Text: Matthew 14:23-32
Memory verse:
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.” Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
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A team of researchers conducted an experiment, with four monkeys put in a room and a long pole hanging a bunch of banana at the center. As each of the monkeys climbed the pole and tried to grab a banana, it was doused with a torrent of cold water. Squealing, each rushed down the pole and after several attempts, each abandoned the banana. One of them was removed and replaced with a new one. As soon as this new monkey tried to climb, the others pulled him back. He also gave up trying after being pulled down severally. The researchers replaced each of the original monkeys one after another with new monkeys and they were all dragged down. This continued until the room was filled with monkeys who had never experienced the cold water splashes but none would climb the pole and yet none of them knew why!
Do you know that, aside from Jesus, the scriptures did not record that any other person walked on the water except Peter? Interestingly, others had the same opportunity to make history like Peter, for they were together in the same boat when the storm raged and Jesus appeared. They allowed their past experiences of failure to paralyze them and to keep them in the boat. They were afraid to venture into the new experience. They were so fearful that they doubted even with Jesus’ command to come. They would have sneered at Peter when he began to sink and say, “We knew it will happen”.
Peter took a faith-guaranteed risk. He knew that staying inside the boat doesn’t guarantee safety in the storm anyway. He also knew that if he failed in the process, the Lord who called him will help him. If the boat wouldn’t keep him safe in the storm, it was wise to give it up and take a faith-venture to a more secure place on the sea. Can you imagine the regret the other disciples would have felt when they eventually saw Peter walking side by side with Jesus back into the boat! What about the honour and sense of fulfillment Peter had!
Friends, don’t allow fear to keep you in the failure freeway and to make you live below your God-given destiny. You can avoid the regret and unfulfillment that fear brings. Deal with it today and by faith, move out to a new ground in your walk with God, marriage, finance, health, business, academics and in all areas of your endeavours. Hallelujah!

Prayer points
1. I rebuke the spirit of fear and I break its bondage in my life by faith in Jesus name.
2. I destroy the power of past failures in my life and I break out of the failure freeway in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I don’t allow my past experiences of failure or defeat to paralyze me with fear and to keep me in the failure freeway.
2. If my boat can’t keep me safe in the storm, I take a faith-guaranteed risk into a new experience.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng