HEALTH, HEALING, AND MIRACLES – PART THIRTY-ONE
Sunday – October 7, 2018, Tishrei 28, 5779
Greetings partners and friends of Eastern Gate Ministries International who study The Three Minute Word. As you know I have been teaching on Health, Healing, and Miracles from the life and ministry of Jesus, this being the thirty-first teaching. As I have said many times, this should not seem so extraordinary, it should be common in our lives and that of the Christians around about us. After all, a Christian is one who acts like Christ or is in the likeness of Christ. Today will be a fish story.
Luke 5:4-11 (KJV)
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 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.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 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.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
You have probably heard this account taught or preached many times. Jesus is preaching and or teaching the Word of God in a ship owned by Simon Peter on the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). Notice that the law of sowing and reaping is about to be demonstrated. Simon Peter had sowed the use of his boat (ship) and now Jesus tells Peter to “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught”. The word “draught” refers to the catching of the fish what some might call a haul. Notice that the reaping is going to fall on Peter from the sky, just as he played a role in the sowing so will he in the reaping. Peter does not really want to follow the Word of Jesus. Have any of us every been here? It just seemed to be the same old thing we had done without success before and now we half heartedly obey the still small voice within. It may be worthwhile to recall and review the following verse.
Isaiah 1:19-20 (KJV)
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
God of course here is talking about genuine willingness, and genuine obedience not a reluctant half-hearted willingness or obedience which really is not willingness or obedience at all. Are we determined to eat the good of the land or are we determined to do our own thing? Are we knowingly or by the deception of the evil one choosing to be devoured by the sword which is the disobedient side of the Word of God. Deception is avoided by knowing and believing the Scripture and listening always for the still small voice within. Which side of the Sword (Word of God) is at work in our lives, the devouring side or the good of the land side? This is not a trick question, the answer is apparent to all. So, what did Simon Peter do when given the opportunity to prosper? Jesus instructed him to let down his nets and the King James Version says “net” as does the Youngs Literal Translation however many others say “nets”. In any event we can see that Simon Peter was half-hearted about it either way, so the result is going to be less than perfect. Just as Jesus had spoken there was a net breaking catch of fish. This huge catch of fish was not based on the faith or obedience of Simon Peter but Jesus. Now, had Simon Peter been excited at the Words of Jesus reflecting our Isaiah text there would have been perhaps a greater catch without damage (broken nets).
Peter recognized right away that Jesus had been faithful when he was not and he repented on the spot. Do we do likewise? He as well as the sons of Zebedee, James and John, who were partners with Simon Peter were called into ministry with Jesus that day. Jesus saw something in them, led of the Father, that He could work with and how they would change the world upon His departure. Each one of us is called into ministry as well, have we accepted or are we doing the Church thing on Sunday and “living life” the rest of the week which is the way of the world (Satan’s bailiwick).
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Is this five-fold ministry active in your Church your circle of fellowship and are you taking advantage of them? They are there to help each of us come to maturity, to do the work of the ministry, which is designed to build up the body of Christ. When Holy Spirit says cast out a little further perhaps where we have not gone before and do what I tell you, let us purpose to do it with a willing and obedient heart. As we do we will see the wonder of God in our lives, only what God can do. The impossible will become quite common and ordinary in our lives.
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Exodus 15:26 (KJV)
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
PRAYERS AND QUESTIONS – please, anytime you have an issue that you want me, this ministry to pray for you, a person you love or a situation contact me. Accordingly, if you should have a question about the Bible, please do not hesitate to ask it.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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