Minister's Message

I would like to share a story many of you have heard before. It is the story told in Matthew 14: verses 22-33, Jesus Walks On Water. Remember when Jesus sent the disciples by boat to cross the water while he dismissed the crowd? After he    dismissed the crowd he went up the mountain to pray. Later that evening he noticed the boat with disciples in it was being battered by waves. Throughout the night the disciples did not make any progress to the other side because the winds were too strong. Early in the morning, Jesus began to walk across the water toward the disciples. As the disciples noticed him walking on the sea, they became terrified saying, “It is a ghost!” As the disciples cried out in fear, Jesus immediately spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”  Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. As Peter   noticed the waves, he became frightened and started to sink. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

As Jesus and Peter got back in the boat, the winds ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

From time to time we are all tested. Recently the wind, rain and waves of Hurricane Isaac tested our faith in the Lord. Sometimes Jesus lets us struggle a bit and tests just how strong we might be. He lets the waves batter us a bit, but he doesn’t let us sink. I am so proud of Volunteers of America and our family of disciples as we share our faith in the Lord