Latest / The Daily Word / April 27 – Step Out of the Boat
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Good morning, Lakeshore family. Welcome to another episode of the Daily Word podcast. This is Robert Rosales and alongside my wife Yolanda, we have the honor of serving as our campus pastors for our Gastonia location. Just a reminder, this podcast is a simple space where we share each day to open up God's Word and pay attention to what he's saying. As a church family, we're committed to meeting with God daily. not out of a religious routine, but out of our relationship through scripture, through prayer, and then capturing what the Holy Spirit is stirring in our hearts and how it connects to our everyday lives. We're walking together through the Life Journal reading plan. And today we'll be focusing on the New Testament portion from that plan. Just as a reminder, when I invest time with the Lord, I try to keep things uncluttered. Just my Bible. my journal, something to write with, and I like to use a highlighter to mark what stands out. We also follow the SOAP, the SOAP method, Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It's a simple and practical way to really zero in on the Word and capture what God's saying and respond from our heart to His. But before we jump into today's passage, come on, agree with me, let's take a moment. Let's pray, let's prepare the soil of our hearts to hear and receive from this text. Father God, we come to you today in the name of Jesus and we open up to you, we open up to the Holy Spirit, we open up to your word. We ask that you would make this truth come alive in us. Give us ears to hear, hearts to receive, and courage to respond. Speak to us, Lord, we are listening. In Jesus' everybody said, Amen. Well church, today's passage for April 27th comes out of Matthew chapter 14. And I jotted some things down from verses 27 through 31. Let me read them to you out of the NIV. But Jesus immediately said to them, take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid. Lord, if it's you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, he said. Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me. Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said, why did you doubt? The title of my journal entry out of this text, you ready? Walking on the Water. Come on, say it with me. Walking on the Water. Here's my observation and my application kind of all mixed in together. Picture the scene with me. Jesus is walking on water to the disciples that are in the boat. And Peter yells out, Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water. And Jesus says, come. Then Peter starts walking. Wow! Exclamation mark. He actually puts his legs over the side of the boat, stood up, and started walking on the water. Catch this, Peter only began to sink when he began to doubt. Over the past four years, I've had some water walking experiences. Not literally, but in ways that demanded I trust Jesus beyond my comfort. Four years ago, for example, I stepped out of the boat and began a journey toward better health. I changed what and how I ate. I combined it with exercise. I managed to lose 35 pounds, I've kept it off, and at 57 years old, I feel better, stronger, and healthier than I've ever been. In January of 2024, I started a master's program in strategic leadership at Life Pacific University, and I completed it in December 2025. That was a miracle. I'm at the end of writing my first book. It's really like a ministry guide about organizational followership. And I believe it will strengthen pastors, leaders, and churches. That was a step of faith. And I'm starting a small business called Follow Shift. It's a followership and leadership coaching business, which includes workshops for churches and businesses to strengthen team dynamics. for greater impact and more effectiveness. And today, I feel like I am at the strongest and best place in my walk with the Lord and my relationship with my wife than I've been in a long time, possibly ever been in my whole life. And I'm sharing that with you to just emphasize the fact I've had some water walking like experiences the last four years. And friends, Like Peter, the Lord wants us to hear him say, the Lord wants you to hear him say, come, step out of the boat and walk on the water. One of the greatest lessons I'm learning through all that God is doing in and through me is that I can do anything that God helps me to do. Hear that? I didn't say I can do anything. I said I can do anything that God helps me to do. It reminds me of Zechariah 4.6, not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. So let me ask you, what are some walking water assignments that God has for you? Some things that will demand that you trust Him and begin stepping. Maybe it's to become physically healthier. Maybe to love your wife at a new level. Maybe to be a better mom or dad. Maybe he wants you to go back to school or start a business. It could be he wants you to strengthen your relationship with him like never before. Friend, think about it. Peter stepped out and walked on the water. Most of the time the focus is on Jesus is walking on the water and Peter beginning to sink. I believe the Lord is saying, get in faith and come. Step out of your boat and start walking on water. Come on, would you pray with me? Father God, thank you for speaking to us today through your word. Lord Jesus. Show us the areas where you want us to get in faith and step out of the boat. We believe we can do anything that you help us to do. As we lean into you and your word, we're asking that you would begin to speak to us about those water walking areas you have for us. We refuse to stay in the boat. We know and believe that you want us to walk on the water and do the things that look and even seem impossible. As we do, Lord, we promise to give you all the credit. Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to you. Speak to us, show us, and reveal to us the areas God is highlighting, and then show us the initial steps we need to take to get out of the boat. Send us people who will speak life over us and strengthen us and encourage us to go after what you've placed in our hearts. We ask all this in Jesus name, amen. Lakeshore family, as you go about your day, my prayer is that you'll develop a hunger for God and His word like you've never had before. As you do, God will open your eyes to the riches of His word, giving you revelation and life-changing insight that will help you become everything God's called you to be, fulfilling your mission. purpose and plan for our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining me today on the Daily Word podcast. I hope this encourages you to stay faithful in the Word and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. God bless you and we'll catch you again tomorrow.