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(Read Mat 14:22-32)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” For the last few messages we have been looking at the importance of renewing your mind in order to accept and experience the grace of God. The more I think about this, the more critical I believe it is for us to be able to live the supernatural life the Father wants us to live. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the account of Peter walking on water.
In Matthew 14, after Jesus fed the 5,000, He sent the people home, He sent His disciples over to the other side of the lake on a boat, and He spent some alone time with the Father in prayer. While Jesus was praying the wind picked up and the disciples found themselves battling strong waves. About three o’clock in the morning, while the disciples were tired and somewhat weary, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. The disciples were terrified and in fear they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once and said, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” We could stop right there and simply talk about the fact that God does not want us to live in fear. The Bible says, “Fear not,” “Do not fear,” “Do not be afraid,” or something like it, over 300 times. It is clear that the Lord does not want us to live in fear, because fear cancels out our faith. But what happened next is the part we want to focus in on.
Once Peter heard what he believed to be Jesus’ voice and He saw that Jesus was actually walking on water, Peter said, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Jesus simply replied, “Come.” And with that simple Word from Jesus, Peter climbed over the side of the boat, he stepped down into the water, and he actually performed the supernatural. Peter walked on water towards Jesus. We don’t know how many steps he was able to take, but it did not take long for Peter to start to factor in the natural. The Bible says that when Peter saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. Now notice what Jesus said next. This is key. Jesus said, “You have so little faith, why did you doubt me?”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God gives you the desire to want to live a supernatural life. Peter desperately wanted to be like Jesus. Consequently, he was the only disciple to even want to get out of the boat. The more you walk with God, the more dissatisfied you will become with the routine and the mundane, and the more you will develop a desire to live a supernatural life, by God’s grace.
2. You are supposed to live like Jesus lived. Jesus did not get offended when Peter expressed a desire to want to do what He was doing (walking on water). And the Father will not get offended when you ask Him to use you to do things that exceed your human ability. The Father wants you be just like Jesus and He will freely give you His power to accomplish His Kingdom plans and purposes in the earth. So don’t think you are bothering God when you pray. Dream big dreams, pray supernatural prayers, and get ready to live the life God wants you to live.
3. It takes a renewed mind to even attempt the supernatural. You will never walk on water if you do not get out of the boat. You will never hit a home run if you do not take a swing. You will never experience the supernatural if you never even attempt it. So get God’s Word down in your heart and ask Him to renew your mind to the point where you are ready to attempt to live beyond human limits.
4. Human reason and logic will keep you from operating in the supernatural. Peter actually did it. By faith Peter tapped into God’s grace to walk on water. But it did not take long for him to factor in the natural considerations. Naturally speaking, he was breaking the law of gravity. Naturally speaking, he was walking on water in the midst of a storm. So when Peter started to consider the natural, he broke his connection to the supernatural. Don’t allow human reasoning and logic to keep you from experiencing God’s supernatural power.
We will stop here for today and continue this story tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, the more I study Your grace, the more I realize the supernatural power You freely make available to me. You want to use me for Your glory. You want me to live a life beyond human limitations. You want to manifest Your glory through me in ways that are undeniably supernatural. And I am developing a desire to want to do it; not so I can get noticed, not so I can get credit, and not for me at all. This is all about You and what You want to do in the earth. So Father, I open my heart to the supernatural. I die to self, to the point where I am ready to be used of You however You see fit. I will no longer hinder You from operating through me. I thank You for my education and I appreciate all that I have learned in this world. My education helps me to understand this realm and to function in the earth. But You don’t want me to live my life limited to what I have received by education alone. You want to do things through me that are far beyond human logic and reasoning, and I am open to receive everything You want to do. And when I start doing it, when I start living the supernatural life, I know I will have to resist the thoughts that will tell me that what I am doing is not possible. I won’t do what Peter did. Peter factored in the natural and it cut him off from the supernatural. My hunger and thirst for You is so strong that I will not allow natural thoughts to keep me from the supernatural power You freely give me by Your amazing grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
