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
* E INDIA – BRO PRASANNA REQUESTS PRAYER
* MATTHEW 14 - EXPOSITION - Bro Renier
* 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.
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
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
31st/12/2012-1st/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
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FBF - Sons of thunder -
Time for Christ
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