HLM Live | STEPPING OUT IN THE STORM pt.2 | Overcoming Obstacles | Elvis Ghansah Learning to Walk Ab

Devotional

Day 1: Stepping Out in Faith Amid Uncertainty

When faced with uncertainty, it is easy to remain in the comfort zone, but true growth and breakthrough come when you learn to recognize the voice of God and step out in faith, even when you are unsure of the outcome. Peter’s willingness to leave the safety of the boat, despite not being certain it was Jesus, teaches that obedience often requires moving forward before all the answers are clear. God calls His people to trust His leading, to discern His voice among many, and to take bold steps, knowing that He is faithful to guide and sustain. [32:55]

Matthew 14:28-29 (NKJV)
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where uncertainty has kept you from moving forward? How can you intentionally listen for God’s voice and take a step of faith this week, even if you don’t have all the answers?

Day 2: Overcoming Fear and Distraction by Focusing on Jesus

Fear and distraction are powerful forces that can cause you to sink in the storms of life, but when you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, you find the strength to rise above what threatens to overwhelm you. Peter walked on water as long as his focus remained on Jesus, but the moment he looked at the wind and waves, fear took over and he began to sink. The key to overcoming fear is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ and a steadfast focus on Him, regardless of the circumstances. [34:13]

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: When fear or distractions arise today, what practical step can you take to shift your focus back to Jesus and His promises?

Day 3: Growing from Little Faith to Finishing Faith

Little faith is enough to start the journey, but God desires that your faith grows strong enough to finish well. Peter had enough faith to step onto the water, but not enough to keep walking when the storm intensified. Faith is like a muscle that must be exercised and fed daily through the Word of God; neglecting it leads to weakness and frustration. By making time for Scripture and allowing God’s Word to charge your spirit, you move from barely surviving to thriving, and you position yourself for miracles and breakthroughs. [37:56]

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Reflection: How can you intentionally feed your faith today—what specific time or practice will you set aside to immerse yourself in God’s Word?

Day 4: Inviting Jesus’ Presence into the Unchanging Storm

Some storms do not cease immediately, even when you are walking in faith, but peace is found not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of Jesus. The disciples experienced calm only when Jesus entered the boat, reminding us that inviting Him into every area of our lives brings peace that surpasses understanding, even if the situation remains unchanged for a time. Rather than only asking for the storm to end, seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, allowing His presence to bring calm to your chaos and guide you safely through. [45:46]

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop asking for the storm to end and start inviting Jesus to be present with you? How will you do that today?

Day 5: Worship as the Response and Pathway Through Every Storm

Every storm is an opportunity to see God’s greatness revealed and to respond with worship, not worry. When Jesus and Peter entered the boat and the storm ceased, the disciples’ immediate response was to worship Him, declaring His divinity. Worship shifts your focus from the waves to the Way Maker, turning panic into praise and transforming every trial into a testimony. No matter what you face, let worship be your language, before, during, and after the storm, trusting that God will bring you through and your story will end in praise. [53:27]

Psalm 34:1-3 (NKJV)
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

Reflection: How can you intentionally choose worship over worry today, regardless of your circumstances? What is one way you will praise God in the midst of your current storm?

Sermon Summary

Storms are a part of life, but they are also classrooms where faith is tested, refined, and revealed. Drawing from Matthew 14:28-33, the journey of Peter walking on water with Jesus shows us that the very things meant to drown us can become the ground we walk on—if we keep our eyes on Christ. Uncertainty, fear, distraction, doubt, and little faith are all obstacles that arise when we step out in faith. Yet, each of these can be overcome by recognizing God’s voice, leaving our comfort zones, and feeding our faith daily with the Word of God.

Little faith is not the absence of faith; even a mustard seed can move mountains. Peter’s little faith was enough to start walking on water, but not enough to finish. This teaches us that faith must be continually nourished and exercised, just like a muscle or a phone battery that needs charging. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more our faith grows, and the less room there is for fear and doubt. When fear and faith compete, the one we feed will dominate our lives.

Sometimes, even after stepping out in faith, the storm does not cease immediately. The presence of Jesus does not always mean the absence of trouble, but it does guarantee peace in the midst of chaos. The storm only ceased when Jesus and Peter entered the boat together. This reminds us that peace is not found in the absence of waves, but in the presence of Christ. We must invite Jesus not just to fix our problems, but to dwell in every area of our lives. His presence brings calm, drives out panic, and gives us the courage to keep moving forward.

Our response to God’s deliverance should always be worship. Storms reveal not just our weakness, but God’s greatness. When the disciples saw Jesus calm the storm, their natural response was to worship Him, declaring, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” Worship shifts our focus from the waves to the Way Maker, turning every storm into a testimony. Even before the storm ends, let praise be on our lips, for praise is the language of survivors. As we step out in faith, may our lives end not in panic, but in praise, and may every storm we face reveal the greatness of our God.

Key Takeaways

1. Little faith is enough to start, but not to finish Even a small amount of faith can move us to step out of our comfort zones and begin the journey God calls us to. However, to finish well, our faith must be continually fed and strengthened through the Word of God. Don’t despise small beginnings, but also don’t settle for little faith—let it grow so you can endure to the end. [35:31]
2. Peace is found in Christ’s presence, not in calm circumstances True peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Jesus in the midst of it. When we invite Him into our “boat,” He brings calm to our chaos, even if the storm still rages outside. The assurance of His nearness drives out panic and anchors our hearts in hope. [45:46]
3. Worship is the right response to every storm Storms are not just obstacles; they are opportunities to see God’s greatness. When we worship in the midst of trials, our focus shifts from our problems to God’s power. Worship transforms panic into praise and turns every storm into a testimony of God’s faithfulness. [53:27]
4. Feed your faith daily to overcome fear and doubt Faith is like a muscle or a battery—it must be exercised and recharged regularly. Immersing ourselves in God’s Word and remembering His past faithfulness keeps our faith strong and our fears at bay. The more we feed our faith, the less room there is for fear to take hold. [37:56]
5. Step out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain God often calls us to move before the storm is over or the way is clear. Obedience sometimes means leaving what feels safe and trusting His voice, even when it doesn’t make sense. Miracles happen on the waves, not in the comfort of the boat. [58:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:04] - Introduction and Testimonies
[32:55] - Obstacles: Uncertainty and Recognizing God’s Voice
[34:13] - Obstacles: Fear, Distraction, and Doubt
[35:31] - The Obstacle of Little Faith
[37:56] - Feeding Your Faith Daily
[40:13] - Don’t Despise Small Beginnings
[43:27] - The Obstacle of the Unchanging Storm
[45:46] - Peace in the Presence of Jesus
[47:09] - Inviting Jesus into Your Situation
[49:39] - Letting Jesus Bring Calm
[51:10] - The Response: Worship
[53:27] - Worship Shifts Focus from Waves to Way Maker
[57:13] - Worship Turns Storms into Testimonies
[58:03] - Summary and Lessons from the Passage
[63:30] - Practical Application for the Week
[65:09] - Closing Prayers and Declarations
[82:51] - Announcements and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Walking Above the Storm**

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### Bible Reading

**Matthew 14:28-33 (NKJV)**
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

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### Observation Questions

What were the different obstacles Peter faced as he stepped out of the boat and walked on water? (uncertainty, fear, distraction, doubt, little faith) [[32:55]]
According to the passage, when did the storm actually stop—when Peter stepped out, when he started sinking, or when Jesus and Peter got into the boat? [[43:27]]
How did the disciples respond after Jesus calmed the storm and entered the boat? [[51:50]]
What did Jesus say to Peter after saving him from sinking, and what does that reveal about Peter’s faith? [[35:31]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus allowed Peter to experience fear and doubt even after he had stepped out in faith? What does this teach us about the journey of faith? [[34:13]]
The sermon says, “Little faith is enough to start, but not to finish.” What does this mean in the context of Peter’s experience and our own walk with God? [[35:31]]
The storm did not stop immediately when Peter was rescued. What does this suggest about the presence of Jesus and the reality of ongoing challenges in our lives? [[45:46]]
The disciples’ response was to worship Jesus after the storm. Why is worship the right response, and how does it shift our focus from the problem to God? [[53:27]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon mentions that storms are “classrooms where faith is tested, refined, and revealed.” Can you share a recent “storm” in your life? How did it test or grow your faith? [[59:50]]
Peter was able to walk on water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. Is there a specific distraction or fear in your life right now that is making it hard to focus on Jesus? What practical step can you take this week to shift your focus back to Him? [[32:55]]
The message says, “Feed your faith daily to overcome fear and doubt.” What is one way you can intentionally feed your faith this week—through Scripture, prayer, or another practice? [[37:56]]
Sometimes, even after stepping out in faith, the storm doesn’t stop right away. How do you usually respond when your situation doesn’t change immediately? What would it look like to invite Jesus into your “boat” instead of just asking Him to fix your problem? [[47:09]]
The sermon challenges us to step out in faith even when the outcome is uncertain. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out, but you’re hesitant? What is holding you back, and what would it look like to trust His voice this week? [[58:03]]
Worship is described as the “language of survivors.” How can you make worship a part of your response to challenges, even before you see the breakthrough? Can you think of a specific way to praise God in the middle of your current storm? [[53:27]]
The message encourages us not to despise small beginnings or little faith. Is there a small step of faith you can take this week, even if it feels insignificant? How can you celebrate and build on that step? [[40:13]]

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Sermon Clips

A believer is disconnected from the word of God runs on low spiritual battle. You cannot claim to be a Christian who is not plugged into the word of God, who is not connected to the word of God. So, we must do what? Connect to the word of God. [00:37:44] (19 seconds) #StayConnectedToGod

God's promise to us is his word. He's only committed to his word to us. Apart from his word, God has no obligation towards us. All his miracles, all his promises are based on his word of promise. And so, when we stand by his word, he will ensure his word comes to pass. [00:42:24] (24 seconds) #GodsWordPromises

Your peace is not the absence of waves. It is the presence of Jesus. The moment you let go of Jesus, you have let go of your peace. He is our peace, who has broken down every wall. Jesus is our peace. [00:45:54] (22 seconds) #JesusIsPeace

Even in an overwhelming situation, knowing that Jesus is with you and God who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. When you understand that and you lay hold on that, no matter the situation, you will still be at peace. You will not panic. [00:48:40] (18 seconds) #NeverForsaken

Stop asking for the storm to go away and start asking for Jesus to come closer. Build an intimate relationship with the Lord. That is what you need. If you have a stronger bond with him, if you build an intimate relationship with him, no situation will overwhelm you. [00:50:15] (21 seconds) #CloserToJesus

Storms don't just reveal our weakness. They reveal his greatness. So, may every storm reveal his greatness in your life. May every storm that you have encountered reveal his greatness. [00:52:10] (15 seconds) #StormsRevealGod

Worship is the natural response to a revelation of who Jesus is. If you know who Jesus is, when you are worshiping, you care less about what other people think or what other people feel. You know what you get from him. You know the benefits you derive from him. [00:53:27] (22 seconds) #WorshipRevealsJesus

Worship turns every storm into a testimony. Worship turns every storm into what? A testimony. You will have a testimony. In the mighty name of Jesus. I say you will have a testimony. In the name of Jesus. [00:57:13] (16 seconds) #WorshipCreatesTestimony

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