POWER PROJECT | KNOWING JESUS; TURNING WATER INTO WINE

TURNING WATER INTO WINE: John 2: 1- 11

Nathaniel Bassey: There was a marriage feast in Canaan of Galilee. Mary the mother of Jesus was invited, the disciples, as well as Jesus…

Who are your friends? Who are those you keep company with? I believe the celebrants had some sort of relationship or connection with Jesus and co. The quality of association you keep can sometimes determine the kind of help you get. SELAH.

It was the mother of Jesus that said to them, “they have no wine”. Not even the host. They had a miracle worker in their midst but were stranded. But thank God for good association. Mary knew Jesus was able. Or perhaps they didn't think such a situation required the supernatural. Just like us sometimes, there are things we go through and just conclude they don’t require the supernatural and we short-change ourselves. But the word says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in ALL OF YOUR WAYS acknowledge him...How many ways? A few? Some? Only the big things? ALL... when we begin to acknowledge Jesus in every area of our lives, we will see his hand in everything.

Juzzy Production: I looked at it from another point though; I looked at the point before the miracles... What he did before…He was baptized. After which he started his mission by choosing his disciples; those that will carry out the faith when he's gone!!! Being born again is good but baptism is very important. Like my Sunday school teacher will say "an outward expression of an inward reality" -

Showing what has taken place in our spirit at salvation…

Nathaniel Bassey: Whatever He says to you do, DO. I dare say that our problem as believers is not a lack of rhema, but a lack of implementation of rhema. And until we begin to DO what we see and hear, our Christianity would only remain a form without substance. Mary knew her Son a bit to know He was also The Son of God. A lot of times, to see miracles, one has to follow some seemingly foolish, silly and unreasonable instructions (from and by God). Sometimes you have to do the ridiculous to see the miraculous

 Still on water to wine, I have discovered something about miracles and the supernatural. God always partners with man to bring about the supernatural. In verse 7 of John 2, Jesus said to them, “fill the water pots with water”. Jesus had the power to command wine to appear in those water pots. Just the same way Elijah could have commanded oil to fill up the barrel of oil. But Jesus asked THEM to fill it with water.

B.A.Y.O.R | Martins: Sounds to me like "do YOUR part, then I (God) will do mine"; it's a covenant walk/work...

Nathaniel Bassey: Heaven will always work with man to bring about a change in the earth. Perhaps the reason this is so would be known as we study. As if Mary knew, she told them whatever He says to you, do. Saints of God, our miracles are hidden in His instructions. You give him water and he'll give you wine. I keep hearing this word. “DOERS” “DOERS”

Juzzy Production: That's like giving something to get something in return.

Nathaniel Bassey: Blessed are they who not only hear but also do. A lot of us have heard so much; the backlog on the “to do list” is preventing us from receiving further instructions. It's time to do. Let's also note that this was Jesus' first miracle, and it began with a wedding - marriage. I hereby prophesy, to every dry marriage. I decree a restoration of wine as you apply the water (Word of God) into that situation. And by applying, I mean acting and obeying the word in any area of your marriage, what will be the outflow shall be joy. The Word shall accomplish that for which it is sent. It shall not return void. When you sow the Word, it must come back with miracles. Sometimes the instruction is simple, "forgive", “apologise”, “give”, “obey”, etc

Edidiong Eno: I've been thinking: What exactly makes people hear and not do??? Any help please?

Nathaniel Bassey: Unbelief

Lovely Nkem: Doubt

Nathaniel Bassey: Also we must always yield to the Spirit for help. For he works in us both to will and do. But will never force us to do.

Ziva: Some things re-echoed; DO! Like Pst. Nat said, we need to obey the last instruction. We need to be doers.

 Romans 2:13 said - For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Luke 6:49 - But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 We have heard so much rhema; what do we do with it? Faith without works is dead! So our rhema and belief is nothing if we do not do. Hmmm, Write the vision, make it plain! That he that reads it may run! - Hab 2:2

The essence of making the vision plain is for action to be taken. Let us not deceive our own selves. Self-deceit is worse than any deceit. God looks not at our profession of faith, but actions taken in consonance. Reminds me of the parable of the judgment; some came and said - Lord, we preached in your name! Signs and wonders were wrought by us. But our Master, I know ye not. Why? When I was hungry, you gave me not food to eat (works of love; action gotten from His teachings). Thirsty, you gave me not drink…

 Also, the parable of the two sons. The first son was asked to go to the farm. He refused. The second son was asked to go. He said - Yes father, but didn't do. The first later DID. - Matt. 21:28-32

 When we do, it's called - OBEDIENCE. Which is better than sacrifice. Disobedience is worse than witchcraft, says the Bible. What you Do determines WHOSE you are. The fruit a tree bears determines its seed.

 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom you obey - Romans 6:16

 I also learnt from Pastor Nat’s discuss that God partners with man! Wow! So we are in a partnership with Him!!!

 Deut. 10:14 says - The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong to the LORD your God, as does the earth and everything in it.

 But then, the earth He gave to man (Ps. 115:16) to have dominion, subdue and bring in alignment with the will of God. So it will be in earth, as it is in heaven.

 And because we are mere mortals, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. So we need to partner with Him for us to overcome and subdue and dominate this earth. (earth means the world, but also means our flesh, which is but dust)

Ezekiel 22:30 - And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me... (Partnership)

 FINALLY, there is something else in the parable. Your miracle is at the other end of obedience; Jesus asked them to fill the water pots to the brim. And then says - Draw some out now and take it to the governor of the feast. (vs 8). No abracadabra. No prayers even. Just fill and draw and give. And remember, this was His first miracle. They had not seen Him do anything like that before, yet they OBEYED!

 LASTLY, No matter how bad the situation, when Jesus steps in, it changes to sweetness. And all things will work together for good. A man calls all for a wedding feast and doesn't make enough wine provision; imagine the embarrassment! Yet Jesus came, and not only gave them wine, but gave them sweeter wine than the one they had and also gave them honour. That even the governor turned to the couple and said - wow! You kept the best wine till the end. No one has ever been able to do this! Wow!

 Always involve God in your affairs. He is interested in the tiny-est hair on your head. He cares, really and can turn any test into a testimony and any mess into a message.

Nathaniel Bassey: In verse 4, I found something interesting. Jesus said to his mum, my hour has not yet come. I checked that word “hour” out.  It is “horah” in the Greek. Meaning day, instant, season, high time. I like the word season. It's interesting that one moment Jesus said my hour has not come and shortly after he helped solve the problem, suggesting his hour had come.

 Something powerful to learn; sometimes the difference in SEASONS is just a few moments; years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes.... Etc

 Thank God Mary and the host didn't seek another option after Jesus gave that answer. Sometimes we give up almost at the turn of our season. And opt for a plan B, opting for the flesh. Remember Abraham who took the “Ishmael route” before Isaac came. And believe it or not, that decision haunts us even today. That is the cause of boko haram, alqueda, alshabab, etc

Genesis 16:12 "he (Ishmael) will be a wild man, his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand will be against him....."

Does this sound like a terrorist to you? It does to me.

Lanre KUNNUJI Olaminrewaju: I saw that scripture in Genesis 16 some days ago and that was what came to my mind also.

Nathaniel Bassey: May we be sensitive to know when our hour, SEASON, comes in Jesus name. And have the grace to wait as well. “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory…” (John 2:11). Miracles are meant to show forth God's glory.

Romans 8:19; For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the MANIFESTATION of the sons of God

 Saints, they are waiting; among other things, to see the miraculous power of God displayed. This will happen through us this season in Jesus' name.

Tonia: Indeed the whole creation is waiting earnestly for the manifestation of the Saints of God and this brings us back to the discussion on partnering with God through obedience. An interesting scripture came to mind here; Mk 16:20 "And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord WORKING WITH THEM, and confirming the Word with signs following. Amen."

 So, the key emphasis I've picked up from this great study of ours is partnering with God for the Supernatural. If God will work with man continually, then obedience must be in place which is the trigger for further and continuous partnership. A man of God once said to me that so often we query God for not speaking to us, but what have we done with what He said to us in the past? It is our continuous obedience that commits Him to work with us the more.

Lord I yield my spirit, soul and body to you in total submission. Work with me Lord and bring to pass the desires of your heart in this generation!!!

He has made us the Light of the world and if we must shine in our season, we must partner with Him who knows the exact trigger for our Shinning for the whole world lieth in darkness. Saints, I think God has just begun a deeper walk with us in this group, believe it; He has begun a good work with us!!...

Joshua: I also believe Jesus honored Mary by not picking a fight when she informed him about the wine. Could it be that Mary knew His hour had come or close by and requested a miracle of him? We need to honor and obey our parents so it will be well with us. I believe it lends weight to Ephesians 6:1-3. Sometimes parents know when it's time for God's glory to be manifested in our lives and they intercede for us in prayers. Being in good terms with them just makes us live long.

 Edidiong: Woooooow!!! Just read through all the post from last night and its so inspiring and eye-opening...Thanks to everyone that shared...Good morning saints

Fergie: God bless y'all and may we know Jesus more in-depth that we will become like him.  I love y'all.

Mr Inspiration: All I can say is "Take me deeper, dear Lord"! Very obviously, there is more.I am learning the art of desperation these days...desperate people do desperate things! I want to desperately press into God this season...to soak! I won't stop pursuing...until I'm captured, by What I'm after! Hmmmm...God bless everyone who has shared!

Eferoghene Feludu: Just finished reading all the posts am so blessed...God bless you all indeed. Just a little contribution. You know, every single thing Christ did on earth was deliberate. To fulfil the scriptures...e.g none of His bones were broken when He was beaten to death and crucified. Then we could say that the first miracle He performed was also deliberate. This was supposed to be like His announcement into the scene...I bet if we were the ones with that much power, we would have picked resurrection of Lazarus as the first miracle so people would be wowed more. Turning water to wine almost seems like an unspiritual miracle. Imagine how the religious folks would have felt about this miracle about someone who claims to be the Son of God. But I bet you by reason of this miracle, all the sinners became even more at ease around Him and didn't feel He was too Holy to be talked to. Just because He made everyone happy by creating more wine.

Mr Inspiration: I love this insight, Efe! Very key for our reputation-conscious generation of brethren!

Eferoghene Feludu: Jesus was deliberate in that He made the people at ease that surrounded Him...that’s quite the opposite in today's religion...rather we make the people who we need to help feel condemned already that they can't even tell us what is wrong in their lives.

Mr Inspiration: Very true Efe. This point resonates deeply with me. I have seen plenty incidents to validate what you're saying as very important.

Oluwatoyosi:  Good morning family. Wow it’s been an awesome morning.  Just started my study this morning and I’ve been so blessed.  Eyes opening to things have never noticed in the bible. Thanks to Pst. Nath, Ziva and Tonia.  May God give us the grace to do as he says.  I noticed from the 1st study that total obedience is where our complete miracle lies. I read John 2 in the NLT version. There were 6 stone water jars each could hold 30 gallons of water, 1 gallon equals about 3.8L. 6 stone jars can take 684L. A modern day bottle of wine is about 0.75l. Jesus gave them over extra 900 bottles of sweet new wine. If they didn't obey the wedding would have ended in a disaster. But their obedience led to extra 912 bottles of wine. I pray that henceforth I will totally obey without questioning. Even the seemingly foolish things are obeyed in faith.…God give me the grace to rely on your instructions and not on my understanding.

Blazyn: Just reading through the whole epistle from yesterday. Kai! Its been explosive in here. @Pst Nath and everyone that shared, thank you. Something from the first miracle again was Mary walking up to Jesus to tell him of the need for wine. She was 100% certain of his potency to work the miracle. She placed a demand. There are capabilities in us that we might never know and lie latent until a demand is placed on them. May God direct us to people, situations, events that will cause the miracle in us to be stirred up, to find expression. One of those is the PP. It just brings power out of you!

Ziva: Before I contribute, Bro Ikechi (a berean Christian) pointed out that in the last discuss about water to wine, specifically at the DO part of the discussion where I referred to the parable of the judgement, the parable in Matt. 7:22 and the one in Matt. 25:31 are two different parables pointing to same talk about judgement and should not have been joined together. Please take note. Sincere apologies. 

‘Lanre KUNNUJI: Hello Saints, on starting to read John 2, I came across the phrase "on the third day..." This made me go back to the last few verses of the previous chapter to see what happened three days before and guess what I saw?

John 1:50 - Jesus said "you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You shall see greater things than that. What has happened to you that has strengthened your faith? Jesus says it is the overture, you shall see greater things than that.

That miracle that has dazed you for which you have come to know God better and believe God the more is just the beginning. There is much more in God for you.

It is so sad how Christians run into the street cow of one small gift God has given them, and they become uncontrollable. The Pastor says something and you "yinmu", after all, God speaks to you too. Bro, Sis, what you have seen thus far is only the tip of the iceberg and it takes patience and humility to see more of God's glory

With the experience Paul had, he could have jumped into the street and forget about his source but what was his prayer? "That I may know him"

Today, many Christians jump out of the "incubator"

God is still brooding on us and we feel we're ripe for the "stage".

The Holy Spirit has been hammering one thing to me lately; watch out against Pride. That voice that quickly wants to disagree. That part of us that wants to talk all the time without listening much. That part of us that makes us feel we're better than others. It needs to give way for a greater glory to be revealed. The Holy Spirit wants to do more. God wants to perform greater miracles through us. But we need to forget the former things for the new ones to emerge. We need to submit to the full process of incubation. Nathaniel believed because Jesus told him he saw him under the fig tree. That was fine, but he would never have thought that Jesus was about to do much more. And if he had not been patient to follow, if he had run off with that experience he had, he would not have seen the "much more" that Jesus did afterwards. I pray that God will grant us the patience and humility to be able to wait on Him until we enter into the fullness of His glory in Jesus' name, Amen.