This is the second part of my address
at ladies’ retreat in Dongshan on April 28
Let us continue to read from the gospel
of John: “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As
soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer
garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The
other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they
were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with
fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the
fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and
dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many
the net was not torn.” (John 21, 7-11)
Interestingly, after they had a big
catch, now there was another problem - the net was stretched almost to the
point of breaking. Together with a supernatural catch, however, came a supernatural
endurance of the net for pulling fish out. We may at times be stretched, too,
when ministry opportunities widen and more people come. Also, this verse shows
that it is not enough to catch the fish, we need to pull them out, otherwise we
may lose them and they start to swim away again. Likewise, it is not enough
that people accept Jesus as their Savior, we need to disciple them and pull
them out to safety, and that can be stretching. I have been blessed with seven
women and five toddlers in my group, but at times we all were present, it was difficult
to keep it all together. Sometimes I came despite being tired or my little one
not being totally well. Some of us were feeling stretched before our big Christmas
and Easter events. But this verse encourages us that God can supernaturally
sustain us so we are able to handle the opportunities that open up for us. We
may feel torn or breaking for many other reasons such as challenges in the family
or personal issues. I recently felt overwhelmed, but was strengthened by the reminder
that spirit part in us needs to rule the soul. I felt chaotic and irritated,
but experienced peace and alignment once I called forth my spirit to take
control of my being.
Let us hear again the words from the “Spirit
blessings” by Arthur Bruk and Sylvia Gunther:
“Spirit, as much as you are loved, you have experienced pain. You are part of a
great battle against the enemy of Most High God. I bless you with the ability
to have joy that transcends pain. I bless you with a clear picture of what is
before you, the thing that God has called you to do, so you can endure the pain
to get there. The enemy will magnify the pain and cause you to focus on it, but
I bless you with being aware of the joy set before you. I bless you with
sufficient understanding of that joy so you will not count the cost but will
pay the price. I bless you in the name of Jesus, who is the prize. Spirit, I
bless you with waking up every morning knowing that the living God is
sustaining, strengthening, and renewing you for the opportunities and problems
He sets before you today. I bless you with the assurance of inner quiet,
security, and strength, not only for each day, but for as long as God chooses
your lifetime to be. I bless you with meeting Him daily spirit to Spirit. I
bless you with doing nothing by mere human effort. I bless you with being
energized with the life of eternity upon all that you are and think and do. I
bless you in the name of the Spirit of life. You are the apple of the eye of
the Ancient of days. He cares for you. He is grooming you for triumph, not just
survival.”
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