Matthew 14.25-33
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
But when the disciples saw him…they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I. Have no fear.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Dear Friends,
Last week I sent out a quick update and I’m very thankful for so many answers to prayer! I just had to share them with you today!
1. Within hours after I requested prayer for a car, the Lord provided one for me. We hope to pick it up later this week! Praise the Lord. Why did I worry?!
2. Then that same day, the Lord arranged for us to ‘bump into’ friends who have a daughter with special needs. They were looking for someone who would take care of her for a few weeks, so that fit in perfectly for my schedule. I was hoping to have a temporary job to fill in until I head to the Florida to finish the Mengen New Testament! Praise the Lord. Why did I fret?!
3. And yesterday I received word that the New Testament progress is moving along quickly. Lord willing I’ll be headed to Florida in August to do the final spell-checking before the book is sent to the printers! Another major answer to prayer. Why was I anxious?!
4. Last week we prayed that everyone would be safe during the recent eruption of Mt. Ulawun, the huge volcano near where the Mengen church and missionary team is located. Thankfully we have heard that Flanagans are doing fine. Also, the believers in our 2 outreach villages are doing well and everyone seems to have survived the volcanic eruption. (the smoke and ash went up 65,000 feet in the air!!) Thankfully Flanagans should be out for a break in a few weeks and I’ve VERY anxious to talk with them and hear about all their adventures!! Why did I fear?!
The Lord has really shown His strength to me this week and I’m so incredibly thankful. During this time of transition from my ministry in Papua New Guinea, I’ve been like Peter, looking at the wind and waves and starting to be terrified and sink. My eyes have been on the storm all around me and not so much on my Master. “Oh me of little faith!”
Thank the Lord with me for His gracious provisions this past week! Also, please pray for a family in our village in PNG. It sounds like their young daughter may have appendicitis. In this country, that can be tricky, but in a third world country without immediate access to medical help, something like appendicitis is often deadly. Lord willing the mission airplane will be flying in tomorrow, so please pray that the Lord would keep His hand on this little girl and that she would survive this terrible illness. Pray too for her parents Edward and Franseska. They have had a very difficult year with marriage issues and spiritual wandering. Pray that the Lord would use this crisis to cause them to turn to Himself. Pray too that they would both come together in humility and forgiveness. This family is very precious to us as a team and our hearts ache to see them away from the Lord.
Praise the Lord for He is GOOD. His love endures forever.
Becky Preheim