WHAT IS YOUR NET WORTH?
I want to clear up a misconception about Jesus, we all get up in the morning and start our day. We do what we want, how we want, say whatever we want, when it goes downhill, we ask Jesus to step in and help, to make it right. Why can we not understand that we did not put Jesus and His Kingdom first….
So when we wake up in the morning, when we swing our legs out of bed, we should ask God what He would like you to do that day, to send who He wants you to meet, what to say, how to say it, ask Him to be your day then the blessings will be ours.
We think so much that we think our way out of what God is attempting to do in our lives, it is true is it not?
Turn with me to John 21: 1-14
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, it is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girts his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Jesus told Simon, Peter as we know him to launch out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch, this is where Peter almost missed his blessing, he told Jesus that he had worked hard all night and had nothing to show for his efforts. His work was fruitless, but he was known as a professional fisherman. He knew when to fish and that the time best had passed, so when this man, (Jesus the prophet) told Peter (the fisherman) what to do with his fisherman business, the fisherman almost dismissed the prophet.
Guess what?
People dismiss God’s word every day because they would rather place their trust in what they already know.
Peter’s moment of “big” faith by doing what Jesus told him to do resulted in the fact that there were so many fish in the nets, nearly causing the nets to break.
Peter had to abandon all that he knew to be right in the natural in order to give way for Jesus. We need to understand that we cannot supply for ourselves, we need Jesus, like oxygen, how do we manage without it?
Jesus gave His disciples an instruction, to wait on the mountain (I am sure that all their needs would have been fulfilled), instead of trusting that Jesus would fulfil all the needs, they chose to trust in what they knew best, to go fishing.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Is this not what we do today, what are we busy with. People, instead of seeking God’s word will do what they think is necessary to supply their needs, a selfish, vicious circle.
The disciples needed to learn a lesson, they needed to understand how truly helpless they were when it came to the matter of supplying for themselves, now this is not just for food wise but in all areas, are we not in need of this same lesson?
As we consider this instruction by Jesus and their response (verse 4) we read that they did not know who was giving the instruction, and hesitated in following, so why did they listen, it is not human to prove someone wrong, they did not catch any fish so who is this man telling a fisherman how to fish. When they recognized Him, john told Peter who then swam to shore.
This is a story about laboring in vain and then listening to and doing the command of Jesus, seeing results far above their own abilities, this was an illustration of the power of the Spirit.
Is this not where we are? We have been given instructions: lay your hands on the sick, cast out demons, pray, DO YOU, DO WE?
The bad news is the enemy is going to attempt to stop you from responding now, he does not want you to win. The sharks are circumstances, situations that restrain you from casting your net of faith out, you will never make the big catch in life.
Immediately after Peter and his team let down the net, it was full of fish, (as I understand it, fishing is a waiting sport, you must wait for those fish to take the bait) nearly at breaking point.
See a net breaking experience does not happen by chance, it requires record breaking faith, ok what exactly is record breaking faith.
Well… it is the kind of faith that presses beyond your circumstances because you know that God will make you whole again, like the story of the woman and the issue of blood (to bleed constantly, to feel pain non stopping, to not be able to walk properly) however she pressed through the crowd to touch the hem of Him garment, not even to touch Him, that is record breaking faith.
Are you willing to press beyond your circumstances right now or is it a case of?
‘if god wanted me to have it, He would have given it to me’
‘I just don’t have the money to give right now’
‘I am expecting my miracle’
After speaking these terrible things and often more that we say into existence, many of us question others in our so-called field of expertise.
Oh, ye of little faith! Matt 6:30
There are issues in life that requires net breaking faith, there are challenges that require victory.
Sometimes God puts us in situations where it seems like there is no answer, have you been there when you feel like you have tried everything? Like Peter we often think we know what needs to be done, I mean we know how to do it, we have done it before but now someone is telling us another way. Seriously!
Peter had to abandon all that he knew to be right in order to give way to a supernatural move of God.
You see in order to have your net breaking miracle; it is not about what you do not have however it is all about what you are willing to let go far.
How? Are you ready for an authentic move of God?
KEY/STEP 1
TRUST THE LORD AT HIS WORD AT ALL TIMES
PROVERBS 14:20 states that there is a way that seems right unto a man, but in the end these are ways of death, whatever lacks life in your experience (finances, health, relationships) is only a result of you putting your trust in what you believe seems right.
KEY / STEP 2
LEAVE YOUR NET AND CAST THE ONE GOD TELLS YOU
MATTHEW 4:20 tells us how the disciples left their nets and followed Jesus. Too many of us are busy with things that are not of God, then try to recover by ourselves however God is asking us to tap into the supernatural through His instructions. What are you busy with that keeps you from God?
KEY / STEP 3
TOSS EVERYTHING THAT IS NEGATIVE OVERBOARD
When anger, fear, anxiety, distrust and grief take over, people, places, purpose. Trusting god is obeying His word and to do it with a cheerful heart.
KEY/ STEP 4
MAKE YOUR FAITH MOVE.
Action speaks louder than words, God might change your direction to get you back on the right road.
KEY /STEP 5
CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE (OTHER SIDE)
Like the disciples, Jesus had to change the way they were doing things. Sometimes you have got to change the way you do things in order to reap the miracle / blessings.
Lack may be a fact for now, but the truth is you are abundant
Sickness may be a fact for now, but the truth is you are healed
Hurt may be a fact for now, but the truth is you are found.
Yes, I know that you have made sacrifices in the past however today…
Walk in obedience and at God’s word.
WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO LET GO OF?
