Christian Lessons for Everyday Life 

Ships without a Sail

 Prayerfully you will be inspired and feel empowered to live according to God's word by reading the Bible. Be assured that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father sent in his name shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. John

SCRPTURE: Matt 14

In this scripture we see Jesus speaking to the disciples while in the midst of a turbulent storm. This particular storm occurred after Jesus had fed the 5000 men beside women and children. Take note that the scripture says Jesus really fed more than 5000 which is another lesson. Atter, they had eaten there were still fragments that miraculously filled 12 baskets. Jesus constrained the disciples to go to the other side while he finished with the multitude. He then went into the mountain to pray which resulted in darkness however, Jesus proceeded to where the disciples were. He entered into the turbulence of a storm but in the fourth hour of the night Jesus went to them walking on the sea. (4: 26) The disciples were troubled thinking he was a spirit. Jesus told them to be of good cheer that it was him and not to be afraid. Peter answered him and said if it is you bid me to come to you on the water. Reminds you of doubting Thomas! Jesus said COME and he did, Peter started to walk but when he saw the winds fury, he was afraid and began to sink and cry out Lord save me (4:30) Jesus immediately stretched forth his hand and caught him and said to him oh ye of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Biblical Application

Peter stepped of the boat like a ship with a sail. The sail is the large piece of material usually white in color that helps to propel the ship with the direction of the Sailer. The sails are made of different material in different sizes for different ships and positioned so that one is in the front of the ship and one in the back. The main function of the sail is to provide direction.  Jesus told Peter to come. So Peter stepped out of the boat with his eyes on Jesus, the sail who provided him direction.  Naturally Peter knew that he was stepping out into a large body of water, but he obviously was not concerned with that. He was bold, confident and focused with his eyes on Jesus. He believed and hoped in Him to walk out. The confidence Peter had when he stepped is what is needed to trust God to handle an issue or adversity that you may experience. When you take your eyes off of Jesus you lose sense of direction, you become like a ship without a sail that is just floating or being violently tossed about without destination. But you must look to Jesus for your help. There is so much going on in the world today that may cause you to become distracted and take your eyes off of God, lose faith, become tired and weary before God moves on your behalf but you must hold on. Matt. 11:28 says Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus's hand is extended to you, It is an open invitation to rest from any burdens, sin or sorrow that you may feel.

 Matt. 23:4 says that man cannot move any burden with one finger. So do not trouble yourself for things which you cannot do anything about. There may be the sense that resolution has to be found immediately, go to God in prayer. Do not get caught up in tactics of Satan who has a way of magnifying your situation, stealing your joy and happiness, causing you to doubt God to resolve you situation.  No matter what a thing looks like trust God, greater is he that is within you than he (the devil) that is in the world. 

John 4:4 Be encouraged that God is able to see you through whatever you are going through, nothing is too hard for him. Hold on to you are more than a conquer through Christ Jesus who loves you Romans 8:37. We have victory over Satan, and the world with its afflictions and persecutions in it. You must believe that you are victorious, change your mind set from the negative and focus on the things of God. Like the supernatural power that allowed Peter to walk on the water, you have that same sense of direction and power to overcome any adversity with the faith and the power of the God.