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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)

 

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.

I had the privilege of serving in the local soup kitchen with my friend Mary for a couple of days. Some people wouldn’t call that a privilege but I do. I look at these people and my compassion pours out. I don’t know how they came to a place where they need to rely on someone else to serve them, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself and felt honored to share a bit of Jesus’ love. I was filling in for a friend who is out-of-town but I will gladly go again!

Mary and I left the house at 7:30 each morning and worked at the kitchen until 12:30. On our way, we shared what God is saying to us in our personal Bible studies. One of Mary’s comments when I share something she calls ‘a revelation’ she hasn’t received is, “God is still growing me up.” I have news for my dear friend Mary, God is growing all of us up, me included! I have been blessed many times by the things Mary shares. If we aren’t “growing up” we aren’t maturing in our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are exhorted to become mature in the Bible.

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:13-14

Mary has a deep hunger for learning more of our Lord and to share Jesus’ love, it is evident in her daily walk. The people who came in to get fed are hungry physically but they also need to feed their spirit, many of them just don’t know. There was one man who came in on crutches with both of his legs in casts and one arm as well. I carried his tray for him and took it to the table where he sat. I went back to get him a drink. He was so genuinely appreciative and I thought to myself, ‘Why wouldn’t I help him? Does he encounter people who don’t offer assistance?’ Unfortunately, I’m sure he does. He isn’t the cleanest person but he is far cleaner than many that come in. My heart aches for all of them, dirty or not, and I do what I can do by offering a smile, telling them to ‘Have a good day.’ and by being kind.

If we have just a portion of the compassion that Christ shared in his ministry, we can make a difference in other’s lives. Jesus didn’t care if the people were contagious or dirty that he ministered to. He was full of compassion in sharing what his father wanted him to do, ie his Heavenly Father.

Father today, help me to serve your Love with a smile and a cheerful heart to everyone I come in contact with. May my heart reach out and be what your heart is. Thank you in Jesus’ name.