From: The Upper Room Devotionals
Luke 5:4 "Jesus said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.'"
Luke's account of Jesus calling Peter to follow him is striking in many ways. The miracle of the abundant catch, Peter's realization of his spiritual condition, and his immediate assent to Jesus' call to follow Him are all truly remarkable. Yet it is Peter's obedience that impresses me the most. Jesus told Peter, "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch."
Once Peter obeyed, his haul of fish was so great that the nets were almost bursting. Peter had to call his partners to help haul in the fish. Then Peter experienced a spiritual transformation and obeyed Jesus' second instruction: "from now on you will be catching people." (verse 10)
God always beckons people to move into deeper waters. Abraham was asked to go far away to an unknown land. (See Gen. 12:1-5.) A similar challenge was rejected by the rich young ruler who came to see Jesus. (See Mark 10:21-22.)
How will we respond when God calls us to go deeper? Will we stay where we feel comfortable and safe in shallow waters, with our feet firmly and securely planted on the ground? Or are we ready to put our hand trustingly in God's and venture into deeper water? The reward will be worth it -- a richer, more intimate walk with God and a more abundant life.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The School Of Life
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Proverbs 3:13 "Happy is the man who gains understanding."
The truth is that experience is costly. You cannot gain experience without paying a price. You just have to hope that the price is not greater than the value of the experience you gain. And sometimes you cannot judge what the price will be until after you have gained the experience. Further, not learning from experience is more costly.
It's tragic to pay the price for experience and not learn the lesson. But that's often what happens. When an experience is negative we want to run away from it and say, 'I'll never do that again.' No, don't run away from your experiences; instead, evaluate and learn from them. Remember, evaluated experience lifts you above the crowd.
The school of life offers many difficult courses. Some we sign up for, others we find ourselves taking unexpectedly. All can teach us valuable lessons, but only if we desire to learn and are willing to reflect on these lessons.
Proverbs 3:13 "Happy is the man who gains understanding."
The truth is that experience is costly. You cannot gain experience without paying a price. You just have to hope that the price is not greater than the value of the experience you gain. And sometimes you cannot judge what the price will be until after you have gained the experience. Further, not learning from experience is more costly.
It's tragic to pay the price for experience and not learn the lesson. But that's often what happens. When an experience is negative we want to run away from it and say, 'I'll never do that again.' No, don't run away from your experiences; instead, evaluate and learn from them. Remember, evaluated experience lifts you above the crowd.
The school of life offers many difficult courses. Some we sign up for, others we find ourselves taking unexpectedly. All can teach us valuable lessons, but only if we desire to learn and are willing to reflect on these lessons.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Pruning
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
John 15:2 "He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does He prunes so that it may bear more fruit."
Are you a gardener? Do you enjoy seeing things grow? If so, you understand the principle that a plant must be pruned in order to produce at its peak. Dead wood and unhealthy parts must be cut away.
Pruning is a reality in the garden, but it's also a very real part of human life. Because God loves us, sometimes He chooses to prune our lives. This may come through the loss of a job or a loved one, or a move away from something that's comfortable for us. It may happen in many ways when we face adversity.
What is accomplished by pruning? For the plant, it's a healthier and more vigorous growth with more fruit. For us, it's the ability to rely more completely on God, our source of life, and the ability to live a more spiritually secure and disciplined life.
Pruning is painful; but it allows us to live a more fruitful life. With God, pruning always gives us hope.
John 15:2 "He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does He prunes so that it may bear more fruit."
Are you a gardener? Do you enjoy seeing things grow? If so, you understand the principle that a plant must be pruned in order to produce at its peak. Dead wood and unhealthy parts must be cut away.
Pruning is a reality in the garden, but it's also a very real part of human life. Because God loves us, sometimes He chooses to prune our lives. This may come through the loss of a job or a loved one, or a move away from something that's comfortable for us. It may happen in many ways when we face adversity.
What is accomplished by pruning? For the plant, it's a healthier and more vigorous growth with more fruit. For us, it's the ability to rely more completely on God, our source of life, and the ability to live a more spiritually secure and disciplined life.
Pruning is painful; but it allows us to live a more fruitful life. With God, pruning always gives us hope.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wisdom
Proverbs 2:6 "The Lord gives wisdom."
We all know people with lots of knowledge, but little understanding. They have the means, but they don't know the meaning of anything. What's the problem? Their life experience is void of reflection and evaluation. When 25 years go by they don't gain 25 years experience, they gain one year of experience 25 times! To win in life you must turn your experience into wisdom.
Contrary to what you may have heard, experience is not the best teacher - evaluated experience is the best teacher! Everybody has some kind of experience; it's what you do with your experience that matters.
So, slow down. Wisdom is gleaned over time, not overnight. Then, drill down. The treasure is there, but you have to dig for it. Finally, get down. Yes, get down on your knees and talk to God, because '… "The Lord gives wisdom."
We all know people with lots of knowledge, but little understanding. They have the means, but they don't know the meaning of anything. What's the problem? Their life experience is void of reflection and evaluation. When 25 years go by they don't gain 25 years experience, they gain one year of experience 25 times! To win in life you must turn your experience into wisdom.
Contrary to what you may have heard, experience is not the best teacher - evaluated experience is the best teacher! Everybody has some kind of experience; it's what you do with your experience that matters.
So, slow down. Wisdom is gleaned over time, not overnight. Then, drill down. The treasure is there, but you have to dig for it. Finally, get down. Yes, get down on your knees and talk to God, because '… "The Lord gives wisdom."
Monday, April 26, 2010
Waiting
From: The Upper Room Devotionals
Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength."
Some years ago I realized that I was spending a good deal of my week just waiting: in lines, in offices, in traffic. In fact, I had grown accustomed to waiting -- but had done nothing to use that time for something constructive.
Waiting, however, does not have to be the same as doing nothing. I realized that waiting could also be an opportunity to turn attention toward higher ideals or God. I began to use waiting time as an opportunity to read, to pray, or to meditate.
In our fast-paced world, we often feel we don't have time to wait, though we do a lot of it. Our concern should not be about waiting but rather about what we can do while we wait.
The prophet Isaiah said that in waiting on God we find renewed strength. When we turn our attention to God, we discover that our inner self is refreshed. God inhabits not only our active times but our quiet spaces as well. We increase our strength when we rest in the presence of God.
Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength."
Some years ago I realized that I was spending a good deal of my week just waiting: in lines, in offices, in traffic. In fact, I had grown accustomed to waiting -- but had done nothing to use that time for something constructive.
Waiting, however, does not have to be the same as doing nothing. I realized that waiting could also be an opportunity to turn attention toward higher ideals or God. I began to use waiting time as an opportunity to read, to pray, or to meditate.
In our fast-paced world, we often feel we don't have time to wait, though we do a lot of it. Our concern should not be about waiting but rather about what we can do while we wait.
The prophet Isaiah said that in waiting on God we find renewed strength. When we turn our attention to God, we discover that our inner self is refreshed. God inhabits not only our active times but our quiet spaces as well. We increase our strength when we rest in the presence of God.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Unseen Hand
From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed that a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest.
When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up.
I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working."
Well, there was an unseen hand that was doing something that the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28 again. Notice that the verse doesn't say all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that only God is good! He alone can work all things together for your good.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed that a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest.
When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up.
I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working."
Well, there was an unseen hand that was doing something that the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28 again. Notice that the verse doesn't say all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that only God is good! He alone can work all things together for your good.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Complain Or Rejoice
From: Christian Perspective Devotionals
Psalm 32:10-11 "The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!"
God controls and allows every detail of our lives. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval.
Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Everyday, we can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him.
For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice.
May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God's unfailing love to permeate our lives and chase away our complaints and fears.
Psalm 32:10-11 "The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!"
God controls and allows every detail of our lives. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval.
Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Everyday, we can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him.
For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice.
May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God's unfailing love to permeate our lives and chase away our complaints and fears.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Our Father's Business
From: Paul Wallace Ministries
Mark 13:35-36 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping."
Jesus likened His return to a master who went on a journey. He asked the keeper of the door to stand watch. To watch meant to be vigilant. It meant to actively be attentive. Though the master of the household is away, the servants are supposed to go about their business and not take advantage of His absence. We do not have the manifest presence of Christ here before us reminding us that He is Lord.
The gentle Holy Spirit within our hearts is easily quieted by our stubborn willfulness. These words of Christ came at the end of His discourse on the destruction of the Temple and His Second Coming. In the millenniums in between, many Christians have heard this warning to remain at their post.
The world would lull us to sleep with ease and comfort, but we must remember we don't know the number of our days. No one is guaranteed 80 years. Accidents and disease strike without warning. You could enter into His presence today. Will He find you were vigilant to the end? Will He find your first love was still burning strong? Remain vigilant to the end.
At 12 years of age He said He had to be about His Father's business. At 30 years of age He said He had done the work the Father had given Him to do. Jesus is our ultimate example of remaining actively attentive to the will of the Father throughout His life.
Consider: Will this day find you actively attentive to the work the Master has given you to do? We must be about our Father's business.
Mark 13:35-36 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping."
Jesus likened His return to a master who went on a journey. He asked the keeper of the door to stand watch. To watch meant to be vigilant. It meant to actively be attentive. Though the master of the household is away, the servants are supposed to go about their business and not take advantage of His absence. We do not have the manifest presence of Christ here before us reminding us that He is Lord.
The gentle Holy Spirit within our hearts is easily quieted by our stubborn willfulness. These words of Christ came at the end of His discourse on the destruction of the Temple and His Second Coming. In the millenniums in between, many Christians have heard this warning to remain at their post.
The world would lull us to sleep with ease and comfort, but we must remember we don't know the number of our days. No one is guaranteed 80 years. Accidents and disease strike without warning. You could enter into His presence today. Will He find you were vigilant to the end? Will He find your first love was still burning strong? Remain vigilant to the end.
At 12 years of age He said He had to be about His Father's business. At 30 years of age He said He had done the work the Father had given Him to do. Jesus is our ultimate example of remaining actively attentive to the will of the Father throughout His life.
Consider: Will this day find you actively attentive to the work the Master has given you to do? We must be about our Father's business.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Bear Much Fruit
From: Leading The Way Ministries - Michael Youssef
Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
When we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as one of God's children, and when we daily seek to be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we will bear the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33) We will only find spiritual wholeness if we manifest the fruit of the Spirit—not through false spirituality found in meditation, self-help books, or motivational seminars.
When we do not seek the Holy Spirit's filling each day, we become more and more influenced by our sinful nature. Paul warned the Galatians: "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Galatians 5:16)
The fruit of the Spirit is about our character, not our behavior or conduct. The fruit of the Spirit is about being not doing. The fruit of the Spirit is the likeness of the Spirit. We need to stay connected to Him in order to bear His fruit. If we begin to shut God out of our hearts, we will cease to be fruitful. Jesus cautioned, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4)
John 15:8 "This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples."
Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
When we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as one of God's children, and when we daily seek to be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we will bear the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33) We will only find spiritual wholeness if we manifest the fruit of the Spirit—not through false spirituality found in meditation, self-help books, or motivational seminars.
When we do not seek the Holy Spirit's filling each day, we become more and more influenced by our sinful nature. Paul warned the Galatians: "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Galatians 5:16)
The fruit of the Spirit is about our character, not our behavior or conduct. The fruit of the Spirit is about being not doing. The fruit of the Spirit is the likeness of the Spirit. We need to stay connected to Him in order to bear His fruit. If we begin to shut God out of our hearts, we will cease to be fruitful. Jesus cautioned, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4)
John 15:8 "This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples."
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Key To Victory
From: Ambassadors For Christ International - John North
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."
Prepare yourself for spiritual battle before it comes to you!
We have a powerful and clever spiritual enemy, but God has given us armor and weapons that will enable us to defeat his attacks in our lives.
Still, unless we use that armor and prepare for battle we will experience constant defeat in our spiritual lives. As Charles Spurgeon said, "We may sleep, but Satan does not."
The time to start praying and reading your Bible and going to Bible study is not when you are in a tough time and being tempted and attacked spiritually at every turn. For sure, run to God then; but God is speaking to you today through these verses and telling you that the key to victory is to be walking in close fellowship with Him before the attacks come.
Remember: "... Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."
Prepare yourself for spiritual battle before it comes to you!
We have a powerful and clever spiritual enemy, but God has given us armor and weapons that will enable us to defeat his attacks in our lives.
Still, unless we use that armor and prepare for battle we will experience constant defeat in our spiritual lives. As Charles Spurgeon said, "We may sleep, but Satan does not."
The time to start praying and reading your Bible and going to Bible study is not when you are in a tough time and being tempted and attacked spiritually at every turn. For sure, run to God then; but God is speaking to you today through these verses and telling you that the key to victory is to be walking in close fellowship with Him before the attacks come.
Remember: "... Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
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