The Whole Truth

watch to show you that you have already survived the worst season of your life! See, the fourth watch is the last watch right before the sun comes up, which means the disciples have been rowing all night and the sun is getting ready to shine. I prophesy that your worse days are behind you and God is getting ready to allow the sun to shine again. You didn’t realize that your storm was making you resilient. We often want to talk about Peter walking on water, which is worth talking about, but before he could do the impossible, he had to master the practical. We want big miracles but sometimes, just rowing is a miracle in and of itself. Peter would later walk on the water to Jesus, lose his focus and begin to fall as the Master catch - es him. He then walks back to the boat with Jesus. Notice the storm has not stopped, but he is walking with Jesus! And that’s how you overcome storms, challenges and obstacles. That’s how I’ve been able to survive and succeed. It’s not that I’m so great, talented, gifted or even anointed. It’s simply because HE’s walking with me. I’m not perfect, but I have walked on water. Walking with Jesus allows me to do some incredible things! I never spoke to or saw my mother again outside of court. She would soon die giving birth to her second set of twins one Christmas Eve. Her husband received a 111-year sentence for the phys ical and sexual abuse of my siblings and me. My grandmother would die shortly thereafter, causing me to grow up faster than any child should have to. But through it all, I kept rowing. Peter would return to the boat to realize there were eleven nonbelieving believers who were dependent on his success. There are some people on your boat who will never believe in God until they see you win. Keep rowing, family! TWT

“There are some people on your boat who will never believe in God until they see you win.”

saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night He cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them (Mark 6:45-52, KJV). Now Mark adds something interesting to the story. He suggests that Jesus watches them toil and row before He finally decides to intervene at the last possible moment. Why does Jesus watch them toil as they row? Why does He wait till the fourth watch, which is between 3-6 am? As a child I used to ask similar questions. “God, when are You going to fix this?” “Why am I still going through this?” At one point I even felt like God enjoyed watching me struggle. As my mother’s 6 ft, 300 lb. muscle man would wake me up by punching me in the chest or throw me down the steps in the middle of the night for missing a fork while washing dishes, I wondered why God would allow this to go on, and for so long. I’ve now come to understand why. First, God will often wait until the fourth watch of the night as He watches you row, to prove to you that you are stronger than you think. How many times have you said, “I just can’t take anymore,” but you are still taking it? Have you stopped to appreciate the fact that although you’re in the toughest storm of your life, you’re still rowing? It’s hard but you’re still rowing. No one supports you, but you’re still rowing. Church hasn’t bounced back yet but you’re still rowing. I just want to con gratulate you for STILL rowing! Second, God often waits until the fourth

Elder Gary Sprewell is the youngest to serve as president of the International Department of Evangelism, Church Of God In Christ, Inc. He also serves as pastor of the House of Prayer COGIC in Los Angeles, CA.

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