14^th January

A Personal Reflection

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them!”

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

 Today’s devotion is a reflection on this verse after a hearing a statement that both challenged me and encouraged me.

I was talking with a colleague about something that had frustrated us both. It was a situation out of our hands yet needed to have some urgent attention. After discussing the difficulties I left her office and as I was walking out she shouted “Hallelujah Anyway”. What a fantastic statement of faith, contentment and trust in an Almighty God.

This verse sums up the “Hallelujah Anyway” statement. For if we know that God is in control then what is the need to worry. Interestingly the NLT version of this verse varies slightly from others. More often than not we hear the version that says “In all things God works together for the good…”, however this version claims that “God works all things together…”. The focus varies from things changing to God working. The emphasis is not on our circumstances but on God, the author of life. It is God who is working in our lives to resolves all things for His glory. Sometimes it might not be that the situation or problem changes as YOU might like, but what is guaranteed is the fact that whatever the problem, God will make good from a challenging situation in accordance with His perfect will for your life.

Whatever you face today, take courage that God is at work in your situation if you allow Him in. Shout out that no matter what happens in your day “Hallelujah Anyway!!!”

13^th January

“When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them-fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. ….”Now come and have some breakfast!””

John 21:9-12 (NLT)

 Jesus makes His third appearance to His disciples here in these few verses. He again has just miraculously increased the number of fish caught by the disciples. After they had finished hauling in the days catch they approach Jesus on the seashore.

This next scene is completely astounding… ! We know that Jesus was both fully human and at the same time fully God and in fact Jesus, in these few verses, was in His resurrected body. However the great thing about this story is that it is the most human scene that we see Jesus in throughout the gospels.

As they approach Jesus He welcomes His disciples to eat the fish that was cooking over the barbeque and bread that had presumably been made fresh that morning. Jesus had even most probably prepared this meal Himself. But the verse that is most comforting is when Jesus tells His disciples to “come and have some breakfast.” How amazing is that; Simple words that speak so much. This verse often gets overlooked but its incredible that Jesus, the creator of the world, who died and rose again, simply just wanted to sit with His disciples in that moment, cooked them breakfast and had bread and barbequed fish with them.

Why is this comforting? Because, Jesus is so much more than a far away, impersonal, and un-relatable God. He is the God that wants an intimate, personal relationship with us; even to meet our everyday needs such as eating breakfast. Lets invite Him into every part of our lives!

 God in my living, there in my breathing, God in waking, eating and sleeping!

12^th January

“…Then Jesus told him, “Follow Me.””

 John 21:19 (NLT)

 Jesus, the Light of the World, humbly came to live among us in the form a servant, suffered a sinners death at the hands of His own creation, however, most importantly, resurrected on that glorious 3^rd day. John 21 relives Jesus’ appearance to the disciples after His resurrection and his profound conversation with Peter.

Earlier in the passion story Peter remarkably denies that he ever knew Jesus, fearful of the consequences of knowing and following a man who was on trail and soon to be put to death.

However, Jesus knew that Peter’s heart was for Him. When he re-appeared to Peter, He took him to one side and in a statement that overshadowed Peter’s denial, tells him again to “Follow Him”. However this time Peter does question Jesus by focusing on another disciple. Yet Jesus helps Peter to re-focus and concentrate on His walk with the Lord, “As for you, follow Me!!”

How wonderful and marvellous that Jesus could not only forgive Peter of denying Him but re-commissioned him with the very first words He ever said to Peter. His first words were “Follow Me” and His last were “Follow Me.”

Let this be an encouragement to you today, that wherever you are in your journey with Christ, whether you have heard these words once, twice or many times, whatever you done, Jesus’ words are still the same “Come Follow Me.” Those words encompass companionship, they set out a journey, they are warm words and most importantly, they are personal to you.

Weekend Edition (10 – 11th January 2015)

“When Simon Peter realised what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh Lord, please leave me – I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him…”

Luke 5:8-9 (NLT)

Jesus was not an ordinary man. Wherever He went something would happen. Whether that was great teaching or the miraculous, Jesus, time after time showed His divinity and left people in awe.

Simon Peter has just witnessed the catch of his life. In fact he probably, in his entire fishing career, never witnessed a catch of such magnitude. His reaction? To fall at the feet of Jesus in awe!! However, the most interesting aspect of Peter’s response is that he didn’t feel worthy to be in the same boat as Jesus. “Oh Lord, please leave me – I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” Why this reaction? Why didn’t his reaction have something to do with the fish, after all he was a fisherman? Quite simply, because He had an encounter with the power of God and was humbled by the sheer wonder of what had just happened. He knew that Jesus was no ordinary man.

But the great thing in this story is that Peter didn’t go looking for Jesus, but Jesus found Peter. Even though Peter thought that he was too much of a sinner to be around Jesus, after this great miraculous catch of fish, Jesus shows that the very reason He came was for people like Peter.

When you encounter the risen King, what’s your reaction? When you see a supernatural provision, a miraculous wonder or even feel His presence, are you awestruck at the sheer magnitude of His works? Jesus, whose words helped form the very foundation of the earth, calls YOU today… will you accept the invitation and fall to your knees in submission to His call?

9^th January 2015

“…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 and on the verge of sinking.. .”

Luke 5:6-7 (NLT)

The blessing of obedience far outweighs any sacrifice on our behalf. For it is in obedience that we find true joy and rivers of blessing that overflow.

Simon Peter has just been told to go fishing in plain daylight after he had just fished all night and caught nothing. He humbly obeys, sails a little deeper and throws his nets out in faith… What happened next was beyond his expectation.

When he threw out his nets, the catch was so great, that even his nets began to tear. Even after he shouted for help and was aided by James and John, the fish kept coming. So much so that both boats began to sink at the weight of the fish caught.

Quite simply this is a miracle. There is no other reason why there should have been so many fish. Yet at Jesus’ word and through Peter’s obedience God commanded a blessing. When we obey Jesus’ words, whether we fully understand it or not, there must be a blessing. Jesus was true to His word in this story and is true to His word today. This same Jesus that divinely provided fish for a fisherman, can meet you at your time of need and supernaturally provide for you too. Notice that God’s blessings are not in half measures but are so much that your boat will overflow and sink under the weight of His provision.

 What voice will you listen to today?

8^th January 2015

“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 NET DOWN AGAIN.””

 Luke 5:4-5 (NLT)

How often do we find ourselves dictating our lives to God instead of letting Him lead and guide us in the right direction? However, there is great blessing in obedience and submission, as we will see from today’s passage.

The scene has been set; Jesus has just finished talking to the crowds from a boat. He then turns to Simon and tells him to go out a little deeper to catch some fish. Simon’s response is astonishing. He could have easily said that the best time for fishing was at night not during the day, he could have laughed at Jesus’ assumption that a carpenter knew better than a professional fisherman, he could have even said that they had just finished cleaning the nets (v2). But He didn’t say any of these. He calls out Jesus as Master, which means leader or even boss. Then he astounds the reader with a submissive and humble response. But if you SAY so!!

Wow, what a response. Simon knew that there was something special about this man. In Luke’s version of the Gospel, we see in chapter 4, that Jesus has already shown His miraculous powers and even healed Simon’s mother in law. Yet Simon’s response here in chapter 5, is of utter submission knowing that if Jesus said something, it will come to pass! He didn’t question, huff and puff, make excuses or even say no, he simply obeyed the words of Jesus.

This is a great reminder for us to trust in God’s promises, trust when He leads us to places unknown, trust when we cant see what the future holds, simply submit and obey. We may not know what the future holds but we know the One who holds the future!!

7^th January 2015

“A little further up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed Him. Leaving their father Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.”

 Mark 1:19-20 (NLT)

In today’s passage we see how Jesus calls two other disciples, James and John. Much like Peter and Andrew they were brothers, they were doing their job when Jesus called for them, and surprisingly they too left all to follow Jesus at His command, “HE called them at once, and they also followed Him.” Again we have no evidence that they had seen any miracle or heard any teaching. They just left everything to follow Jesus.

However this passage adds what I think, a very significant detail that separates it from the Peter and Andrew calling. James and John where not only fishing by themselves but were with their father, Zebedee and the hired workers. Much like most Biblical businesses, this was a family run affair. From face value they must have had quite a successful business if they were able to hire workers to assist them. Not only did they have to give up what was probably a successful family business, but they also left their father, who had to rely on his son’s help. Add these all together and verse 20 takes a whole new relevance and significance. For when Jesus called them it seems like there was more to give up.

The significance is not that we are called to abandon our work and disown our families. On the contrary God calls us to be good stewards of our finances and to look after our families. However, the underlying message is that when Jesus calls you, what is holding you back from fully committing your heart to Him. Are you willing to leave everything to follow Him, even if the cost is great? That may not be only physical and material things but also issues of the heart.

Great blessing awaits those who give up all to follow Him!

6^th January 2015

 “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.”

Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

A good friend of mine wisely reminded me that fishing was not an individual activity in Biblical times but was a joint effort. Fisherman would take a team out on a boat, usually whilst dark, throw their large nets out together, wait for a catch and then haul their catch together. We remember the story of when Jesus supernaturally increased the number of fish in the days catch in Luke 5. There were so many that they needed help to haul them all in. However in today’s fishing world most people fish use a single pole whilst sitting by a lake or a river.

There is much significance in the fact that fishing was a communal/joint effort. So it is with fishing for men. Yes there are times when we are called to go fishing on our own with our single pole but there is great joy when we fish together with others. The power of unity speaks volumes. When we are committed together to seeing lives changed by the love of Christ, I genuinely believe that our catch will be so great that we wont be able to haul them in by ourselves. Whether our fishing method is through prayer, fasting, street evangelism, community centres, acts of kindness in our communities, whatever it is, when done in unity, together as group of people willing to see change in our nations, God will move in great power!!

5^th January 2015

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.”

 Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

Today’s passage sees a two-fold promise and command from Jesus: A command to follow Him and a promise that He will help us fish for people.

Peter and Andrew were two ordinary people. They were simple fishermen going about their daily work. Then suddenly this Jesus turns up in their lives and completely transforms them. Jesus had hardy started His ministry, yet both Peter and Andrew show no hesitation in dropping their nets (their means of livelihood) and followed Him. Interestingly we have no apparent record of Jesus doing any miracles or signs and wonders before He recruits these two brothers. It was simply the power of His words that stirred their hearts. This same Jesus calls us today to follow Him. Will you drop your own agenda and follow Him as Peter and Andrew did?

Finally, Jesus commissions them from fishermen to evangelists in a moment. He didn’t require Peter and Andrew to study in a Bible College, have a theological degree or pass a years evangelism training course (although there is nothing wrong with these!). He simply saw into their hearts and knew that these men were mighty warriors and promised to help them fish for men. And that they did do!!

Our pastor challenged us with two questions and I will leave them with you also!

This year what are you intentionally doing about growing deeper in your walk with Christ?? (COME, FOLLOW ME v19)

This year what are you intentionally doing about helping others know the love of Jesus and His saving grace? (AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN v19)

1^st January

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me….for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-11 (NLT)

I am often surprised at God’s grace in my life; the times when I feel far away from Him or when I feel like I have let my Heavenly Father down, it’s in those times that I feel God uses me most. Why is it when we feel weak, useless, hopeless, and even faithless that God uses us most? The answer simply is because it is in those times that we have nothing but to trust in His strength! God works best when we recognise that we cant do things on our own or in our own strength.

Paul highlights this in today’s passage. Whatever Paul’s weakness was, he prayed for it to be taken away. Yet each time Paul prayed, the Lord reminded him that His grace was all he needed. Paul recognised His need for God’s strength through his weakness.

This is a great reminder for us as we journey into a new year. We will face many challenges, trials and tests of our character but if we hold fast to God’s strength then we will overcome all things. It is in our weakness that He is made strong!! You have a purpose and God wants to use your seed to plant into His kingdom.

 A piece of Gold, a pile of mud, which is more useful?

The gold of course!!

But to a seed?

Don’t underestimate your seed, you have a purpose.