Read Luke 5:1-11 and 2 Kings 4:1-7
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus.” A few days ago I introduced you to the story of Simon Peter’s miraculous catch of fish. I still have more to say about this story. So, let’s go back to it.
Here’s a quick recap. Simon worked hard all night fishing and he had nothing to show for it. All his human effort yielded a return of ZERO. In the morning, while he was cleaning his nets, getting ready to go home, Jesus walked up to him and asked him for help. Simon gave Jesus his time, talent and treasure. Jesus received it and performed ministry. Afterwards, Jesus offered Simon an opportunity to reap a harvest on the seed that was sown. Jesus told Simon to launch out into the deep water and let down his “nets” for a catch.
Simon was not truly convinced. He did not plan for the supernatural. He launched out with only one net; not the “nets” Jesus told him to cast. Simon put that single net into the water and it was like the fish were jumping into it. There were so many fish that the net began to break and the boat began to sink. This was a net-breaking, boat-sinking load of fish! But if Simon had put more nets in the water, he would have received a larger catch. If he had planned better, if he truly believed what Jesus said, if he had the faith to truly prepare for the supernatural, this story would be even more amazing.
I dealt with this story last night at my church while I was preaching. In my message, when I got to this point (the point of planning for the supernatural), I brought up the story of the woman in 2 Kings 4. This woman had a husband who served the prophet Elisha. Her husband died. He left her in debt. The debtor was coming and if the woman did not have the money to pay her debt, the debtor was going to take her two boys and make them slaves. She asked Elisha what to do. Elisha asked her what she had. See, God is always looking to work with what you have. For Simon it was his nets. For this woman it was a jar of oil. That’s all she had, so that is what God worked with.
The prophet told the woman to gather as many pots as she could. He told her to borrow pots and to borrow as many as possible. He said, “Don’t borrow a few.” This woman did not know what was going to happen, but she had to prepare for the supernatural. She did what the prophet directed her to do. She borrowed as many pots as she could.
The prophet then told the woman to lock herself in her house with her boys, to lay out all the pots, and to begin to pour oil from their SINGLE JAR into the pots. This made no sense, but they did it by faith. They filled pot, after pot, after pot, after pot, supernaturally. Every time her boys brought a new pot, the oil kept flowing. The SINGLE JAR did not run out of oil until they ran out of pots! The supply did not stop until the demand stopped. Once again, if Simon had more nets, he would have caught more fish.
The prophet then told the woman to sell the oil and return the pots. With the money she made in the selling of the oil she was able to pay off her debt and she had so much money left over, that she and her boys lived off the rest. This is what happens when you plan for the supernatural.
So what does this mean to you today? A few quick things.
- Are you truly believing God for the supernatural? If you are, you will plan and prepare for God to do things that far exceed human power, ability and strength.
- The issue is never with God’s supply. God always has more than enough. The issue is always with our demand.
- If we don’t have any demand, we will fail to access God’s limitless supply.
- When God is moving, the supply does not stop until the demand stops.
- You are only limited by your capacity to believe God. God is a God of no limits, but you limit His operation in your life by your capacity to believe Him.
- When you plan for the supernatural you start making preparations for God to do what you are believing Him to do. You may not know how He is going to do it. You may not know when His glory will be manifested. All you know is what you believe and you start preparing, because you know it can happen at any time!
- You tell me what you “say” you are believing God for. I will then ask you for proof that you truly believe. The proof is in your preparation. If you are not preparing, then you are not truly believing and you are not ready.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. You are speaking to me about the supernatural things You want to do in my life this year. I declare that I believe You. I receive by faith, in advance, what You want to do. As proof of my belief, I plan and prepare for Your manifestation. I do everything I need to do to get ready for You to move. I don’t want to be the one holding You back. I plan, I prepare, I pray, and I position myself for the supernatural. When I am ready, I enter every day with great expectations, knowing it can happen at any time! Your supply is unlimited. I am growing my faith to the point where my demand can pull on Your supply! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
