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Listen while you read: "I Know Whom I Have Believed"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 14:28 – Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." (NLT)
He had called me to come before, but never like this. The first time I came was as a fisherman. My brother and I were cleaning our nets when He came strolling along the beach. He invited me to leave my nets and way of life and fish for people. A strange call, but I followed. Most recently, He had invited me to figure out how I and the other disciples would feed 5,000 men plus women and children that had been listening to Him teach. He sat the crowd on the ground in groups and told us to pass out the pieces of the five loaves of bread and two fish that we had scrounged up among the people.
Miracles seemed to follow Jesus. He sent the crowds away after He fed them. He sent us away as well. While I and the other disciples were in the middle of the lake, a storm arose. When it seemed that we would die, Jesus came walking to us on the water. Once I realized that it wasn't a ghost, I thought that I might like to try what He was doing. So I asked. And He said, "Come."
Peter was an impetuous sort of fellow, willing to try most anything — which could be good or bad. Sometimes, he strutted like the sole cock in the chicken yard. At other times, he failed miserably. To his credit, he accepted Jesus' invitation to walk on water.
Jesus' invitations to "Come" are varied. He's issued invitations to me numerous times over my lifetime. Sometimes, I've listened and obeyed. But there have been those instances where my faith faltered, and I said "No." He calls some into full-time ministry, some on short-term mission trips, some to the hospitals, and some to the local women's shelter. Others, He beckons to the classrooms, their neighbours, and the local fire departments.
Where God's invitation takes me is not nearly as important as my willingness to "Come" to where He invites me. If you listen carefully, you might just hear Him calling you now. Peter did.
Prayer: Father, give us faith and courage to come where You invite us to go. Amen.
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daughter: "Update May 12, 2025: Please keep praying for my daughter. She needs the Lord in her life*** April..." 
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Big amen.
Thank you Martin. Blessings to you and yours.
Thanks for a good word, Martin.
God bless.
Loved your first person retelling of some of Peter’s experiences with Jesus. Loved the lesson drawn from it. Blessings.
Your messages are always clearly stated and meaningful. Thank you for this one in particular!
(Alabama)
Martin, this is a lovely devotional. Thanks for sharing. I have passed it on to family members.
May the Lord continue to bless your writings.
Thanks Martin,
Enjoyed this in the first person narrative – a great way to present the Gospel.
May God continue to bless your ministry.
Great message Martin, thank you. You made a good point that we are each called to serve God in different ways. It reminded me of Jesus’ response to Peter’s question in John 21:-22, regarding the beloved disciple. Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” What a blessed invitation. All we need to do is be willing.
Blessings.
I love it Martin. I love the present tense narrative style. And I love the truth it clearly presents.
Dear Martin Wiles,
Thanks for your good words.
Yes, Jesus invites us to come, equips us, and asks us to learn of him, then to go.
May we stick with it, for His sake, knowing his Spirit is within us.
Keep writing.