly possess on our own. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to accomplish his work. The Lord Jesus calls us to do His service. His life was an example of ministry to others and we are told to do the same. By equipping us with these tools, He makes us His gift to the world. The working from God is energy the Father gives so we can fulfill our callings in our own unique ways.

(Source: spiritualinspiration)

Via Spiritual Inspiration

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