When Peter kept his gaze on Jesus...He walked on water, but  as soon as he looked around at the wind and the waves, he began to sink.

"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. 'You of little faith', He said, 'Why did you doubt?'" - Matthew 14:29-31

This story occurs right after Jesus feeds the five thousand. "Immediately Jesus made the  disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified." - Matthew 14:22-25

Peter was the only one in the boat to react in faith instead of fear. His impulsive interaction with Jesus led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of the Lord's power. Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off of Jesus and instead, focused on the high waves created by the wind. His faith wavered when he realized what he was doing.

We may not walk on water, but we do walk through choppy, stormy situations...If we focus on the circumstances around us without looking to Jesus for help, we too may begin to sink. To maintain your faith in tough times, you must keep your eyes on Jesus' power rather than your own inadequacies.

Although we start out with good intentions (at least I always do), our faith often falters. This doesn't necessarily mean that we have failed. When Peter's faith faltered, he called out to Jesus, the only one who could help him. Even though he was afraid, he still looked to Christ.

Right after an amazing mountain-top experience like feeding the five thousand with only a few loaves and fish...Jesus sent His disciples out for another lesson. The juxtaposition of these two stories is very interesting...take a look at your own faith life...doesn't it usually happens this way; God strengthens you by showing His miraculous ability, and then tests your faith to see if you can trust Him. Like many of the bible greats, sometimes we fail the test.

Why are there so many ups and downs for even people of great faith? They take their eyes off of the Lord. Elijah was a prophet who experienced many miraculous interactions with God. God shut up the heavens with drought for him, sent fire down at his command, made flour and oil last indefinitely during a famine for this prophet, a widow and her son, allowed Elijah to raise a dead boy to life....and believe it or not, many more events including being taken up to heaven by chariots of fire without ever having to experience death! "WOW", you say..."That's amazing!"...Right? But Elijah is also found defeated and depressed when being chased by the cruel and ruthless Jezebel. He literally asks the Lord to die. (Ironic that he wants to die, and then never experiences death!)

We experience defeat when we look away from God. We cannot have victory in this world without Him due to our fallen state. We ride the roller coaster of relationship with Him as we choose to look to Him for help...and then just as quickly, to look away. Each time we try to accomplish things on our own, we begin to sink into the chaotic waves of the world around us. God is eternally consistant...it is we who look away, it is our hearts that turn from him...

While preparing for this mission trip to Malawi, I am looking at Jesus. I am intentionally focusing my gaze on Him. When thoughts about raising enough money by next Sunday (5 days from now) loom in my mind, I turn my head and look for the Lord. God promises that I will have enough money to go by Sunday, so I keep on walking. When I consider all of the things that could go wrong on this trip, I intentionally look up..."Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you..." - Psalm 121:1-5

I have heard that many on the team are still worried about money. To them I say, "God is able!" This is God's trip, not ours...focus your attention on Jesus, do not look around at the wind or the waves. Trust in the Lord...He will watch over you.

This is my last request to you for a donation...I can see that many of you read these posts, but I don't know who you are. So I am trusting God to move in your hearts... Please be part of this mission to spread God's truth and hope with boldness and love...If you can help me, visit www.puremission.org/give/send-a-servant when on this link look for my picture. Click on my picture (it looks like this ) and use your credit card to make a one time donation. It has to be today for pure mission to get the information to us by Friday...I am looking at Jesus. I refuse to look at the waves. I am trusting the Lord. Thank you!