Focusing on Jesus!

Matthew 14:27- ....."It's all right," he (Jesus) said. "I am here! Don't be afraid."


What am I afraid of? That is a simple answer for me. I am afraid of the unknown. I'm afraid of what could happen.  In chapter 14(v.22-36) of the book of Matthew, Peter steps out in faith and begins to follow Jesus, walking on the water during a terrible storm that is threatening the boat and the lives of the other disciples. Peter has no problem stepping out in faith. It's the staying on top of the water part that gives Peter trouble.The second he takes his focus off Jesus, Peter finds himself treading water. But before he can go under, Jesus grabs his hand.
  For me, it's getting out of the boat. The thought of taking action, any kind of action, is what scares me.I have been paralyzed by fear most of my life, but it was when I gave Jesus my fear that things began to change. Slowly, I have learned each time that I feel fear, that I need to give that fear to Jesus and let him deal with it and guide me.
   When I take my focus off Jesus, like Peter, that is when everything unravels. Instead, I mistakenly focus on my fears:the what if's, the what-could-be's,the how-will I ever get out of this question. This is exactly where Satan wants us-focusing on the possibilites that will never come to pass. Satan wants our thoughts on anything but Jesus.
  If we focus on Jesus,everything else will fall by the waist side.
  All we need when we are going through the storms of life is JESUS.
  All we need is JESUS. Set out of the boat an walk with Jesus.
  As I write this, like everything that I write, I am reminded to practice what I preach.
  There is a question that I have written on a post-it note in my bible that says "Are you focused on Jesus?"
   Are you?

Where do I go to pray?

Matthew 14:23- After he(Jesus) had dismissed them (the crowd), he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Mark 1:35-Very early in the morning,while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.


Why do you think Jesus went alone to pray?
The Bible tells us that he went  to pray where there would be no distractions.
I believe that when we are in a quiet place, we are in a place to hear and experience God.
Where do I go to pray? I have a prayer spot at home, which is in front of a big window seal by our back door. It is usually early in the morning while everyone is still asleep.

I also pray while I'm driving, with my eyes open of course.

Sometimes I pray out loud in my car. God loves to hear our voices.

Sometimes I pray when I'm walking the dog and on occasion, and sometimes it can be distracting, depending on the mood and behaviour of my pooch.

I pray when I'm work,usually alone, because it is peaceful, although there distractions from time to time. (I do this at lunch, for those who are wondering if i should be working.) Lunchtime is the besr time to pray with total peace and free from distractions.

These are just a few places I find to talk to God.

What about you? Where do you pray?