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Years ago, when I was a little girl, I remember getting up at 3:00 AM and the thrill of going deep sea fishing with my Dad off the coast of Long Island on a large sport fishing boat. These days my husband and I enjoy sitting on a bench at the harbor to watch commercial fishing boats heading out to sea for one purpose: to catch lots of fish!
Intercessors: Launch Out Into The Deep!
“And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.’
“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.’ And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
“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. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’
“For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 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.’”
Luke 5:4-10
I like the last comment of this passage. “So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”
A little while after my husband and I were born again, we were having a Bible Study in our home. One night, the Spirit of God came upon each of us in a powerful way as we prayed and held in hands in a circle. The Lord spoke two words that seemed to thunder through the room with power.
“Follow Me.”
His presence was so strong that no one spoke a word for some time afterward.
I think back on the night and the importance of that instruction. It has been a daily endeavor for most of my walk with the Lord. Did I always obey Jesus while following Him? No. But His love and grace has always been there to redirect my steps to get back on track and follow Him. Praise God for His abounding mercy and continual patience!
I sense a renewed seriousness from the Lord as He is speaking these words to us today.
“Follow Me.”
Why? Times are changing, Beloved! Jesus’ goodness and faithfulness to His Father to “keep what has been committed to Him” opens us up to receive His blessings of favor and protection all the days of our life during our commission on earth.
Our obedience and willingness to follow Him are connected to His protection.
I remember trying to train a dog we bought years ago. When I would call her she would run the other way! All of her short life with us was challenging and very difficult as she was strong willed to do what she wanted. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Following Him is always the best way, especially now during harvest time!
The Harvest—2,000 Years of Planting the Gospel in the Earth!
Diversities of gifts, differences of ministries, diversities of activities all coming to fullness in one generation. Jesus is the head over all The Church and He is directing His Body, you and me, in how to harvest the earth, for that time has come.
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree;
When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
“Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Matthew 24:32-34
How often have we commented to others about all the changes we have seen in the world from the time of our childhood to the present? What we have experienced is a sign and one that should not be ignored for it is the fulfillment of prophecy. These things we see happening should not cause us to be fearful. Instead, think Kingdom thoughts, Saints!
We were born specifically during this time of mankind’s increase, “the fullness of the Gentiles,” to make a difference. These times should make us more fervent to fulfill our assignments as Kingdom Ambassadors for Christ. We are a people with the answer!
You are partakers of a heavenly calling, a unique people, joined to a unique time, who are walking into a special season to proclaim with one voice:
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight…all flesh shall see the salvation of the Lord.” See Luke 3:4-6
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
The blessed Word of God has been washing this chosen generation to cleanse and sanctify it to be a glorious church without spot or wrinkle…holy and without blemish. Why?
So that it can be presented to the Master Himself, Jesus Christ! Ephesians 5:26-27
All the preparations and maturing of The Church, beginning on the Day of Pentecost to this season, are for the time of its presentation to the Master.
The Church is presented to the Master for service to the world!
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest…shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“…make disciples of all the nations…teaching them…” Matthew 28:19-20
“…equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:18-19
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14
“Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:7
“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all…” Read Romans 4:13-25 & Galatians Chapter 3 this week.
Obedience to follow Jesus has matured our generation from children “tossed to and fro” to sonship.
Sons are led of the Holy Spirit with a commission to be heirs of the world. How? Not by the law but by faith! The harvest is truly great. You and I will follow Jesus to do and complete a very great and awesome assignment.
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
James 5:7-8
The multitudes are crying out for a hero. Our intercession prepares the way for people to hear and understand the gospel.
“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
“But Lord, we have toiled all night…day after day, year after year, praying for the Great Awakening/Revival. Multitudes of people live all around our churches. Yet most of our pews lack their attendance.”
“Nevertheless, at Your Word, we will let down our nets.”
“And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.
“So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”
People of prayer:
Let’s go deep sea fishing. Throw out the nets! Call in the multitudes…7 billion fish! That’s some harvest Saints!
Pray for the people in your cities to hear the call of God and see Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Use your keys! Use your authority! Be bold! Practice what we learned in previous lessons.
Keep praising God throughout your day to change the atmosphere of your state.
Take your place, no longer a slave or a toddler, but a son of the Most High God who is heir of the world... Following Jesus.
The Church—The Lost—Elected Leaders