Cast Your Nets
Luke 5:4-8
Jesus sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished, he said to Peter, “Now row out to deep water to cast your nets and you will have a great catch.”
“Master,” Peter replied, “we’ve just come back from fishing all night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you insist, we’ll go out again and let down our nets because of your word.”
When They pulled up their nets, they were shocked to see a huge catch of fish, and their nets were ready to burst!
They waved to their business partners in the other boat for help. They ended up completely filling both boats with fish until they began to sink!
When Simon Peter saw this astonishing miracle, he knelt at Jesus’ feet and begged him, “Go away from me, Master, for I am a sinful man!”
As I drove into work on Tuesday, June 13th, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “Cast your nets.” He began ministering about the doubt and fear as a result of previous seasons, but said, “this time, the harvest is ready.” Begin to dream again, plan again, seek the Lord concerning His plans again, and believe again.
This season of waiting is over...
The building you’re called to do in this coming season is going to require community. A network, partnerships… gone are the days of being a Lone ranger…
After they casted their nets, and when the nets began to break, they summons the assistance of their partners. Don’t try it alone… prayerfully in the last few seasons, you developed and/or were engrafted into a God sent community. You’re about to comprehend why some left and why you were oddly, yet particularly/specifically, matched and paired with others… Your victories will not only bless you, but also others. And, as others are blessed, you too, shall also be blessed. This next season of manifestation is going to affect the entire community. Builders, pioneers, creatives… lock arms like chains.
Every gift and talent will be needed, AND it’s going to birth KINGDOM!!
The locking of the arms signifies unity and power. It exudes strength and is the model example for a synergistic system. A chain is good for pulling, as well as binding and locking up. So, as we learn to operate in unison with great efficacy, the Holy Spirit will go before us. Together, we'll be as a three cord string, not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
What made the difference between Simon Peter and the disciples previous attempts and their net breaking catch?
Previously, they had been operating out of skill. They knew how to fish because they were fishermen. But, the Word hadn’t been released over them. The Word preceded their net-breaking season.
Many are afraid to cast their nets again because of the encounters and results from previous seasons. But, the Word hadn’t been released. Many of us were moving out of skill and knowledge of how to do something, but the Word (revelation and instruction) hadn’t been released. So, the lack of manifestation wasn’t because of failure, but because the Word hadn’t gone forth and the time and season had not yet come. The Word is the breath of God and when it precedes a move, it brings life to everything that follows it.
So, let His Word precede your next move.
So, this strikes a question: are we behind the Word or in front commanding it to align with our actions? Get behind the Word… May our actions be in obedience to the Word of God. And may our obedience be time sensitive to the release of that Word. For there is a TIME and a SEASON for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
In this last season, the Lord gave me specific instructions to rest and to “go into hiding” which was then followed by the words “protective custody.” Psalm 91 states, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]." So He was telling me to lean into Him where I found rest, peace, security, and even protection and care.
The disciples were exhausted, but were obedient to the Word. As I read this, I understood greater why God gave me those specific instructions. So not to be exhausted as the Word is released over my life for this season. He did not want me to be exhausted from moving in my own understanding, my own efforts. He kept me from exerting energy unnecessarily and taught me to wait patiently on Him and for His appointed time. So that as the Word is released, I could run with the stamina and strategy required for execution.
MAY THAT, TOO, BE YOUR LESSON IN THIS SEASON.
So, my prayer for you is that you be strengthened and well rested, that as God releases the Word, you can follow through with stamina and power. May you be endowed with fresh wind. May the glory of God be upon you, that you are overtaken by His presence. May you be refreshed, renewed, spiritual vision restored, hope rejuvenated, peace returning, and your ability to hear and discern is increased that you may hear what the Lord is speaking in this hour. May there be an outpouring of His wisdom and radical obedience to His revelation. Stay postured before Him, regardless of what you see. So, may faith be increased, spiritual sight be increased, and unbelief be shattered. Lord, for every reader, begin speaking concerning Your purpose for their lives. May dreams increase as You speak revelation in the night to us. May we grow increasingly sensitive for the things of God and build confidence in the leadership of the Holy Spirit. May our sight remain on God and our hearts pure. Cleanse us, Oh Lord, that we remain faithful and dying daily to the cravings of this flesh. May humility, truth, wisdom, faith, and the Lord above be our daily portion. Teach us Your Word, and may we always be hungry for truth. Demolish our own agendas, and guard our footsteps so we may always walk the narrow road of righteousness for YOUR NAME SAKE! That Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! And may we never forget the posture of repentance, that we may always be in pursuit of Your heart. In the Name of Jesus, amen.
We are still works in progress, His handiwork… but we are also temples of the Holy Spirit. So, we have everything we need. You are called for such a time as this.
So… CAST YOUR NETS!
