going for a walk?
"He came walking toward them on the water." —Mark 6:48
In the Gospels, we see Jesus walking on the water on several occasions. Once He got into the boat and the wind died down (Mk 6:51). Another time, the boat miraculously covered the three miles to the shore in one second (Jn 6:21). On another occasion, at Peter's request, Jesus commanded Peter to walk on the water with Him (Mt 14:28-29). The gospels seem to indicate that we have something to say about what effect the water-walking Jesus has on us.
Most of us think of only one thing when we're in a storm. We want peace and safety, and that's what we get, and all that we get. If we had more faith, we would be open to Jesus doing more. The Lord is willing to get us somewhere fast, to accelerate our growth in holiness, to speed up our efforts to evangelize, and even to hasten His final coming (2 Pt 3:12).
Few Christians have the faith and boldness of Peter. We're content to sit in the boat and watch Jesus walk on water, but we could join Him if we requested it. We could walk on the waters of sin and evil. We could even quickly crush Satan under our feet (Rm 16:20). Let's go for a walk with Jesus.
Prayer: Father, by faith may I walk on water and not sink. On this Epiphany, give all Christians a new and deeper faith.
Promise: "We should have confidence on the day of judgment; for our relation to this world is just like His. Love has no room for fear." —1 Jn 4:17-18
Praise: Walter received the gift of praising the Lord in tongues the night before he was to give a talk at a Life in the Spirit Seminar.
Reference: (Is your faith starting to slip a little through adversity and trials? Order our tape Hold Fast to the Faith on audio AV71-1 or video V-71.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012
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