Time to Pop Your Cork

Matthew 13:58 NLT— And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

Watchman Nee is my spiritual hero. He died in the early 1970’s after serving God faithfully and sacrificially literally from his mother’s womb. She told God that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to Him. And she did. She named him Watchman because she wanted him to be a “watchman on the wall” for the Lord.  

“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, pass it on to the people immediately” (Ezekiel 3:17 NLT). Watchman was just as faithful as Ezekiel in doing just that.

Watchman was a man of great faith. He understood that without faith it was impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). He also understood that unbelief, or simply relying on resources other than God, would block the flow of God’s provision for our every need. He relates the following story to illustrate:

An evangelist (most likely himself) needed $150. It was Saturday. No ferry ran on Saturday and Sunday. He had only $2. He prayed. God said, “You have $2, and it’s only Saturday. Wait until Monday.” He obeyed and asked the Lord how he should spend the $2. Going out to preach, he met a man to whom he owed a dollar for some hired work. He paid him. Now the last dollar became even more precious. He met a beggar. He thought about breaking the dollar and giving the beggar half. Then he thought that would be wrong and gave him the whole dollar. Now he had nothing. As the dollar went out, God came in. He praised the Lord. “Now I have nothing to depend upon but God, and He will take care of me.” He served the Lord as usual on Sunday. Then on Monday, the day he needed the money, a friend wired him $150. His need was met without lack.

The Lesson?  Not a drop of water can enter into a bottle if it is sealed with a cork. The bottle can be floating in the ocean with trillions of gallons of water all around, but not a drop inside. Only when the cork is removed does the water flow inside and fill the bottle. The two dollars in the pocket were like a small cork. Unless the cork is pulled, we cannot receive anything from God.

Do you believe the following from God’s Word?

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 AMP).

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete (Colossians 2:9-10 NASU).

And Jesus, replying, said to them, “Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the sea! And does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]]”(Mark 11:22-24 AMP).

Do you believe that? Then what’s stopping up your bottle?

Blessings,

Kenny

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you all.

P.S. There will be no Graceline until January, 2020. I will be taking some time off to enjoy family. I look forward to reconnecting with you then. God bless.