JANUARY Pastoral Letter

Seeking First the Kingdom,

and His Righteousness

Matt 6:33

IN THIS ISSUE:

*  2013 A YEAR FOR CORPORATE INTERCESSION!  IT’S LATE!  

*  THE FALL OF AMERICA         Bro Robert

*  UGANDA – BRO WACHANA ENCOURAGES WITH HOPE          

*  TANZANIA - BRO MICHAEL CATCHES VISION FOR ORPHANS

*  E INDIA – BRO PRASANNA REQUESTS PRAYER
*  MATTHEW 14 - EXPOSITION -   Bro Renier

                                    

My Beloved Brethren... be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD.  

1 Cor. 15:58

INTERCESSION... one of the GREATEST ministries that the functioning Church Bride of Christ engages, should be at the top of all our lists now—as we can all see the drastic World Positions that our Saviour talked about prior to His 2nd coming!  Matt. 24

Indeed, we are all on call to implead for such a lost generation, and to see all the chaos, confusion and growing desperation as the great opportunities for unregenerate men and women to seek a Saviour and redemption that is real... and very near at hand!  Yes... that “none would perish and that all would come to REPENTANCE!”

CONSIDER THE PICTURE OF THE DARK CLOUD ON LADY LIBERTY AND DEMISE OF THE US... TURNING FROM THEIR GOD.  THERE IS A PRICE TO BE PAID FOR THOSE NATIONS THAT LEGALIZE SIN!    Article Below.

These are the last times, and it is very crucial that as individuals, we continue to maintain a right standing in faithful following after the Lamb YHWH God ourselves... that we may see clearly to ‘gain for the Lamb the reward of His sufferings’ as we continue to UPHOLD the prayer burden of our Great King... for the lost and the poor human family—while there is yet time to come in!!  Praise be the Holy Name of Our Great God for His indescribable Mercy... and LONG-SUFFERING!
    Bro Robert   FBF Staff


FBF would like to Thank you again for your prayers and encouragements as the Teams in East, Central, South and Western Africa are experiencing many advances and serious revival that continues in the East and Central sections... all Glory to God!  East India continues to open up new territories with the Gospel, and the Open Air preach continues in the US.  All teams are training new recruits at this time.  We thank the LORD for the good work of participating with His Kingdom advance... and with all His Church Bride who is eagerly awaiting His soon return.  This is the hour for all of God’s children to ‘rise up’ for the gospel of Jesus Christ!  It’s TIME to do all we can in Christ.  His return is more certain than ever before!    Amen.

The focus of the Pastoral Letter (PL) is along the lines of generally edifying and encouraging Preachers to establish more of Christ in our lives, promoting the Kingdom of God where ever we go, Establishing God fearing Churches, mission updates (Africa, India, US), missions reports, focus points, teaching, exposition, a short list of mail-ins (with some excerpts).  We are committed to the Great Co-Mission for all, as being salt and light are not an option in the church of Jesus Christ. Matt 5:13-16 ...  We continue to bless all those who are at work in the advancement of the Kingdom of God... for Jesus sake.  We continue to call all men to Jesus, and to the simplicity of Christ that we find in the Book of Acts Church...   to His Glory and Praise!

Acts 2:42, 46-47,   Mark 16:15-16

May the LORD leave His richest blessings upon each one of you as you Press On with Jesus!

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.

                                                        ~William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

          

THE FALL OF AMERICA

  AS IT WAS WITH ISRAEL... So it will happen to any nation who makes a covenant with The God of the Universe (YHWH)... expecting His protection, providence, grace and power... but then, turns from their affection, commitment and love. 

This is a commentary of the Fall of Israel (the Northern 10 tribes in 723 BC... and Judah in 596 BC):

“It’s a mystery... kind of a spiritual amnesia.  When it all began, they were still using God’s Name, but with less and less meaning behind it.  Then they started merging Him, confusing Him wit the gods of the nations.  And then they began turning against Him—subtly at first, then outright, then brazenly—driving Him out of their national life and bringing in idols to fill the void.  the land became covered with idols and altars to foreign gods.  They rejected their covenant, abandoned their standards, and exchanged the values they had always lived by for those they had  never known:

Spirituality for sensuality, holiness for profanity, and righteousness for self interest. 

They cut themselves off from the faith on which their nation had been established and became STRANGERS to God...

... and as for their most innocent, their little children, they offered them up as sacrifices... literally burning them up on the alters Baal, Chemoth, and Molech... their new found god’s.  That’s how far they descended.  Everything became upside down.  What they had once known as right, they now saw as outdated, intolerant, and immoral.  And what they had once known as immoral, they now championed and celebrated as sacred.  They had transformed themselves into THE ENEMIES OF GOD!  The same YHWH God they had once worshiped and the faith they had once followed, until the very mention of His Name was banned from their public squares.  And yet, in spite of all this, He was merciful and called to them again, and again.”

This reads like today’s newspaper... for all this is a historical account for the apostasy of the Nation of Israel... but eventually, the LORD will take His hand off any nation that turns away from Him; for a few examples: England, Holland, Germany... and now America.  It must be remembered that when a nation first dedicates itself to the Providences and Protection of YHWH, they also commit the FUTURE of that nation into His Hand!  Apostate nations (as with Israel today) have FORGOTTEN this fact.

Look what the people of America have voted in?  For the first time in her history, more than half of the American people are voting to legalize sin!  (Homo-sex, single-gender ‘marriage,’ smoking pot, morning after abortion pill, all after removing Jesus and God from the classrooms of America, no prayer... with replacement notions of evolution.

Clearly, with the 911 event, and now the mass shooting of 26 school children, and all the on going shootings that now are a regular occurrence... the Lord has clearly, removed his hand of protection from the nation of America.  He is no longer welcome.

For the first time in US History, there is a sitting president and a compliant congress that endorses and promotes single gender marriage.  These things have never been in the entire history of America.  Today... America has hit a tipping point this 2012-2013.  Now... if she does not repent, from ALL her wicked ways, she will end up destroying herself.  For when the Lord removes His had of protection—there is NO PROTECTION!

THE BURDEN NOW 

IS UPON FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS 

OF MESSIAH

IF MY PEOPLE... WHO CALL THEMSELVES BY MY NAME... WILL FIRST HUMBLE THEMSELVES... PRAY... AND SEEK MY FACE

THEN... I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN... FORGIVE THEIR SINS... AND HEAL THEIR LAND.  

2 CHRON  7:14

But... like Israel (Isaih 9:10)...  National PRIDE caused them to think that they could rebuild in their own strength... missing the rebukes of YHWH, and moving defiantly against His corrections.  

Today...the Blind are leading the Blind... having FORGOTTEN from whence they came!

They thought they could rebuild in their own strength!  They turned away from the warnings of YHWH God... and thought they could rebuild on their own.

It's finaly time my devoted Brothers and Sisters... to lead all men to repentance... that None would perish.   

The LORD is NOT slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness;  but, is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should 
COME TO REPENTANCE!
2 Pet 3:9 

RE

  

DRC NEEDS OUR PRAYERS

DRC  Let us continue in vigilant prayer for our Dear Brothers and Sister in E DRC as the battle has not been finished and there is great threat just waiting to happen if the Kabila Government does not negotiate in good faith with their powerful M23 foe.      

Uganda - Bro Wachana   

ALL NIGHT PRAYER MEETING

                                                                     ^   Pastor Wachana 

Wishing you joy this season 2013!

My Dear brother Robert and all FBF friends.

2012 has passed, I’m reflecting on all we’ve accomplished together in ministry (FBF), and I’m filled with thankfulness. Please accept my personal thanks for your prayers, counsel and all the support.

May the Lord Bless our collective efforts to glorify His name in His word.

2013... YES--we are ready my beloved brother Robert!

I thank God all that we have seen and experienced Him during the over night event on 31^st/12/2012-1^st/01/2013.we have done it for the purpose and cause of preparing ourselves to reach the lost within and beyond our regional (quarterly in this 2013).

‘’ For this is what the Lord has commanded us. I have made you a light to the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the ends of the Earth’ Acts 13:47

God has been good to us to begin a new year 2013 with the new converts (They were 15 those who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour).

To God our Saviour, who a lone is wise, be glory and majest, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

May God Bless you Brother Robert and I wish you joy this season 2013.

Yours in Christ

Wachana Bonventry

N.B: I have attached the photo shows the past overnight event

________   *   ________

Please continue to pray for most recent muslim converts to Christ... some are under threat!

She is called Hajira, she accepted Jesus Christ and also being baptized.

The husband chased her away because she had changed from Islamic religion to Christianity; even the other Islam’s are planning to pour acid on us. But for us we fear God who destroys the body, heart and soul but not human being. Therefore, we request all the FBF saints to pray for Hajira and even us.

Greetings my dear brother Robert, a bond servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.mercy, peace and Love be multiplied to you. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. I have a greater joy to hear that F BF Saints walk in truth. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in our time of need.

May the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,make  us complete in every good work to do His will, working in us what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus to whom be glory forever and ever Amen.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Blessed is the Man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).

Yours, in the love of Christ,

Wachana Bonventry.

BF WE ARE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

“The God of this age (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers (in Christ) so that they cannot se the light of he gospel of the glory of Christ’’II Cor.4:4.

so see.

A Muslim is spiritually blind; we can only help by spiritual warfare against the evil forces that blind a bind. This is not done by prayer alone! We do not ask the devil but command them to leave in the name of Jesus! We have the authority to do so. The words don’t have magical effects on Satan, but we command on behalf of Lord Jesus Christ: (for many a demon calls himself Jesus ‘’) matt 28:18-19; Luke 10:19

Satan has only limited authority. Eph. 6:12. ‘Having disarmed the power and authorities” Christ triumphed over them by -the cross”. Col 2:l4—l5. Jesus Christ has gone to heaven and is at God’s right hand and angel’s authorities and powers submission to Him! (1 peter 3:21-22),

Satan and will come, I Cor 15:l4. We spend prayer sometimes with fasting Matt. 7:21.

Resist the devil. A lion will attack if you run?

The strong man Satan must be bound? Mat 12:29; 16:19

MUST WE AVOID ARGUING ABOUT RELIGION?

Many Christian say it is wrong to argue about spiritual matters-

Let us see what Paul says:

He talked and debated with the Greek and Jews (act 9:29)

He reactioned with them from the scriptures explaining and proving (act 7:2). Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue trying to persuaded (act 18:4)

He…. went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews (act 18:19)

Paul spoke boldly for 3 months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God (act 19:8)

So to discuss with Muslims is good, but it is not good to have an arguing about God and the bible.

PRAY REQUEST FOR PROVISIONS:

Brother, I progress for the reminding letter I sent to you concerning the support. I also depended on the one you sent to me last time which you said that you want to give me all the support I need, and for sure the needs has not been easy as the work require. Especially the work in Busia town, where we believe that the work in Busia after complication will help all the FBF saints. Please forgive me my dear brother. I know very well that FBF we are tent makers, let us be strong, and show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of God ; may the Lord do what is good in His sight’’(1 chronicles 19:13). FBF Uganda regional organized a joint prayer and fasting all over our churches in Butundula zone on Friday and Saturday.

.

Venue: Butundula Fairhaven Believers’ Baptism Church.

Time: From 8:00am to 7:00 pm daily

Agenda: we were praying for the plan of next year 2013.

Below is a list of suggested items that this budget should include:-

• Evangelistic materials:,
• Materials for discipleship in large quantities
• Bible lessons
• Bible and /or new testaments
• New believers’ camp
• Welcoming dinner for new believers
• Public baptism services
• Tracts for the new believers
• Banners, billboards
• Invitation flyers for the crusade weeks
• Bull horns or instruments

Other items

One (1) motorcycle or a car that will be used during the visitations (if necessary)

Easy meal or food

Within this budget plan we should also include massive church gatherings.

Yours in Christ,
Wachana Bonventry

MUKAMA YEBAZIBWE BROTHER ROBERT!

Beloved, for all your labour in the Lord, for all your toils and all your perseverance in serving the Lord, thank you. May you never cease to remember that your labour in the Lord is not in vain (Galatians 6:7-10) and may our precious Lord and savior richly and graciously bless you continually Shalom!

YOURS IN CHRIST,

REV. WACHANA BONVENTRY

SETTING ORPHANS FREE

A VISION

Bro Michael 

Hi Daddy Robert, You are a man I love and highly respect in both my life and in my ministry, thank you so much for a wonderful message you have recently sent me regarding the advice of an orphanage plan. Again would like to give glory, honor and respect to the almighty God for healing you from the surgeon you undertook few months ago and there your completely healed and ready to serve our King, glory be to Him forever and ever, Amen.   Daddy, concerning the orphans, truly speaking even myself I had been dreaming the same as you suggested, that instead of separating those kids in a camp where all days they remain feeling to be orphans I do recommend one to stay with them as part of his family and letting them feel the parenthood and family care. To me as you, this will be a great relief to their grieves rather than separating them.   Ready I have got a plot of mine where such a vision can be invested and this a kind of dream I had before without knowing how to start, anyway Daddy we shall talk more when you come in Africa in first part of March as you promised. However in order for us to arrange a nice assembly or meeting for you in March/13 here in Geita Tanzania, I would love you to send me the proper dates of ours if are already known so that the arrangements may start from now.   I am and we are thirstily waiting for you to bring a prophetic message in Geita Tanzania, hope to see you soon.   Until I hear from you, I am your beloved Son, Rev. Michael

              

HUNGRY ORPHANS IN E INDIA

Bro Prasanna

E INDIA – BRO PRASANNA PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE CHILDREN

  

PRAISE THE LORD! PASTOR. ROBERT  AND CHURCH FAMILY. HOW ARE YOU? HOW IS FAMILY AND MINISTRY ?GREETINGS TO YOU IN HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, PLEASE KEEP YOUR HOLY HANDS ON THE THE INDIAN MINISTERS AND PRAY FOR THEM, THEIR CHURCHES AND FAMILIES. WE SPEND MUCH TIME IN PRAYER FOR YOU,YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR COUNTRY. WE NEED YOUR HOLY PRAYERS, LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP TO SAVE INDIA FOR JESUS CHRIST.       Matthew 25:35-36 "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." KINDLY PRAY FOR THE FOOD PROVISIONS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY AND PRAY THAT YOU ALL BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO THE ORPHAN CHILDREN AT THE LOVE OF JESUS CHILDREN HOME INDIA. IN JESUS .    PASTOR. PRASANNA JEEVAN

                                                                                                      

MATTHEW 14: AN EXPOSITION

(Matthew 14:1-2)  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

News of Jesus' ministry flowed back to Herod the tetrarch.  This ill-reputed son of Herod the Great was also known as Herod Antipas.  Herod Antipas ruled over a fourth of Palestine (hence the title the tetrarch), including Galilee and Perea.  He ruled from 4 BC to AD 39.  This was the same Herod who judged Jesus when He was on trial (Luk 23:7-12).  It was he who had ordered the execution of John the Baptist.  When he heard of Christ's miracles, his conscience began to stab him.  The memory of the prophet whom he had beheaded kept coming before him.  He told his servants, “It's John. He has come back from the dead. That explains these miracles.”

(Matthew 14:3)  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

In verses 3-12 we have what is known as a literary flashback.  Matthew interrupts the narrative to review the circumstances surrounding the death of John.

(Matthew 14:4)  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

Notice that John the Baptist rebuked Herod for taking his brother Philip's wife.  He did not say: "It is not lawful for you to have taken her" but rather "It is not lawful for you to have her".  Some say the sin was that of incest.  Actually, Herod had committed two sins: adultery and incest.  The only way to repent of both was to release the woman.  John was rebuking a sinner, which shows that immorality is sin, not only for the saint, but also for the sinner.  There are those who try to escape the obvious conclusion that unbelievers can also commit adultery by reasoning that Herod cannot be regarded as an unbeliever as he was part of the Jewish Nation, the people of God.  If this is the case, then the Pharisees and the Sadducees should be considered as believers as well as they were also part of the Jewish Nation!  Yet, Jesus referred to them as “children of Hell” (Matthew 23:15) who will not enter Heaven (verse 13) and who will receive a greater damnation (verse 14).  These things CANNOT be said of believers!!!  Jesus also referred to Herod as a fox (Luke 13:32 compare with Acts 23:5).  So Herod cannot be regarded as a believer and therefore Matthew 14 can be used lawfully to prove that marriages between unbelievers are recognized by God as well as those between believers.  It is critical to understand this to have a good biblical understanding of the topic of divorce and remarriage.  It should be noted that just because God recognizes the marriages of unbelievers does NOT mean that He approves of them.  If you counsel divorced or remarried persons, you will certainly be asked the following questions: “What if I divorced my spouse before I was a (committed) believer in Christ? Doesn't that give me the right to remarry (or to stay with my present spouse)?”  We need to remember that marriage was not first of all a Christian institution and it is therefore valid whether one marries as a Christian or not.  Adultery is not a sin that only Christians can commit.  If marriages were valid only for Christians, then we would have to tell all unbelievers that their marriages are worthless and that in God's sight they are not married.  This approach would also conflict with the passages in Genesis 20 and here in Matthew 14 where Abimelech and Herod, as unbelievers, were clearly condemned by God in what they had done.  Another thing that we can learn from this story is that adultery is an ongoing state of sin until the present partner is put away!  John the Baptist told Herod: “It’s not lawful for you to HAVE her!”  Why? Because it is an ongoing state of sin!  If John the Baptist had said, "Just recognize you sinned, but stay with her and don't commit adultery again with another woman", Herodias wouldn't have had reason to be so upset with John.  Despite the fact that she had repeatedly violated her marriage vow to Philip, her marriage to him had not been annulled.  The fact of the matter is, complete repentance and full assurance of God's forgiveness do NOT exist until the adulterous union is discontinued.  Those pastors and teachers who try to assure divorced & remarried persons of God’s forgiveness while they are still in that union are actually sanctioning their going to hell since no adulterer will inherit the Kingdom of God!  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).  The view that one can divorce and remarry undermines the foundations of marriage and weakens the will to work through marriage difficulties.  The foundations of marriage should be defended against heresies like this. 

(Matthew 14:5)  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

As a prophet of God, John could not let this pass without rebuke.  Furiously and fearlessly, he pointed his finger at Herod and criticized him for his immorality.  The king was angry enough to kill him but it was not politically beneficial.  The people admired John as a prophet, and would have reacted, perhaps violently, against John's execution. So the tyrant satisfied his rage temporarily by having the Baptist imprisoned.  “The ungodly like religion in the same way that they like lions, either dead or behind bars; they fear religion when it breaks loose and begins to challenge their consciences.”

(Matthew 14:6-11)  But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias so pleased the king by her dancing that he impulsively offered her anything she wanted.  Encouraged by her cruel mother, she shamelessly asked for John the Baptist's head ... on a platter!  By now the king's wrath against John had somewhat lessened; perhaps he even admired the prophet for his courage and integrity.  But although he was sorry, he felt he had to fulfil his promise. The order was given.  John was beheaded and the gruesome request of the dancing girl was granted.

(Matthew 14:12)  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

John's disciples gave their master's body a respectful burial, then went and told Jesus. They could not have gone to anyone better to pour out their grief and anger.  Nor could they have left us a better example.  In times of persecution, oppression, suffering, and sorrow, we too should go and tell it to Jesus.  As for Herod, his crime was finished but the memory remained.  When he heard of Jesus' activities, the entire episode returned to haunt him.  Herod’s act was another illustration of the rejection of Jesus, for Matthew so connected the ministries of these two men that what happened to one was viewed as having a direct effect on the other.  Herod, by rejecting the King’s forerunner, was rejecting the King who followed him.

(Matthew 14:13)  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

When Jesus heard that Herod was troubled by reports of His miracles, He withdrew by boat to a isolated area by the Sea of Galilee.  We can be sure He did not go because of fear; He knew that nothing could happen to Him before His time had come.  We do not know the main reason for His move, but a lesser reason was that His disciples had just returned from their preaching mission (Mar 6:30; Luk 9:10) and needed a time of rest and quietness.

(Matthew 14:14)  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

The crowds flocked from the towns and followed Him on foot.  As He went ashore, they were waiting for Him.  Far from being irritated by this interruption, our compassionate Lord set to work immediately and healed their sick.

(Matthew 14:15)  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

When evening came, that is, after 3:00 p.m., His disciples felt that a crisis was developing.  So many people and nothing for them to eat!  They asked Jesus to send the people into the villages where they could get food.  How little they understood the heart of Christ or discerned His power!

(Matthew 14:16-18)  But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me.

The Lord assured them that there was no need.  Why should the people leave the One who opens His hand and supplies the desire of every living thing?  Then He caught the disciples off guard by saying, “You give them something to eat.”  They were surprised. “Give them something to eat? We have nothing but five loaves and two fish.”  They had forgotten that they also had Jesus.  Patiently the Savior said, “Bring them here to Me.” That was their part.

(Matthew 14:19)  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Getting such a large multitude to sit down was also not a small task!

(Matthew 14:20)  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

Why did the Lord do this?  A lot of people came a long way to hear Him, so He made sure that their needs were met.  Why five loaves and two fishes?  Five is the number of grace.  Notice that wherever we see the number five used in scripture it is in a place suggestive of the Grace of God.  Two is the number of witness.  Two witnesses are seen in Joshua, in Revelation, etc.  Why 12 baskets left over?  Maybe to teach the twelve disciples a lesson or one basket for each to take home.

(Matthew 14:21)  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

A multitude of perhaps 10,000 to 15,000 had been fed (5,000 men plus women and children).  The miracle is a spiritual lesson for disciples of every generation.  I believe Jesus was saying: ‘Now that I showed you how, go feed your own multitude.’  The hungry multitude is always present.  There is always a little band of disciples with seemingly pathetic resources.  And always there is the compassionate Savior.  When disciples are willing to give Him their little all, He multiplies it to feed thousands.  They would be involved in feeding people, but with spiritual food.  The source for their feeding would be the Lord Himself.  When their supply ran out, as with the bread and fish, they would need to return to the Lord for more.  He would supply them, but the feeding would be done through them.  The important difference is that the five thousand men who were fed by Galilee had their hunger satisfied only for a short time; those today who feed upon the living Christ are satisfied forever (see John 6:35).  The previous miracle assured the disciples that they were following One who could abundantly provide for their needs.  Now they are going to learn that this One can protect and empower them as well.

(Matthew 14:22-23)  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

While He was dismissing the multitude, Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat and start back to the other side of the lake.  Then He went up on a hillside to pray.  When evening came, i.e., after sunset, He was alone there.  In Jewish reckoning there were two “evenings,”  One, referred to in v. 15, began in mid-afternoon, and the other, referred to here, at sunset.

(Matthew 14:24-27)  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Meanwhile, the boat was now far from land and battling a contrary wind.  As the waves battered the boat, Jesus saw the disciples' difficulty.  In the fourth watch of the night (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. - just before dawn), He went to them walking on the sea. Thinking it was a ghost the disciples panicked.  But immediately they heard the reassuring voice of their Master and Friend, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” How true to our own experience!  We are often storm-tossed, confused, in despair.  The Savior seems far away.  But all the time He is praying for us.  When the night seems darkest, He is near at hand.  We often mistake Him even then and push the panic button.  Then we hear His comforting voice and remember that the waves that caused us to fear are under His feet.

(Matthew 14:28)  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

When Peter heard the well-known, well-loved voice, his love and enthusiasm bubbled over.  “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  Rather than expand on Peter's “if” as a sign of small faith, we should see his bold request as a mark of great trust.  Peter sensed that Jesus' commands are His enablements, that He gives strength for whatever He orders.

(Matthew 14:29-30)  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

In all recorded history only two men ever walked on… water, Jesus and Peter.  Herein lies a lesson for us.  We get the impression that while Peter looked at the Lord he was doing fine.  As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to do the impossible; but the minute he became occupied with the strong wind, he began to sink.   Believing something and having faith are two different things.  I can believe that the Lord will sustain me, but I don’t have faith until I actually step off.  Faith has to do with believing coupled with relying upon, trusting.  We get the impression that Peter looked around at his circumstances, then he starts to sink.

(Matthew 14:31)  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Why did he sink?  Because of his doubt.  Looking down caused him to doubt and the doubt caused him to lose power.   Always remember Romans 8:28!

(Matthew 14:32-33)  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

As soon as Jesus went on board, the wind stopped.  A worship meeting took place in the boat with the disciples saying to Jesus, “Truly You are the Son of God.”  The Christian life, like walking on water, is physically impossible.  It can only be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As long as we look away from every other object to Jesus only (Heb 12:2) we can experience a supernatural life.  But the minute we become occupied with ourselves or our circumstances, we begin to sink.  Then we must cry to Christ for restoration and divine enablement.

(Matthew 14:34-36)  And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

The boat docked at Gennesaret, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.  As soon as the men spotted Jesus, they scoured the area for all who were sick and brought them to Him that the sick might only touch the hem of His garment; as many who did were made perfectly well.  And so the doctors in that area had a holiday.  For a while, at least, there were no sick people.  The district experienced health and healing through a visit by the Great Physician,  Yahushua Jesus... Messiah.

  FBF Staff - Renier      {Ref sources:  W McDonalds, Walvrood & Zuck, Evidence Bible}

Much emphasis is given by our LORD and the Apostles in their teaching on the importance of the PREACHING or DECLARING the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  It is the POWER of God on earth as given to men (Rom 1.16)... as it provides the most coverage in every area.

The words used for PREACH, PREACHING carry with it the Open Air Proclamation just as a TOWN CRIER!  It is never a 2 way conversation... but a DECLARATION TO ALL!  The Church Bride of Christ is to be the VOICE of the Bride and the Bridegroom in this untoward generation.

It has been, and remains the privilege of this ministry to expose men to this dimension of the Gospel as prescribed by our LORD JESUS CHRIST!   May we present the Truth in Love... as Jesus did.  Amen.

Mark 16:15-16, 1:14,  Matt 9:35, 24:12-14,  Luke 4:18, 4:43, 24:47, 

Acts 5:42, 10:42, 1 Cor 1:18

FBF Admin Staff, Bro Robert edit FBF - Sons of thunder - Time for Christ www.timeforchrist.org www.sonsofthunder.cc ________   *   ________ ~  we welcome all your comments and inquires  ~ fbfsonsofthunder@gmail.com