Obedience when it does not make sense

September 10, 2021

In Luke 5:4-7 there is an interesting section of the Bible that touches on obedience when the request doesn’t make sense.

In this passage we see that Jesus asked Simon (Peter) to take his boat out into the deep water to catch some fish (V4). In verse five we see Simon’s response…..
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

The thing I like about Simon’s response is that even though the request didn’t make sense to him at the time, he still chose to be obedient to Jesus’ request. What was the result? He caught so many fish that he had to call other boats over to help. His boat was so full that it nearly sunk! (v7)

Often for us as Christians we can be in the same position. God can ask us to do something, but it really doesn’t make sense at the time. Then after we have been obedient and done what God has asked, we get to see why He made the request and how important it was that we were obedient.

If God has asked you to do something that doesn’t make sense at the moment, I would encourage you to be obedient because it might just be one of those Simon and the fish moments for you!

Be creative

September 3, 2021

I read this today from the Vision180 devotional and it really encouraged me. I thought I would share it…

Be Creative 3

‘Be fruitful and multiply.’ Genesis 1:28 NKJV

Your heavenly Father created the world—and you are made in His image. That means you are wired to think creatively. God finished His creative work in six days, then our work began. God said, in essence, ‘I’ve provided you with all the resources and talents you need to have an abundant life. Now do something good with it.’

God didn’t make woollen jackets. He made sheep to give us wool, so we can create beautiful and colourful fabrics for warm outfits to protect us in cold weather. God didn’t make cheese; He made cows that give milk so we can create dairy products from it. 

The Bible describes the beginning of all things in these words: ‘Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply.”’The word ‘multiply’ means that God wants you to end up with more than you started out with. But to do that you must begin to think creatively! 

Instead of simply accepting what is, take what is and make something more out of it. When you do that, you’re following in your heavenly Father’s footsteps. Sometimes churches pour cold water on any thought or activity that isn’t religious, saying it’s ‘worldly’ and therefore God is not pleased with it. That’s like saying God only works within the four walls of a church. No, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.’ (Psalm 24:1 NIV) Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you do in life, God wants you to put your creativity to work so that you can glorify Him and bless others.

But when you…

September 1, 2021

Matthew 6:1 says “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven”.

We can see by this verse that we need to be careful of how we do things and check our motives for doing them. The questions to ask is are we doing them because they are the right thing to do or are we doing them to get some sort of recognition from those around us?

Further on in the passage Jesus talks about three things we can do that get us public praise. I can them the “but when you” statements.

Verse 4 says “But when you give to the needy…..”

This can be something we can do privately or we can do publicly and make a big show of it. Jesus said not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing.

Verse 6 says “But when you pray…..”

Again when we pray we can make a big show of it or we can do most of it privately. Jesus told us not to be like the hypocrites who grandstand with our prayers in the church or on street corners.

Verse 17 says “But when you fast…..”

Fasting is about giving up things for God and pressing in to Him for breakthrough in some area. Jesus tells us to keep it quiet and not seek praise from others for doing it. Fasting is about you and God.

Of course these verses are not saying that we should never let anyone know what we are doing. There are times when we should tell people what we have done because it will encourage them on to greater things in their own life.

But most of the time these things should be done in secret with no show or expecting praise from others. It is about the heart attitude we have and our motives for doing it.

Live in freedom to serve

August 26, 2021

Galatians 5:13-14 NLT – For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. [14] For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The Bible tells us that we are called to live in freedom (Galatians 5:13). It also says that if the Son sets us free, we are free indeed (John 8:36). It is important for us as Christians to use this freedom well. We can’t just live as we please, we must use this freedom given by God to serve God. We do this by serving one another in love. As today’s verse says the whole of the law can be summed up by “loving our neighbour as ourselves”. Let us purpose in our hearts today, to live in freedom and serve others in love.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to live in the freedom that is given to us because we know Jesus. I pray that I will not use this freedom to indulge my sinful nature, but to serve others in love. I want to truly honour You will my life and how I live. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is always with us

August 23, 2021

God is always with us. The Bible tells us that Jesus will never leave or abandon us in Hebrews 13:5. It also tells us that the Holy Spirit is in us in when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives inside us (Romans 8:11). This is also the same Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2).

This means we are never alone. The Holy Spirit is with us to guide and lead, give wisdom and direction, to help and comfort us. He is closer than our next breath. He is there in between heartbeats.

Let us not forget that God in the Holy Spirit lives inside us today. We can speak to Him at any time and we can expect and answer.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You that the Holy Spirit lives inside me. Help me to never forget that I am never alone. Help me to remember that You are right with me all the time. And that I can speak to You any time I need help, wisdom, guidance and encouragement. Please help me to be conscious of Your presence today. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.