'Expect The Unexpected' Dr. Sandi Freed

Just a little while back, I was praying for a message for Sunday morning service and was asking the Lord what He wanted me to minister on. I clearly heard Him say,” tell them to expect the unexpected”. I was caught off guard at first, not clearly understanding where the Spirit of the Lord was leading me. As I pressed in, I had a vision of someone walking away from a large net full of fish, letting the net, fish, and boat, and jumping into what God was offering him for the future.

Wow! Where is that in the Word, Lord? Then the Lord reminded me that Peter and how he left a net full of fish and boat, and followed Jesus and his own destiny. As I began to study out my vision, the book of John and chapter twenty-one, clearly states the appearance of Jesus to his disciples after He had resurrected, proving the fact that He had risen.

Yet, we notice in verse three, Peter decides to go back to what he knew in the natural to which was to return to fishing. Peter was disappointed and due to his confusion and disappointment, his default button was to return back to his old occupation, fishing. Think about it, aren’t we the same way at times. When our faith is met with disappointment, we often revert to an old comfort zone. Don’t stop reading now, there is more that will relate to you.

Let’s go deeper. Can you picture it? Jesus had died. He seemingly had deserted the disciples, but Jesus had spoken to the disciples before about how He would return. (Matt: 16:28) Just like you and me, it was difficult for the disciples to comprehend. Especially Peter! Why?

Because Peter thought that Jesus had come as an earthly king with promise to conquer their enemies; and hopefully Peter might be Vice-King or at least Secretary of State! LOL. I know you can chuckle with me a little, but Peter was so quick to jump at possibly a chance to be top dog in a new kingdom! But now Jesus had died, and Peter’s hope and earthly reign was demolished and he saw no hope for a future in spreading the gospel.

When his disappointment gave way to major confusion concerning his destiny, Peter reverted back to what he knew to do, and being the leader of the pack, the other disciples followed him. Hey Peter, wait up. You’re not the only one confused and disappointed, we are going with you. Subscribe To The Chicago Voice./GPV

Scripture says they fished all night and caught nothing. Dear ones, without the direction from God, we find ourselves in an old place attempting to fix our dilemmas in our own strength. I truly believe Peter was in a process of trying to figure all this out and he needed time to think. Sure, he was confused; we too get confused; but when we can’t figure it all out, our default button should be to trust the Lord and press forward. But let us be real. We really don’t handle things much better than Peter.

We pray, we trust the Lord, we have faith to press forward, but when nothing is happening and God is not speaking, it makes us consider heading back to our comfort zone so we can regroup.

PETER AND DISCIPLES DIDN’T EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

The disciples had fished all night long and had caught nothing. I am sure that they were not only exhausted after casting nets all night, but still feeling sorrowful and displeased of what they had just gone through, seeing Jesus being crucified. I am sure they discussed the same subject all night. Their minds weren’t really on how many fish could they catch, but talking their way through the night. Where’s Jesus in all of this? He told us to trust Him. He said all things are possible!

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Yet Jesus was there. He was watching from the shores of Galilee. (Tiberias, Lake of Gennesaret---- same sea) I am sure that Jesus was listening to them all night. (As you may know, when talking in a boat, the people on the shore, can hear you very clearly. The water magnifies the sound waves of your voice. The water is denser, so the energy it carries is transported faster, this makes your voice louder.)

The next morning Jesus calls out to the disciples, “Have you caught any fish yet?” They responded “NO”! Then Jesus instructed them to toss the net on the right side of the boat. Of course they did, and their nets were filled with a multitude of fish. Suddenly, the unexpected visit of Jesus caught them by surprise. John says, “IT’S JESUS”! Peter immediately wraps himself with a garment, and dives in the water and swims to shore.

I believe Jesus wanted to prove to the disciples that their future would not be fruitful without the empowerment of Him being in their life. There would be no grace or empowerment to go back to what was comfortable or familiar. Peter was being challenged to embrace his calling as an Apostle of God. Yes, he was in a test but was he willing to let it all go and fish for the rest of his life without spiritual fulfillment?

Peter’s Future

If we read the entire passage of John 21, you will see that it was John who recognized Jesus’ voice. Peter and the other disciples did not recognize it as Jesus instructing them to cast their net again. Why is this? Why didn’t Peter recognize His voice? Since Peter is our main character, I believe that Peter was in such a confusion state and lack of trust he couldn’t hear the voice of the Savior. Can you relate?

There are many times in our life, when we have our plate full, and then suddenly we are so overloaded and exhausted, we cannot make wise decisions. We become so focused on what is going on around us and in us, we forget His promises! Yet, we know the love of the Lord and His wonderful grace. But yet our minds are dealing with so much, it becomes hard for any of us to hear the voice of the Lord.

But it was the disciple who understood the love of God and had the revelation of how much God truly loves him, recognized the voice of Jesus! For you and me, when we understand that Jesus loves us all the time, even when we mess up, and when we “go fishing,” we can quickly shake off all shame and dive back into the water and swim to Jesus.

Jump Into Your Future

It was over breakfast campfire that Jesus empowered Peter and the others to embrace their future. Jesus continued to remove their fears that challenged their faith during the crucifixion. Especially when they thought it was all over. Most know of Peter’s mighty deeds, and his spiritual journey. On the day of Pentecost, it was Peter who declared “this is that”, which the prophet Joel prophesied concerning the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. How about Peter’s shadow touching people and they were healed. It was Peter that dealt with Ananias and Sapphira. So glad Peter didn’t throw in the towel. If you’re stepping back, please don’t, the Lord Jesus needs you. Step into your authority and anointing.

Was It for Me Peter or for Yourself

Let me give you a quick story you can use forever, perhaps in your bible study. Jesus and all the disciples were traveling on a journey and they had walked all day and was thirsty and hungry. Jesus told each of the disciples to pick up a rock and tonight we will use it as a story. When they reached their place for camping, Jesus had each of them to show Him the rock that they carried. They did not know, the bigger the rock the more food they received. As they broke camp the next morning, Jesus asked Peter, “Would you carry a rock for me?” Of coarse Peter picked up the biggest rock he could carry.

Struggling all day long, carrying that rock. Upon arrival of their journey at the end of the day, Peter drops the huge rock, thinking he was about to have a huge meal. But Jesus gave all the disciples the same measure of food. Peter was so disappointed. Jesus saw his sad face knowing he was upset. Jesus asked, “Peter, was you carrying that rock for me, or for yourself.”

We could go on, but let us close with this.

Whenever there seems to be no way out, most all can trust the Lord. But yet, Jesus says I will always give you a way out. (I Cor. 10:13) Peter’s spiritual journey is so real. It can relate to most everyone who has ever been lonely or lost a loved one that was really close. Let us always be aware of an unexpected visit from the Lord at any time. Remember, Hebrews 13:8 says, He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

We all can all relate to Peter’s journey. God has one way or another showed up unexpectedly to all of us in one way or another. Perhaps in healing or allowed your car to miss the other car during a traffic situation. He is always watching out for us, and I just love His unexpected visits, even in my dreams.

Let us pray: Father God, I pray for each reader today to be empowered by Your Spirit and to be positioned to expect the unexpected. Lord there is nothing more important than our intimacy and relationship with You. Empower each of us to expect a visit whether it be an open vision, dream, or audible voice. Amen

Blessings,

Dr. Sandie Freed

drsandie@sandiefreedministries.com

** For more resources from Dr. Sandie click on: www.sandiefreed.com

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