Mark 6:48-50 - He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
It's shocking how despite all the things the disciples had seen Jesus do, He could still surprise them. Or in this case, terrify them. To be fair, if we were in their shoes and saw a figure walking on the water, we'd freak out too.
Now that's out of the way, let's focus on today's lesson. Look at those verses again. The disciples were in a boat straining against the wind while Jesus watched them from the shore. Having compassion, He eventually went out to help them, but they became afraid.
How many times have you struggled against the winds of life? Did you make the same mistake the disciples did? Notice that at no point did they call out to God to change the direction of the wind in their favor. Nor did they seek Him for more strength whereby the wind would no longer be a hindrance. They didn't turn to God at all! Instead, they relied on Muscle Memory and resorted to the tactics they would have used in their 'Before Christ' days. They relied on their personal strength.
Despite that mistake, God's Son got up and walked over to them. His arrival was wrapped in an amazing miracle - walking on water. And the reaction of those whom He was trying to assist was one of fear, not faith that no matter what was approaching, their God would work things out for them.
Have you reacted in a similar way? Have you ever misinterpreted God's miraculous help? Could that have caused you to possibly reject what you needed?
For the disciples, it was only once they set fear aside that Jesus could then come into the boat with them, and once He did, another miracle occurred - the wind died down (Mark 6:51).
Each of us has to realize that no matter what we've seen the Lord do in our lives or the lives of others, He can still surprise us. And because His ways are not our ways as He stated in Isaiah 55:9, we should not expect to see the same old same old from Him. No matter how He packages our miracles, we must walk in faith and a close relationship with Him so we receive His spirit of wisdom and the gift of discernment which will indicate whether we're dealing with Him or the enemy.
Additionally, we have to realize that until Jesus fully steps into the boat with us, the winds of life will continue to pester us. Under those circumstances, we will strain instead of moving with the wind as we are promised in John 3:8, which states, The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Those who have Jesus in their boat, get to walk with the Spirit of God and thereby move in miracles. God does things for them that will never make sense to those who have not tasted of the Lord (Psalm 34:8).
Today, as we gather for the 300th P&P, keep in mind that this is an opportunity to call God into the boat with you. Don't forget that your faith needs to be activated. That way, when He shows up wrapped in a miracle just for you, your response will not be one of fear. We're going to worship God then powerfully pray for one another, calling on Jesus to get into the boat of life with us however He deems fit. We're going to expect miracles and not just for ourselves but for those we are praying for.
From Wdfl - Thank you Heavenly Father for the dedication and obedience of @AC @M22 coming into agreement and praying over your flock. Thank you for blessing them in their area of need and YOU drawing them closer to you. May the meditation of our heart and the praise and petitions from our mouths be pleasing to you Abba Father.
For the pepper who lost a child, Heavenly Father, I ask that you give her peace that surpasses all understanding LORD. Thank you for keeping her in your blossom of comfort and on the days needed extra measure of comfort and peace.
Also, Heavenly Father, I pray for an old associate family and friends as they deal with her unexpected death. Heavenly Father, we don’t know why people think it’s okay to take someone life without revocation. I just pray that she was saved and is now in the arms of you. Thank you for looking after her children and meeting every need, drying every eye and giving them a village of support and safety.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You Sovereign Lord for the blessing of this day and this gathering. Glory be to Your Holy Name.
I lift up a prayer for all participants as stated in Ephesians 3:16-19 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.
From M22 - You are Jireh, you are always enough, more than enough, forever enough. Nobody compares to you Abba. Be the captain of our ship, I pray that we open our hearts so that you can willingly come in and make your home in us ijmn amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift up sis @FFJ and her ministry into Your loving hands. I pray that You bless her and keep her and all that concerns Her. I pray that her ministry will continue to grow leading people into Your kingdom. Heavenly Father, meet her at her points of need. Bless her, her loved ones and her finances. Pour out Your mercy, grace and favour on her. May she live a long healthy life and carry her children's children IJMN Amen.
From M22- I pray Abba that you will continue to expand our P and P community online and offline. I pray Abba that you will keep us to witness more and more milestones in this community. Cheers to 400 and beyond IJMN amen.
From AC - YHWH Yireh, I lift in prayer my Pepper family members with high expenses and financial struggles. You are the God of provision, and we know that You provide in abundance, for You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) So please open the storehouse of Your heavenly bounty (Deuteronomy 28:12) and rain financial blessings upon their heads during these challenging times. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
From M22- Thank you Abba for my siblings. Thank you for being their father, mother, shield, buckler and safe haven. I pray Abba that they will continue to seek you above everything else. I pray that you take charger of every situations in their life. I pray that you take charger of their mental and physical health. I pray that you bless them in every aspect of their life. I pray that you supply all of their needs according to your glorious riches IJMN amen.
God, I pray for those who are struggling in their beliefs. So many have been blinded to think that they can serve at the altar of satan and still be called Your children. Lord, the devil has clouded their minds to think they can dabble in magic, new age practices and more, without there being severe consequences.
I call on You to encounter these ones. Save them from the teeth of wolves intent on taking them to hell.
I also pray for those who have turned from You and are more focused on news, gossip, entertainment, work and anything else that takes the place You should have in their lives.
Please rescue them from their idols. God, let them have a Prodigal experience that brings them back home where they receive the Prince and Princess treatment and welcomed with joy and rejoicing, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for every single Pepper online and offline. I bless you for your grace over their lives. That they are part of this spirit filled community is by your grace. I pray Abba that you will supply all of their needs according to your word in Phillipians 4:19 and you will strengthen them according to your word in Phillipians 4:13. Abba I stand in agreement with each and every one of them at P and P 300 that your will over their lives will come to pass. I pray Abba that you will turn Gerry situation around and break every chains, generationak curses, illnesses and traumas IJMN amen.
Heavenly Father, I lift up Your daughter sis K. We have not heard from her for a while but we place her firmly in Your kind arms.
God, hear our cries on her behalf that You will send out Your word to heal, rescue and save her (Psalm 107).
Remember Good Lord, the paralyzed man that was let down the roof by His friends got more than healing. He also received forgiveness of His sins. All because of the faith of His friends.
I call on You to see our faith for our sister's healing, and bring to her even more than what we are praying for, IJMN, Amen.
From BI - I pray for Peppers going through financial difficulties. Lord, silver and gold belongs to You and so I pray that You will open financial gates for them. Lord, let their cup overflow. I pray that they will receive divine help. I pray that they will be promoted. Let Your mercy flow in their lives. They will progress by Your mercy. They will increase by Your mercy. They will carry their evidence and give their testimonies IJMN Amen.
Thank You Abba for my sisters @brownicing , @m22, and @FFJ. I am grateful for their constant and consistent presence and for always lifting our P&P family in prayer. May the blessings of Numbers 6:24-26 come upon them. May You cover them and keep them and shine Your face towards them, always. In Jesus name, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for sis @FFJ even though she doesn't want anyone mentioning her haha. I am quite stubborn and I choose to pray for her as well. Thank you Abba for your grace over her life. Bringing us together to fellowship twice a week is no small feat. Thank you Abba for pouring your spirit into her according to your word in Ezekiel 36. Even in difficulty and challenges, you still keep your firer in her burning to spearhead this movement. I pray Abba that you will continue to bless her, her loved ones, this community and her jobs and businesses. I pray Abba that her fire that burns for you will never be extinguished IJMN amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for @Wdfl for bringing her here to this fellowship. It is by your divine programming that she is here with us. I pray Abba that you will continue to be with her and hold her hand through each day. I pray that you will draw her close so she will continue to seek you. I pray Abba tht you will continue to transform her and you will complete her transformation for your glory IJMN amen.
From BI - I lift up sis @M22 and her loved ones. I pray that You Lord will grant them understanding, knowledge and retentive memory as they continue their education. Heavenly Father, I pray that they will step into the beautified destiny that You set apart for them. Abba, remove fears and doubts from them and remind them that You are He who open doors no man can shut. I pray that they will pass all their exams and prosper in life. I pray that the Lion of the tribe of Judah will prevail in their lives all to His glory IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for @BI I appreciate you for your grace in her life. Thank you Abba for bringing her here to fellowship with us without fail I pray Abba that she will continue to seek you Abba. I pray Abba that your turn around every situation in her life. You hear her cries, prayers and petitions. I pray Abba that you will continue to manifest in her life. I pray according to your word in Isaiah 40:31 that she will run and not be weary, she will walk and not faint and she will mount up with wings as eagles. Thank you Abba for her amen!
Lord, You are the God of provision and I thank You for Your kind mercies. The Bible mentions that You have all the silver and gold and it is You who gives all good things.
As such, I lift up @M22, bro S, sis FJ, R, O, T, and others who are in need of funds to pay for school.
Father, stretch out Your gracious hand to make miraculous provision available for their needs.
Our Father, You are the God who gives exceedingly and abundantly more than can be asked for. As such, I am calling on You to provide the needs of these ones to the absolute fullest. And please pour out more. For Your word in 2 Corinthians 9:8 states And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in every way, always, having all sufficiency, you may abound in every good work.
Therefore, may their needs be met with more pouring over for them to do good works to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From AC - Abba, please stretch out Your hand to comfort Your daughter @BNB through her pain and grief. Father of all Compassion, console her heart, fill the hollow space created by the loss of her child, and replace her anguish with Your supernatural, transcending peace. Heavenly Father, Your Word reminds us that Your Power is made stronger in our weakness, so continue to be her constant source of strength during this difficult time. In The name of Jesus Christ, our Eternal Rock, Amen. Amen.
I am so sorry for what you are going through @BNB my heart breaks for you. Years ago I experienced a very similar loss and the pain is unimaginable. Continue to hold on to the Lord, don’t give up, He will heal your heart sis, as He healed mine. I will continue to lift you and your family in prayer. God be with you ❤️
From BI - Lord, I lift my sisters @AC, @MFC, @B2 into Your capable hands. Heal them in mind, body and spirit. I pray that whatever You God has not planted in them be uprooted by fire. I declare physical, mental, spiritual healing for not just them but also their loved ones. I declare that their healing is permanent. I declare every bad health report is turning into praise report. They will live in perfect health to declare Your goodness in their lives IJMN Amen.
God, I call upon You to kindly show Your might in the lives of Your children. Let testimonies overflow, Jehovah because of Your blessed miracles. Father, provide Your never-ending manna and water in the lives of many. Jireh - the Provider.
Isaiah 64:2 - As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
Thank You, heavenly Father, IJMN, Amen.