August 18th, 2025
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
By Faith, Let Go!
A small boy was playing with a valuable vase. He placed his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father tried his best to get it out, to no avail. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, “Now my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull.” To their astonishment the little fellow said, “O no, dad, I couldn’t put my fingers out like that because if I did I would drop my dime.”
In Matthew 14, the disciples saw Jesus walking across the top of the Sea of Galilee coming toward their fishing vessel. When he had told them to relax because it was him, Peter told Jesus that if it was truly him, to invite him to walk out to him. Jesus told him to come. Peter had talked himself into a moment of decision. Would he hang onto the security of the boat or would he take a chance on Christ’s ability to help him walk on water? Peter had a choice; cling to the familiar or take a risk on the blessing of doing something completely unfamiliar. Because he chose to obey the invitation of Jesus, he walked on water. Wow!
Jesus has encouraged us to step out on faith with him over and over again, but often we have clung to the side of the boat. We have clutched our fist tightly around the familiar; the easy, the old reliable, the material. Like the little boy, we just can’t let go of that dime. But if we do, he will take us to levels we never thought possible. He will work miracles in and through our lives. We only need to believe in him enough to let go.
This Sunday, we will talk about the way of faith in a message titled, “Faith=Trust=Risk.” Take a step of faith and come hear this message of hope and victory. I look forward to sharing it with you.
Risking it all,
Jon
By Faith, Let Go!
A small boy was playing with a valuable vase. He placed his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father tried his best to get it out, to no avail. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, “Now my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull.” To their astonishment the little fellow said, “O no, dad, I couldn’t put my fingers out like that because if I did I would drop my dime.”
In Matthew 14, the disciples saw Jesus walking across the top of the Sea of Galilee coming toward their fishing vessel. When he had told them to relax because it was him, Peter told Jesus that if it was truly him, to invite him to walk out to him. Jesus told him to come. Peter had talked himself into a moment of decision. Would he hang onto the security of the boat or would he take a chance on Christ’s ability to help him walk on water? Peter had a choice; cling to the familiar or take a risk on the blessing of doing something completely unfamiliar. Because he chose to obey the invitation of Jesus, he walked on water. Wow!
Jesus has encouraged us to step out on faith with him over and over again, but often we have clung to the side of the boat. We have clutched our fist tightly around the familiar; the easy, the old reliable, the material. Like the little boy, we just can’t let go of that dime. But if we do, he will take us to levels we never thought possible. He will work miracles in and through our lives. We only need to believe in him enough to let go.
This Sunday, we will talk about the way of faith in a message titled, “Faith=Trust=Risk.” Take a step of faith and come hear this message of hope and victory. I look forward to sharing it with you.
Risking it all,
Jon
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