Lawnmowers Or Motorcycles?

The word “walk” in the Bible often symbolizes the way in which we live; the way we act; and the way we conduct ourselves. It often depicts life as a journey, and it shows that Christians are people who travel around to other places.

To ‘walk by faith’ is actually to live in the ’confident expectation of things yet to come’ your way. The people of this world are influenced by things they can see. They live for wealth, power, possessions, and for the things this world can offer them. But the Christian looks beyond this world with a conviction that believes there is a better place waiting for us.

And so, to walk by faith requires that we become familiar with the promises of God. The bible is filled with His promises, and for those who believe, nothing is more encouraging to our faith than reading His promises. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the word of God. Faith is to believe in what you cannot see.

We all know that Jesus walked on the water. Have you ever thought how it would feel if you could do the same thing? Soon, you will be able to do just that – well, almost. See, there is a company that is planning on building a bridge in the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum. You heard me right; they are going to build it ‘in’ the water.

They plan on building that bridge about 2 inches under the surface, so that tourists can walk out on it, and have their picture taken so it will look like they are walking on water. I think that is kind of cheesy, but I am sure somebody will get rich from it.

Everybody wants to be a risk taker, don’t they; even when it only looks like they are taking a risk. I have often considered myself to be somewhat of a risk taker in my life, and I am not making light of taking risks. Actually, taking risks is a very necessary part of life. Without taking risks, nobody would ever leave their homes to go to work.

Without taking risks, no young man would ever put his entire ego on the line to ask a young lady out – just to be told ‘NO’ the majority of the time. (Or, was that just me?)

Of course, like anything else, there are many people who take it to the extreme.

A lady by the name of Anna Taylor was a major risk taker. She was the first person to ever go over Niagara Falls. Well, she was the first one to ever do it and live, that is. (How does a human ever come up with thoughts like that in the first place is beyond me.)

Speaking of risk takers; do you know what the last words of many risk takers were? “HEY GUYS, WATCH THIS!”

There is a story of a woman who was walking down a city street and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, she heard a voice in her ear say, “STOP!” Startled, she stopped, and as soon as she did, a brick falling from a roof hit the sidewalk right in front of her. Had she not stopped, she would have been hit in the head and probably killed.

A few days later, she was downtown and was preparing to cross a busy street and again, that same voice told her to “STOP!” She did, and a car came whizzing by and missed her by only six inches. The voice saved her life twice.

Recovering from the fear, she asked the voice who he was. The voice said he was her guardian angel, and was sent to keep her safe. Angrily, she said, “Well, where were you when I got married?”

There is another story of a risk taker. Willie talked a little about this story last week. It is found in MATTHEW 14:22-29.

“22- Immediately, Jesus told His followers to get into the boat and go ahead of Him across the lake. He stayed there to send the people home. 23- After he had sent them away, he went by Himself up into the hills to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone. 24- By this time, the boat was already far away from land. It was being hit by waves, because the wind was blowing against it. 25- Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. 26- When His followers saw Him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out in fear. 27- But Jesus quickly spoke to them, “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28- Peter said, “Lord, if it is really You, then command me to come to You on the water.” 29- Jesus said, “Come.” And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus”.