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WALKING ON WATER IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

Later that night, he [Jesus] was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. (Mt 14:23b-24)

Jesus had gone up the mountain to pray, and sent his disciples off by themselves to cross over to the other side of Lake Gennesaret. The disciples found themselves alone in a boat, in the middle of a scary storm, feeling like everything was against them.

We have been in a season of shaking, and many of us have seen the wind and the waves, the darkness around us, and wondered why Jesus was not in the boat with us, but up on the mountain watching. We have feared for our lives, wondering whether our boat (ministry, life) will make it to its destination, the other side of the lake.

Many of the disciples were fishermen and they knew this lake. It was common belief that any storms on the lake was inspired by demons. They believed that the enemy had unleashed its army against them to destroy them, and this time there was no sleeping Jesus with them to even make them remotely feel protected. All they knew to do was to cry out for Jesus to come help them.

But was that true? Had they not been in a storm with Jesus, where they had been rebuked for their fear of that storm? Had Jesus not shown them what to do in the situation, by simply commanding the winds and the waves, and the storm ceased immediately? Had Jesus not commissioned them with His authority to do what He was doing? Had their fear made them forget the lesson so completely that none of them suggested to stand up and simply command the winds and waves to be calm?

Jesus had already equipped them with everything necessary to be victorious, but they had not set up a stone of remembrance last time to know what to do next time. Our current storm is always also training ground for the greater storms to come (as little as we like that).

In their need, they cried out for Jesus, and He came. However, their eyes had been focused on the storm, the demonic forces they believed had risen up against them, and Jesus did not come the way they expected. In their greatest need they possibly thought that Satan himself had shown up to finish them off.

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. (v. 26)

As things seem to go from bad to worst, we think that He has finally totally abandoned us to our enemy as we fail to recognize that it is actually Him who is coming to our rescue. The night is darkest before the dawn. You think it's the end, while in reality He has come to bring you out. Don't give up just before your breakthrough!

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (v. 27-29)

As soon as Peter recognizes His Master, the storm is forgotten. All he can see and hear is His beautiful face, His beautiful voice. Instead of waiting for Him to stop the storm, he wants to be just like the lover of his soul. He wants to go be with Him, stand with Him as the rock he was called to be, in the middle of the storm, doing the impossible. Finally he remembered that Jesus said, do as I do.

His eyes fixed on Jesus and no longer on the storm, Peter steps out of the boat, and his heart beating with love for his master he starts walking towards Him. All he can see is the love and fire in His eyes, and that's all he needs to do the impossible.

When you are in the middle of a storm, fix your eyes on His blazing eyes that are full of passion and delight for you, and suddenly you are not aware of anything but HIM, because HE is the only thing that counts. Suddenly you are not even aware that you are doing the impossible, because with HIM all things are possible.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isa 43:1b-2)

In this season of shaking, DO NOT FEAR. Maybe it seems that He is not in the boat with you, but He is right there, waiting for you to fix His eyes on HIM and do the impossible.

This is a season of pruning, cutting off old branches, of being refined in the fire. Yes, it hurts, but the outcome will be glorious. He's removing from our lives everything that keeps us from stepping into the glorious next season that awaits many of us this year. Do not give up, do not focus on the storm, but get wrecked by His overwhelming love and passion for you!

PERSONAL ENCOUNTER

A few weeks ago in worship I saw myself walking on water in a mild storm. As I was walking towards a boat in the distance that I knew that Jesus was in, people in boats to my left and right were beating me up from their boats. I kept walking as blow after blow hit me.

Just this picture already blessed me, as it described so accurately the way I was feeling with the events of the previous weeks and months.

A week later the Lord continued the vision. I arrived at the boat He was in and sat down in it. Jesus sat right opposite me, and started treating my wounds with so much love in His hands and eyes. All I wanted was to just look at His beautiful face and let Him bind up my wounds. Then He said to me, "I'm so proud of you." I knew He meant He was proud of the way I had walked through this season of being beaten up, and just those few words from Him wiped away all the questions I had of whether there was anything I was doing right at all.

In the midst of the storm, the attacks, the beatings, He is right there with you, ready to bind up your wounds and wipe away all the lies the enemy has sown into your soul. Just come to Him!

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (Rom 8:28, AMP)

QUICK NEWS

•        Unrest in Mali - 120,000 Malians have already been deplaced - half within Mali, another half to the neighboring countries. Please keep praying for peace in the north, where the Tuaregs want their independence, and are now heavenly armed thanks to the Libyan war. 

•       US Trip - I feel like this trip to the US I have just finished was one of the most profound in a long time. I expect to share more of what God is currently doing and speaking these next few weeks.

•       Joseph in the US - I'm very excited for Joseph to go to the US for one month this summer to do an awesome Bible type school (bilingual) that will change his life forever. Pray already for the visa and money; more information to come soon.

•        Big Bill Paid - Praise the Lord with us, because the unexpected $6,000 bill looming over us for such a long time has finally been paid. Hallelujah! Now we can focus on important things again....

•       Europe Trip - Look to the left to see when I'm where, with more details on the CALENDAR page of our website.

•       Volunteers - We're looking for young, single people who are willing to spend a few months in Mali to help with our children.

•        My Book - My book can now be ordered from all over the world. Just click on the link on the left side.

•        Personal Travel Assistant - Email me if you're female and single and are interested in this great learning experience of traveling with me and serving as my assistant.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (Mt 7:24-25)

Anchored in HIM,

Claudia