God's Mighty Men Peter has always been one of my favorite characters in the Bible. He has the faith that I wished I had and the will to take a step out to believe that he can do it. Like him though we may stumble…. Pastor Jason had a great talk about Peter a few years ago at one of GMM Conferences and he reminded me that Peter was not alone when he stepped out of the Boat. There were other Disciples with him and even though they did not follow Peter, they were there to pray and help him. We also need a boat full of men supporting us.
I have really enjoyed ready my most recent book… and this quote got me really thinking and on the Tuesday Night GMM Bible Study we discussed this a little. (I will be sharing some quotes from the book in my Blog – They will be in Bold).
“To Live outside of God’s will puts us in danger: to Live in His will makes us Dangerous.”
There is so much truth in that statement… I have to make sure that I am in constant contact with Christ in my Daily walk to make sure that I am following His will. “The only way that I could truly follow God was to die to myself and to live for him. Only dead men can follow the God of the Cross.” When we have done this – it can get scary – this means we are trusting Jesus in all aspects of our lives. This has been on ongoing work for me – to trust in Him totally with everything. You know God has a way of helping us get there – there will be those circumstance that will REQUIRE that we give it all to Him.
I like one of the sections in this book: Peter Walking on Water:
Matthew 14: 27 > 31a. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
There is a great book about this that is a must read: If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve got to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg – This is a great study for a Men’s Group. As Peter we are going to want to take that Step of Faith into what is invisible to accomplish what God has planned for us. And like him – we may fail and look at the issues at hand instead of at Him. But we must remember – As with Peter – He will Reach out and Catch us.
“To follow Jesus is to engage in the invisible. Who will not shrink back? Who will become an unstoppable Force? Only those that see the invisible!”
One of the scriptures that is used to describe what this looks like comes from the Faith Chapter in Hebrews: 11: 24 > 27 – By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
So it has been one of those years – I am being molded in a way that I have to turn it all over to Him – so that I can be in his Will. I have to tell you it has been adventure that is very Scary and Dangerous at the same time. But it has been an Awesome journey walking with Jesus – I would not give up any of the challenges that have gotten me there.
So what does it look like for you to Be Inside of God’s Will?
Are you willing to give up Self to Live for Him?
It will be an adventure that will make you Dangerous!
Bobbyg
