Tony Rapu

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FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 14

PROPHECY

“The time of my unlocking is here. I place strategic keys in your hands to unlock and to release. I am unlocking the things that have restricted you and you will be released into the greater plans that I have for you. My unexpected provision is coming to you. I am unlocking and releasing My provision and My resources. This unlocking will release My people into the assignments I have for them. Be open to My Spirit. Be open to the way I will bring provision in. I will move in new and unexpected ways. Be discerning and see the way I am leading. As you follow My leading, My provision would be found in My path. I will release My Angels to align you in the path that would bring your unlocking. I am breaking the shackles that have held you bound. Walk in My hope, My purpose and My faith. Just as I unlock things in the lives of My people, so I am unlocking and releasing the plans I have for regions and nations. You will see and be astounded. Get ready to step into the plans I have for you”.

KEEP ON MOVING

“Elisha said, “Listen! God’s word! The famine’s over. This time tomorrow food will be plentiful—a handful of meal for a shekel; two handfuls of grain for a shekel. The market at the city gate will be buzzing.” 2Kings 7:1  (MSG)

Israel had been at war with neighboring Syria. Samaria, the capital of Israel was under siege from the Syrian army. The siege was unrelenting. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Food reserves ran out and people were starving to death. A severe famine had set in. A dead donkey’s head and bird droppings were selling as food at exorbitant prices. Things were bad, and discouragement was at an all-time high. There seemed to be no way out as people turned to cannibalism, eating their children to survive. Had God abandoned Israel?

In the midst of the bleak situation, Elisha spoke a word. He said, “In 24 hours, food would sell at rock bottom prices and the economy will turn around”. When Elisha spoke, there was no indication that anything could happen even within a year. But Elisha was God’s prophet. He had seen something; a new day for Israel. There’s a coming new tomorrow was Elisha’s message. Like Elisha, we also must prophecy and declare the dawn of a new era. In spite of the natural challenges, we must proclaim the new things God is set to do. As God’s prophetic people, we must speak into our own lives, speak over our families, proclaim the revival that is coming to the Church, and speak positively regarding the Nation. We must become ‘hope dealers’ offering the hope we have in Christ to a world in despair. The hope of a better tomorrow.

Four lepers regarded as outcasts, sat at the gates of the city as Elisha was prophesying. They were not present when Elisha spoke, but destiny was calling out to them, just as it calls to you today. In the midst of the biting famine, they queried, “why sit here and die? “Why live with this situation till we perish?” Then they took a decision that turned their lives around. They arose and moved towards the camp of the enemy, not knowing what would befall them. They said, “what’s the worst that can happen? The enemy may kill us but we will die stepping out.” Like Esther, they said, “If we perish, we perish. Let’s go forward”. Neither the siege from the Syrians nor their leprosy was enough reason for them to accept the status quo.

As they shuffled away from the gates of Samaria into the unknown, God amplified the sounds of their footsteps. The Syrian army thought they heard the sound of a mighty army, and fled in a hurry. The lepers arrived at the enemy’s camp and were surprised to find a great plunder of food, drinks, silver and gold, and not a Syrian soldier in sight. They returned to Samaria spreading the good news of the mighty breakthrough to the people of Israel.

LAST WORD

You will never experience the fullness of God’s plan for your life until you take radical steps of faith. Faith pleases God. No one was on the road to cheer the lepers on, but they kept moving. God used their faith to change the circumstances around the whole nation.  Keep on moving!

SONG 

Only You Jesus 

FURTHER STUDY

2Kings 7:5-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Kings+7%3A5-11+&version=MSG

Job 42:1-2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+42%3A1-2+&version=MSG

Luke 1:37 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A37+&version=MSG

 

Pastor Tony Rapu

FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 13

WINNING THE WAR

‘He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James’. Mark 5: 37 (NIV)

Yesterday, we looked at Jairus breaking out of the crowd and making a declaration of faith. Today we conclude on the story of Jairus. Jesus told Jairus that He would come home with him, to pray for his daughter who was at the point of death. As they made their way, Jesus was interrupted by the ‘woman with the issue of blood’. While taking His time to address her situation, news came that Jairus’ daughter had died. They told Jairus, “Why bother the Teacher? Your daughter is dead.” What a blow! The ‘bleeding’ woman had distracted Jesus, and now his daughter was dead. Jesus overheard what they said, encouraged Jairus to keep believing and urged that they continue the journey. The crowd eager to see what would happen, followed as well.

The words came as a shock; “Why bother the Teacher?” It was a move by the enemy to prevent Jesus from getting to Jairus’ house. There was a spiritual battle going on in Jairus’ home. A war was raging between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God. Demonic powers had struck a fatal blow, and a young girl was dead before her time. Jesus’ plan was a counter attack. Engage the demonic powers, release the power of God and raise the girl back to life. This spiritual war zone was not the place to be surrounded by fearful and unbelieving people.

Jesus first stopped the crowd from following Him. Then as they got to Jairus’ house, He did not permit some of His disciples in either. Of the 12, only 3 were permitted to remain with Him. The girl’s parents along with Jesus’ core group of Peter, James and John, were allowed in. It is important we screen the people we surround ourselves with. It is crucial we carefully choose those we listen to in the days ahead. There are exploits that we are to perform that would require strong faith. Life is a battle that has to be fought constantly with the weapon of faith. Faith is a shield that quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one. Fear is very contagious and quickly spreads. And once fear slips in, faith is dowsed. Notice, when a few people are discouraged or fearful, it is easy to spread that discouragement and fear to the others. That is what the 10 unbelieving spies did. Having seen the giants in the Promised Land, they spread fear through the entire congregation. That was the reason why God did not permit Gideon to keep his army of thirty two thousand. Twenty two thousand of them were already paralyzed with fear, and would have cost them the battle against the Midianites.

In the matter of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus wanted people of faith around Him.  Arriving Jairus’ house, it was full of people mourning the young girl and wailing loudly. When they perceived Jesus’ intention, they mocked Him. Jesus did not waste time showing them out of the house. With the girl’s parents and His inner group, He entered the girl’s room, performed a miracle and raised her back to life. Jesus stopped the crowd from following Him, shut out some of His own disciples and threw out those who came to mourn with the bereaved. Jesus was determinedly on a mission. And so must we!

We cannot walk by faith and walk by feelings at the same time. Jesus’ plan was to do everything required to surround Himself with people of faith and courage. It was the atmosphere of faith and courage that provided the breeding ground for the miraculous.

NEXT STEPS

  1. Constantly create an environment of faith for the miraculous.
  2. Keep hope alive, speak words of faith.
  3. Surround yourself with fearless and courageous people.
  4. Avoid those who only see problems and never see possibilities.
  5. Reject negative influences from social media, television or any other source. Do not let them deter your faith.

SONG

Aka Jehovah

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FURTHER STUDY

Mark 5:35-43 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A3543&version=NIV

James 1:5-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A58&version=NIV

Habakkuk 2:4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+2%3A4&version=NKJV  

Pastor Tony Rapu

FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL -DAY 12

BREAK OUT

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet. He pleaded earnestly with Him, my little daughter is dying. Please come and put Your hands on her so that she will be healed and live” Mark 5:22-23 (NIV)

Today we meet a man called Jairus. He was a leader in the Jewish synagogue. He had position, influence and authority in the community. Then calamity struck! His young daughter, 12 years old, was sick and close to death. As a leader in the synagogue, Jairus had a relationship with the chief priest and other priests and leaders in the synagogue. But when his daughter fell ill, Jairus did not go looking for the priests, he went looking for Jesus. The priests did not like Jesus nor did they believe in Him. But Jairus did not have time to worry about other people’s feelings. His daughter’s life was on the line. Are you one of those who takes decisions only because you want people to be pleased with you? Are you more afraid of what people think about you than what God thinks about you?

In any case, when Jairus saw Jesus, he broke out from the crowd and fell at His feet. A large crowd had gathered around Jesus, but here was the well-known Jewish leader, Jairus, dropping before Jesus publicly. Jairus came to the one Man the priests were afraid of. The Man they had marked out as their public enemy. In this one move, Jairus stripped himself of his religious position and affiliations. The man clearly loved his daughter and loved her enough to lay his reputation and associations on the line. The only thing he was concerned about, was his daughter’s well-being. There on the ground, Jairus made a declaration of faith. He said to Jesus, “my daughter lies at the point of death, come and lay Your hands on her that she may be healed.”

POINTS TO CONSIDER

  1. Jairus broke from tradition

He broke away from the routine of tradition and sought a relationship with the Man who could make a difference. Jairus broke away from the ritual of tradition, in the pursuit of his breakthrough. Are there some traditions of men God is calling you to walk away from at this point? Traditions that make the word of God, as Jesus said, of no effect.

  1. Jairus broke from fear

Jairus was fearless and spoke the language of faith. He did not speak like a defeated man. You must be careful to speak faith and not fear over your life and over the lives of your loved ones. The power of life and death is in the tongue.

  1. Jairus broke from religion

Jairus did not deny the facts. He told Jesus his daughter was ill. Walking in faith does not mean that you deny the issues. You and I are to live by faith, but that does not mean that we do not recognize the reality of the situations that we face. People would often say, “I am not sick” when they clearly are sick, or others say, “the devil is sick”. The faulty assumption is if I say “I am sick”, then I am faithless.

  1. Jairus broke from unbelief

He did not allow the facts to override his faith. Though he acknowledged that his daughter was sick, he brought a declaration of faith over the negative situation. He declared that his daughter would be healed and that she would live. We often speak more of the language of fear than the language of faith. We say things like “I don’t think I am going to make it”, “nothing seems to be working for me”, life is passing me by”.

CONFESSION

Lord I choose to allow my faith to triumph over fear in my life. I confess that You are my God and that You are greater than any problem I may face. I break away today from needless tradition, from fear, and from unbelief.

SONG

I Stand Amazed

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FURTHER STUDY

Mark 10: 46-52 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A+46-52&version=NIV

Mark 11: 22-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+11%3A+22-24&version=NIV

Matthew 8: 13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A+13&version=NIV

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Pastor Tony Rapu

THE FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 11

This is what the Lord says:

“I am leading you down new avenues. Some of these avenues would lead you to an adventure with Me. I am leading you to take some risks. I am leading you to take a leap of faith and step into the unknown. As you follow My leading, there will be resistance and barriers that will get in your way. But as you press through, you will see these things break open and you will break through. I am causing you to step into new lands and territories that you have waited a long time to step into. The enemy has been relentless in opposing you and stopping you from entering for so long, but by My Spirit, I am empowering you in a way you have not known before. I am calling you to do what you cannot do by your own strength. Step into your calling and embrace your mantle. I call you to increased capacity. I call you to handle the weight of new spheres of influence I am bringing you into. I am preparing people for you to align with and connect with. What I am bringing you into will make up for all the pain, trials and disappointments from the last season”.

PREPARE FOR ACTION

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you…Deut. 20:1-3(NIV)

God had told the Israelites to enter their Land of Promise and drive out the current inhabitants. But these nations they were going to dispossess were stronger than the Israelites and had better equipped armies. Knowing that these desert nomads would be afraid to engage the fierce Canaanites armies, God gave them rules of engagement.

No matter the odds against them and how insurmountable the battle may look, God told them, “do not be afraid, do not panic, do not be terrified.” If they allowed fear to grip their hearts, it meant they would lose the battle, because they were no longer trusting in Him. They did not need to be afraid because God was going to be with them. The promise of God’s Presence was the key. The battles were His to fight. It is the same with us today. The battles of life we face are not really ours to fight alone. We fight with the Lord on our side and His Presence with us guarantees us victory in any situation.

Life in a real world means that people will constantly rise up against us. People are surprised when they face opposition from unexpected quarters. Anyone who would make progress in life, will meet with stiff resistance and constant opposition. The enemy will always attempt to distract and derail us from the plans and purposes of God. However, people’s oppositions, demonic plots, and satanic assaults cannot stop God’s plan for your life. That is why you must be strong and never give in to fear or panic when the odds are stacked against you. Are you facing an assignment that seems bigger than you? Is there some confrontation that you are unsure of how to handle? Is there some intractable issue, some medical challenge or some family battle you are facing? Remember that God is bigger than any attack, He is stronger than any weapon formed against you, and He is infinitely wiser than any adversary you may face. If God’s Presence is with you, then your ultimate victory is certain!

KEYS TO VICTORY

God told Israel that before they faced a battle, the priests were to address the army. This was key for them and it must be key for us as well. The priests were there to hear from God and receive revelation concerning every challenging situation.

Today, as a child of God, you are God’s priest (1Peter 2:9). It means God has given you access directly into His Presence and you can receive revelation from Him for every situation. You can find assurance and comfort knowing that God is with you.

God has promised never to leave you or forsake you, and the promise of His Presence carries with it the promise of His protection, preservation and His victory.

SONG

You are Jehovah 

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FURTHER STUDY

Numbers 14:41-45  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+14%3A41-45&version=NIV

1 Peter 2: 9  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A+9&version=NIV

Revelations 1:5-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations+1%3A5-6&version=NIV

Pastor Tony Rapu

FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 10

I hear the Spirit of God say that the events in the natural that prevail around you have the propensity to pull you away from the voice of My Spirit. Now is the time to set your mind on things above. I desire to pour out My Spirit and bring you into My dreams, visions and prophecies. Be strong and refuse to allow fear and panic take you out of the flow of My Spirit. Let Me guide you into accurate action in every situation. The times you live in will require you hear My specific direction and guidance. I possess knowledge and all understanding to help you navigate through the complexities that seek to overwhelm you. Seek My face and spend time with Me that I might reveal my heart to you.

DIVINE POSITIONING

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape…And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 (NIV)

Esther was placed in the palace according to God’s plan to stop a genocide planned against the Jews. She was in the palace for a purpose. Many times we agonize about what God wants us to do and we spend too long trying to figure out where He wants us to be. We tend to live in the future, instead of allowing God to do something with our lives where we are now.

Even though it was not lawful for her to approach the king without permission, Esther said “if I perish, I perish.” Approaching the king without summons attracted a death penalty. Esther could have remained silent to protect herself from the impending genocide. Instead, she took a radical step of faith that took her out of obscurity into national prominence.

Sometimes, God’s will for our lives makes perfect sense and we have a clear picture and direction of what to do. Other times, His will for our lives unfolds as we take a risk. That we contend with difficulties does not mean God is not in the situation. On the contrary, the will of God may take us through serious challenges. God is searching for those who are willing to take a risk in order to fulfill His purposes and bring destruction to the cause of the enemy.

When Mordecai sent a message to Esther, he said. Who knows if you are in the Kingdom for a time such as this?’ It was a question. He knew as Queen, Esther had an opportunity to petition the king. He knew God wanted to save the people. But he was not sure what Esther was supposed to do.

There will be times when you’ve gathered all the information, you’ve fasted and prayed and sought counsel, but you’re still not sure. Despite her preparation, Esther had to muster tremendous courage, break all protocol and approach the king. This was the beginning of deliverance for Israel.

YOUR NEXT BOLD STEP

Sometimes you have to go against common sense, against the advice of others, even against what you want to do, in order to follow God’s plan. Don’t be afraid to allow God determine the outcome of your next bold step.

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I Give Myself Away by William McDowell 

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FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 3:5-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A56&version=NIV

1Peter 1:6-7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1+%3A67&version=NLT

Daniel 3:16-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+3%3A1618&version=NIV

Pastor Tony Rapu

FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 9

TAKE ACTION

Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:12 (NIV)

Our faith has no impact unless it is accompanied by action. Our action is the result of our faith and faith without action is dead. We have a responsibility to build up our faith by hearing the word. But we must move from hearing to doing. When God tested Abraham to offer up his only son, Isaac, Abraham had to put faith into action. On the way to the mountain where Isaac was to be sacrificed, Abraham said “God is able to raise Isaac from the dead”. But those were just words expressing his faith. Abraham became a friend of God when he actually lifted up a knife to kill his son, taking action because of what he believed God would do.

The Angel of the Lord asked him to stop and said “Now I know that you fear God”. What the Angel was saying was now that your action has matched up with your faith, I know you trust me fully. We can speak about our faith verbally, but are we ready to take steps that show what we believe?

Same way, the Israelites had to take action in possessing the Promised Land. God had declared that the land was theirs, but they needed to take action by going into the land to occupy it. God’s plan was to provide supernatural help as they took action. God desires many things for us as well, but the possession of His desire for our lives will require action from us. It may be stepping out concerning a new job, upgrading our resume as we prepare for an interview, taking the step to start a new relationship, stepping out in faith and praying for the sick. It may also mean taking radical steps to expand a new business, or stepping into a new role or assignment. There is always action we have to take. We cannot talk love, we need to show love by our actions.

When the twelve spies went to spy out the land, God’s intention was to give them an insight into how good the land was. They were to do an inventory and devise strategies of action as to possessing their inheritance. The land had been given to them, action was needed to possess it. Ten of the spies came back and said ‘No’ when God already said ‘Yes’. Are there some areas in your life where God has said ‘Yes’, but require some action on our part? Are you one of those always postponing things? Do you agonize endlessly about taking practical steps to actualize your dreams? Like Israel are you fearful about taking on a new assignment? Fear can cause us to miss the very best God has for us. It happened to the Israelites and it can happen to us. When we come to the place where we know what God wants for us, and we are required to take action, then we must do whatever is necessary to take that bold step.

Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, believed God and their plan for decisive action was what pleased God. They said, “We can take on the giants. Let’s go up at once”. This is the time to flood your mind with thoughts of victory and success, expansion and greatness and find ways to put wings to your thoughts and words. A time to put action to what you believe God will do. Remember David and Goliath and how David ran towards Goliath. Remember also the woman with the issue of blood. She said, “If only I can touch the hem of His garment, I would be made whole”. But she went beyond her words, reached out and touched Jesus and received a massive healing. Step out today and take action. God is waiting for you.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your word today. Thank You for how You’re leading me. Thank You for the encouragement I am receiving today to step out of my comfort zone, and to take whatever action is required to actualize my goals. Thank You that You have gone ahead of me and will back up my every action with supernatural help. 

FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 9:20-22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A20-22&version=NKJV

Genesis 22:1-14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+22%3A1-14&version=NKJV

Numbers 13:17-33 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+13%3A17-33&version=NKJV

SONG

Chinedum 

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Pastor Tony Rapu

FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 8

HOLD YOUR PEACE

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NKJV).

Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s house and received the excellent education which he used to his advantage in writing the first five books of the Bible. One day, Moses killed an Egyptian in error and fled from Egypt to the wilderness of Midian.

Forty years later, God spoke to Moses and called him to return to Egypt, to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses returned and battled it out with Pharaoh, as plague after plague hit Egypt. Eventually, Pharaoh let the Israelites go, but changed his mind shortly after and sent out his chariots and soldiers after them. Israel seeing Pharaoh’s army coming behind, panicked.

Was it not surprising that the Israelites were unable to trust that the God who brought them out of slavery was able to protect them from Pharaoh’s army?

Unfortunately, at this point of their new relationship with God, they were unable to trust God above and beyond their circumstances. Fear gripped their hearts as they saw the Egyptian army approaching. The Red Sea was in front of them and Pharaoh’s army right behind them. The Israelites were paralyzed.  Fear, panic and confusion set in. They felt trapped and helpless. They assumed it was a ‘hopeless situation’. “Why has Moses led us into this destruction”, they cried.  They wanted to return to slavery in Egypt. They said they would rather servitude in Egypt, than death in the desert, which is what they predicted would happen. This is what fear does; makes you think like a coward, speak like a coward and act like a coward.

Today listen carefully to what you are saying. Are your words positive or negative? The good news however, was that Moses was there. Moses was strong enough to overcome the negativity generated by Israel’s lack of faith. He told the children of Israel “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.

Moses told the people “stop murmuring, stop grumbling, stop complaining”. He said, “Be still so you can hear what God is telling you. Be still so you can see things from heaven’s perspective”. This is the first principle in finding a way out of a troubling situation. Be still and listen to God. God was telling them He had prepared a way for them; that they would be victorious, but they complained so loudly, they could not hear Him. Moses took a step of faith and moved towards the Red Sea. This was when the angel of God stood between the Egyptians and the Israelites. God gave Moses instructions on what to do next and made a way for the Israelites in the Red Sea.

ACTION POINTS

  1. You will need people who have faith to speak over your life at difficult moments. Through their guidance, they will inspire and steer you in the direction of faith and away from fear.
  2. Associate with believers who are strong in faith. You will become like those with whom you associate.
  3. Stop complaining. Speak positive faith-filled words. It’s time to look and see what God is saying about the situations around you.
  4. The enemy would try to throw obstacles your way, to get you to murmur, grumble and complain. But align your thoughts and your words in line with the principles and character of God. He will do what He has promised.

SONG

This is how I fight my battles 

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FURTHER STUDY

Ps 106:9 https://biblehub.com/bsb/psalms/106.htm

Joshua 4:23 https://biblehub.com/niv/joshua/4.htm

Isaiah 51:10 https://biblehub.com/niv/isaiah/51.htm

 

Pastor Tony Rapu

 

THE FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 7

I WILL YET PRAISE HIM

“But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more”. Psalm 71:14 (NKJV).

Praise is the act or feeling of adoration towards God. You lavish your love and devotion to God. You tell of God’s goodness and grace in your life. You praise Him based on what He has done in your life or in the lives of your loved ones. You praise Him for answered prayers. For the deliverance you’ve received and for the miracles performed. You praise Him for how awesome He is. But one of the most powerful forms of praise is, to praise God for what He is yet to do. It is called the ‘yet praise’.

David said “I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. Although you don’t see how it would happen, your faith in God will cause you to praise Him even more and more. You have that inward witness that God will do exactly what He said He will do. Psalm 34:7 says, “Rest in the lord and wait patiently for Him”. This means you don’t get worried or upset when what you are waiting for doesn’t happen at a particular time. You just rest and praise God the whole time till His promises are fulfilled, then you continue to praise Him for His wondrous works. Praise and faith are a powerful combination. To lift hands and voices and praise God in spite of your situation is the highest form of faith.

 

SONG

Strong Tower 

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FURTHER STUDY

Acts 16:25-28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16%3A25-28&version=NKJV

Hebrews 13:15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A15&version=NKJV

Psalm 150:1-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+150%3A1-6&version=NKJV

 

Pastor Tony Rapu

THE FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 6

RUGGED FAITH

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matt 14:30 (NKJV).

Today we conclude on the story of Peter walking on water by faith. At some point, Peter shifted his focus and started to look at the waves. Once he lost his focus, he lost his confidence then he lost his faith. The Bible says, he was afraid, doubted God and began to sink. Notice that the doubt crept in before the fear took hold of him. That was when his faith stopped working. Fortunately, Peter had enough sense to call out to Jesus, who stopped him from drowning.

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU TODAY?

  1. Don’t Lose Your Focus

Peter actually walked on water before he lost his focus. He was afraid when he looked away from Jesus and focused on the winds and the waves. We are not called to focus on negative circumstances. Your focus is critical to your faith. Remember Abraham waited for 25 years for his ‘son of promise’, Isaac to be born. The reason he was able to do it was because he did not ‘waver on the promise of God’ (Romans 4:20). Also, because he did not ‘consider his own body’ (Romans 4:19). In other words, Abraham remained focused on what God said. The same way Peter started out by considering the word that was spoken to him, but he ended up considering the waves more than the word of God. When he considered the word, he was able to walk on water, but when he lost focus and began considering the waves, he began to sink.

  1. Resist Your Doubts

The moment Jesus got Peter into the boat, He asked him “why did you doubt?” When we doubt God, we question Him. Doubt opens the door to fear. Peter had received a word from God. He stepped out in faith, but the doubts began when he saw the winds and the waves. If the enemy can use your circumstances to get you to doubt God, he has a better chance of pushing you into fear. If the enemy can get you to doubt that God will meet your needs, that He is not interested in your future, that He is not able to protect your children, or help you in your marriage, then the enemy is well on his way to get you to sink in the waters.

  1. Fight Fear with Faith.

Peter heard a word from God and as long as he expressed his confidence in that word, he operated in faith. Peter may have also heard a word from the enemy that told him it was not possible to walk on water, and that he was going to fail. The man who once expressed confidence in the word he heard from God, now began to express confidence in the word he was hearing from the enemy. He quickly moved from faith to fear. Faith is confidence in God’s word. Fear is confidence in the enemy’s word. God is constantly speaking and so is our enemy. The enemy uses the winds and waves to speak to us. Since there will always be winds, waves and storms of life, whose report will you believe? Whatever word you believe and express confidence in, will be the word that brings results in your life.

 

CONCLUSION

Jesus scolded Peter for not having faith. But recall that Peter did what only Jesus had ever done. He actually walked on water. Who had walked on water before? Peter actually tapped into the supernatural power of God. You would have thought that Jesus would commend Peter on that and say, ‘Peter, well done. You walked on water for a while’. But Jesus was not impressed with the fact that Peter operated in faith, because He expects us all to live by faith. Jesus was saying that He would have loved Peter to have walked in faith fully and consistently. All Peter had was a short burst of faith. God is not looking for us to operate in these short bursts of seasonal faith. He wants it as a way of life, walking in consistent rugged faith every day.

 

SONG

Too Faithful

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FURTHER STUDY

Luke 17: 19 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A19&version=NKJV

Matthew 8:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A10&version=NKJV

Mark 11:23 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+11%3A23&version=NKJV

THE FEARLESS FAST DEVOTIONAL – DAY 5

This is what the Lord says:

“This is the time you are to walk on the waters. My voice is on the waters. My voice is calling you forward. Do not allow the winds and the waves to toss you to and fro. Do not allow the storm to take you away from My direction and cause you to sink in the waters. Do not submit to the waves. Do not surrender to the winds. Listen for My voice, it is calling you forward. Hear Me call your name. I am calling your name to show you the way. I call you to claim what is yours in the waters. Do not be pulled aside. Do not listen to the things that will divert you away from your walk towards Me. Don’t be concerned about those negative currents that seek to pull you in the wrong direction. Listen to My voice.”

STEP OUT OF THE BOAT

“So, He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29 (NKJV).

Yesterday, we began to look at the story of Peter walking on water. It was about 3 am and the disciples were battling a storm. Fear struck their hearts when they saw Jesus walking on water. They thought it was a ghost. Jesus called out to them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. Jesus never wanted anyone He came in contact with to walk in fear. This is because fear will keep you from fully believing God. Fear would always cancel out your faith, in the same way that faith will cancel out your fear. When you are afraid, you find yourself doubting God and losing faith. Peter cried out “Lord if it is you, tell me to come into the water”.

Peter had walked with Jesus long enough to know that if Jesus said something, it would come to pass. Jesus simply responded “Come”. Just one word. No long sermon. No fancy message. A simple command that said, “Come”. Peter now had something to exercise his faith on. A word from Jesus was all he needed.

What does this mean?

When you have a man or woman who has faith in God, they are able to tap into the limitless power of God. When we walk in fear, it is as though we have made our situation bigger than our God. It was not just Peter walking on water, it was God through Peter walking on water. We can apply this same principle to our lives. No matter how impossible it may seem, with God working through us, we can accomplish great things.

What is your Boat?

Your boat is that thing that represents safety to you apart from God Himself. Whatever or whoever you are tempted to put your trust in when life gets a little stormy, is your boat. Whatever produces fear in you each time you think of leaving it behind, is your boat. Whenever you are afraid to step out and do something, your current position represents your boat. Are you afraid of a medical checkup? Speaking to a doctor about a medical procedure? Or beginning the process of adopting a child? It could be scaling up your business or applying for a visa after previous rejections. Your current fearful position is your boat. Many are so afraid of failing, they never step out.

Step Out

What is that boat that holds you back? Success in life is not determined by your power or your ability only. It is also about your capacity to believe God, and your willingness to step out in faith.

We usually look at Peter as though he failed. But there were 11 other disciples in the boat who were bigger failures than Peter. They failed privately and quietly. It is better to step out and fail than to sit in the boat and fail. It is not sinking in the sea that is failure; the real failure is not getting out of the boat. Even as Peter began to sink, he was still rescued by Jesus. The waters may be dark, dangerous and wet, but that is where Jesus is. Jesus is not in the comfort of your boat. Taking that step of faith and coming out of the boat actually draws you closer to Him.

Further Study

Joshua 1:9 https://biblehub.com/joshua/1-9.htm

Deuteronomy 31:8 https://biblehub.com/commentaries/deuteronomy/31-8.htm

2 Timothy 1:7 https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/1-7.htm

Matthew 14:22-33 https://my.bible.com/bible/114/MAT.14.nkjv

Song

Carry me

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