Dear Faith Family, 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3). 

Scene one, Luke 5.  Peter had been fishing all night.  The scoreboard read: Fish – one.  Seasoned angler, Peter – nothing, zero, nada.  You get the picture!  Jesus told Peter to let down the nets (keep in mind that they had already closed up shop and cleaned the empty nets).  After reluctantly letting down the nets – wait for it – Peter and friends caught a boatload (actually two boatloads) of fish!  Jesus just showed His power over Peter’s livelihood. 

Scene two, Luke 8.  A little boat ride across the Sea of Galilee.  No big deal for a salty dog named Peter.  And then?  Well, it must have been some kind of storm to scare Peter such that it did.  And Jesus?  Asleep!  (I guess Peter wasn’t that important to Him after all?!)  And then?  They woke Jesus up.  And then?  Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves.  In other words, He told them to stop.  Wait for it – the wind and the waves stopped!  Calm!  Jesus just showed His power over Peter’s circumstances. 

Scene three, Matthew 14.  (Start whistling the tune to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” here.)  Peter and friends were attempting to cross the Sea of Galilee.  Somebody spotted a ghost? Walking on the sea!  No, not a ghost.  It was Jesus.  Peter, not willing to take Him at His word, wanted proof.  So, at Jesus’ command, Peter walked on the water!  Until.  Until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind.  Jesus reached out His hand and – wait for it, pulled Peter back up on the water!  Hold on a second.  Click “replay”.  He pulled Peter back up on the water?!  Wow!  Jesus just showed His power over Peter’s personal life. 

So, what’s the point?  The point is that Jesus met Peter where Peter lived.  On the sea.  Jesus had no problem communicating His Word to Peter in a language that Peter could understand.  It was God’s Word in the key of “sea” (see what I did there?!).  Interestingly, Jesus’ power in all three scenes was made clear against the backdrop of difficulty.  Trials became the megaphone to proclaim the limitless power of Jesus. 

Fast forward.  Jesus has no problem communicating His Word where you live in a language that you can understand.  Do note that often the difficulties are what God uses to magnify who He is.  So then, where is He showing His power over your livelihood?  His power over your circumstances?  His power over your personal life?  And, oh do tell.  Peter did! 

That’s what I’m talking about, 
Pastor Karl