Notes of Faith July 2, 2026
Pulling Others Up
Matt 14:22-33
22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!"
Logan Hayes was stuck in traffic on Interstate 95 when he noticed a vehicle sinking in a nearby pond. He leaped from his car and jumped in the water. A panicked woman was stuck in the front seat. Logan pulled her out and swam her fifty feet to shore. The woman was pregnant, and hours after the rescue she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. One unselfish act, two lives saved!1
It’s important to keep our eyes open for drowning people. They may be drowning in debt, drowning in sorrow, or drowning in sin. When Peter was sinking beneath the waves, Jesus reached down and pulled him up. Later Peter stretched out his hand to a lame man, pulled him to his feet, and the man began walking and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:7-8).
The same Jesus who knew how to pull Peter from the overwhelming waves can empower us to pull people from their bad places in life. As we attempt to live our lives as Christ did, we have the responsibility of looking out for the interests of others. Ask Him to show you ways to pull others up.
The Bible teaches that we have a Christian duty to help our neighbors in their time of need. We are called by God to bring the water of life for both soul and body.
Billy Graham
1“Good Samaritan Rescues Pregnant Woman From Sinking Car in Florida, ” 6ABC Action News, February 10, 2026.
James 5:20
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Jude 22-23
have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
1 Cor 9:19-23
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
We are being made into fishers of men (mankind), that we might participate in the joy of the Lord by preaching/sharing the gospel that saves souls through the blood of Jesus, the only sacrifice that brings atonement for sin!
Let us go into all the world, (perhaps in our own home, or next door) sharing the grace, love, mercy, and judgment of God with those He places around us. The blessings we receive are eternal as are those who hear and believe in the Son of God for their salvation!
Pastor Dale