Immediate Distraction (Jn. 21:20-23)

Read John 21:20-23.

Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus and being with Him.  In today's verses Peter confirms decisively three times that he loves Jesus.  Jesus reveals how Peter's life will end and then re-issues the original call:  "Follow Me."

Peter asks, "What about this man?"  Distraction!  It doesn't matter what someone else says, thinks or does.  What is your choice?  Following Jesus, though done in and with community, is a personal responsibility.  Get your attention off of events and other people.

Here are some common distractions:

• You can be distracted by another person's future.  You get to "die"; he gets to live.
• You can be distracted by another person's prosperity.  It seems you barely get by; he always seems to have more than enough.
• You can be distracted by another person's success. Everything you touch seems to stagnate or end; everything he touches seems to turn to gold.
• You can be distracted by another person's health.  You get sick often; he appears never to get sick.
• You can be distracted by another person's privilege.  You don't get that golden opportunity; he does.
• You can be distracted by another person's reputation.  You see yourself as the one who failed Jesus and denied Him; you see a fellow believer as "the disciple whom Jesus loved."

Turn your eyes off of people, off of circumstances and onto Jesus.  Follow the Lamb wherever He goes.  Submit your life.

Great Faith (Mt. 14:22-33)

Read Matthew 14:22-33.

1. Great faith isn't afraid to test or attempt things.  Why?  It knows Jesus is near and acts upon His invitation.
2. Great faith is exercised alone.  No one else stood up and climbed out of the boat with Peter.
3. Great faith is stirred spontaneously at the awareness of Jesus' presence.  There is no record that Peter gave any prior thought to walking on water.
4. Great faith is exercised amid great turbulence.  When Peter got out of the boat, the situation was dark, late and stormy.
5. Great faith can easily become little faith due to distraction.  At the beginning of his walking on water, Peter looked at Jesus only.  Later, Peter looked at the threatening wind.  The way to minimize doubt is to maintain focus on Jesus.

Opportunity Within The Obstacle (Mt. 14:25-33)

Read Matthew 14:25-33.

When the "storm" of life is fierce, and the "wind" of adversity is howling, there could be opportunity for you to do something you never attempted, something others would avoid.  During the storm and wind, Peter walked on water as he responded to Jesus' invitation.  This account ranks as Peter's finest attempt (His sermon in Ac. 2:14-36 isn't bad either.)  One of his finest accomplishments happened in one of his most threatening moments.

Are you in one of life's "storms" right now?  Is the howling "wind" of adversity threatening your hope?  Within the obstacle could be an opportunity.

What Did Peter Have and Where Did He Get It? (Ac. 3:6)

"But Peter said, 'I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!'" (Ac. 3:6, NASB)

Peter couldn't give what he didn't have.  He could only give what he did have.  What did Peter have? He had boldness, courage, faith, power and sensitivity to what God was up to at that moment.

Where did he get these things?  He got them from a lifestyle of communication with God.

Here are a few observations.
1.  The miracle was spontaneous but the preparation wasn't.
2.  The way to prepare for a miracle tomorrow is during prayer today.

PS:  It wouldn't hurt, during your prayer times, to ask God for increased, sensitized hearing.

Going Fishing

Last Thursday I walked the Furnace Brook Trail.  I wonder what lurks beneath the surface?  Opening  Day of trout season can't come soon enough!  This will be one of the first holes I'll fish.

"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.'" (Jn. 21:3)