We are in a series called Moving Forward.

We are setting our eyes on Jesus in 2022 and leaving anything that hinders us in our past.

When I was reading Matthew 14, I saw a roadmap of principles outlining how we should “faith out load” in 2022. Stick with me as we rarely use an entire chapter for our lesson.

Matthew 14:1-12

Jesus loses an ally in John the Baptist.
Sometimes when the enemy can’t touch us, he will focus his efforts on someone else close or meaningful to us. The impact can cause us to lose us focus on God’s work or moving forward.

In Matthew 14:13 Jesus withdrew to himself.

This year we have to be careful not to isolate ourselves during difficult times.

Being around other believers is helpful on many levels. Believers may help pray you through or get you to refocus on what God has called you to instead of on what the enemy wants to use to call you away from God’s plan.

Losing a Champion

All loss is difficult to navigate. However, losing someone who could really see you may be the deepest cut. People who are champions of us are no doubt bright lights that encourage us along on our journey.

Matthew 11:11

John 1:29

Matthew 3:16

John 3:30

It’s important to remember that Jesus is the brightest light in our life, and the Holy Spirit is the greatest encourager we will ever need. Don’t let associations with other people who God may use to push us to our purpose in him (destiny pushers) become a subsite for your relationship with the Lord.

Focus on the right relationship

John 3:30

Don’t compete with others in the kingdom. God uses us all in different ways and for different seasons.

Matthew 14:14

When we are hurting, we can still be a blessing to others.

This year our focus forward must include others and not just ourselves.

Can you put the needs of others above our own?

The world’s proverb is self-preservation, but Jesus shows us a blueprint to joy, and strength by helping and loving others. It’s the opposite of what the world teaches.

Following Jesus’s example unlocks the joy all Christians need for strength.

John 15:11-12

When we give up His joy, we also give up our strength in Him. This is why the enemy loves to keep us depressed or in sorrow. It’s natural to grieve, but we cannot wallow in sorrow.

Jesus moved forward from his sorry by doing and giving to others.
He broke the cycle of sorry with the joy that comes from giving.

Proverbs 11:25

Romans 11:33

God’s principles don’t make much sense to the world because they are for our spirit not our flesh. Our blessings may lay the opposite direction of what the world thinks we really need.

Job 11:7-9

Matthew 20:16

Luke 6:29

2 Corinthians 12:10

This year to grow you will have to lean to pray for someone other than yourself.

This year don’t be fooled by the ways things look. God can do much with little.

Matthew 14:18

Blessed, broken, and giving is a metaphor on how God deals with us.

We all know that we are blessed, but did you also know that you needed to be broken? It is the breaking, which releases the anointing of God.

Jesus is the breaker! The one who opens the gate and makes a way for us.

Will you make yourself available maintain God’s oil this year? Are you willing to be broken for His use?

This year don’t complain about what God didn’t do if you’re not willing to make yourself available for His use

Don’t look at the size of what you have to offer. If Jesus can feed five thousand people with so little and have leftovers, it’s safe to say you and Jesus are more than enough. Get use to saying “I have more than enough”

Blessed, broken, and giving

This year you will need to do more that’s the giving.

Don’t be afraid to give beyond what you think you can. Remember you have more than enough through Jesus. It was ultimately His own given that moved Him forward through personal difficult times.

Matthew 14:22-24

The disciples did exactly what God instructed but still found themselves in a storm.

Don’t be confused by circumstances. Some storms are sent and needed to reveal certain things to us about God and ourselves.

Stay obedient no matter the cost. Staying obedient is staying blessed.

Jesus was on a hill side praying that overlooks the sea of Galilee. At all times He could still see the disciples.

You may feel like God can’t see you, but He always does.

No storm will keep Jesus from us. He is aware and can manage anything condition and still reach us.

Don’t let your condition or circumstance cause you to run from God during trouble. God promised to be with us no matter what.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Matthew 14:28

What do you do with your faith during a storm?

Do you shrink or apply faith?

Are you willing to walk forward to Jesus to get what He has no matter the surroundings?

Peter was the only one with Jesus willing to risk it for what Jesus has to offer.

This year are you willing to trust God and leave the comfort of what you know?

Peter begins to sink because he was not focus forward on Jesus.
You must always concentrate on Christ and don’t let the environment or people around you distract you from exercising your faith in Him.

Who in the boat did something new? Peter! He was a cycle breaker. Are you?

You will not always be able to sit where you are. God will send a storm at some point that makes every boat unsafe. Will you step out on the water believing in Jesus?

John 8:36