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

What is your purpose?

Psalm 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

Many of you already know that October is Infant/Pregnancy Loss awareness month.  I know there are many of us here that have lived through this loss.  Today, October 20^th, was the due date for my first baby.  Now before you get sad for me, please know that I’m in an excellent spot and have been able to use my loss to help others through such a hard, tragic time in their lives. 

I want us to think about when does life begin?  While there are various political stances on this because of pro-life and pro-choice debates, let’s go to the root of our being, God himself.  The Bible is the word of God so this should be our source.  Here in Psalm 139, we see that even before the body has formed, that our story is written in God’s book.  I love this.  To me, this gives life and meaning to my pregnancy even if I never had the chance to hold that baby.  If it were not for that life, that baby, that I had to lose, I would not have been able to be the encouragement I was to so many other women that have also faced that same loss.  My baby, while I may not have carried her long, had purpose! 

If an unborn baby can carry so much purpose, then think about the purpose that God has for you.  Each of us have been formed with a purpose.  We were carefully knit together in our mother’s womb.  Our days were ordained for each of us. 

Today I want to encourage you to think about what your purpose in life is.  Some of you may know it, others may have to dig deep to figure it out.  Once you know your purpose, make sure to thank God for it and live it out.

Thursday Devotional - Criticism or Prayer?

Romans 1:8-10  “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.  God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.”   Romans 1:8-10

Paul prayed constantly for the fellow believers in Rome. Do you and I pray mostly for our own needs? Or do you and I often pray for the needs of others?

Our prayers reflect the attitudes of our heart. If we truly listen to how and what we are praying, we will be able to determine areas of selfishness. 

As we pray more for others, though, we will be less likely to criticize. There’s one particular leader at my church that can really frustrate me. I realized I was quick to criticize and not so quick to pray for him. As I’ve prayed some for him, God’s helped me look for the positives instead of only seeing the negatives. He’s also helped me have a better attitude about some of my frustrations.

Who will you thank God for today? How can you also lift them up in prayer and encourage them rather than criticize?

Alice

The Trick Question

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  Luke 5:29-32 

Have you ever had a trick question?  Here’s a good one.  Adam’s mother had three children.  The first child was named April.  The second child was named May.  What was the third child’s name?  I would of course think of June.  That would be the wrong answer because if Adam’s mom had three children and are the other two are named April and May, the only one left is . . . Adam.  Sometimes people can solve it just by reading it as is.  Other times, things are a bit more complicated.  For example, as Christians, we know we are saved through Jesus Christ.  But once we are saved, does that put us in a place higher than those who are not?  Well, we are given grace through Jesus Christ, and submit to God.  That puts us in a place other than those who have not made that choice.  But does that really make us better? 

We must always remember that although we are saved through Christ all are worthy of God's love.  In reading the story of Levi's conversion, we understand that Levi was a tax collector.  In those times, they were considered the ‘worst of the worst’ people.  Like last week's devotion, we find the Pharisees looking on with disdain questioning why Jesus would hang out with such people.  Jesus answered, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  Now that sounded like He was out to save Levi and the other non-believers.  However, here’s the trick question. Did this mean the Pharisees did not need to be called because they were righteous?  The answer is no because we know that all fall short of God’s glory!  This means Jesus calls all people regardless of whether they claimed Christ or not.  We might see others who do wrong or are openly living in sin, and not feel they are worth our time.  However, we are to remain humble recognizing that we too need Christ.  We grow in Christ, and we have a heart for Him.  The key to avoid the trick is not substituting us being in a better place by knowing Christ for us being better because we know Christ. 

We are all equal in the eyes of Christ.  Yes, we are thankful for the gift of grace given by God.  That gift is special to us, but God makes each of us special. If we love others as we love Him, others will see how special they are too.  That’s how Jesus saw Levi and his friends; special people who just needed to know how special they were to God.  Let us remember this seeing those like us as brothers and sisters in Christ and those who have not committed as people who need to know how beautiful and special they are to God.  Who can you share the love of Christ with today?  How can you see others unlike you as Christ saw Levi?  My prayer is that we recognize how we all need Jesus Christ, and not fall for ‘the trick question.’  Amen. 

Tues Devo: Reason for love

1 Peter 4:7-11 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (NASB)

Hello,

As our culture fights through battles right now, the call for care and love of all people is heard repeatedly. We respond as followers of Christ with an appropriate head nod, because many times in Scripture – including here in 1 Peter – we are instructed to do so. Sometimes this gets us hopeful that people will be geared toward love – so we get fired up and go out and show love…..but in our haste in to find unity in the midst of the cultural battle, hae you slowed down just a bit to ensure you are looking for the right outcome? A chase towards love for the sake or love or unity itself is pointless. There is no tangible end result. But, the chase to show love to bring forward the message of Christ that leads to salvation –now that is where the real reason for love exists. What good is love now, if for eternity those you seek to draw in are dwelling in hell apart from God? True love is not merely (though should include) actions about today – but is driven towards the hope of the cross in Christ.

Have a blessed day – go show some love with eternity in mind,

Will Hill

Friday Devotional - No Ordinary Child (by Anne Girolami)

How many mothers know that their child is different and will not have an easy life because of this difference. How many parents wish that they could change things for their child... to protect ... to make things easier for a child who is not like the other children?

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:34-35

No Ordinary Child…

Some days, I wake up wishing

That your life was normal…

I wish you to laugh and play in the sun.

I wish you to be surrounded by Love.

I wish you to be happy and carefree.

I wish you to fall in love and have children.

I wish you to grow old.

I wish all of this for you,

But what I wish for you… cannot be.

Your Life will not be easy.

People will not understand You,

They will not see the precious gift that You are.

They will be cruel in their ignorance,

And Your Love will be betrayed by their Fear.

Because they do not understand,

They will try to extinguish Your Light

As they try to destroy Your Life.

I love you more than life itself.

I want to protect you from all this.

I want to shield you from this cruelty,

But my wants are out of reach.

Yes…

Some days, I wake up wishing

That your life was normal…

But what I wish for you… can never be.

© 2016, Anne Marie Girolami

Thursday Devotional - True Persevering Servant

Paul was specifically called by Jesus to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. If you’ve read the book of Acts you know that his job didn’t come easy, but he persevered. He continually focused on Jesus and what Jesus had asked him to do. This is evident by the way he started each of his letters.

Romans 1:1-7         Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. ⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Would you call yourself a servant of Christ Jesus? Would He call you that?

I don’t know that Jesus would call me a true servant of His. I know several specific jobs where He’s called me to serve. However, I often get distracted by what I’m doing instead of why I’m doing it. I need to focus on WHO I actually want to serve - Jesus!  Then, I’ll truly be a servant of Jesus! I won’t burn out, get overwhelmed or give up.

Where has God called you to serve?

As God’s gospel saturates our minds and hearts, we can truly allow Him to set us apart for the task, just like Paul, persevering as a true servant to the end!

Alice

Who We Thought He Is

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.  When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?  Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”  Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.  Luke 5:18-25

I am a huge football fan.  At the end of each the game, there is always a post-game press conference where the winning and losing coaches of the teams explain their reasoning for the result of the game.  While at times rather subdued, some of them can be very animated and occasionally reach as kids nowadays say ‘epic’ levels.  One such press conference was by a man named Dennis Green.  When asked about how their team lost in spite of a multitude of errors and opportunities from the other team (the Chicago Bears), he simply answered, “The Bears were who we thought they were.”  He was referring to the fact there was nothing that surprised them about the other team, and in spite of that, they still somehow lost.  It was pretty funny stuff.  I share this story to remind us of a story about Jesus and who He is.

We have certainty that Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior.  Our relationship with Him should be an ever evolving and growing one filled with discovery and understanding.  Failure to acknowledge His authority or embrace it could result in the stunting of our spiritual growth.  The story in Luke noting how Jesus healed a paralyzed man sounds like a feel good story and rightfully so.  However if we look closer, some might miss the true point of this story.  In the chaos of the miracle, the Pharisees miss this main point.  They are hung up on the miracle itself stating, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy,” and then ironically, they answer their own question with a question saying, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?’  We too often fall into this trap of focusing on what is believable over what does it mean.  Perhaps something miraculous has happened to you, or on the flip side, maybe you are dealing with storms.  No matter which side of the coin you fall, be careful not to lose the perspective of what is happening beyond just the moment.  Be encouraged that Jesus always with you, and is the same God who loves and believes in you and died on the cross for your sins and mine.  If you remain focused on these facts, you will gain greater assurance in your blessings and strength through your struggles.

Jesus Christ’s message of Good News is meant for the heart, mind, and spirit.  There is no sin that He cannot forgive, and there is no situation that one cannot overcome with Him.  That is why we can trust in Him.  Don’t worry or fear.  You must, “Get up, take your mat and go home,” as He said to paralyzed man.  What situation do you doubt that He can handle?  How can you trust more in your forgiveness and less in your current state?  My prayer is that we remember Jesus is “who we thought He is.”  Amen.

Tues Devo: Perspective shift

Hello,

I think as followers of Jesus we have all been there – where you don’t want to seek His forgiveness AGAIN. We feel like we are wearing it out, like He is frustrated. We picture ourselves in our kids positions – with God frustrated like we are. (Thankfully, none of us – including myself – are God) But I want us to think of this differently and shift our perspective. Don’t worry about the frequency right now – keep the list of things to seek forgiveness on short. Even if now the frequency is high, it should raise your thankfulness-meter (made that term up…). Our thankfulness for His grace and mercy will help here. As we begin to focus there no His grace, our mind will begin to process our choices and actions through that lens. We see this in Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB)

I hope this challenges all of us to quickly seek forgiveness, and focus on being thankful for His grace and mercy – letting that grace and mercy re-direct our choices.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill