Author: Kimberly

free lance photographer, jewelry designer, writer, gardener, & seamstress

Have Faith

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. John 21:6 (NLT)

 Casting the net.

Net

cast

This verse comes from the passage where the disciples were out fishing all night and hadn’t caught anything. Jesus (click on Jesus to read – had risen from the dead at this point)  was on shore and called out to them to throw their net on the other side. When they did, they caught so many fish they had difficulty pulling in their net. 

To me, this is representative of faith. I’m sure they were exhausted from fishing all night but they continued in the hope of what they might catch. They were receptive to the suggestion to cast their net on the other side, even though they didn’t realize it was Jesus Christ who had instructed them. They didn’t give up and they kept their hope. Not only did they catch so many fish they could barely pull in their net, they were blessed by having Jesus fix breakfast for them and build their faith by His presence.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

What are you asking God for today? What work are you doing that seems monotonous or tiring? Don’t lose hope, give it over to God and he will reward you. There is more blessing than we expect when we continue in our faith without grumbling.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9

Prayer today: Father, help me be diligent each day in what I do that you might get the glory. I will not grow weary in seeking you in my daily life. Help me to persevere and have faith. Amen.

Clothing

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. Genesis 3:7

And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. Genesis 3:21

It struck me when I read this that the first sacrifice in the Bible was made by God. He killed an animal so he could clothe mankind with better clothes than they knew how to make. Animal skins would be far better than fig leaves. Later, God made the ultimate sacrifice through his son, Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth and became humanity, he was clothed in it. He took on flesh so that we could be redeemed from our sinful nature into an eternal life.

Not only did God provide a sacrifice for man in his disobedience, he offered a better set of clothes. I was thinking how much better God takes care of things than we do. I want to wear the clothes that God made and walk in the fullness of God. I want to wear Jesus everywhere I go and have his vision. I want to listen to what my Heavenly Father has for me and allow Him to take care of me.

I pray these verses for myself:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 

Nothing is Hidden

What things are we trying to hide? Are we enjoying the presence of God or trying to hide from it?

When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God. God called to the Man: “Where are you?” He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” God said, “Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:8-11 (Message)

No matter how hard we may try to hide from God, we can’t. We may act differently around certain people, but God is always present and he isn’t fooled. Because we have a sin consciousness, we know what we should and shouldn’t do. Adam and Eve recognized their disobedience to God and felt naked. The recognition of their disobedience caused them to feel bare and ashamed. They sought out a place to hide – a dark place where they could cover themselves.  They even clothed themselves because of their shame. How do we delude ourselves that he doesn’t know what we are doing?

 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.  To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)

Prayer: Father, forgive me for anything I try to hide from you or in any way I’ve been disobedient. Let me recognize where I have gone wrong and not return to those things. You know where I am at all times and know my thoughts. You love me with tenderness and I rejoice in your Presence! Thank you for watching over me. I want to realize your presence everywhere I go and I long to please you Father. Amen