CRY OUT IN FAITH!

Charismatic Hour (20/04/21) Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement   Topic:                                     CRY OUT IN FAITH! Texts:                              Matt. 14:22-32, Heb. 11:1, 6. INTRODUCTION Peter’s impulsive request led him to experience a rather uncommon demonstration of God’s power. Any person who focuses on the Lord and not on the billows of difficult circumstances (around him) will walk on those problems, coming out victorious (Dan. 11:32). Today, following the happenings, many believers are already sinking in fear and confessing negatively about their conditions because they have looked away from the Lord. Those already in distress or are sensing that their conditions are depreciating should cry out to the Lord in faith (Ps.18:6, 120:1). While those whose faith are bubbling should cry out to the Lord for the needy brethren (com. Rom.15:1, Gal.6:2).  Let’s consider the message under two points: (a) The Threat Of The Turbulent Sea (b) The Cry Of The Confounded Servant. (A)      THE THREAT OF THE TURBULENT SEA (Matt. 14:28-30) Peter had started on a very good note, expressing implicit confidence in the Lord, hence doing what no natural person would dare do (Heb. 11:6). While operating in the supernatural realm, his focus was on the LORD Jesus. He was totally deaf to the voice of his natural senses (cons. 2Cor. 5:7; Heb. 10:38; Habk. 2:4). Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith wavered when he realised what he was doing (Matt.14:24, 30). The moment his attention was drawn by what he was seeing, his feeling changed and became disconnected/ stepped out of the supernatural. He became subject to the laws of nature, and set the stage for death from drowning. Peter became a victim of fear sequel to his entertainment of doubt (cons. Ps. 118:6-12; 1Jn. 4:18). Fear does emanate as the natural response to a stern challenge posed by an astounding circumstance whether negative or positive, as well as, as the effect of the operation of spirits of fear (1Jn.4:18). The watchman (child of God) is not to entertain or accommodate fear irrespective of his/her circumstance, because fear paralyses the heart from which issues of life flow, thus making one a vegetable (cons. Prov. 4:23; Ps. 27:1-5; 56:4; 118:6). No matter the circumstances/situations we are into or what have been spoken about our matter we should not fear rather we should cry out to the Lord who has solution to all our problems (Ps. 121:1-8; 118:8; Isa. 45:22, 43:1-4). As long as Peter focused on the Lord Jesus, he enjoyed supernatural capability, but when he entertained fear thus losing the capability, he cried out and the Lord responded. (B)       THE CRY OF THE CONFOUNDED SERVANT (Matt. 14:30-32) The humble cry of terrified Peter immediately drew the attention of the Lord; the Lord Jesus responded and Peter was delivered as he got reconnected to the Lord (Matt. 14:31; cp. Ps. 50:15). It must be clearly understood that: While walking with the Lord, there exists times of glory and of gloom, pleasure and pain, triumph and tears, success and sorrow, all perfectly designed by the Lord to make people who they should be (Eccl. 3:1-8; Jer. 29:11; Rom. 5:3; 8:28; 15:4). There are lessons for every circumstance (Eccl. 7:14). Whenever a negative circumstance arises and begins to look over bearing, if all moderate scriptural efforts made to checkmate it fail, one should strongly cry out to the Lord and the wind will ultimately cease (Jam. 5:16). Crying out (possibly with fasting) is akin to knocking (… and the door shall be opened) (Matt. 7:7-8; Ps. 118:5-6; 119:39; 16; 17:1-2). Let us rise up to knock until the door is opened                     (HSCF 237)