I recently saw a new book titled “It’s hard to walk on water if you don’t get out of the boat.” I don’t know what the content of that book was about, but from the title I believe that I could make a pretty good guess. There is a lot to be said about the name of this book, and it all comes down to this…how do you know how strong your faith is unless you use it? Matthew 14:26 “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. (28)And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. These verses are often used to show the faith of Peter. The disciples were all sitting in the boat watching Jesus walk on the water and most were content to stay there and watch, and maybe they were saying things to one another like “That’s amazing”, “Look at the power Jesus has”, “That’s great!, wonderful!, I can’t wait to tell others what I’ve seen tonight.” And isn’t that how it is most of the time? We want to tell others that we saw happen. The exception was Peter, he wasn’t content to sit in the boat like a fan at a baseball game cheering his favorite player to run faster and make it to home plate. No, Peter wasn’t going to be a spectator; he wanted to be a participator. Peter didn’t want to watch in anticipation as to what may happen next, he wanted to be out there “swinging the bat” so to speak. There is a lot to be said about what Peter did. He gave us an example as to how we should follow Jesus. Those that stayed in the boat could talk about faith, but Peter showed his faith.

If we look at the “boat” as our comfort zone, the place that we feel we are best suited for serving the Lord, our routine of coming to church services, going through the praise and worship, giving our offering, listening to the sermon, then we float along until the next service. We know that as long as we stay in the boat, we are going to be alright. Things won’t be too difficult, they won’t be too hard or revealing about who we really are spiritually. That’s what those that stayed in the boat did… they stayed in their comfort zone. But, who stepped out of the comfort zone and tried their faith? Peter did and because of his faith and willingness to try something out of the norm, his desire to do more than watch, his desire to be closer to Jesus; Peter is the one who we read about on the Day of Pentecost in the book of Acts. Do we connect Peter with the establishment of the Apostolic Church because he stayed in the boat? I firmly believe that Jesus was testing everyone in that boat to see who was willing to do more than just sit and watch and hang on. Jesus was looking for the one person from that group who would separate themselves and literally step out on faith and be someone he could use in a great way.

We can say we trust the Lord for our needs, but when was the last time we actually prayed, believed and waiting to receive? Have you let God work out a problem, provide money for a bill or give you strength to make it through the day? Have you asked someone to church that you never thought would say yes?… but they showed up?

Have you been out of the boat lately?

We walk through valleys only to reach the next mountain top. We walk through fires to attain the unmatched splendor and quality of gold. We travel through storms to find respite of peace and spiritual regeneration. We go through sickness, disappointments, despair, and all manners of tests and find that none of these can overcome us if we refuse to give up and walk through to the other side of the problem. Whatever the trial, whomever the accuser of our faith, there’s an end to the adversity, and we will reach that end.. if we persevere. We can endure for a season, because there is hope on the other side. We can make it through!

We are like the wise man that built his house on the rocks. Wind and rain assaulted all that he had worked so hard to construct. Hours of hard labor, sweat, sacrifice, effort, his faith, his dwelling faced the same elements that found his foolish neighbor. The difference lay in the foundation. He had wisely built upon the chief cornerstone that had and would continue to resist the storms of life. He made it through the storm to face another day of blessings and prosperity. HE found peace on the other side of the strong gales and dashing waves. No doubt, during the dark, boisterous assault of the storm he suffered loss; yet he made it through.

How refreshing! How liberating! How like our great, merciful God! Yes, He has confirmed there will be fires of testing, storms of destruction, valleys to face, and trials to overcome, but He has also confirmed that it’s not a permanent state of living. We will “go through” and reach the other side. Refocus, renew your vision. Look beyond the present problem and fix your eyes on what awaits you. You will make it through!

By Deborah Mayo
Apostolic Witness 04/1999

2 Chronicles 29 gives us an account of Hezekiah. King Hezekiah did amazing things for his people. He cleansed the temple, he brought several religious reforms, unified the people, and even brought joy to the land such as hadn’t been since King Solomon. The interesting thing is that Hezekiah was only 25 years old when he became king of Judah! Hezekiah became king during a dark time for God’s people. They had fallen into idolatry, and removed the Holy things from the temple. Because of his boldness, zeal and faith he turned the course of an entire nation. The unified youth of a church are able to accomplish extraordinary works of God. Consider David and Goliath:

1 Samuel 17:42
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

We all know the story: one smooth stone and the giant falls. Then David the “youth” runs to him and cuts off his head. According to Biblical timelines, David was between the ages of 12-16 when he slew Goliath.
The devil is similar to a type of Goliath. He commonly uses our age against us as a way of showing us that we are insufficient and to intimidate us. He tries it because the fact of the matter is that we intimidate him.

Ps 127:4
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

1 Tim 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Do the youth of today have it hard? Certainly. Do the youth of today get wrapped up in the world? Sure. But make no mistake, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds: today’s youth aren’t pushovers. They are the next generation of ambassadors for Christ. No one pushes around an ambassador and gets away with it. The youth aren’t preparing to do battle with Goliath; they are in the heat of the battle right now. Support the youth. They are the giant killers.

First of all, I would like to say that I love Apostolic Christian Church and everyone in it. I would like to say a special thanks to Brother Davis, who helped me so much in my conversion to an Apostolic; it was quite a long and bumpy road and without his help I could not have done it. Adam, thank you so much for bringing me to this church and sticking by me in my long journey, and a special thanks to Jesus Christ for saving my soul and choosing to die not only for my soul but everyone’s!
I was just a year old when I started going to a small church in Roan Mountain. I grew up there and was saved. I was very into the church. Then I realized that I just did not feel right at that church; something was wrong and something was missing. At that time I was not completely sure what it was. I am ashamed to say that I got out of church for a little while and was not doing so well, because I got discouraged and down and out. I felt as if I had no place to go, but little did I know that God had something GREAT in store for me.
On May 20, 2008 God sent Adam into my life. That was my turning point! Adam introduced me to this new type of church to me, and at first I have to say I was a little scared and shocked! I actually leaned over to Adam in the first service that he had taken me to and asked if his church handled snakes! I thought you guys were crazy. I just did not know what to say or what to do.
I gradually started coming more and more, and came to find out that this is exactly where Jesus wanted me to be; this was what I was supposed to do. I talked to quite a few people about how I was supposed to go about being the “true” apostolic that I was seeing in the church. Then, at National Youth Convention 2008, I received the most precious gift I have ever received. No, it was not a brand new car or something that you can buy at the mall. It was a gift from Jesus Christ himself. Yes, you guessed it, a small little girl received the Holy Ghost, and just for the record, it has been the MOST life changing event I have ever been through.
I came back to town and everyone told me, Meghan, you’ve changed, you are different, what’s wrong? I then replied that I have changed. Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior now lives in me! I then started to get more involved in church and I love it here. This is my new family. God really turned things around for me in this life. I thank him every day for it; He is amazing and helps me through everything. I could do nothing without Him!!! If I could have a moral to my story it would be to trust and rely on God, no matter how far down you seem to feel. Just pray, pray, and pray some more because God always comes through. He came through for me and He will do the same for you!!
I would just like to thank everyone in the church for taking me in and treating me just like I have been here forever. I love each and every one of you, and if anyone ever needs anything I will do anything that I possibly can to help you.
Love,
Sister Meghan