Leaning on the Lord By Charles Stanley Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” –Matthew 14:22-23 God is calling us—His children—to take certain risks. He wants us to stop playing it safe and to step out in obedience. While doing so creates uncertainty in our lives, there are some things of which we can be confident. • We will be challenged. Whether it’s because of complex relationships, hard work, or situations requiring greater faith, God will stretch us. As we take risks, we may feel doubt, indecision, and fear. Or, we might think we’re incapable or inadequate. These aren’t reasons to refuse God’s assignment; they are opportunities to trust the Lord. • We can count on God’s presence. It is impossible for believers to live a single day without the presence of God. (Heb. 13:5) The relationship we have with Him through Jesus Christ is permanent. Our Father’s love for us is deep and abiding, and His promises are sure. When He calls us to venture outside our “comfort zone,” we can obey because He’s right there at our side. • The Holy Spirit’s enabling power is ours. The Spirit of God lives within each believer and gives us the divine strength to be victorious. When we falter, He strengthens us. When we stumble, He steadies us. And when we fall, He picks us up. What is God asking of you that poses a challenge? Remember that when He says to step out amidst uncertainty and take risks, we can rely on His presence and His power to equip us. If you’ve said yes to the challenge, then you’ve become a risk-taker for God!
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 10:47:54 +0000