The Church of God Ocala

06/06/2026

06/03/2026

Wednesday Night Bible Study Lesson. May the Lord Bless you.

The Anatomy of a Holy Risk Stepping Out of the Boat

What is something you’ve done in your life that felt like a massive risk at the time, but paid off completely?

A "holy risk" isn't reckless gambling or foolishness; it is obedience to a specific word from God, even when the circumstances around you don't make sense. Safety isn't found in a sturdy boat; safety is found wherever Jesus is.

Recognizing the In Between Storm

​Matthew 14:22-24 (NIV)
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."
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Notice that the disciples were in this storm because they obeyed Jesus. He made them get in the boat. Sometimes, a challenging environment isn't a sign of God's absence; it’s the exact arena He chose for your next breakthrough.

Why do we automatically assume that if a situation gets chaotic or difficult, we must have made a wrong turn?

Matthew 14:25-29 (NIV)
"Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It’s a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.' 'Lord, if it’s you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."

Look at Peter's condition: “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come.” Peter didn't just jump out of the boat on a whim or a dare. He waited for a word. The difference between a foolish risk and a holy risk is the word "Come."

Eleven other disciples stayed in the boat. It’s always safer to stay with the crowd, but you can’t walk on water if you refuse to untie your hands from the railing. What "boat" of comfort or predictability are you currently clinging to?

Managing the Distractions of the Deep

​Matthew 14:30-31 (NIV)
"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"

Peter didn't start sinking because the water changed; he started sinking because his focus changed. The moment he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves, logic and fear took over.

When you try to take a step of faith, what are the "waves" (the doubts, the opinions of others, the financial stats) that most easily distract you and make you start to sink?

The 3 Elements of a Holy Risk

If you want to move from waiting for a breakthrough to stepping into one, you have to understand the anatomy of how a holy risk works

It Requires a Disconnect from Comfort:

You cannot discover what God can do through you until you are willing to let go of what you can control on your own.

It Requires Laser Focus:

You have to lock your eyes onto Jesus and tune out the noise of the storm. If you analyze the wind while trying to walk on water, you’ll sink every single time.

​It Overcomes the Fear of Sinking: Even when Peter sank, he sank right into the reach of Jesus. A holy risk means realizing that even if you falter, God’s grace is immediate, and He won't let you drown.

Identify one area where you feel God is whispering, "Come." It might be a new venture, a boundary you need to set, or a bold prayer you need to start praying.

​Tonight, write down that step, and circle it.

Commit to taking your eyes off the "wind" of your circumstances this week and focusing entirely on the One who controls the storm.

Lord, thank You that You don’t leave us stranded in the boat. When You call us out onto the deep waters, You go with us. Give us the courage of Peter tonight. Help us to ignore the wind, step over the edge of our comfort zones, and trust that You will hold us up. We choose to step out in faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

06/02/2026

One more Day to get the good pricing who's next?

05/30/2026

FLAME Department service.

05/27/2026

The Wednesday Night Bible Study lesson this week

​📖The Spaces in Between Trusting God in the Waiting

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​Lord, thank You for meeting us right where we are tonight. Waiting for a breakthrough can be exhausting, and it is easy to grow weary. As we study Your Word, quiet our anxious thoughts, strengthen our faith, and open our hearts to understand the purpose behind the patience You ask of us. Amen.
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​Consider this:
​When you are waiting for an answer or a breakthrough, what is your typical "default" reaction? Do you try to force things to happen on your own, do you get anxious, or do you tend to shut down?

​Biblical patience isn’t just passive "waiting around." It is active trust under pressure. It’s not about killing time; it’s about what God is doing in us while time passes.
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​1. The Principle of the Farmer
​James 5:7-8 (NIV)
"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."
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A farmer doesn't plant a seed and then scream at the dirt the next day demanding fruit. The breakthrough which is the harvest requires seasons of rain you cannot control, and deep, unseen root growth happening underground.

​What "underground" work might God be doing in your character right now that you can’t see on the surface?
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Renewing Strength in the Stretch
​Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
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The Hebrew word for "wait" is qavah, which means to bind together, twist, or expectantly hope.

It’s the image of strands of thread being woven together to make a strong rope.

Waiting on God doesn't drain your strength—it weaves your weak strength into His infinite strength.

​How can we shift our mindset from "waiting for a situation to change" to actively "waiting on the Lord"?
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Allowing Patience to Finish Its Work
​James 1:2-4 (NIV)
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

​Breakthroughs are incredible, but if God gives you the breakthrough before your character is ready to sustain it, the blessing can crush you.

God uses the waiting period to build the spiritual muscle needed to carry the answer when it arrives.

​Looking back at past seasons of waiting in your life, how did the delay actually prepare you for what came next?

​When you are waiting for a breakthrough, practicing patience means focusing on three specific shifts:

​Guard Your Mouth: It’s easy to speak words of frustration, doubt, or defeat when nothing seems to be happening. Choose to speak promises, gratitude, and truth instead.

​Do the "Next Right Thing": Don't let the waiting paralyze you. Keep being faithful with what is right in front of you today, even if it feels small or unrelated to the breakthrough you want.

​Remember God’s Track Record: When the future feels uncertain, look back. God has a 100% success rate of being faithful. If He did it before, He will do it again.

​Action Steps
​Write down the specific breakthrough you are waiting for on a piece of paper. Underneath it, write:

"Lord, I trust Your timing more than my deadline.
Hand it over to Him in prayer tonight, and resolve to let Him handle the "when"

​Father, give us the stamina to wait well. Help us not to compromise, rush ahead of You, or give up hope. We believe that You are working behind the scenes, even when we can't see it. We anchor our hope in Your faithfulness tonight. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

05/27/2026

🙌 **Join Us for an Uplifting Weekend!** 🙌

Church family, get ready for an amazing weekend of fellowship, worship, and powerful teaching. We have two incredible services lined up, and we want you there!
✨ Praise & Worship Night
When: This Friday night
- Come ready to lift up the name of Jesus, pour out your praise, and press into His presence together. It’s going to be a powerful night of dynamic worship and renewal!
🔥 F.L.A.M.E. Service
When: This Saturday
- Expect a moving word, passionate prayer, and a powerful atmosphere as we gather for our F.L.A.M.E. service. Bring a friend and come with an expectant heart!
🎵 Calling All Special Music/Features!

If you have a special (song, testimony, or presentation) that you would like to share during either of these services, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We want to make sure our sound booth team is fully prepared to support you and make you sound your best!
See you this weekend!

05/26/2026

2 couples already booked and confirmed, who's next?