12 Nov 16@ Arrow service notes
JC takeover: Eyes on Jesus
Deborah's message: Eyes on Jesus = Eyes on the word.
When you're anxious, stop. Turn, and focus on the fixed point in the horizon when you're seasick due to the waves and winds. That fixed point, that anchor of our life is Jesus. He holds your spirit, where even if your soul and feelings are shaken as they look outwardly to the circumstances, it will stabilise as Jesus holds you down. He is closer than you know and we just have to look to Him.
Broadrick's message: Jesus walks on water
Matthew 14:22-31
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
Take time to retreat and go to the Lord.
When the circumstances of the world comes against us, we should retreat and go to Jesus.
24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
There are four watches in Israel's "time" system thing, and the fourth watch, 3-6am, is the darkest. But when you're in those seasons, in the darkest moments of your life, look out for Jesus because He is always there.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
When you look to Jesus, He tells you to "be of good cheer, it is I", which implies that He wants us to be happy, to not be burdened nor weary for it is Him who will/is taking care of your situation. Jesus is there, in the present time, in your every need. He is your provision.
28-29 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Invitation to participate in the divine. Peter walked on water!!! When you look to Jesus, you can do the impossible. When you look to Jesus, you receive transformation from the inside out, to be more like Him.
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Peter took His eyes off Jesus for a bit and doubt crept in his heart. Every time we take our eyes off Jesus, whether to look at our circumstances or ourselves, fear enters our heart very easily and we can't help but wallow in that sea of despair.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
At the very point in time where Peter said “Lord, save me!”, it was IMMEDIATELY that Jesus STRETCHED out His hand (Jesus used his strength and effort) and caught Peter (note the intimacy, the image of Jesus holding His hand). When Jesus said unto Peter, He couldn't have been using an angry tone as it's not consistent to the content and the character of Jesus. Jesus was probably saying it with a smile, with compassion.
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
This is the miracle. The first time Peter walked on water to Jesus, the second time Peter walked on water with Jesus. The first time, Peter was walking on water towards Jesus. After Jesus picked him up from where he fell, they walked a second time on water back to the boat. But this time, Jesus walked WITH Him. Against the strong winds and waves. The situation and circumstances are still so real. They walked above the sea, the storm, the situation, because of Jesus. Even when you doubt, Jesus can still pick you up, there are second chances, and you can walk on water again. Don't pry His hand away, let Jesus pick you up and move against the circumstances once more. He doesn’t scold you for taking your eyes off Him, but saves you and rises above the situation with you.
The story is not about Jesus walking on water, the story is about Jesus walking to His disciples. The water was just in the way. He saw His disciples struggling, He saw them even before they saw Him, and He was moved with compassion.
This is a story of infinite chances. The same man who doubted, who took his eyes off Jesus, was used by Jesus to preach to thousands.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
His heart wells up with compassion for you. To see your life whole, to see you happy, when He was on the Cross, it gave Him joy. Even if you keep failing Him, He still wants you and can still use you. He sees through the façade you put on, He sees your weary heart. He sees through your sin, your lack, your situation and delivers you. He will save you.
Psalms 139:16-17
16 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”
His eyes of love and compassion never leaves you. Will you allow Jesus to pick you up? Wherever you have fallen, wherever you are, He will pick you up. Jesus holds on to your hand the second time. When you are intimate with the Lord; no distance, there is no veil in between. The closeness, intimacy => supernatural living. Even though you can still sink despite having your eyes on Jesus in the first time, He will save you and walk WITH you, holding your hand, closer than ever.
-Tricia and Hui Min