What if the Lord asked you to "push out into deep waters".
What would that mean to you? What would be your response? Would you trust & obey? Would you be in expectation?
Luke 5:1-11 The Message
Push Out into Deep Water
1-3Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.
4When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”
5-7Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
8-10Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.
10-11Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.
Before I follow up on this passage, I want to share what happened this weekend. It was such a powerful supernatural experience that literally took my breath away.
We had plans to dog sit for a local friend. We had it down on the calendar for 5/27-5/30. We also had scheduled a friend to come for a meal on Sunday, 5/27. But God had different plans. On Saturday 5/19, our friends called and asked if they could bring their dog over at 8am the next day. I said isn't that a week early? They said, nope its this week. We agreed it would be ok, but thought how odd. Ken and I both heard them say Memorial Day weekend, but in looking back to the text they did say the 20th.
On Sunday 5/20, our friend who we had scheduled for dinner on 5/27 texted and said that he would see us later for a meal. I thought, seriously, does he think it's the 20th or what? I texted back and told him it was fine and that we would enjoy seeing him soon. But in looking back at texts, the date we scheduled WAS Sunday, 5/27, not 5/20. Clearly, God was rearranging our schedule but why? In the middle of the week, we were watching an old black & white movie and the guy was circling a date on a calendar. Can you guess the date?? Of course, it was May 27th. Ok! God has our attention!!!
Well, Sunday 5/27 comes! All day long we are in great anticipation....... once in a while we attend a service in Clinton, MO - it's excellent worship, prayer & ministry. So we decided to go. We were planning on going on the 20th but since we were dog sitting, decided not to. During the worship time, the Lord impressed on me that they were going to pray over us. That is not a regular thing they do for people. They have, but it's typically pray for individuals as the Lord leads. The teaching was going on and then about 30 minutes into it, the man who facilitates the meeting got up and took over the meeting (respectfully). He looked at us and said we want to pray for you two tonight and invited us to the front. He had everyone gather around us. There is so much I would love to share but for the sake of length, I want to share the highlight of WHY God changed ours and 3 others entire calendars for us to be at this place on this night!!!!
The man got on his hands and knees and started praying for us and honoring us (I can't go into detail BUT know this was a big deal) and said that he had a prophetic tongue he wanted to speak over us. He said he had never spoke in this tongue before but knew God had wanted it shared tonight. So he opened his mouth and a Native Indian dialect came out. It was authoritative and powerful. I had my eyes closed and I began to weep as a vision came into view. I saw Ken and I standing at the edge of our "promised land" and a iron clad gate before us. I saw an Indian Chief open the gates - wide open and then he said "Welcome to your new land" "This is your land now."
The man who was praying in tongues over us said that the Lord showed him that he saw the Lord striking the gates and they opened and it came from Isaiah 45.
Isaiah 45 this is what the Lord says to his anointed,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
to subdue nations before him
and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
so that gates will not be shut:
2
I will go before you
and will level the mountains[a];
I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.
3
I will give you hidden treasures,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
4
For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
Wow! Wow! Wow! Ken heard "mountain warrior" as well during the tongue. What this man didn't know was that God had me in Isaiah 45 ALL last year when He was speaking to me about our move to the promise land.....destiny! The interpretation the Lord has been giving me from this prophetic tongue is confirming so much! Wow!!!
So, back to Luke 5. When I was reading this passage, the Lord highlighted all that I bolded above. He said that He would soon be asking us to "push out into deep waters". As soon as I heard that, fear tried to take over....but then He reminded me that when Simon was asked to push out into deep waters, there was very little risk for him. What did he have to lose? He obeyed in faith and he was greatly rewarded for that faith. The passage even says, do not fear. The Lord also highlighted, that sometimes we won't understand the WHY on what He's asking us, but we need to always remember HE has our best interest in mind and whatever He does do will exceed our expectations!!! Our response should be similar to that of the fisherman - they fell to their knees in AWE and were OVERWHELMED with God's holiness! This past week, I have been in that place spiritually. I have already been weeping and praising God and thanking HIM for what He's about to do. I feel it! He has also been cancelling scheduled events on our calendar here in Eldo and my little assumption to that is that He is soon going to shift us out of here! Don't ask me HOW? I have NO idea! He has given me some hints, but His ways are so much greater that I don't know how to interpret the hints! So, I, well both Ken and I just STAND in strong faith that SOON we will be entering THE PROMISE LAND!
The doors that seemed shut while we were on our scouting trip have since opened. There is another property that has come on the market that FITS the criteria to the tee for the vision He has given us. We love it and have even done a "FaceTime" walk through with our realtor. The Lord has given us two business ideas as well that we fell in love with that will help support us and the retreat property, and yet, we need God to provide to get that funded as well. We have done the due diligence on both and have strong confirmations from those we submit to that this is of the Lord! Exciting times! God, show up and show off! For Your Glory!!!!!
If there is something God is asking of you - do not fear! Take courage - act on it!
Trust & Obey! The rewards for obedience are far greater than what you might be giving up! Remember when you are faithful with little, much more is given! This is your time to receive MORE! God has so much for all of us - but our part - is to walk it out in FAITH!!!!!
Prayer requests:
Ken - continue to pray for his back.
Michele - continue to pray for sleep & complete healing! I know it's coming!
Ministry - provision for the vision(s)
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