Today's Reading: Luke 5
When was the last time you left everything to follow Jesus? When was the last time you walked away from the busy-ness of life, the cares of this world, the job, the TV, the cell phone and in a quiet, secret place "followed Him?" In today's reading we see this statement made two times (5:11, 28). Just like repentance, this is not a one time event. We are called to daily, "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Heb. 12:1). Jesus accomplished alot in this chapter, "but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (vs. 16). We would be wise to consider this model for ministry and do the same.
PrayerPoint:
Pray for each member of your family by name.
ActionPoint:
Leave behind one thing today that is a hindrance to you following Jesus.
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3 comments:
I'm just getting over the flu and checking in on the blog, George. Great stuff! I'm looking forward to catching up and joining in.
Luke 5:5 says that even though Simon Peter was frustrated and reluctant, he chose to obey Jesus command. Reluctant Obedience. I think this is an underrated category of obedience. What I appreciate about it is that its often the state with which we enter into obedience. Rarely is our heart so convinced of the command of God that we simply plow ahead with an unqualified "yes". Yet even though this obedience seems substandard, God has room for our reluctant obedience and He even honors it with His power! I don't think Peter would say he was proud of his reluctance, but I would bet that Jesus was pleased with his obedience despite his reluctance. That such obedience is the stuff that builds faith.
One thing that grabbed ahold of me was that they had just experienced a tremendous outpouring and miracle of God, but they didn't get "stuck" there.
Jesus directed Peter to put out his nets again and because of his obedience, Peter caught so much fish that the nets were breaking and the boats were sinking.
Then Jesus told Peter, "...from now on you will catch men." The passage continues with, "So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him."
I take that to mean they left even that tremendous catch of fish!
You see for the Lord, it wasn't about the physical fish, but the fact that God wanted Peter to know that He could, by His power, make Peter a fisher of men. That was the point!
Sometimes God does something wonderful in our lives in order to get our attention and point us toward His real purpose. Sometimes it's not so much about the miracle as much as it is about the One who makes the miracles.
I believe it was this understanding that caused Peter and the others, after coming ashore, to be able to leave everything and follow Him.
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