Read Matthew 14:-20-33
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. Yesterday I introduced you to the story of Jesus AND Peter walking on water. Let’s go back to it today.
After catching up with His disciples in the middle of the water, in the middle of the night, Jesus’ disciples first through Jesus was a ghost. They were afraid. He told them NOT to be afraid. The Bible has the phrase, “Fear not”, “Fret not”, or ‘Be not afraid”, hundreds of times. Fear is and expression of your confidence in the enemy and his power. Faith is an expression of your confidence in God, and His power. Jesus said, “Don’t worry! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.” Peter replied, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus responded with just one word, “Come!” This was Peter’s authorization to actually participate in what Jesus was doing. Jesus was inviting Peter into the supernatural. With that, Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on water towards Jesus.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You must grow to the point where you have the audacity to make God-sized petitions.
a) Of the 12 disciples on the boat, Peter was the only one with enough faith, courage and guts to ask to walk on water with Jesus. Would you be like Peter or the other 11?
b) If you want to experience God on His level, you must have the courage to ask for things that are truly on HIS level!
c) You have not, because you ask not (James 4:2). You will never get a “Yes”, if you are too afraid to ask for it.
d) For 2017 to be the best year of your life, you must be willing to THINK BIG, ASK BIG, and ATTEMPT BIG!
e) God is not insulted or intimidated when you ask to operate on His level. He actually welcomes it. He wants you to be LIKE HIM in this world!
f) Dream God-sized dreams, pray God-sized prayers, and attempt God-sized projects this year!
2. True faith requires hearing from God FIRST!
a) While I am urging you to make God-sized petitions of God, I also need to warn you NOT to launch out until God responds. Peter had the audacity to ask whether or not he could join Jesus on the water, but he did not get out of the boat until Jesus said, “Come!”
b) Faith is not you coming up with something, launching out to do it, and THEN asking God to bless it. I have made this mistake and so have countless others. Faith is not about us trying to get God to put a “YES” on our plans. Faith is about God trying to get us to put a “YES” on His plans. Faith is about walking in the plans God made for us before the world began.
c) When you know God has spoken and you are confident in what He said, the actions you take as an expression of your confidence is what God calls faith. When Peter got out of the boat, because of the Word Jesus spoke, Peter was in-faith. Peter walked on water, but he was actually walking on the Word. Like Peter, once God speaks, He expects you to walk on that word and experience the supernatural!
There is so much to this story that I am going to stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. This year I will experience the supernatural like never before, because I am willing to ask, believe, receive and attempt like never before. I expand my capacity to believe You! I dream God-sized dreams. I make God-sized petitions. I launch out into God-sized projects. But I don’t do so without hearing from You first. Once You speak and welcome me to operate on Your level, I am authorized to do so and I get out of my boat! I am ready to walk on every Word You release to me. Living this way, this year shall be the BEST YEAR of my life! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
