You Want Me To Do What?

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”  Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.”  When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them.  Andy they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.”  Luke 5:4-7. 

Like the disciples, we sometimes need a nudge to get moving when we think we have done enough and we are asked to do one more thing.  The next time remember the fishermen and think about all the fish you are going to catch.

Now, go fish.   

Knock Knock

“So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”  Luke 11:9-10.

Jesus knew that people take all sorts of routes to finding Him.  Some come to God after exploring other religions and some have a lifetime of struggling with all sorts of ideas and beliefs before they reach out to Jesus.  We may meet seekers who seem hopelessly lost in a confusing mix of religious ideas.  Our call is not to trample these people because of their anti-Christian ideas, but to lead them with kindness to knock on the door where Jesus waits.

Now, be kind to seekers.

They Smelled Fishy

“As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.  And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”  Mark 1:16-17. 

What was Jesus thinking choosing fishermen as disciples?  They were not educated, respected or wealthy.  Jesus saw men who had the courage to follow and trust Him.  That is what Jesus sees in us.  And, like Simon and Andrew, we too are disciples of Jesus who learn from Him and live to do His will.  He will provide to us the training and courage we need to be his disciples.

Now, stop worrying about what you lack in skills and go spread the good news.   

Afraid

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10.

We took our four year old grand-daughter to Cedar Creek Church for the first time.  When I left her in her classroom, she looked scared and had tears in her eyes.  When I came back to pick her up, she was happy.  She had six Cedar Creek bucks to spend at the candy store, and said, “I got to sing and dance and praise Jesus.” 

May your fears turn into an opportunity to sing and dance and praise Jesus.

Maintain the Fellowship

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32.

I told my children to be nice to each other because there were plenty of other people in the world who would be mean to them.  The same is true in the church.  It is easy to get into with other Christians over unimportant things that get blown out of proportion. 

We should not reduce our relationship to other Christians in the Church to battles over unimportant matters like who rearranged the dishes in the kitchen cupboards.   Likewise, we need to accept with graciousness apologies when they are offered, not to mention to be willing offer an apology whether we think we need to or not. 

Forgiveness is the heart of fellowship.

Now, get over it and say you are sorry.

Light Up the World

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.”  Philippians 2:14-15.

It seems that whining makes the world go round.  Everywhere we go people are whining.  Everybody is doing it.  From the kid who takes our order at a fast food restaurant, to grandma who is unhappy with the way the paperboy folds her paper, to you and I who hate our bank but just keep going back for more, we are all whining. 

What is the matter with us?  Have we forgotten that we are the light of the world representing Jesus?  Well, maybe for a little bit.  So, let’s shut up, lighten up, and fulfill our commission to be lights in the world.

Now, go light up the world.