He Still Walks on WaterSample

There’s a Miracle Waiting!
After Peter’s fateful walk on the water, the boat reached the other shoreline. The people of Gennesaret came out to meet them because they had heard about Jesus. Something always happens when people hear about Jesus. While Scripture doesn’t give us the full details, these men who recognized Jesus sent word to the surrounding area to tell people about Him. They must have known Jesus as a healer because the people responded by bringing all their sick to Him. His name means healing, salvation, and miracles. There is power in the very name of Jesus, which literally means “Yahweh saves.” It’s the reason He came to earth in the form of a man: to save and deliver. Jesus saves; it is His identity as Savior of the world. This demonstrates how:

1) The name of Jesus is mighty to save.

Our salvation rests on the finished work of Calvary. As the apostle Luke wrote, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NIV).

The truth of Jesus as the only way to heaven is generally rejected by our world. The interfaith emphasis of modern American culture heralds all faiths as equally valid in their truth. But we who know the forgiving power of Jesus proclaim—even in the face of strong opposition—the same words that He did in John 14:6 (NKJV): “I [Jesus] am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

2) The name of Jesus is mighty to heal.

The first miracle recorded in Scripture after the ascension was performed in the name of Jesus. Acts records:

And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” — Acts 3:4–6 (NKJV)

The once-lame man leaped to his feet and began praising God.

Peter and John were doing what they had witnessed Jesus do. He promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were now walking in the promise and authority of His name. When persecution came, they prayed for that kind of authority:

“Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. —Acts 4:29–31 (NKJV)

3) The name of Jesus holds the same power today.

It is mighty to overcome. As our world becomes more and more evil, we become increasingly aware that our battle is not with “flesh and blood.” We are facing demonic attacks and schemes. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” -- Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

Because we are wrestling with evil, when we face obstacles or accusers, we do not try to win debates, outwit the opposition, or resort to name-calling. We have spiritual weapons to withstand the enemy’s attack:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (NKJV)

We may not understand why storms enter into our lives, but we must choose to set aside our plans and trust God. Remember that miracles are not hit or miss. God doesn’t just sometimes decide to do a miracle, and sometimes not. The miracle may not come when or how we want it, but we trust God because He is a miracle worker. While we are waiting for the storm to pass, there are faith actions we can take toward the miracle that God has for us.

Thank you so much for joining me on this 7-day journey. I pray that over the past week, you've been equipped and encouraged with principles and truths from God's Word that will enable you to respond to storms the right way. If you're looking for more, you can check out my full book, He Still Walks on Water.

Sincerely,

Bishop Gary J. Lewis