Amy's Faith Walk

Lessons learned from the life of Peter.

A Fisher of Men.

It was Peter who said "Lord, if it's you tell me to come to you on the water." (Matthew 14:28)

Lesson 1: Do you ever wonder if God is working in your life? Do you question if God is wanting to do great things in and threw you? I am sure that we all have. We sometimes have to confirm in our lifes' that God is at work. By asking God to call us out. "Out of the boat" But before we do we better be prepared to get out of the boat!

In our lives I think that we have different seasons which shape us. Peter was born and raise by a father who was a fisherman. His father showed him how to make a living in this occupation. Peter was probably going to continue in this life-style because it would be past down to him. But Jesus had a different plan for his life. Jesus called Peter out, he choose him to be a fisher of men.

Lesson 2:

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." (Acts 3:16)

God takes the natural things in our lives to work out His supernatural power. For God to be glorified. The verse above was a conversation that Peter had with people who were amazed at the physcal healing that took place in a man who was unable to walk.

This beggar was placed in front of the temple called Beautiful everyday. When Peter and John went there one day to pray they heard the beggar asking for money. Peter looked at him and asked the beggar to look at him. He then said to the beggar "silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." That man got up and walked and started to praise God.

What amazes me is the fact that this beggar was brought to this temple called beautiful. I wonder if he felt ashamed to be their, or felt left out not being able to enter into it. This man couldn't possibly felt beautiful. He was crippled and not like the others. He was lacking. But when God touches us, like he did this beggar, whether it ends in a physical healing or not it changes our lives forever. That is what makes this story BEAUTIFUL. What things has God given to you that you can use to bless others?

Lesson 3:

Luke 5:1-11 "Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.' So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."

Okay honestly when Jesus called Peter to follow him I think that he was internally battling with some fears. When God calls us to do something greater than what we know we have the ability to do, it freaks us out. It took courage on Peters part to leave everything, to surrender to his' calling and follow Jesus. I admire that about Peter.

Lesson 4:

Another lesson I learned on the water was with the disciples in Luke 8:22-25 "One day Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let's go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master, we're going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.'"

Wow! I am not sure how I would handle being in this situation. Yesterday I was looking at the cloud formation and just admiring the way that God has set boundaries to even the clouds. He is in control of everything. The question that the disciples asked is profound to me. Who is this? Doesn't that question make you want to know Him more. They were learning more about the maker of all things. When was the last time that you have studied the character attributes of Jesus?

Lesson 5:

Luke 9:18-26 "Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say I am?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.' '"But what about you?'" he asked. 'Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.' ... 'Then he (Jesus) said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

The life of Peter is one that I admire. When Jesus lived among the disciples he knew their lives would be changed forever. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us it should change our lives forever too! What cross has He called you to bare today? Are you living your life in a way that causes others to see that He lives in you? Or are you needing to make that choice to do so?