One moment in God’s presence can change everything! The Bible is full of supernatural encounters that transformed lives in a moment. I just takes one encounter in the presence of the Lord to change everything. Saul’s life was transformed on the road to Damascus. A man was healed in one encounter with Jesus after years of waiting at the pool of Bethesda. The lame beggar was healed after he encounter the power of God released through Peter and John.
These supernatural encounters are just scratching the surface of the numerous stories of God’s presence touching, saving, and healing lives. Supernatural encounters are still available today for the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Additionally, there is revelation that we can glean from the stories that we’ve given in Scripture. Below are five of these stories
Supernatural Encounters
Peter Walks On Water
Matthew 14:27-29 NIV
“27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
One of the supernatural encounters that we can glean from is Peter’s miraculous experience walking on water. Walking on water is amazing in and of itself. It’s not possible in the natural. However, one of the most amazing things about this encounter was that Peter initiated it. Wrap your mind around that! It was Peter’s idea to go out on the water…and Jesus honored it!
There are supernatural encounters available for you today…and you can initiate them too, like Peter, by faith. You are a child of God and you have been given access by the blood of the Lamb.
Servant’s Ear Healed
Luke 22:49-51 NIV
“49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed Him.“
Supernatural encounters are not reserved for those who are seeking the Lord. This supernatural healing encounter is a perfect example. Jesus is praying on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:41) when the chief priest and officers of the temple guard, led by Judas, came to arrest Him (Luke 22:52). When Peter draws cuts off the servant of the high priest’s ear, Jesus rebukes him and heals the ear of a man who was part of the group that had come to arrest Him. In other words, Jesus healed the ear of His enemy!
Jesus’ response in this supernatural healing encounter is a good lesson for all believers. He knew His battle was not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12) and, therefore, was able to bless the servant with a healing encounter although he was a part of the crowd came to curse Him (Luke 6:28). Jesus demonstrated what it means to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44) and we are called to be like Jesus.
Canaanite Woman
Matthew 15:22-28 NIV
“22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.“
Another one of the supernatural encounters in the Bible that we can learn from is the Canannite woman. Jesus’ response to her request was offensive, but she didn’t allow offense to creep into her heart. She kept pressing in by faith. Her tender heart trusted what she had heard about Him allowed her to press in.
Don’t let offense rob you of your breakthrough. Live unoffendable. Give up your right to be right, like Jesus did…and Jesus wasn’t a doormat either. Be confident in your identity as a child of God and at the same time humble in knowing that He is the Maker and Creator of all things…even you!
Miraculous Catch of Fish
John 21:5-7 NIV
“He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.“
Obedience can usher in supernatural encounters. In this scene, Jesus has been crucified and buried in the tomb. The disciples have returned to fishing for fish, instead of men, and Jesus shows up. It’s interesting that the first time Jesus told Peter to throw the net on the other side of the boat (Luke 5:4), Peter explains why it won’t work (Luke 5:6). Here, in John 21, Peter doesn’t contest the same request, but simply obeys. The results are the same, a large catch.
What happened to Peter over the course of three years? How many supernatural encounters did he get to witness firsthand in following Jesus. Something had changed inside of him. Spending time with the Lord builds trust and trust leads to obedience. In the second encounter, it was Peter’s obedience to Jesus’ request that led his revelation of the resurrected Christ. What supernatural encounters are connected to your obedience to the Lord?!
