Archive for February, 2009

The Way to 100% Results with God!

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 | DR. WILL'S WEEKLY WORD OF JOY | No Comments

 

February 22, 2009

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of beating my head against the wall when it comes to my life’s journey; how about you? We can make up ‘religious excuses’ for why things don’t go right in our lives, and why obstacles sometime seem unmovable. There are entire denominations that look at such things as “our suffering in life” and state that we have to wait till we get to heaven to walk in victory; but such thoughts and excuses are wrong.

 

No, Jesus walked in this world as a man, and if he could walk victoriously – so can we; if we will do the same things as Jesus did. Remember, Jesus stripped away his divinity to show you and me how to walk in victory in this world (yes, he took up that divinity when he went to the cross; but in ministry and in his life, he walked as a man perfected and sin-free). Jesus is our role-model of how to walk in this world; and the better we can walk as he did, we will not only following him as true Christians, but also the more victory we will have in life. Some of you may think it too impossible to do that; but if it was so impossible, why did Jesus state in John 14:12: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”?

 

The key to walking in the same victory that Jesus did can be found in his own words, spoken in John 5:30 (Amplified Version):

 

 

“I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.”

 

If Believers would seriously study the words found above; meditate and act upon those words, they would walk in 100% results like Jesus did.

 

Let’s breakdown the scripture and glean some Godly Wisdom and insight how to walk in guaranteed results:

 

  1. “I am able to do nothing of Myself”: The quicker Believers get this basic revelation regarding their life the better off they will be. You see rebelliousness starts with the false belief that “I know better than God” and that “God helps those that help themselves” (in other words, God wants you to figure things out on your own and then He will bless it). No, we need to get it into our thinking and actions (like Jesus did) that perhaps you can stumble through life on your own, but you will never be able to do anything worthwhile (having eternal import and impact) on your own. This is the starting place of walking in God’s Will and Ways, as well as walking in the realm of the miraculous and Blessing of God.
  2. “…but only as I am taught of God and as I get His orders”: Jesus spent time in God’s Word (He knew the Torah) and He spent countless hours in prayer and fellowship with God. The Holy Spirit revealed to Jesus the truth of God’s Word and gave him insight, instruction and showed him things to come through prayer and fellowship. For you to walk in guaranteed results like Jesus, you will need to become a person of God’s Word – meditating and seeking revelatory knowledge of God’s Word. You will also have to pray in the Spirit and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, who will teach you and give you God’s divine, pre-ordained, victorious plan for your life. Let me tell you, life gets very easy when you get God’s instructions and follow God’s instructions – People will think you are a ‘super-genius’ and a supremely ‘Godly man’; but truthfully, all you are doing is downloading wisdom, information, plans and insights from God and follow the instructions: God can make anyone look like a “world beater” when we follow Him!
  3. “I do not seek or consult my own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose]”: I can’t stress enough how this is Key to Victory in Life; and how it is difficult to follow after. This is the proverbial “where the rubber meets the road”; and this is what it means to truly “Walk by faith and not by sight”. For you to not seek or consult your own will is to truly die to self. This is where Jesus excelled, and where we struggle in life. Because you are going to confront circumstances and situations in life (as well as “expert opinions”) that are going to tell you that to do it “God’s Way” is absolutely nutty and impossible. But if you can train yourself not to trust your ways and thinking and only trust God’s Ways and Thinking, then you are going to be well on your way to victory by faith; and tap into the limitless love and provision of God. Master this key and all of Heaven’s Blessings and Provision are open to you!
  4. “but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.”: In every thought and action you must purposely declare and evaluated your motives by saying, “Not my Will but God’s Will be done”. You are going to have to train yourself to not make a move and not to take an action, without first knowing in your heart that you heard from God – AND KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, it’s God’s Will. Only then after knowing you heard from God, will you move. Things may seem to go very slowly and cautiously at first; but you can (over time) learn to hear from God just like Jesus did, and walk in God’s divine Will and Plan regularly.

 

These are the keys to walking in 100% guaranteed results. I am not stating that it is easy to walk like Jesus walked; but it is definitely possible, if you are committed and disciplined. Plus you are not alone in this pursuit - Jesus gave you a Helper, Guide and Counselor: The Holy Spirit.

 

But if you do make the commitment to follow after the wisdom and instruction of John 5:30, you will start to see (and you don’t have to walk perfectly according to the scripture to start experiencing) success in an ever increasing measure. God’s divine results –His success- will be yours in direct proportion to your walking perfectly according to John 5:30…the more perfection, the more guaranteed results.

 

So, there is a roadmap for divine success laid out for you. And - if you are like me: If I can see the road and way, I can walk along that road and according to that way. The question is (as it always is) - Are you hungry enough to want to experience the Fullness of God? How bad do you want it?

 

There is a divine way that will bring you 100% results and victory in life. It is there for you and no one but you can stop or hinder you from obtaining such guaranteed results. But you need to follow and become a true disciple of Christ to walk in such results. Are you ready to make a decision to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus? If you are, you will walk in the ‘Fullness of God”, and come to experience – That with God all things are possible!

Be blessed and full of Joy -

Dr. Will

Awesome Ministry Report for February 5-15th Trip

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 | Pakistan Ministry | No Comments

Praise the Lord! Our truly awesome ministry trip to Pakistan has just ended. It was a new level of ministry for GJITCM, as we held pastor faith seminars, evangelistic meetings and crusades in the cities of Lahore, Sheikhpur and Quetta (which is located near the Afghanistan border.

My dear ministry friend, Pastor Tracy Harris from Texarkana, TX, who has travelled with me to Pakistan before, as well as India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, accompanied me on the first part of the trip to Lahore and Sheikhpur; and I travelled to Quetta with my “spiritual son” and GJITCM-Pakistan Country Director, Rev. Tahir Rafiq.

 Lahore Pastor Faith Seminar - February 6-7:

The Pastor Faith Seminar was powerful and prophetic with displays of Holy Ghost power. We had 350 pastors and church leaders in attendance. During two days of teaching by Pastor Tracy and myself, and through awesome Holy Ghost power confirming the Word of God taught and preached, lives and ministries impacted. We saw an awesome miracle take place with a woman healed of two damaged heart valves during the first day of the seminar. She brought the medical report to document her healing the second day. There were also moves of the Holy Ghost in Words of Knowledge and prophetic words that impacted participants.  We aslo gained 91 new members of Bond Servants of Christ Ministerial Fellowship from the Lahore seminar!
 
Sheikhpur Crusades - February 8-9:
 
These crusades were awesome. Tracy Harris preached the first night, and I preached the second night (my message was, “With God all things are possible”). Pastor Tracy had about two hundred salvations the first night; I had 100% altar call the second night of a crowd of approximately 3,200; for a total of 3,400 people who answered the altar call both nights!
 
MIRACLES THAT RESULTED IN BEING THRONGED BY THE PRESS
 
As the miracles started to manifest throughout the audience, the multitude got into a Holy Ghost frenzy; and Pastor Tracy and I got to experience being like Jesus as we were overwhelmed by the pressing throng who were grabbing at us to be healed.
 
Miracles included: lame walking, deaf hearing, mute speaking - there were deliverances and healings every where. As the miracles, signs and wonders started to manifest, the people (INCLUDING MUSLIMS) who’s faith werfe energized, rushed at us resulting in more miracles manifesting—AWESOME…We escaped quickly from the frenzied crowd through a side exit, our security team fearing tha we would be crushed by the pressing throng -To God be the glory!
 
Quetta Pastor Faith Seminar - February 12-13:
I was teaching on my own during this portion of the trip, as Pastor Tracy left Pakistan to return to the US. There were 400 participants for 2 days during the seminar; we increased the 2nd day attendance by 100 pastors after the word spread about the miracles during the night-time evangelistic meeting. The pastors readily received teachings on faith, the Blessing of God, and God’s provision. We ordained 187 new Bond Servants Christ Ministerial Fellowship (BSCMF) members (bringing our total to over 1,300 BSCMF members in Pakistan, and 3,700 members in Asia). we were surprised the second day when local media attended the seminar and took photos for a news article - The 400 pastors and church leaders gathered wad the largest Christian seminar ever held in Quetta, or the surrounding Afghanistan border region.

Quetta 1st Night Evangelistic Meeting - February 12:

 Due to the rain and the fact that people rarely go out at night (the Taliban control Quetta at night which limis people from going out), there were 670 participants attending the evangelistic meeting. There was suspicious interruptions during the meeting, as the electric power cut off three times for about 5-10 minutes. Many pastors and people in attendance believed the actions were orchestratedby Muslims who were not happy about the meeting. But I refused to be hindered and kept on preaching - even in the dark -with pen lights, flashlights and candles illuminating the night. As a result of or faithfulness, we had a 100% Altar Call! Awesome displays of God’s power manisfested with a blind man receiving his sight and a deaf man receiving his hearing. There were also many other healings, and mighty move of the Holy Spirit manifested where people were falling out under the power of God as I walked through the crowd and laid hands upon the people.
 
2nd Night Evangelistic Meeting - February 13:
 
We arrived at the meetng venue to see buses, little tuk-tuks, donkey carts…every form of transportation parked outside the walls of the meeting hall - Word had spread of the miracles of blind eyes opening and the deaf hearing from the previous night.

There was an overflow crowed of approximately 1,300, that spread out the door…We packed people on the platform and I preached on the floor. we had a 100% altar call after the message.Then on this night, the Holy Spirit confirmed the Word of God with Apostolic Signs and wonders based upon what I visualized during my prayer time at the hotel.

During ministry time, I cried out, “Glory Fall Now!”; and…the only way I can describe it…What happened the power of God manifested like a fire hose hitting people at full force: The first row of people (five-wide) flew backwards in the air, and it started a chain effect that went from the front to the back of the room. People flying backwards (I have never witnessed such force of Holy Ghost power).

I started to walk through the crowd and would look at person and say, “In Jesus name” and 4-5 people would fall out…I would just walk through the crowd saying, “In Jesus name”, and a number of people would fall out at once…The audience were praising God at a high pitch with tears in their eyes.

I was told it was the most powerful set of evangelistic meetings in the history of Quetta, Pakistan or the Afghan region surrounding it.

Praise the Lord: Apostolic Signs, wonders and miracles - The Latter Rain!

————————————
 
Summary of GJITCM Pakistan Ministry Trip:
 
Lahore Pastor Faith Seminar - (2 days) 350 pastors and church leaders attended; 98 new Bond Servants of Christ Ministerial Fellowship members.
 
Sheikhpur Crusades (2 nights) - Over 6,000 participants; 3,400 salvations; miracles included the lame walking, the deaf hearing and the mute speaking. The crowds pressed in the second night -including Muslims - just trying to touch and be healed.
 
Quetta Pastor Faith Seminar - (2 days) 400 pastors and church leaders attended; 187 new Bond Servants of Christ Ministerial members. The local media reported on the seminar, as it was the largest Christian seminar in Quetta’s history.
 
Quetta Evangelistic Meetings (2 nights) - The city is dangerous at night with the Taliban controlling major areas - many people do not go out at night. 2,000 participants. 100% altar calls both nights (2,000 salvations). Miracles included the blind receiving sight, the deaf hearing and the Glory of God falling. The meetings made such an impact upon Quetta Christians, the evangelistic meetings were labeled the ‘most powerful’ in Quetta’s history –
 
To God be the Glory!
I thank all of you who supported these nation impacting meetings with your financial and prayer support.
 
Dr. Will Pantin
Great Joy in the City Ministries

Look intently and eagerly expect to receive!

Sunday, February 15th, 2009 | DR. WILL'S WEEKLY WORD OF JOY | No Comments

 

 

 

February 15, 2009

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

I have just finished a powerful ministry trip to Pakistan. During the ministry trip, we held pastor faith seminars, evangelistic meetings and crusades in the cities of Lahore, Sheikhpur and Quetta located near the Afghanistan border. I was blessed and humbled to be used by the Lord to bring great miraculous healings to Christians and Muslims alike. We saw blind eyes open, the lame walking, the deaf hearing and the Glory of God falling dramatically. It was an awesome display of Holy Ghost power that changed the lives of those who believed, and impacted Pakistani cities for Christ in a major way.

 

I want to emphasize the fact that people needed to believe in order to receive a healing or a touch from the Lord – and that there were people who did not receive healing or a touch from God due to no expectation or hope of receiving. In particular, what strikes me as poignant in retrospect is how I was able to lead a person to get in position to receive from the Lord when I got them to look at me. Specifically, they would receive when they would look intently into my eyes. I can’t tell the number of people who did not receive anything from the Lord at first, but when I said to them, “Look at me” and they responded to my instructions received from the Lord; but they were many. Over the course of a number of years, I have grown to apply this basic instruction to get results; and I would say that except for cases of sin in the person’s life that blocked an answer from God, I would get nearly 100% results when the person followed my instructions.

 

Am I stating a new doctrine of “Look at me”? No…But there is a powerful spiritual truth attached to the command – “Look at me”.

 

In Acts 3:1-9, we can see an account of Peter and John using the same instructions to get a lame man to walk:

 

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God”

 

In this passage of scripture, we can see the Apostles getting the lame man in position to receive a healing with the instructions, “Look upon us”. There are actually two spiritual actions that took place in order for the lame man to walk. Firstly, was the Apostles’ action, “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John”; and secondly was the response by the lame man, “he gave heed”. 

 

The Apostles fastening their eyes, was an action as defined in the Greek original wording, of “strained, intent” and to “expect fully”. There was a release of faith on their part that they were anointed in Jesus’ name to get the man healed, and they expected results. As for the lame man, “he gave heed”, which in the Greek original wording means, “to fix the mind upon, give heed to, pay attention, to appropriate.” We are talking about a coupling of God’s pipeline of Holy Ghost power residing in the Apostles to the lame man’s pipeline of receiving. And, there needs to be both in order for the miraculous to manifest – a coupling of both pipelines; coupled and sealed together with love.

 

The Apostles were not acting upon their own leading, but were moved with the compassion of God to heal the lame man. God’s love and compassion burning inside them yearned to heal the lame man; and that agape love reached out to heal. Now, we know that God is willing and able to heal us. But I want you to get a revelation of the words strained intent, expect fully: God yearns to bless you; to bring to you every answer to every need in your life with strained intent and expecting fully for the manifestation: healing, prosperity, success and victory – whatever you need. God is expecting fully to see a manifestation of His goodness in your life. It is a guaranteed expected result on God’s part to meet every need in your life!

 

But you have a decisive role to play in aligning your “receiving pipeline” to God’s “Blessing pipeline” – You need to give heed, pay attention and appropriate! It states in verse 5, that the lame man “gave heed”; he expect fully to receive. He wasn’t distracted by surrounding circumstances or any person, but he expected to receive and appropriated the healing anointing available to him.

 

After studying this portion of scripture, I understand more fully why a person, who comes to me during ministry in a prayer line, will receive their healing when they “look at me”. God’s compassionate love that resides in me yearns with strained intent and is expecting fully to see that person healed – and I act boldly, lay hands upon the person and God’s healing anointing is released. The person looks upon me and gives heed, pays attention and appropriates – they expect to receive and appropriate a healing. When they focus their attention upon me and are no longer distracted by other things, they appropriate the healing anointing available.

 

I am human, so the level of healing anointing is dependent upon my faith and being a “vessel of honor” in order to be filled to the full with ‘dunamis’ power. But God is always ready and His anointing is yearning and seeking for the person who is giving heed to him, paying attention and ready to appropriate. In other words, the Blessing pipeline is always flowing.

 

We are the ones who need to get in position – to align our receiving pipeline to that never-ending divine ‘Blessing flow’. There is no limitation on God’s part; we are the ones who determine how much we receive. So, I want to encourage you this week to continuously look intently towards God and earnestly expect to receive. Get up in the morning and with your awakening eyes, praise the Lord and give thanks. Declare that it’s going to be the best and most blessed day of your life. During the course of the day, be expectant that God’s Blessings are flowing. God loves you without measure. God’s love is flowing towards you NOW – So, connect your receiving pipe to God’s flow; and seal those pipes together with love. Eagerly expect to receive and let the Blessings of God flow abundantly and continuously in your life!

 

Be blessed and full of Joy -

Dr. Will

Things don’t seem to be working for you? It may not be your fault!

Sunday, February 8th, 2009 | DR. WILL'S WEEKLY WORD OF JOY | No Comments

 

February 8, 2009

 

Dear Friends,

 

Have you ever known the Will of God for your life, family or ministry, and yet things just seem to go wrong or are delayed? You start looking for reasons for the problem; and many times, you glance in to the mirror and start pointing your finger at yourself, concluding that you missed God or it’s your fault.

 

I am writing from personal experience…In fact, this week I experienced great frustration over a financial need that seemed to be hindered in an odd way; fustrated that I could not figure out the reason for the delay; and frustrated that I did not have an answer to the dilemma. I knew that I was in the Will of God over the matter; in fact, I had the financial need met (the money was there, but I just couldn’t get to the financial assets needed). I started to get stressed out over the matter as GJITCM had some expenses to pay for in regards to a major ministry trip, and there was a looming deadline for payments to be made. There I was at 3:30am, feeling sorry for myself and figuring that it must be my fault in some way. I found myself starting to confess some unknown sin to God since I was convinced it was my fault. The Spirit of the Lord arrested me and I heard in my inner man the Lord say to me, “Son, it’s not your fault, so stop beating yourself up over it. Just turn the matter over to me and rest. It will all work out. Sometimes things can happen that are totally out of your control.”

 

I can’t express to you how quickly the burden and stress lifted off of me; and the Holy Spirit soon came up with a stop gap plan that got the necessary finances to us; and that also gave me the time to figure out what happen to the funds that were ours but unavailable:  Praise the Lord: “Sometimes things can happen that are totally out of your control.”

 

I want to encourage you to not let Satan get you into ‘condemnation bondage’ when things go wrong or are delayed, even though you know the matter was God’s Will for you. Take comfort knowing that you are not alone in such a dilemma as it happens to all Christians; in fact it happened to Jesus himself!

 

It states in Mark 1:40-45:

 

“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.”

 In this story, we see Jesus walking in the perfect Will of God: He is going throughout the cities of the Galilee preaching the Gospel, casting out devils and healing the sick. Jesus comes upon a leper who kneels before him and pleads to be healed. Jesus walking in the Will of God and moved by God’s love and compassion heals the leper. He instructs the healed man not to tell anyone, but to go directly to the priests of the synagogue and tell them what happened and make a sacrifice. Jesus was following the plan of God. Jesus was going to preach in the synagogue, and was sending the man to go before him and prepare the way for his arrival.

Sounds like a “God plan” to me - Jesus is in God’s perfect Will. Yet something goes wrong that hinders the plan of God: The healed leper disobeys the explicit orders given and announces to everyone he comes across that Jesus healed him. He creates such a stir giving his healing testimony that Jesus can’t go fulfill God’s plan of preaching the Gospel within the city! How many people did such an action affect? How many people did not receive the Gospel although it was God’s Will for them to hear? How many people did not receive a healing or deliverance although it was God’s Will that they receive?

Jesus could have easily concluded that it was his fault in some way: Perhaps he shouldn’t have healed the leper? Why didn’t God tell him in advance that the leper was going to cause him problems?  That is what we would have started to ponder and get stressed out about; condemning ourselves for the resulting mess though we knew we were in God’s Will.

No, Jesus knew that Satan was always present trying to get him off course; and would try to create circumstances to hinder God’s plan for Jesus’ life and ministry. The difference between Jesus and you and I in such a circumstance, was the relationship Jesus had with Father God, and the resulting confidence and faith Jesus had in God’s love for him. Jesus knew that God’s Will would be done no matter what Satan would try to do; and if he would be trusting (no matter what the circumstances stated), things would work out in the end. Jesus kept his focus upon God’s Will no matter whatever road blocks arose, or whatever obstacles were placed in his way…

The difference between Jesus and you and I in such circumstances, is the fact that Jesus never “sweated the small stuff”; Jesus never lost his focus of God’s plan. He kept strong in the Lord, and never allowed anything to separate him from God’s love. Jesus never listened to Satan’s attempts at putting condemnation upon him for the demonic obstacles that the enemy created to hinder God’s plan!

The Apostle Paul addressed the proper attitude we should have in every hindering circumstance and seemingly “out of the norm” obstacle that confronts us -

Romans 8:35-39 states:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

My dear friends – You may be abiding with the Lord and walking according to God’s Will, yet there may be times when things are just out of your control. You are living in this world that is dominated by your enemy, Satan. He can control certain aspects of your pressing need through influencing people and circumstances that can impact your situation. So, don’t condemn yourself, or allow Satan to place a burden of guilt upon you: Just stay close to God, and abide in His love for you.

If you will keep your focus and trust upon God’s plan, nothing shall be able to separate you from the love of God. Remember, as we all know – Love never fails. Trust in God’s love and be patient - He has it under control. Things seem not to be working for you? It’s okay, it will work itself out, Abide in God’s love, be patient and at peace…it just may not be your fault!

Be blessed and full of joy -

Dr. Will

Go to the other side!

Sunday, February 1st, 2009 | DR. WILL'S WEEKLY WORD OF JOY | No Comments

 

 

February 1, 2009

 

Dear Friends,

 

 The world is in turmoil – economic, political, societal and cultural turmoil is spreading around the world….

   …I said the world is in turmoil and that does not necessarily mean you if you will follow Jesus’ example. As a Believer in Jesus Christ, you have a choice to either flow with the world in turmoil or to disconnect from the world’s system and abide in the Kingdom of God, living in peace and blessing in the midst of the storm. Abiding in God’s Kingdom system doesn’t mean that you will be taken out of the storms of life. No, as long as you are in this world, you will have to deal with the storms of life; but what we can have assurance of is the fact that we can have success and victory with peace in the midst of the storm. 

Jesus proved that during the story where he peacefully slept in the midst of a storm while fulfilling God’s Will. Jesus proved that in the worst of storms we can not only fulfill the plan of God for our lives, but complete it in total confidence, trust and peace. In Luke 8:22-25 it states: 

 

“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”

 

Now, let’s go through this story to detail the spiritual lessons to be learned and applied; especially as we live in the turmoil of today’s world:

 

 -         Jesus understood the Will of God for His life – “Let us go to the other side”. Christians often get overwhelmed with the turmoil of the world, not knowing what to do and allowing confusion and a sense of helplessness create fear in their lives, because they do not understand God’s Will for their life.

 

-         Jesus had faith in God’s ability to fulfill that Will of God for his life no matter the circumstances – “he fell asleep”. Jesus abided with God, a relationship of love and trust that assured him of success. Jesus understood, as he stated in John 14:10: “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

 

-         Jesus knew that he had the power and authority, because he was in God’s Will, to overcome any adverse circumstances attempts (the enemy’s) to stop him – “then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.” It cannot be stated clearly enough, that we will only walk in the awesome power of God (the power and authority of God) when we are fulfilling God’s plans and purposes and not using such power for our own purposes. It is when we are declaring “not my will by thine be done” (Luke 22:42) – and not seeking our own plans, purposes, recognition, etc., that we will walk in the fullness of Signs, wonders and miracles. Total dedication to God and a ‘no-compromise with the world’ attitude will always bring the fullness of God’s sovereignty to bear upon your behalf to fulfill His plans for you: No matter how dire the circumstances!

 

We are called to be like Jesus on this earth, and to not only do the works that Jesus did but greater works (John 14:12). But the problem is that Believers in the midst of the storms of life react in a manner that is reminiscent to how the Apostles dealt with the storms instead of like Jesus: They knew God’s Will through Jesus’ commandment; Jesus was with them in the midst of the storm but they didn’t think he cared about them; and when the circumstances seemed overwhelming they chose to believe the circumstances rather than the Word and Will of God.

 

No, you need to overcome the world and not be overcome but it. If you will react to the storms of life in the same manner as the Apostles did, you will have failure in life and will be in the same mess as the world: Without hope or answers and full of fear. The same question will be asked of you that were asked by Jesus of them: “Where is your faith?”

 

I would encourage you to meditate upon the following scriptures over the next week (honestly, I would make these scriptures a part of my daily confessions for the foreseeable future) and get them deep into your heart, till you have confidence and faith in God even in the midst of the world’s storms of turmoil:

 

  • John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
  • 1 John 4:4: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
  • 1 John 4:17-19: “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.”

 

 

And my favorite passage of scripture in the Bible –

 

Romans 8:37-39: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

 

In all these things – in the midst of economic, political, societal and cultural turmoil that is burdening the people of the world – nothing shall be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

We have been given the command by Jesus to “go to the other side”: A place of God’s blessing and happiness; the land of healing, health and prosperity; peace and fulfillment in the midst of thee storms of life. Be like Jesus, trust and have confidence in God’s love and willingness and ability to see you make it to the other side; and rest peacefully even in as the world is in turmoil.

Be Blessed and full of joy -

Dr. Will