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Everything that can be shaken, will be shaken.

It is not most important what happens to you, but how you handle/respond to that which happens to you.

There are challenging circumstances happening all around us. Not only in our lives personally, but on a larger, global scale.

What has happened in Haiti, for instance, is nothing short of a catastrophe.

And we have people among us here that are from Haiti. We know a young man that left for Haiti just yesterday…
We have a stake in this thing, we are involved.

If for no other reason, simply because we stand on the earth among them.

80,000 people buried in the first earthquake
35,000 people of the population are missing
*That would be the equivalent of burying everyone in the city of Mission two and a half times

It is a dire situation.
And, like so many others, we are committed to lifting up that great nation continually. And our faith is in God for the rebuilding of not only the physical nation, but the rebuilding of the people, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, financially.

This is a large-scale crisis.
But each of us, in our own lives, face crisis’ regular basis. Such is life, it could be said.

But there comes a time when we can no longer change a situation, and we are challenged then to change ourselves.

In fact, we can so change ourselves that we are able to walk through any circumstance.

When we take our eyes off of Jesus, then we loose our way. And it can be unfortunately easy to loose our way, to take our eyes off of what Father has for us.

And Jesus knew this. He knew that life would come with its ‘mess,’ it’s trials and difficulties and challenges. And Jesus didn’t preach a sterile gospel. Everything wasn’t neat and tidy and clean. He didn’t avoid ‘the problem’ so as not to get ‘dirty.’

He faced the problem, head on… lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, adultery…
He didn’t avoid them; He faced the situation and brought change, because of what was happening inside of him. He was not affected by what was happening outside of himself.

Matt 14:22-33 (Msg)

Isn’t it just like Jesus that as soon as things begin to get a little comfortable, He initiates a change?
They had just finished their meal and already it was ‘off to the boats!’ He got His disciples on the move.

But soon, what happens? The storm comes up. A distraction.

The Bible doesn’t say how long they were in the storm. But at 4 in the morning, Jesus comes walking on the water.
*Ever get the sense, when God comes on the scene after the storms been going on for a while, that He’s been watching all the time?

And it’s because there are things that are being pulled out…some to be removed, some to be revealed…from your heart. Character, revelation and development that wouldn’t happen without a bit of time in the storm.

What circumstance are you in?

In the middle of the mess, that’s where you find Jesus. He will come to you in the middle of your storm, in the middle of your mess!

And the disciples, when Jesus finally comes walking, think He is a ghost! And the first word out of Jesus’ mouth: COURAGE. Don’t be afraid!

And Peter jumps out of the boat! Didn’t even think, he just went for it!
And he walked on the water!!

But when he looked at the waves, looked down…. When he reassessed the situation… He began to sink.

How many times has fear stopped you?
How many times has fear stood between you and your promise?

Jesus didn’t hesitate; He reached down and grabbed Peter! “Faint heart, what has happened to your faith?”

____________________________________________________________________________________

As you journey through your circumstance, you do not do it alone. You do it with someone that will not leave or forsake you.

As you step out of the boat, you’re going to walk on the water, walk on your circumstance.

Step out of your boat today, your messy circumstance, and walk on those things that attempt to bring fear in your life.
Walk on your finances, walk on a broken relationship, walk on your struggling job, walk on…

And as you do, Jesus would say to you: Courage.

[Spoken by: John Lowe]

And don’t forget to check out our Podcast of the message!

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