Brothers and Sisters

I John 3:11-15

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

I John 4:20-21

20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

My younger sister and I did not always get along so well.  Even in our younger adult years, we had some pretty ugly times.  Over the years, we have both matured and now she is a very close friend to me. 

Reading in I John this morning though struck me hard as it talks about what we are if we do not love our brother or sister.  Going out of order here, we are told that if we hate a brother or sister, we are a liar.  It goes on to say that you cannot hate a brother or sister, whom you have seen, yet love God, whom we have not seen.  I read this to say that if we claim to love got, but do not love our brother or sister, that we are liars because that means we really do not love God as we say we do.  I’ve been called a liar before.  It doesn’t make me feel good at all.  However backing up to the first scripture, our infraction is even harsher.  If you hate a brother or sister, you are a murderer.  Wow, a murderer?  Yes!  If you hate a brother or sister, are a murderer and do not have eternal life residing in you. 

All of this sits kind of hard right now as my relationship with my brother has been strained.  I love my brother and I know that he loves me however something has come between us that has caused us to have a strained relationship.  After reading these verses, I am convicted to be praying for this relationship. 

My prayer for you today is that if you struggle with the same thing, that you would be lead to pray over that relationship.

Turning From The Game

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  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.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”  Luke 5:4-8

We all have doubts sometimes.  When watching my favorite hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings, play their biggest rival in the playoffs, I used to turn the channel when they were down multiple scores doubting they would ever be able to comeback.  One night when I turned, the Red Wings staged a comeback, and ended up winning the game. Fortunately, I turned back right in time for them tying and then winning the game.  That was the last time I would turn from watching them in a game.  Similar to that in my early 20s, I became distant from God because of the teachings of a minister.  She taught in the word, but would constantly discuss our sinful nature, and as such, I doubted I was never good enough to earn God’s grace.  Thus, I turned away from God.  That was not a bad thing in retrospect because to this day, I realize that no matter what I do, it is never enough to earn God’s grace.  Yet, I am humbled and feel secure because He gave it to me anyway through Jesus Christ.  Are there days that I question whether or not I am saved?  No.  Just as I learned never to turn from the game, through God’s grace, I learned to never doubt His love for and grace given to me.

We must have full faith in the grace God has given us.  This story of the fisherman becoming Jesus’s first disciples is often discussed for its path of discipleship.  It is fascinating to note Simon Peter’s response to Jesus when casting his net into the water again.  “Master, we worked hard all last night, and didn’t catch a thing,” he said.  Then he resigns himself to Jesus saying, “But if you say so,” giving us key instructions when we are in doubt.  We know Jesus is master, and even when we have tried everything we can think of, we must trust in Him.  Why?  Because He said so!  We all have moments of fatigue, frustration, anger, and loneliness where we might allow for self-doubt to creep into our minds.  Is Jesus really here for us?  Will He come through for me?  Am I really worthy?  However, we must remember the lesson He taught Simon Peter.  We are to ‘cast our net into the same water’ not because we expect a different result.  Instead, it’s simply because Jesus said so.  Only then will we have true faith in Him.

God always knows where we stand.  We know victory is ours if we just trust in Him.  Yes, we all face times where things look grim, and there will seem to be no way out.  However, God always makes a way.  We must trust in Him even when we’ve ‘cast our net in the same waters’ before.  So remember how faithful God has been in the past, and use it as reassurance in the future.  What areas of your faith can you further solidify in Christ?  How can you stand firm against doubt?  My prayer is that we keep our faith in Christ so as to never turn from the game.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Presentation choice

1 Peter 5:5-7 “ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (NASB)

*Cross reference from ‘God is opposed to the proud, but give grace to the humble’ from Proverbs 3:33-35 “The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blessed the dwelling of the righteous, Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor.” (NASB)

Hello,

As I wrap up going through 1 Peter, this is the section in chapter 5 that stuck out the most. I think we can truly appreciate the irony of verse 5 where Peter tells us to ‘clothe yourselves with humility toward one another’ – as it seems that humility is the last thing on many of our minds when we get dressed. I don’t believe this to be a literal appeal for just clothing (though that would be an application) – I think the metaphor is strong about our intentions. We make a choice what to put on and present in front of others. What choice will we make? Will we choose to draw attention to things that point to ourselves? (pride…) Or will we remember that everything we do is to point others to Christ – where our ultimate care comes from?

I challenge all of us to take a moment before our day starts and again before each new setting through the day to mentally pause and think about what are we about to present – humility or pride? What will we present to those next to cross our paths?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill