Monthly Archives: September 2024

After a long night fishing, with little success, Simon Peter was worn out and discouraged. Then, just when he was getting ready to head home, Jesus asked to use Peter’s boat as a speaking platform. Reluctantly he agreed and for the next couple hours he listened as Jesus shared the Good News with the “great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.” (Luke 5:1 NLT).

When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Peter, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” (v. 4).

Peter knew this was a foolish request. He replied, “Master…we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” (v. 5).

With a sigh of resignation Peter pushed off into the deep and let down his nets. “And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.” (v. 6, 7).

This is a great story, but let me ask you a question. What if Peter hadn’t let down his nets? What if he’d given into discouragement and told Jesus “No”? I’m not much of a fisherman, but I do know this – if you don’t cast your lure or let down your net, you’re not going to catch anything.

Jesus has called us to be fishers of men, to draw others to Him. But how can we do this if we’re too afraid or too busy to let down our nets, too caught up in the distractions of life to invite someone to know Jesus, too wrapped up in our own problems to give another a helping hand?

Today, be a true fisher of men. Let down your nets, nets of love, compassion and kindness, nets of kind words and kind deeds. Draw your family and friends to Jesus by showing them love in action. Don’t be afraid, don’t let these opportunities pass. Let down your nets and draw someone to their Savior today.

On our recent trip to Puerto Rico, Ana and I spent some time walking the beach, splashing in the surf, collecting seashells, and just enjoying the warm tropical breezes and the beautiful scenery.

As we walked along we left footprints in the sand, leaving a record of where we had been. Anyone who happened to come along later could have walked in our footsteps and seen the direction we were heading.

Many people each year spend thousands of dollars to head to Israel to visit the scenes of Jesus’ life, strolling the same streets He walked while on this earth, walking in His footprints. For many these trips have been life-changing experiences.

Most of us can’t afford to visit the Holy Land, but that’s okay, because we don’t need to fly to the Middle East to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. We can find His footsteps by the bed of a sick friend, in the cell of a convict seeking a better way, in the home of an impoverished mother, desperately trying to provide food for her children. Anywhere there are hearts longing for hope and people in need of a helping hand we will find Jesus’ footprints there.

Talking to His disciples, Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be.” (John 12:26 NIV). Wherever Jesus is, that’s where you and I need to be, whether it be in the halls of power in our nation’s capital or the farmer’s lowly mud hut in deepest Africa.

Jesus says to each of us, “anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works…” (John 14:12 NLT). None of us need wander through life, without purpose or direction. Jesus has shown us the way. Walk in His footsteps, do what He does, and leave footprints of your own that others can follow to find their way Home.

At the beginning of this week our daughter, Rishana, had to take a trip to Spokane for work. A couple days before she left she was telling her niece where she was going. Bexlie, not understanding this was just a 2 day trip, whimpered, “But why, Tata? Why would you move to Spokane when I am here?”

I think this is how the disciples must have felt as they stood “looking intently up into the sky” as Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:10, 9 NIV).

For 3-½ years they had walked and talked with Him, shared in His ministry, and listened to His words. They’d seen Him heal the demoniacs, raise the dead, walk on water. They’d handed out loaves and fishes when He fed the 5000, baptized people in His name, and rejoiced at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem just a few weeks before. Then, just when it seemed all their hopes were about to be fulfilled, they’d seen Him put on trial, scourged, and crucified on a cross.

The following Sunday, devastated, confused, seemingly abandoned, the disciples had gathered in the upper room, to commiserate together. Suddenly “Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (Luke 20:36 NIV). Hope once again sprung up in their hearts and for the next 40 days they rejoiced at being in His presence.

But now, once again, they’d been abandoned and, like Bexlie, their hearts cried out, “Why? Why would you leave us when we are still here?”

Suddenly “two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:11)

The disciples had not been abandoned and neither have you, my friend. Just like Rishana returned to Bexlie, “This same Jesus…will come back…” very soon. He has promised, ‘I go and prepare a place for you” and “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3).

Today, as you face the daily challenges of your life, remember you’re not abandoned. A better day is just over the horizon. Hang in there! “This same Jesus” is coming back!

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24 NIV).

I have one question for you this morning – have you crossed over? Have heard God speaking to you this His word and have you believed? Or are you still “dead in your transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1)? If so, what is holding you back from taking that first step?

If you haven’t crossed over, why wait? Now is “time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Don’t wait another moment or even another second. Today “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31).

Jesus is calling you right now. Believe in him today and cross over, cross over into life!

I have good news for you this morning! It’s a new day! No matter the challenges or disappointments of yesterday or the worries and cares which kept you awake through the night, today is a new beginning, a new start.

We may have regrets about yesterday, we may have shed tears over our poor decisions and past mistakes, but for a child of God, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalms 30:5 NLT).

No matter how great our sin, no matter what mistakes we may have made, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Today, grab hold of this gift God has given you. Don’t let your yesterdays hold you back embracing today and hoping for tomorrow. “This is the day the Lord has made…rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).

Have you ever been lost, not sure which path to take, or even where to take your next step? I have and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

I was in my teens and a bunch of us had decided to hike up to a lake in the Adirondacks. We had a great time, but we lingered too long. By the time we headed back the sun was setting. Before long it was pitch dark, so dark we couldn’t see the person in front of us, let alone the trail ahead. We were lost!

We tried lighting a torch, but the wood was damp. We tried spreading out to find the next trail marker, which worked for awhile, but eventually we couldn’t find another marker. Finally, in desperation, we did the thing we should have done at the beginning. We prayed.

Moments later the clouds opened up and the moon shone down, revealing a trail marker just ahead. The moon continued to light our path until we were safely back at camp. I guarantee none of us will ever forget that night when God lit the way.

Does your walk in life sometimes feel like you’re stumbling in the dark, not sure where to take your next step, unable to see the path ahead? Don’t be afraid. Remember you never walk alone. Your Heavenly Father walks beside you. He “is the Lord your God, “who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17 NIV). Put your trust in Him and He will always light your way.

I could feel it building within me, like bubbling acid in my gut, an almost overwhelming feeling of anxiety, threatening to steal my peace and sending me running in the other direction. I’d felt it too many times before, but this time was different. I was ready for it. Instead of giving in, I reached out, sending a text to someone who could help. Turns out the situation which had me feeling so uptight had a simple solution. I just needed someone else to point me in the right direction.

Anxiety runs rampant in our society, with an estimated 301 million people affected by some type of anxiety disorder worldwide, according to a study published by the World Health Organization in 2019. Since the pandemic, that number is probably much higher.

The physical effects of anxiety include headaches, fatigue, elevated blood pressure, and increased risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

The social effects are just as devastating, including broken homes, domestic abuse, decreased job performance, substance abuse and suicide. Anxiety, left untreated, destroys the lives of not only the one suffering from it, but also their family and friends.

There is hope, however. There are effective treatments, which can help us find a way out of the pit anxiety has us in and give us hope for a better tomorrow. But first we have to take the hardest step of all, swallowing our pride, and asking for help, seeking the help of medical professionals trained in dealing with anxiety issues. A good place to start is with your PCP or, if you are in a crisis, by calling or texting “988”, the number for the Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

Mental health professionals and counselors can make a real difference when it comes to dealing with anxiety, but there is Another who can help and He is just a prayer away. King David knew the truth of this. He declared “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19 NIV). God loves you and wants you to have a free and abundant life. That’s why Peter counseled us to, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

If anxiety is destroying your peace, reach out to those who are trained to help. And, reach up to the One who “cares for you.” Instead of letting anxiety take control and destroy your peace of mind, “in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6, 7).

Life sometimes feels like a circus act, the one where the high wire artist is juggling a bunch of balls while walking across a narrow cable. One slip, one errant catch, and everything comes tumbling down. Sounds like too many of my days.

In a world where free time is a precious commodity, where so many things are clamoring for our attention, and there are so many things to do, it is sometimes hard to know where to start. That’s where the story in Luke 10 can make such a difference.

Luke tells us Jesus was visiting the home of Marth and Mary, two of his faithful followers. Martha was busy being responsible, making sure the meal was prepared and everyone was having their needs met. Meanwhile, her sister Mary was leaving Martha to do all the work, while she “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” (Luke 10:39 NIV).

Finally Martha couldn’t take it anymore and she went to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (v. 40).

Jesus’ reply was unexpected. He said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (vs. 41-42).

In this life there is only one thing that really matters – spending time with Jesus. Get that right and everything else will fall into place. Today, before you start juggling responsibilities or balancing your to-do list, begin your day the right way – sitting at the feet of Jesus.