Sunday Omori
“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:5)
Simon Peter knew that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He was capable of meeting his need. Despite toiling throughout the night and catching no fish, he didn’t doubt Jesus’ word and did as he was directed. In Psalms 119:105, the Bible tells us that God’s word is a light unto our path. The word of God shows us the path to follow or direction to go.
The Bible is the word of God authored by the Spirit of God (2nd Timothy 3:16). It is a compilation or compendium of God’s Kingdom laws, principles and methods. The characters, stories and parables highlighted in the Bible are not meant to be read as mere stories but to be understood as systems and principles that when followed or obeyed will bring about positive transformation and empowerment in different areas of our lives. The Bible contains prophesies, promises and principles that we must act upon or engage for us to enjoy the glory in Christ.
The same way Peter and his partners in the fishing business toiled all night without results, many have struggled and are still struggling to come out of the challenges of life to no avail. One key to your major breakthrough or freedom is accepting to follow the path God has shown you or to do what His word says. For us not to be religious liabilities, we must accept scriptural responsibilities. Peter said, “Nevertheless, at Thy word, I will let down the net.” The same way Jesus stood by Peter and spoke, He speaks to us through the Bible and the still small voice, to name but a few. It is left for us to obey in order to be prosperous and successful in life.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
Accepting scriptural responsibilities involves the following.
Believe in God
Peter had a personal conviction or revelation of Jesus Christ. He was convinced that Jesus is the Lord that can command the fish in the sea to fill his net. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible admonishes that we should believe that God exists. Furthermore, we should believe in His integrity and capability.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)
Locate and Receive the Accurate Scripture
The Bible has a word for every challenge of life. It is our responsibility to prayerfully search and receive the accurate word into our spirits. God sends His word that guarantees freedom from sickness, disease, poverty, curses, limitations and so on. As the rain falls and some water goes into the ground, so we need to receive God’s word into our spirits to align our thinking with His and see things His way. Therefore, if you are tired of living in lack and hardship, search for the right word that will usher you into supernatural abundance.
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” (1st Thessalonians 2:13)
Believe and Confess God’s Word
The promises and prophesies of God will work for you if you do not doubt them. You can only follow God’s principles or precepts if you believe them. Declare God’s word concerning that unwanted issue in your life. Just like Abraham did, call forth those things you want to see in your life (Romans 4:17).
“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” (2nd Corinthians 4:13)
Activate the Word
Aside from searching, believing and confessing the word of God to address a specific issue, most promises and prophesies of God come with conditions that we must fulfill and there are certain principles we need to obey to be successful. Therefore, every believer must accept these responsibilities.
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.”(Deuteronomy 28:1)
We engage the word of God by doing all that God has commanded. Some people need to forgive someone to come out of sickness. Some people need to love God, overcome stinginess and greed to come out of lack and poverty. Some couples need to do away with anger and hatred to enjoy their marriage. Others need to seek God with all their hearts to experience a change of story. People will not see the glory of God in you if you fail to accept scriptural responsibilities. You cannot accept scriptural responsibilities if you do not have a personal revelation or conviction of Jesus Christ. To accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, say this prayer of salvation: Dear Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I accept You as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe that you died and rose again to save me. I declare that I am born again. I receive the gifts of forgiveness and righteousness. Thank You for accepting and glorifying me. Amen!
HEM Int'l 