YE OF LITTLE FAITH

By Karen Ruhl

Imagine working with your father on a fishing boat casting the nets into the lake. A man walks up to you and points to you and says, “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.” Do you think you would walk away from you father and follow this man? These men already knew Jesus, he had been preaching in the area.

Since Peter and Andrew had heard him and knew what kind of man he was, they followed him.

Peter, Andrew, James, and John were the first diciples that Jesus called to work with him. They left at once and followed him.

These four men were with Jesus as he traveled through Galilee teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.

They gathered around him on the mountain as Jesus preached at the Sermon on the Mount. In fact, because these four were the first disciples Jesus chose, they were with him at all times. They witnessed Jesus healing people, casting out demons, and feeding thousands from just a few loaves of bread and a few fish.

In Matthew, Chapter 8, Jesus gets into a boat and starts across the lake with his disciples. Jesus decides to take a nap. Suddenly, we are told, a fierce storm struck the lake with waves breaking into the boat. The boat was probably the kind familiar to many of Jesus’ disciples who were fisherman. The disciples went and woke Jesus up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We are going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and

Later in Matthew, a crowd of people have gathered in a remote place to hear Jesus speak. It is getting late and Jesus told his disciples to feed the people. The disciples asked Jesus where they would get the food and told Jesus to send the crowd home.

Jesus told them that it wasn’t necessary to send them home and took five loaves of bread and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. That evening he fed 5,000 men, in addition to all of the women and children.

“LORD, IF IT ’S YOU,” PETER REPLIED, “ TELL ME TO COME TO YOU ON THE WATER.” “COME,” HE SAID. Immediately after this, Jesus instructed his disciples to get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. While out on the lake, the disciples were fighting winds and heavy waves. Early in the morning - around 3 a.m., Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified and they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus spoke to them and told them at once, “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “Take courage, I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, Come,” said Jesus. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus. But when he saw a strong wind and the waves, he started to sink. “Save Me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith.” Jesus said, “Why did you doubt me?” I don’ t know about you, but I have been in situations where I have cried out to the Lord and then immediately took back what I asked Him to do. The words, “Ye of little faith” are in the bible four times. Four times we are told to have faith, yet everyday, we doubt and try to handle things on our own.

We start out with good intentions, but sometimes our faith falters. This does not mean we have failed. When Peter’s faith failed, he reached out to Christ, the only one who cold help him.

When you are having troubles, reach out to Jesus, remember that he is always with us and is the only one who can help.

Craig and I have a bible that allows us to read the entire bible in a year. We also have application study bibles and use them to look up what the verses mean if we aren’t sure.

We encourage you to find a good bible-based church and get involved. Or find a small group that is reading the bible or doing bible lessons.

While we can read the bible and read devotionals, it is always wise to have others to help you understand what is being said.

God’s Word is fully sufficient to prepare us for everything the Bible commands us to do. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to transform us into Christ-likeness. It is fully sufficient for life and truth transference.

If you have not given your life to Jesus and want to know more. Please email us at faithoneverycorner@gmail. com.