The Boat

This morning we are going to continue to look at the story of Jesus walking on the water, but just like a priceless jewel that can be appreciated from many angles so is true of God’s word. It is here in this wonderful story that God teaches us about himself and his love for us. It is here that we learn more about God’s wonderful purposes for our lives.

Turn with me once again to Matthew chapter 14 beginning in verse 22.

I recently discovered an interesting quote it is by Wayne Cadeiro and it’s entitled Dream Releasers.

“The richest place on the earth is not the diamond mines of South Africa or the gold caches of Ecuador. It is not the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, or in the uranium excavations of the Balkans. Neither is it in the mineral deposits of the Dead Sea. No, the richest plot of land on this planet is in your very own neighborhood. You might even have passed by it this morning.

It’s the cemetery. That’s right! The graveyard is the wealthiest place in all of creation. Beneath those rectangular pieces of sod lie countless unsung melodies and unwritten poems. The grassy plots overflow with brilliant ideas that could have transformed entire communities, rehabilitated the lost and borne hope to the weary. Our burial grounds reek with unattained successes and unrealized dreams.”

Much of the promise and wealth was never discovered because the men and women buried in that cemetery never connected to God’s purposes and plans for their lives. It is time that each of us, you and I allow to God to use each of our gifts, talents, and passions to be Jesus to our world and all its peoples.

In the midst of the storm the disciples bailed water, secured the sails, and plugged holes fighting to stay alive. And yet in the midst of it all Jesus was intentionally teaching his disciples specific truths both about their personal relationship with Him and his personal purposes for their lives.

In the midst of our own personal life storms God also show us specific truths about our personal relationship with him and his purposes for our lives.

First God has a personal purpose for our lives and it is Good

After Jesus personally fed 5,000 men women and children, he specifically directed his disciples to get back into their boats, sail to the other side of the lake and wait for Him.

And even in the midst of being in the center of the will of God. They still faced a storm that threatened their lives. They still faced every possible emotion from anger and frustration to utmost loneliness and despair. Yet in the midst of the storm that trusted in the simple fact that no matter what happened God will was best.

At times we may be asked to undergo this trial or this hardship or be asked to stretch beyond what we think is possible. But in the midst of it all we must know that God has a purpose and a plan for us and it is for our ultimate good.

There was an officer in the navy who had always dreamed of commanding a battleship. He finally achieved that dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet.

One stormy night, as the ship plowed through the seas, the captain was on duty on the bridge when off to the port he spotted a strange light rapidly closing with his own vessel.

Immediately he ordered the signalman to flash the message to the unidentified craft, "Alter your course ten degrees to the south."

Only a moment had passed before the reply came: "Alter your course ten degrees to the north."

Determined that his ship would take a backseat to no other, the captain snapped out the order to be sent: "Alter course ten degrees--I am the CAPTAIN!"

The response beamed back, "Alter your course ten degrees--I am Seaman Third Class Jones."

Now infuriated, the captain grabbed the signal light with his own hands and fired off:

"Alter course, I am a battleship." The reply came back. "Alter your course, I am a lighthouse."

My friend there is a God and we are not Him. We must realize that we must put aside our personal pride, ambition, and goals and submit our own personal life course to our lighthouse almighty God.

If God’s plan for me is good then I must take heed to listen to God everyday. All other courses must be altered to His.

Prov 3:5-6 says this Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Second no matter what storm we are facing God sees and