One of the most exciting stories in the Bible was about Peter and his experienced of walking on the water. Matthew wrote a detailed story of this unique event. It seems that Peter was really narrating the whole story to Matthew. It is unbelievable that Peter was walking on water, but it happened and by looking at the experienced of Peter we can learn some very important lessons about the story.
Little faith is better than lack of faith.

In Matthew 14:31 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Peter’s Lack of Faith
Peter felt good while walking on water. He probably think that he is better than those who are in the boat and start looking at himself, looking at his accomplishments and felt comfortable walking, slowly disconnected to the Source. By the time he realized it, he is drowning, grasping his breath, trying to survive by himself. He could have swim but the waves were too big and he panicked. He then realized that he is nothing when disconnected with the Savior, the Master of the sea, the source of everything.

Peter’s Little Faith
Peter began to have this little faith. The little faith that changed everything. Jesus acknowledged that Peter has this little faith. What does little faith do? This little faith of Peter enabled him to take that big step out of the comfort zone of the boat to the troubled water. This little faith of Peter diverted his attention from the waves and from the boat and focuses his eyes to Jesus. This little faith of Peter enabled him to pray asking for help “Lord saved me.” This little faith of Peter permitted him to stretch his arms and Jesus reach out and grab Peter to safety. Safe in the arms of Jesus.

Spurgeon said, “Big faith brings heaven to your soul, but little faith brings your soul to heaven.” I am so glad that it doesn’t need a big faith for Jesus to come down and grab us to heaven. I am glad that it only needs little faith to bring our soul to heaven. I am glad that our little faith when grounded on Jesus will become great.

Just have this little faith my friend and Jesus will make it great.

Some people may say something is important because of its value. They want to explore something and made their decisions based in the information they had received. Some having the access of the vast field of science and high technology they could easily draw something to conclude according to what they had seen and observed. Yes, but sad to say that some were unable to get the substance that need to be considered above all, and what is it? Is it gold or diamond?

Factors to be considered to decide which of these are more valuable or important. The first is its practical usage. What is the importance of a thing of which you cannot use it? Like for example the silver and the gold, silver are often used by everybody in all different transactions and need in daily existence lesser value compare to gold but so relevant.  The children and the adults both are using it freely and easily. They could bring it to the church, market, to schools, to shopping malls and even to their place of recreation to play and relax. In other words they really have this for the comfort of their lives. Some will go to the beaches, to spend their moments of loneliness and also happiness. But silver will be with them still. So practically silver could be used anytime, and could be brought by anybody elsewhere without hassle.

How about gold? Yes we know that gold is one of the metallic elements that people wanted to own and even commit violent act for them to acquire it. But despite the fact that it is highly wanted, you cannot bring it easily wherever you may go. Some people who have those things they buried it under the ground, in their closet or vaults  for fear of loosing it. It will remain there hidden no use at all. It is not so practical to have more of these. So much so with the diamonds. When you have it as jewelry, you should be aware that many would interest it even in exchange of the owner’s life. The robbers are always ready to die and to kill for that thing. So the most important thing of all is those things that you can have its full usage at any time. Yes it’s up for you to decide which is more important to you. It depends upon your choice. But Jesus put His high regards to all mankind. We are all precious in His hands.

“I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.  Isaiah 13:12 (KJV)”

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)
In the last days there will be a great need of the Holy Spirit. Every christian who wanted to be save, needs the Holy Spirit. The God of Heaven promise us the “Comforter” (John 14:16-17), the guide to the “whole truth” which is the Bible (John 16:13). The one that “convicts us of sin” (John 16:8,9).THE HOLY SPRIT.
It is very interesting to know the Holy Spirit is everything in us. Without the Holy Spirit we will not be able to do anything that is pleasing in the sight of God. The only way to be safe in our Christian experience is to be “SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT
SEAL-anything that authenticates, or guarantees; to close, shut, to close completely. (Dictionary.com)
Therefore it is all about to make sure that the property is original and genuine.  The product needs to be sealed so that no bacteria and other that could spoil the important things inside the container.

THE PURPOSE OF SEAL
1. To ensure  the product is real
2. To ensure the ownership of the product
3. To be able to CLAIM the PRODUCT AS ORIGINAL
4. To ensure that the product is safe and perfect.

Therefore when God will come he is going to to look for the sealed product- SEALED CHRISTIAN .  Christian that will be transported to heaven to live with the creator forever. The place where every Sealed Christian should be.

ARE YOU SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT?

To be sealed we need to be fully available with the Holy Spirit.  We need to be close to Him.  There were times that we might question His ways but it is better to just fully trust and let Him do wonders in our lives.  It is good to just go forward, served God and render a service beyond reproach.  The Sealer always knows the kind of products that he is going to seal, the good and perfect product for His Kingdom.

Judges 16:28

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “O sovereign Lord, Remember me O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.

Photo: themangolds.wordpress.com

Samson was a very strong good looking man, but very low in his moral. He was the coming great leader to his people but was not able to  guard his feelings and love for women.  Samson was the most promising king of Israel but was not able to enjoy the privilege to serve and has lost his throne because of his own doing.  Samson was young and energetic man. He had dreams in life just like all of us. But sometimes in his journey as a young man, he lost his focus and was not able to manage the inner portion of his life. He has the physical strength but he was weak on his decisions, he has a good outward appearance but a corrupt soul.
Samson was not able to march on the isles of the church to enjoy a good marriage. He did not enjoy the life as a father for he doesn’t have children at all. He never had experience to build his own home.  He was a lonely man who lost his will to be a strong man not maybe physically but strong especially on the trying times. Samson did not experience to be a good husband to a good wife. He was a type of person who gets what he wants. No body could say no to him.  Even his parents wasn’t able to stop him.

THE SEVEN MISTAKES OF SAMSON

1. Wrong Plan – Planning without God’s direction.
2. Wrong Place – a place that he is vulnerable.
3. Wrong Woman – attracted to a woman who doesn’t believe in God.
4. Wrong Relationship – having relationship with the ungodly woman.
5. Wrong Choice – he could have listen to his parents but he chooses not to.
6. Wrong Marriage – his marriage was unpopular.
7. Wrong decision – it is all because of making wrong decision

THE SEVEN CONSEQUENCES.

Samson experienced:

1. Broken heart
2. Broken dreams
3. Broken relationship
4. Broken home
5. Broken commitment
6. Broken relationship to God
7. Broken EYES and may be BONES

From the downfall of Samson’s life, he began to realized that he needs to rebuild everything in his life. He did it right in the CORNER of prison cell of Philistines. He rebuild his:

1. His relationship to God
2. His dedication
3. His  spiritual life
4. His commitment
5. His physical strength
6. His Love not to a woman but to his God

Samson spent his years in the service for the Philistines. All the times the prison cell became his worship hall. It was in that corner Samson started to shine. It was in that prison cell he rebuild everything. His hairs grew slowly unnoticed by the Philistines, his physical strength slowly recover, stronger than ever before. It was in that corner samson renew his commitment to God and it was there where he experience a complete forgiveness of all his mistakes and started all over again as a new man.  When his eyes were taken, he saw the love, plan, and the purpose of God for him.

The life of Samson was just to remind everyone us that if ever we have gone away from God, we need to comeback show the best we can to Him. Samson made mistakes, lost his way to be great judge and king of Israel. He never wears the crown as king but he became hero of God. To the christian world as we embark this life’s journey we may not be able to do the right things in the sight of God but just like Samson we will make a great comeback. In the corner of your office, your school, in your job just shine your light and brightens your corner wherever you are. During the early part of Samson’s life he wasn’t able to shine his light properly, but at during the last part of his life he was able to shine his light because the Glory of God shines upon him.

FOUR THINGS TO REMEMBER SAMSON

1. He was knock down but he not out.
2. He had gone away from God but made a great comeback.
3. He died with a happy heart in God
4. He died as great hero of faith