John 21

So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.John 21:11 NIV Bible Gateway 

My title today is yet another auto tag I encountered here in Idaho so I looked it up and it is the account of Jesus telling his disciples to cast their net again and they would get fish and they did get some 153 fish to be exact. 

He was giving the account of them becoming fishers of men. Not sure if the significance of the number 153 but pre pandemic there was a coffee shop in Huntsville, Alabama where I lived called Cafe 153. The 153 is puzzling but perhaps shows the nature of Jesus details. 

Are you casting your ‘net’ to win souls for the kingdom of Christ. Once you have accepted Jesus you should desire to have more people won to the Lord and get away from the deceit and entrapment of the devil. Yes the devil is real. Keep casting truth and sharing with others and pray for the lost. 

PRAYER: Lord help people who don’t believe come to a saving knowledge and escape the traps Satan sets for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

A Party Will Be Held

 "In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent."Luke 15:7

When someone repents there is immense joy in Heaven as this scripture today indicates. You like parties if you have back slidden and come back to the fold so to speak there is great rejoicing. 

Of course Satan will lie and say “that’s not true” or make you feel Heaven isn’t real or this life is all there is. Denominations make their own entrance requirements but God is the gatekeeper and only His rules matter. 

Matthew 7:13 says  "For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." I personally will opt for the narrow gate. What about you? The older I get the closer I get. Are you ready? 

PRAYER: Today I choose to follow you and ask that you draw those I love to you and help them embrace salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Outside Your Bubble

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."Phillipians 2:3-4

Outside your bubble of existence there are hurting people. People who are neglected, teased, mocked, estranged, scorned, sex trafficked, ridiculed, and on and on the list goes. You may have problems of your own but peek outside the bubble and see what you encounter. 

It isn’t just the pain of rejection but pain of so many kinds where people don’t have anywhere to turn except a bridge, booze, or bottle of pills. The world seems to have forgotten them but God never does. Every nation has people who hurt. 

Whatever you are going through my friend Jesus is there and wants to comfort your broken heart. Don’t run to the culture to get comfort but run to God. 

PRAYER: Father help me to help others who are hurting or who the world rejects. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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How Is Your Fruit?

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

Fruit in this writing is meaning spiritual fruit not your bananas or things like that. But believers walking with the Lord daily should be producing fruit listed in the verse for today. 

If you in fact are the complete opposites of the type of fruits listed then it is time for some fertilizing so to speak maybe like picking up the Bible and getting it into your spirit. 

I know I don’t like the feelings I get when I am not walking in the Spirit and my fruit isn’t healthy so I have to counteract these things with prayer and Bible reading intentionally knowing that Satan would love to see me fall on my face. Go run your race and grow good spiritual fruit. 

PRAYER: Help me to develop good fruit even when trials come my way to get me to cave. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Are You Following?

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.Matthew 16:24

Social media has you checking a block to ‘follow’ someone or something and you can become inundated with all sorts of things that may not be that beneficial to your life. 

The one thing you should follow hard after is Jesus and the things of the Lord. What you follow will tend to shape your perspective on things  and can make you to love like He loves and show grace to people whether you feel up to it or not. 

Your mind can be saturated by the things of the Lord or the world. If you claim to be a Christ follower are you really truly following Him? Ponder that and have a blessed day.

PRAYER: Father there have been times I have been caught up following worldly pursuits more than you. Help me stay focused.  In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Why Are We Tempted To Lie, Sneak, Or Cheat?

 “DO NOT LIE TO EACH OTHER, SINCE YOU HAVE TAKEN OFF YOUR OLD SELF WITH ITS PRACTICES.”COLOSSIANS 3:9

In the beginning with Adam and Eve sin entered into an otherwise perfect world. Satan deceived Eve into thinking the fruit God told her to not eat was okay so after coaxing she ate some then gave some to Adam. Busted! 

So all the lying, cheating, manipulating, stealing originated with the fall of man in the Garden. Wow mind blowing but yet not. There were rules God gave them they chose to not listen got tempted and the rest is history. 

All mankind is born with a sin nature and has to be taught and trained by in truth and righteousness and naturally the ‘natural carnal’ man tends to sneak around and commit sin. Satan is called the prince of darkness and 2 Corinthians 4:4 speaks of the god of this world(Satan) blinding minds of unbelievers and really messing them up. So my friend stand firm with your spiritual armor on and run to defeat deception of the devil. 

PRAYER: Father we are in a world that seeks to destroy truth and manipulate the minds of people to even include believers. Help me be alert to the devil’s schemes and to pray against them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

It’s Not Worth It

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Ephesians4:32

Relationships are important especially those in the family. Fractures can occur over many things and God wants restoration. 

If you have been divorced God will forgive but if you are married God wants you to lean in and make marriage work. Perhaps you are dealing with a case of family estrangement and your heart aches so bad. Maybe you had a stupid fight over something dumb like accidentally throwing a treasured memento away. 

Decide first that you will love God. Give Him the person or situation that has caused division and anger. If you need to go ask forgiveness and then stop dwelling in the pit. God desires truth, healing, and restoration and he can bring restoration to what otherwise might look hopeless. Only Satan wants to keep you depressed and angry. Let it go and move on and pray on! 

PRAYER: Lord God forgive me when I have acted foolishly or hurt someone and help me forgive those who have hurt me or hurled insults at me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.