WALK ON WATER
Today’s Reading: Matthew 14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A calm settles on the Sea of Galilee, just after a storm.
Key Verse: Matthew 14:31
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Peter, the man of faith and doubt, boldness and fear, is one of us. His faith carried him out of the boat, but his doubt immediately brought big problems. Don’t be too hard on Peter. Those still in the boat were safe, but they missed a great experience with Jesus. On the walk back to the boat, I think Jesus held Peter, and Peter surely hung onto Jesus for dear life. Later Peter’s memory was greatly improved by the power of the Holy Spirit. The result – faith and boldness marked his total life. Are you willing to sink and look like a big fool? Or are you just playing it safe?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I know You won’t let me down as I let go of the boat and start walking. Grant me the grace to attempt the humanly impossible. May I not be discouraged by the comments of those still in the boat. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
There are several things that could’ve sunk the ministry of Crossroads. Check out our history. The money was not on hand to do any of these major initiatives (e.g. Pavilions in four World Expositions). In two of the Expos, we were sinking, but Jesus was there to catch us. He had said, as He did to Peter, “Come.” As leader, I had stepped out of the boat, and so did our Board of Directors, as did our fellow team members, and our supporting partners. In Spain alone (Expo ’92), at least 53,000 people registered decisions for Christ. The Archbishop of Seville said weeping, “My people, my people need this message.”
Yours for walking on water,
David
P.S. Today is Father’s Day. I’m preaching later this morning at “The Church on the Queensway,” Toronto, at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services (click here for information on this great church that seats 4,000). Some readers will remember that last August I featured a question from my great-grandson, Myles, who was 5 years old at the time. Many responded with answers to his question. I have chosen 50 of those answers and Sheryl Neilson, Myles’ mother and my granddaughter, put them into a book, complete with lots of pictures. I hope to present this to Myles as a surprise during the services (click here for the blog that resulted in the book for Myles and note all the comments from readers at the bottom).
Happy Fathers Day, Dad’s! This can sometimes be a difficult time of year. Fathers do express their love differently than mothers. In many cases, the sense of love, pride and affection for our children are equally immeasurable. Yet, it is a fact in prisons that Mother’s Day cards are in high demand while Father’s Day cards are rarely requested. Lord, help us Dad’s to express our unconditional love for our children. May we convey in times we are apart that our hearts hold them closely and our prayers for their safety and protection are lifted daily to our Heavenly Father. Our Lords blessings and strength, to all!
Very beautiful and true David. Thanks for saying this.
What stood out to me in this chapter was that these things all happened after Jesus knew that John the Babtist had been beheaded. More than once, Jesus wanted to be alone, I think because of his grief, but every time the crowds pressed in for help, he set his grief aside and out of compassion, ministered to the crowds; healing them and eventually feeding the five thousand, before he proceeded on his journey. I believe he works the same way today.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the fathers out there and GOD BLESS YOU. Sounds like a great day at the Queensway Church!
I searched The Church on the Queensway’s websites yesterday as I had remembered you mentioning that you would be speaking. We drive people to church every week so arrangements would have to be made for them. I could not get the info & will be missing your message. (maybe some of it will be on 100 Huntley this week). Happy Fathers’ Day.
Like Our Heave, y Father He catches us when we fall to help us back up and start all over again
Fathers of the world today
knoe God hears when you pray
And you are not alone
to raise this little one on your own
He gives you strength from on high
to make you be that special guy
we call Dad
HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE DADS GRAND DADS
MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH JOY FROM YOU LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS
♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥¡♥¡♥♥♥♡♥¡♥¡♥¡♥¡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥
Stunning photo of the calm after the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Just like Peter, we fall short of completely trusting and having pure faith and belief to walk on water with Jesus. Our human nature is to doubt and be fearful. He gives us the power. Holding onto Your cloak, our precious Saviour!
For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. Gen 41:52
It Isn’t Raining Rain To Me
by Robert Loveman
It isn’t raining rain to me, it’s raining daffodils;
In every dimpled drop I see wild flowers on the hills.
The clouds of grey engulf the day and overwhelm the town –
It isn’t raining rain to me, it’s raining roses down.
It isn’t raining rain to me, but fields of clover bloom
Where any buccaneering bee may find a bed and room,
A health unto the happy, a fig for him who frets –
It isn’t raining rain to me, it’s raining violets.
Happy Father’s Day and God bless you as you preach the Word this morning, David Mainse! Have a blessed day, dear saints!
Love the picture of the Sea of Galilee.
How devastating for John the Baptist to be treated so badly for speaking the truth.
We need courage to try to walk on water, especially if we’re in over our heads. With age and experience the courage seems to come.
What a blessing the book will be to Myles all his life. Such a glorious gift. He must think you are the greatest great-grandfather ever Rev. DM.
Happy Fathers Day to all the dads! May our heavenly Father be your role model.
This is a tribute to all the men and women in military service who are our allies. Very fitting for Fathers Day.
Mansions!
Welcome home David.M. Happy father’s day….R…
Welcome home Pastor David and thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. What a welcome team!!!!!
Happy Father’s Day to all those dads out there.
I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father who accepts me when I come to him after I have not been the child He wants me to be. Forgiveness in Jesus!!
p.s. Melissa I have prayed for you in the loss of your beloved child and I know as you lean hard on the Saviour, He will comfort you and give you that peace Jesus promised us, and He will never leave you. Blessings to you.
Reynold Mainse…the spectacular colours you manage to catch in your photos are absolutely amazing!!! a great gift. Thank you again for God’s spectacular display:)
Thank you Rev. David Mainse for your illustration of the Apostle Peter’s life…I too pray I will not only be willing to step out of the boat, but to actually do so and to keep my eyes on Jesus, and trust Him to catch me when I fall.
Was interesting to read the various comments to Myles your great-grandson. A a special keep-sake for him to have.