Prayer

I would like to start at the beginning of the day. Christ was moved with remorse from the news of the beheading of his cousin John , by His reaction we can assume that God had hid this from Him for he sought to be alone to pray and be alone with God His Father.  But when He saw the crowds He was moved with compassion disregarding what He wanted to do at that time.  And that was to be alone and pray!

After ministering to 5000 + women and children He sent them away after he commanded His disciples to go to the other side.  Here is a key part even though he did not get time to pray earlier instead of getting rest or even having his disciples wait for Him, He took time to pray!  To be alone with God!  We at time get so busy and worn out we neglect to be alone with God or that we are so moved grieve we want to sit in self-pity instead of turning to God for strength and peace and whatever we are going through. Christ still made time to pray and be alone with God even after the chaotic day that He endured!

When Christ was going out on the water and they saw Him, the words take heart ( be not afraid) for it is I!  Should have calmed their fears immediately and brought reassurance!  But Peter wanted to test to see if it was truly Christ, if it is you Lord command me to come out onto the water to you!  When Christ said Come!  Peter had to be afraid before he even step out onto the water, but yet in the presence of fear he still stepped out of the boat!  We often times don't even step out of our safety net to where God has called us for fear of failure or disappointment.  Peter did take that step and as long as he was focused on Christ he was doing the impossible!  We often times forget " nothing is impossible for God" " we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" or that " when we are weak we are made strong through Christ Jesus"  Our faith in times of need is oftentimes week at best.  We tend to forget how Christ has worked  in our lives in the past.  He just fed 5000 + with two fish and five loaves of bread!

But when he saw the wind he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out "Lord save me" Jesus then reached out his hand and took a hold of him saying to him "oh you of little faith why did you doubt"

We may be going in the direction God has called us, but if we're not careful we take our eyes off Christ and start focusing on the chaos around us we begin to doubt is this really what God has called me to do? Before we know it we are sinking and falling away from God and under our own power we attempt to save ourselves only to find we are seeking further down!  All it takes is a heartfelt cry out to God, Save me! For Him to reach down and draw us  back up!  But yet in Pride and doubt that we have fallen it takes hitting rock bottom before we cry out!

"Oh you of little faith why did you doubt"  Wow!

Our doubt is one of most crippling things to our faith. Christ has commanded us to not doubt but only believe!  Going back to Genesis chapter 3 we see where Satan said did God really say or did God truly say? When we began to question what God has commanded us to do, we lose focus On Christ and we will sink!

And when they got into the boat the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped Him saying "truly you are the son of God"

Christ earlier showed He had power over material things provisions, and He now showed He had power over nature.  There was no doubt at the moment they were standing with God in their presence.