Fear and Point of Reference
Concerning Hurricane Harvey we, on the Texas Gulf Coast, have just come through a series of unprecedented events and are now facing challenges that are unprecedented. In Matthew, the disciples were terrified because they had no point of reference for what was happening. When the disciples saw Jesus 
walking on the lake, that terrified them as much or more than the storm. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear (Mt 14:26). They did not see the circumstances allowing anyone, including Jesus, to walk on water. They considered these circumstances as those that take you down and never let you up. These men of God had heard the heart-wrenching stories of fishermen suffering disaster at sea. Each of them could vividly tell a story of a relative or a friend who had not been able to attain the goal of “the other side” (Matt.14:22) Nerve-testing reports of failure to “reach the other side” had settled upon their ears and they had used them as foundation stones to build a point of reference which, at this point, filled their hearts with terror.
Victory was not on their minds. There was absolutely no thought of, nor any faith for, victory over this situation. Perseverance was no more than an idealistic point made by preachers on land, in the safety of storm-free weather. They hunkered down and just got ready for anything this set of circumstances wanted to throw at them. That is not how we make it. That is not how we persevere. That is not how we receive the promise. The prophetic gift always, annoyingly refuses to let us simply “grab a root and grunt.” Prophet Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matt.14:27) Our focus is on Him Who is not bound by circumstances.
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The Limitless God
We must let go of theology that has been formed from human experience and man’s reasoning and look to the Word of God that shows us the 
limitless God Whose Kingdom comes and comes and comes (Isa.9:7). That Kingdom comes right through time, right on through opposition, right through the shouts of dissenting mobs and even through walls (Lk.24:36). The Bible and worship bring us a picture of God and His Kingdom that is a great deal larger than the picture that the poverty-of-the-human-experience paints. In Acts 12:7-10, an angel walked Peter out of chains and prison like they were going for a stroll in the park. In Jn.2, Jesus turned plain water into the best wine that the host had tasted. The chemical composition of the water was so changed that it became wine. In His human body, that had typical density, Jesus defied gravity and the density of water and walked atop it with ease. Human reasoning tried sorely to deny the disciples of the extraordinary of God when it reasoned that what the disciples saw was only a ghost (Matt.14:26). Our King and His authority and His purposes will not be so easily dismissed. Peter joined Jesus and also walked on water (Matt.14:29). Therefore, the sons of the Kingdom are candidates to participate in what their King has set up.
(This is the fifth excerpt from Marty’s article “Kingdom Mentality“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)
To read articles by Marty and Kathy Gabler,
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Candidates To Participate
Even before the resurrection, the sea water had its normal density and the body of Jesus had its proper density, yet Jesus walked on water (Matt.14:26). This LORD of the many-layered wisdom of God (Eph.3:10) is not bound by dimensions, nor by the poverty of human experience, nor by the laws of gravity or mass. Therefore, the advancing of His Kingdom and the sons of that Kingdom are candidates to participate in what their King has set up.
”Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isa.9:7)
Marty on KPLE-TV (Interview Part 1 – Program #203)
“The Journey” with Robin Durham and Compass Ministries.
Subject: “New Testament Prophecy”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1pJT7ykeCE
To Reach Potential
“BID me COME,” is a longing to experience the Kingdom of God. “BID me COME,” is a longing to demonstrate the Authority of God so that my life is more than typical, average Christianity. It is a longing from the heart of our Father to provoke generations to come to reach their potential in Christ. The only way we will leave a weak, uninspiring heritage is if we ignore that cry of “BID me COME” within us. I know I am not a young thing to tackle such a quest, but I also know that even time and age have to bow to the purposes of God. The empowering truth is that “BID me COME” trumps age. We are never too old or too young to take ground for His purposes.
(This is the sixth excerpt from the article “Bid Me Come” written by Kathy Gabler in Volume 18 Issue 3 of SEEC Magazine. Excerpts are posted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.)
What Is Worthy Of My Focus?
When God has given us a promise and witness by the Holy Spirit (2Cor.1:22), why then do we get discouraged or give up? The witness has not been removed. It is, however, that we are now looking at and listening to that which we perceive has interrupted or canceled promise.
There seems to exist some perverted rule which says, “That which bullies its way in gets to stay.” Those defeating thoughts and doubts which demand to be considered begin to take the forefront and will eventually replace the words and witness of promise. It is that prophetic gift which comes to remind us that God’s Word holds the highest priority of consideration. We must ask ourselves, “What has priority? What is worthy of our focus? What will destroy promise? What will sustain promise? What will launch me into the season I belong in? And which am I entertaining?”
(This is the last excerpt from Marty’s article “Launching Into A New Era” in Volume 17 Issue 6 of SEEC Magazine. You may read other excerpts by scrolling down this home page at http://martygabler.com)
Operating On Fore-Gone Conclusions
When Jesus came walking on the water (ruling over the very circumstances plaguing them), “they screamed out with fright” 
(Matt.14:26, Amp) They could not conceive, in this condition, the possibility of Jesus being the one walking on the water. There isn’t even any evidence that they are attempting to bale water out of the boat. They are now operating on fore-gone conclusions and it has left them in nonproductive panic.
The miracle of provision they had just witnessed (feeding of 5,000+ with 12 baskets of leftovers) was forgotten with their focus on the present negative factors. Their hearts are very troubled and they are very unproductive. Is it more difficult for Jesus to calm wind and waves than it is to multiply a little boy’s lunch to feed 5,000+? Is it more difficult to walk on 300-foot-deep water than to walk on 3-foot-deep water? Has He stopped working miracles because “this is now and that was then”? The same authority and power applied to loaves and fishes gets the same results when applied to wind and waves!
(This is the fourteenth excerpt from Marty’s article “Launching Into A New Era” in Volume 17 Issue 6 of SEEC Magazine)
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