“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
**This week has been a week that has reminded me again to put my trust ONLY in the LORD. Keeping my eyes focused on Him. The preparations for the upcoming Florida Camp Meeting at Camp Kulaqua, April 20-23 are in the final stages.
“Fill with His Spirit” is the Theme for this year. I know that things will be changing even up to the end, but it will be the Lord’s plan that will prevail. Lots of prayer is need for the presenters and speakers, plus the behind the scenes people. Thank You for being faithful and supporting them. However your week(s) end, let’s make sure that we look to the ONE who is control.
Walking on Water
Apr 01, 2017 07:00 am
The story of Jesus walking on the water to join His disciples in their boat while caught in a storm is recounted in three of the four Gospels. Only Matthew records Peter’s request to Jesus that he come join Him on the water. Jesus replied, “Come,” and Peter stepped out onto the water and started walking toward Jesus. “But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ “
In this story Peter is able to perform an amazing feat – walking on water. But he can do this only while his eyes are fixed on Jesus. As soon as his attention wanders from Jesus, he begins to sink. As Ellen G. White says, “When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour.”
Activities you might want to try:
*Walking on Water Maze
For this activity, you will need two toilet paper rolls glued together to form binoculars and various classroom objects (chairs, tables, easels, etc).Before you begin, arrange the classroom objects around the room so that they form a maze. Try to add as many turns as you can and maybe even some dead ends! Divide your kids so they each have a partner. Give one child the binoculars and tell them they must go through the maze with the binoculars up, acting as blinders to the sides of the maze. The partner without binoculars will enter the maze first, and stay a few steps ahead of the other. Tell the child with binoculars that to make it through the maze, he must keep his eyes fixed on his partner and follow him through. If he doesn’t, he will bump into the sides and “sink”. If he “sinks,” his partner may come back and take his hand to guide him the rest of the way out. Make sure to take turns so that every child gets a chance with the binoculars!
Explain the Lesson Behind the Maze
Sometimes young children don’t make the connection to this story and their own lives. Explain to them that sometimes in life, they may experience difficult times, like “storms”. Although they will never have the chance to really “walk on water”, if they keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, they can make it through all of life’s storms.
*Memory Verse Activity: Materials Needed: cut out picture of Jesus, memory verse poster
Read this week’s memory verse from the poster. Point to each word as you read it:
Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Paste a picture of Jesus on top of the waves glued to the poster board. Have the children stare at the picture of Jesus while they say the verse together again. Have them repeat this a few times.
Ask the children questions about staring at the picture of Jesus.
Children, when you were staring at the picture Jesus, could you still see the waves? (Yes, they could still see the waves.)
Which seemed bigger, Jesus or the waves? (Jesus)
Now I want you to stare at the poster board again. But this time, don’t look at Jesus. Only look at the waves. Give the children a few moments do this.
Now which looked bigger, the picture of Jesus or the waves? (They should say the waves. If they don’t, suggest that the waves looked bigger when they focused only on them.)
Children, whatever we keep looking at is what will seem the biggest in our lives. If we look at our problems, they’ll seem bigger. But if we keep looking to Jesus, He is bigger than our problems. Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith.
After sharing this, connect it to the Bible story in Matthew 14:22-33:
We’re about to hear a story about when Jesus walked on the water. He invited Peter to join him. When Peter looked at Jesus, he had faith enough to walk on the water.
*Calendar Updates:
April 8 Bellview Community Outreach Program
April 15 Avon Park SDA Adventurer Sabbath Church Service
April 20-23 English Camp Meeting @ Camp Kulaqua
May 6 Go Fish/Creative Ministry Workshop @
Palm Coast SDA Church
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**Please prayer for the Children in the Bellview area that will be at the Adventurer/Go Fish Community outreach this Sabbath afternoon April 8 at Lake Lillian Park. The Go Fish Team is partnering with them to make this an awesome community event.
I know that the Lord has plans for you. Trust Him to lead, even in the storms of life.