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Walking on Water
Today! I wanted to attempt to expound on one of my all time favorite miracles in the Bible, Jesus Christ walking on water Peter. To give a bit of context, John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. A multitude of disciples come to tell Jesus, moveing His heart to “compassion toward them” and performs some amazing miracles like feeding the multitude with five loaves, and two fishes. Afterwords Jesus Christ tells the apostles to go on in the ship, “while he sent the multitudes away” and then went to the top of a mountain to pray.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Anyone going through any trials?
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
The fourth watch being between three and six in the morning, is the last watch. I love that in this scriptures it sets the patterns in our lives that not always will God answer our prayers immediately. But He will answer them, when we need that answer the most.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
I have always loved this part! How many times are we being tossed in the waves and winds of life, and we think can it get any worse? If it were me on the boat, I may think something like “Oh great! Here’s a spirit to add to the whole mix!”. To me it is so important to recognize how we will react to circumstances that very likely may come upon us.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Jesus Christ will never misrepresent Himself. With the disciples thinking that it was a spirit, Jesus Christ “straightway” spake unto them. Providing comfort and peace. How long did the disciples toil in the seas before they were comforted? What did they learn from fighting until the fourth watch?
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
I love that all of Peter’s fears of the storm left as he saw Jesus Christ. When in trial, have you experienced all fear leave you?
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
From what I learn from this verse, and to me is the most important, is that Jesus Christ will never forbid us from following Him. Isaiah teaches that through all the trial we may go through, through the storms, winds, and waves “His hand is stretched out still”. (Isaiah 9:12,17,21) I see that in this verse. He always stands inviting us to come unto Him. It is in Him where the true comfort, peace, and love reside.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
How many times are we so set on following Jesus Christ, and then we get distracted, and lose our focus? If we continue to pray and read in the scriptures during the best of times, we will remain focussed. What helps you keep focus when there are winds, waves, and storms around you? (Leave comments!)
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Jesus Christ will always be there for us. He is mindful of us in the first, second, and third, watch. He often times will succor us in the fourth watch, so we know we are rescued by Him. When we see that rescue, and yet still lose focus He will be there. He will be there through all challenge, trial, and tribulation, because He has already has been through it, and wants to help us, because of His perfect love for us. When all seems lost and we cry “Lord, save me!” He will immediately stretch forth his hand to catch us from falling.
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Believe, Obey, and Endure President Thomas S. Monson
Service!
Today we had the blessing to help some folks move into the area. We asked them if they needed our help and they said yes! After helping them out, we shared these two scriptures that came to mind.
To introduce the first, King Benjamin is giving his address to the people. He is teaching of how we can become more charitable and humble.
14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
The next scripture I thought went along with the last one just about perfectly! I love when Jesus Christ is teaching his disciples, because I strive to be one.
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
It is my testimony that the Bible and the Book of Mormon teach the same doctrine. Today, the doctrine is charity, serving out of love for your God and fellowman. I Love Service!
Will you serve someone today?
For more on service see:
What Have I Done for Someone Today? by President Thomas S. Monson
codysteineckert 