Jesus is the Prize

Scripture: “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.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:28-30 NIV

Observation: Peter  displayed an unwavering faith in the Lord.  “You say the word Lord and I will walk on water.”  Jesus said the word “come.” Peter had his eyes firmly set on Jesus and he did, in deed, walk on water. That is until he realized what he was doing and he felt the wind.  Peter stopped focusing on Jesus and he sank like a stone.

Application: Oh, how like Peter am I?  I have my eyes fixed on the Lord, I know he is in control of my life, I trust him to protect me from evil…then the car breaks down, my wife becomes ill, I have an unexpected tax bill instead of a refund and my attitude goes to pot.  I lose my focus.  I, like Peter, take my eyes off of the Lord.  When I stop focusing on him I make myself vulnerable to Satan’s schemes. He wants to become a wedge between God and me.  He will have the computer die, the gas tank on the remaining car be dry, and the pockets empty because he knows if he can get me thinking about my woes I won’t be thinking about Jesus. What a creep!  I need to refocus. I need to know that Jesus wants me to succeed and that Satan doesn’t.  I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and not the distractions of this world.

Prayer: Father, I have so many blessings. Help me to stop having pity parties for myself and help me to focus on Jesus. He is the prize. I ask this in his name. Amen

Doug