BELIEVE

Well, here is my thought for the day..... Matthew 14:22-32 (Please get your Bible and read)

Webster's dictionary defines the word BELIEVE in this way...to credit with veracity; have confidence in; trust.

The scripture above is about BELIEVING, but maybe not about belief in God, but God's belief in you. The question is do you trust God's belief in you not do you believe in God.

So the story goes something like this.... Peter and the other disciples are out in the boat. Jesus told them that he would meet them later and in fact he did. Scripture says that the disciples were in the boat when it was getting late and after a rest Jesus walked out on the water to meet them. Of course they were a little freaked out because who would not be. I mean, have you ever watched anyone walk on the water?.... I didn't think so. So anyway, the disciples are thinking they are all seeing things, I can only imagine their conversation.... hey do you see that, see what, that person walking on the water,,,, dude you are crazy, you are seeing things,... no dude someone is walking on the water, wow, maybe we are seeing ghost.... Ghost, are you crazy there are no ghost.... anyway, you get the picture. The fact is, it was Jesus and Peter suspected it. Peter even tested it. Peter says, hey Jesus if that is you then call me and I will come to you.... and then it happens.... Jesus says "it is me, come" and without hesitation scripture says that Peter tore off his robe and jumped over the side of the boat.... AND WALKED!!!!!

Peter was walking on the water. Now of course scripture says that once Peter took his eyes off Jesus and saw the wind and waves he began to sink, but truly that is not the point of this story. I mean think about it. Peter says to Jesus (who is walking on the water) if it is you tell me to come and Jesus did. Jesus said come on Peter, join me. Now do you think Jesus would have ever suggested to Peter to do something that Jesus did not BELIEVE Peter could do? Jesus called Peter to him because He knew that Peter could do it, if for no other reason, because Jesus called him to. Jesus BELIEVED in Peter, because He BELIEVED in the power of his own presence. Jesus knows that anything he calls us to do we can do or he would not call us at all.

So as the story goes, Peter begins to sink and Jesus immediately saves him and ask the question, "Peter why do you doubt me". He is not asking Peter why he doubts Jesus, he is asking Peter why he doubts Jesus' decision to call him. Jesus really wants to know why it is that Peter doubts his own ability to walk when Jesus is the one to encourage him to walk on the water in the first place... He really wants to know, Peter, why do you not BELIEVE in yourself and what I can do through you if I BELIEVE in you.

That same question could be asked of us. Do you believe in yourself and what God has called you to do or be? Do you believe that Jesus only called you because He BELIEVES in you. When I consider the iCOUNT challenge... making a difference in the world, I know it can only happen if You believe in the You that Jesus believes in. I mean think about it, yes Peter got distracted and began to sink, but He is the only one to ever walk on the water. Yes the wind and the waves came while he was walking, but the hand of Jesus was there to save him. The other disciples, well they did not experience sinking, but they also didn't experience walking. Besides it is in the sinking that Peter felt the hand of Christ. So I say to you, wouldn't you rather experience water walking than boat sitting. What good is it to watch someone else make a difference when you yourself could be the one changing the world. Truly, you only have one life to live... and one heart to give... Make it count!!!

Jesus BELIEVES in you and what he can do through you. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? What do you BELIEVE about you? What do you BELIEVE about what he BELIEVES about you?

Jesus wants you to get out of the boat!!

Make it count.