Scripture: “A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived. The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will
Jesus had been doing miraculous signs among the people. Lazarus, who died, was raised from the dead when Jesus called his name. People had been healed, received miraculous provision, and delivered from oppressive spirits. Even with all that God was doing in their midst, some people couldn’t accept Jesus. Isaiah, the prophet, had previously spoken of these things, and the people willingly ignored Jesus, fulfilling what he had said. Although they could see miracle after miracle with their eyes, it didn’t change the hardness of their hearts. The Pharisees had established an order for the people, and it was culturally unacceptable to go against these religious leaders. If anyone should know the Messiah, it would be the religious leaders. But even they missed what God was doing because it didn’t go along with their prescribed religion….
Jesus was teaching the people, and Simon Peter happened to be doing his work in his boat. Upon the request to teach from Simon’s boat, Simon had a front row seat to hear Jesus’ words. After Jesus was done, He had specific instructions for Simon. Simon needed to move his boat from its current location to experience miraculous provision. While it seemed simple, it didn’t make sense. Simon was a fisherman by trade. He knew the best time to fish and the best locations. He had spent all night fishing with no return for his effort. While Simon Peter could have been insulted by this man standing in his boat, he obeyed, because Jesus said it. As the boat moved into deeper water and nets were cast out, something began to stir in the water. It wasn’t the movement from boats surrounding his boat. Fish began filling his nets over and above what they could hold. Friends surrounding him began to be impacted by this miraculous moment as well. While Simon Peter had just thought he was letting this man stand in his boat to preach, Jesus was setting the stage to bless him abundantly. Simon Peter received something far more than fish in a net that day; he came to a new understanding of who Jesus is. When Simon Peter was willing to push away from the comfortable shore, the very thing he needed was provided for him…
Scripture: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you,
Scripture: “Then a famine came to the land. Abram went down to Egypt to live; it was a hard famine. As he drew near to Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, ‘Look. We both know that you’re a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you they’re going to say, ‘Aha! That’s his wife!’ and