In Acts chapter three, a lame man at the gate called Beautiful received his healing. Peter and John had stood before him and Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. He took the lame man's hand, pulled him up, and the man's ankle bones were made strong. Peter told all who witnessed the miracle that it wasn't because he was an apostle that that man was healed, but by Jesus' name through faith in His name. The priests and Sadducees, scribes and elders were grieved that the men taught about Jesus and preached in His name, so they threw Peter and John into prison for a night. (I assume to scare them into not mentioning the Name of Jesus again to the people. But of course, that didn't work.)
The next day, they threatened Peter and John, told them not to speak to the people about Jesus, and let them go. The apostles went to their own company and told them what the chiefs and elders had said. They decided to pray. Firstly, I'd like you to notice what they did in this time of trial. They didn't sit around wondering what should be done, they didn't start whining about how they're always being picked on because they're Christians. No. They get together and they pray. This is what should be done in the midst of a trial. We should come before God and seek His wisdom on what should be done about the situation. At times, this is hard. Sometimes you just want to go to somebody and tell them who did you wrong so they can make you feel better. I've been criminal to that as well. But that doesn't mean it's the right thing for a Christian to do. We need to seek God first.
Now secondly, I want you to notice how they pray. They say in Acts 4:29-And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word. These people did not ask God to take the bad situation away from them. They said, You see it Lord, but . . .What they asked was for the Lord to give them the power or ability to overcome the situation and go through it for His glory. When they prayed, the Holy Spirit shook they place where they stood, filled them and gave them exactly what they asked for. The ability to speak the Word of God boldly.
When I read this, I think of the 23rd Psalm. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." Jesus never said we wouldn't have tribulation. But He did say to be of good cheer, for He's overcome. We need to stop wasting our time pleading to God to take away our bad situations and start praying in faith, believing that He will give us the power and ability to get through it. And not just to get through it, but to overcome it, for His glory. My friends, the Body of Christ is a people born from God to overcome. We weren't made to be trampled upon by Satan and what he tries to put on us. We were made to triumph.
People say Christians are weak. Well, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Christian people who walk by faith are the strongest people there are. We have the Spirit of the living God on the inside of us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The same Spirit that gave the apostles of the early church the boldness to defy the ones who were against them and serve their God with gladness even when things weren't going so pretty.
Children of God are not wimps. We are soldiers in the army of Almighty God and we win. The Word of God states that He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. We should always win every battle the devil throws at us. When Jesus said love those who hate you and be good to those who persecute you, He wasn't saying be a weak little thing. He was saying when you walk in the love of God and choose that love over meanness, you're showing strength. Anyone can go off on someone when they're angry. But when you can choose to stay in the love of God, that shows discipline.
My fellow soldiers, we are stronger than the world because of Jesus. Step into your role today and decide that you're going through your battles, not trying to find a way out. Stand in faith, stand in the full armor of God. Refuse to quit. And even if it looks like nothing is happening and you've done all you know, continue to stand. Pray the prayer of faith. Pray what the apostles prayed. Ask God for the ability and receive the power the Spirit wants to give you. Be a conqueror.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Words that Inspire
In order to be in the perfect position to receive from God, we have to put ourselves in the position of thanksgiving and praise.
~Me
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Words that Inspire
God's canopy is over you and will cover you at all times, preserving you from evil.
~Smith Wigglesworth
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Launching Out
As you read these scriptures, I want you to use your imagination. I want you to envision what's going on. When you're finished, close your eyes, and see what's happening.
Luke chapter 5 verses 1-9.
And it came to pass that, as people, pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Can you picture this scene in your mind? Here is Jesus standing by the lake, and a multitude of people is crowding him. He sees the two ships empty with the fishermen cleaning their nets, and no catch in sight. I can picture Jesus standing there and thinking, (if it was in modern tongue) This is a great chance for me to kill two birds with one stone. Don't understand what I mean? I'm about to show you. He enters into Simon's ship, who is later known as Peter. Jesus asks Simon to go out a little bit from the land, He sits down and begins his teaching. Now every time I read this passage I thought, Well, He's just asked him that so all the people could see and hear Him. But the Lord shared with me a while back something awesome. You see, Jesus was setting Simon and the people up; He was creating an atmosphere for a miracle to take place and an avenue for Simon to prove the words He was about to teach. The passage says He sat down, taught the people, and when He was finished speaking said to Simon, Launch out to the deep. In my own thoughts, I can hear Him say, prove that what I just taught is true.
Now I don't know what Jesus taught that day, but from His words to Simon, I believe He spoke about the Blessing (see Deuteronomy 28) and the provision of God, to expect prosperity under the Covenant that they had with God. I can picture Jesus teaching these people to expect great things from God, to expect great provision. And, when He's finished, rising and turning to Simon says, Now, since you're already a little way out from the land, why don't you just go out to the deep, let down all the nets you have, and expect this word that I have spoken to come to pass in your life. Prove what I say.
But then here's Simon, looking at Jesus like He's crazy. He's probably thinking, Why is this carpenter telling me to go fish? I'm a fishermen by trade, I know there aren't any fish out there. I mean, come on! We've been out there all night and didn't catch anything! He says as much to Jesus, doesn't he? Then he says, nevertheless, (probably thinking, Even though I know I'm not going to catch any fish,) I'll let down the net at your word.
Luke chapter 5 verses 1-9.
And it came to pass that, as people, pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Can you picture this scene in your mind? Here is Jesus standing by the lake, and a multitude of people is crowding him. He sees the two ships empty with the fishermen cleaning their nets, and no catch in sight. I can picture Jesus standing there and thinking, (if it was in modern tongue) This is a great chance for me to kill two birds with one stone. Don't understand what I mean? I'm about to show you. He enters into Simon's ship, who is later known as Peter. Jesus asks Simon to go out a little bit from the land, He sits down and begins his teaching. Now every time I read this passage I thought, Well, He's just asked him that so all the people could see and hear Him. But the Lord shared with me a while back something awesome. You see, Jesus was setting Simon and the people up; He was creating an atmosphere for a miracle to take place and an avenue for Simon to prove the words He was about to teach. The passage says He sat down, taught the people, and when He was finished speaking said to Simon, Launch out to the deep. In my own thoughts, I can hear Him say, prove that what I just taught is true.
Now I don't know what Jesus taught that day, but from His words to Simon, I believe He spoke about the Blessing (see Deuteronomy 28) and the provision of God, to expect prosperity under the Covenant that they had with God. I can picture Jesus teaching these people to expect great things from God, to expect great provision. And, when He's finished, rising and turning to Simon says, Now, since you're already a little way out from the land, why don't you just go out to the deep, let down all the nets you have, and expect this word that I have spoken to come to pass in your life. Prove what I say.
But then here's Simon, looking at Jesus like He's crazy. He's probably thinking, Why is this carpenter telling me to go fish? I'm a fishermen by trade, I know there aren't any fish out there. I mean, come on! We've been out there all night and didn't catch anything! He says as much to Jesus, doesn't he? Then he says, nevertheless, (probably thinking, Even though I know I'm not going to catch any fish,) I'll let down the net at your word.
Notice this. Jesus said nets, plural. Simon says net, one. From that one word you can see that Simon is operating in unbelief. But they half obey, go out to the deep, and guess what? They catch so many fish in that one net, that it breaks and they have to call the other ship over to help them haul in their catch which is so much that their boats begin to sink. Can't you see Jesus just standing there watching them, smiling with a patient little smile? I can.
After this happens, Simon finally sees his error. He sees that he was operating in unbelief, he did not believe one word Jesus was talking about, he didn't put it into action in his life, and he didn't obey what the Lord told him to do. So what does Simon do? He falls down at Jesus knees and cries, Depart from me! I'm a sinful man, O Lord! (He's really saying, I'm not worthy to stand in your presence.) Why? Because of his unbelief. What does the Word say? It says without faith it is impossible to please God. But I'm getting off topic.
I want you to notice something. In verse five it says And Simon answering. . . But then in verse eight, When Simon Peter saw it. . . See in verse five this was Simon the fishermen, but in verse eight he became Peter the disciple of Jesus. Simon had revelation that he was operating in unbelief. Do you remember in Matthew 16:15-18? Jesus asks the disciples who do they say He is. And Simon Peter answers, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. He had revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. What does Jesus say? He says Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
After this happens, Simon finally sees his error. He sees that he was operating in unbelief, he did not believe one word Jesus was talking about, he didn't put it into action in his life, and he didn't obey what the Lord told him to do. So what does Simon do? He falls down at Jesus knees and cries, Depart from me! I'm a sinful man, O Lord! (He's really saying, I'm not worthy to stand in your presence.) Why? Because of his unbelief. What does the Word say? It says without faith it is impossible to please God. But I'm getting off topic.
I want you to notice something. In verse five it says And Simon answering. . . But then in verse eight, When Simon Peter saw it. . . See in verse five this was Simon the fishermen, but in verse eight he became Peter the disciple of Jesus. Simon had revelation that he was operating in unbelief. Do you remember in Matthew 16:15-18? Jesus asks the disciples who do they say He is. And Simon Peter answers, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. He had revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. What does Jesus say? He says Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
When I read these passages, I see them as Jesus telling me, Hold Me to My Word. When I read verse 4- Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught, I hear Jesus saying to me, Step out into the unknown. Prove my words, and use what I have given you, the gifts and talents, expecting a great return. We are to expect. We are to trust this Word that He's given us. We're to operate in faith and trust. When you're trusting the Word, you're expecting it to come to pass in your life. When you're expecting something to come to pass from the Word, you're trusting in the Word. The two words are interchangeable. When I'm expecting, I'm trusting. When I'm trusting, I'm expecting.
Hold God to His Word. It's His bond and He has all the power to perform it. We just have to trust, believe, expect, operate in faith, and operate in love. God says He hastens His word to perform it. In one translation it reads watches over His Word. To me, its like He's on watch for people mixing His word with their faith so He can get to work in performing it and bringing it to pass in their lives. Expect from God. Expect good things, because that's what He has in store for His children. Expect to see the promises of God come to fruition in your life and great things will happen.
Words that Inspire
There is something about believing God that will cause Him to pass over a million people to get to you.
-Smith Wigglesworth
Monday, August 8, 2011
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