HOW DID THEY GET THERE?
Friday – December 28, 2018, Tevet 20, 5779
Greetings and welcome back to this exciting and powerful Bible Study from the Book of John. As a reminder, please don’t forget to hit the “like” and “share” buttons if you are receiving this on Facebook. Also, it is not too late to contribute to this ministry if you are looking for good ground to sow into and see a very real harvest. So long as the envelop is postmarked by the 31st of December it counts as a 2018 tax deduction. Giving is an opportunity for the receiver and giver to be blessed together. Now, let’s pick up our Bible Study by reading the primary text from the sixth chapter of John aloud.
John 6:16-21 (KJV)
16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
Jesus has been preaching and teaching, healing the sick, and has fed the five thousand. Now Jesus has sent the multitude away, and commanded or instructed the disciples to go to the other side of the sea which is home or Capernaum. Jesus stayed behind to pray. Notice that Jesus was not having any problem crossing the sea when they saw Him walking on the water whereas they were struggling even though they were in the same storm. One might say, oh, but that was Jesus. Well, Jesus said we shall do the things He did and the greater things. The difference is that He had prayed and they had not. Something to think about when you see God moving through someone else and wonder why He is not moving through you. Of course, keep in mind that your call may be entirely different, I am referring to two persons with the same call, the same Anointing. Jesus was constantly and consistently building His faith, walking in love (obedience) with the Father, walking led of the Spirit of God. Whatever the Father had instructed that was the goal, the hope, and it was the only possible outcome of His work. Do we have the same mindset, the same lifestyle?
Jesus came walking to them on the water unimpeded by the storm and neither should we be impeded by the puny storms the enemy throws up, they are but a facade to distract us. We are far above him and his antics and we have absolute dominion over all the wiles of the enemy and the enemy himself (and his minions). According to the will of God, Holy Spirit will enforce our authority when they come and they will come and they will come regular, you can bank on it. However, it should not impede our work in the Kingdom and we can have the victory 100% of the time if we are being diligent. Knowing ourselves, knowing our enemy, following that still small voice and never going crosswise of Scripture guarantees the victory. Yes, we can know when we are in line with Scripture and when we are not. The Teacher who is inside guides us, however, we must have practiced the voice of God to hear and know His voice. Then we must be responsive to that voice.
Jesus came to them walking on the water in the fourth watch of the night (Matt 14:25) which is between 3 am and 6 am after they had rowed about 3 – 4 miles. They were afraid when they saw Him. You have to admit, it is not everyday that we see someone walking on the water. In response to their fear Jesus commands them to not be afraid. Fear is a spiritual force just as its opposite love is a spiritual force. If it were not possible for them to control the fear, He would not have commanded it. To command something which impossible for the hearer to do would be torment in and of itself. Remember, from first John that fear brings torment however perfect love or mature practiced love casts out all fear. Fear at its core is the belief that God will not do His part, it results in unbelief or no faith. Love is obedience to the Word of God and the belief that God will perform His part of this Blood Covenant just as we are performing our part. We get into fear when our attention turns from Him to ourselves, from what is possible in the supernatural, with God, to the natural and what is possible with us. As soon as Jesus enters the boat they are supernaturally on the other side, a translation occurs setting aside time. We have seen this in Scripture elsewhere with Philip.
Acts 8:39-40 (KJV)
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
The Spirit of the Lord moved Jesus, the disciples, and the boat that night to the other shore just as He moved Philip to Azotus. Isn’t it interesting that this appears to be the same Philip to whom Jesus posed the question about feeding the five thousand. Philip learned from the Lord that day and night on the mountain and going across the Sea of Galilee that night.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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