Razor Ray’s World

Back in Middle/High School I played a little basketball. Actually, I played a-lot. My coach was a man by the name of Steve Holloran. He was seemingly just another guy in the church, father of a couple of my school mates, and a guy who knew a-lot about the sport of basketball. I still do not know where he learned all he knew, or why he took the time out of his life to be our coach. He did not have a son who played (he had two daughters) and as far as I know, he wasn’t getting paid much if anything to give of himself and his time. But, he did.

Truth is, Coach and I butted heads for our first few years together. We saw things differently, and being a hot headed fellow, I often let him know of how I thought things should be run. He was seemingly harsh sometimes. He yelled at us alot when we had mistakes in practices and games. He easily was frustrated by our inability to simply do as we were told. I mean, we were a rough bunch of kids who did not have a ton of talent. And for the first few years, we took some real beatings in games we played, sometimes losing by 60+ points. I know it was tough on him. He would tell us, “If you would just do what you were told, it would all work and we could score baskets and win games.

I started playing in 6th grade, and I suppose my most bull headed years was freshman and sophomore years. I remember literally screaming at coach about his backwards ways in coaching. How zone defense was from the old days and we needed man to man Defense and some better offensive schemes. I was a real jerk to him many times, trying to usurp his authority in front of the rest of the team. I had developed into a decent player, and I had decided to take charge. But Coach never backed down and he persevered with the same mantra, “If you will do what I have told you, we will score and we will win.”

Sophomore year passed and we placed second in the state tourney. As my Junior year rolled around, Coach had spoken to me some and had told me he needed me to be a leader on the court, but in order to do that, I would need to submit myself to his authority. For some reason, against my true nature, I decided to just do it his way and work with him instead of against him. Amazingly, things started clicking. We started to score, and we started to win. We gelled as a team, and my last two years in High School, we placed first in the state and placed in the top 8 nationally. And coach and I developed a real close bond.

As time passed, and I graduated, I was honored to assist him in coaching some. About five years ago, Coached passed away somewhat suddenly. Before he died, many of the old players got together and went down to visit him one night. It was an amazing night to remember as we talked about old times, and coach shared his passion for why he had given of himself. It was simply this, He wanted to show us Gods love by giving of himself to us. That night, coach spoke to each person, and I was the last out of the room. I will never forget that night, as coach recalled our first struggles with each other, but how over time, we had grown close and accomplished some really fun things together. Those days as his player are truly some of the fondest I have.

Here is what God has been showing me recently through Coach (RIP). You see, Coach was not a man “allowed” to be a church leader because of the legalistic system in which our church functioned. By wrongly using verses in Scripture and through sad misinterpretations, Coach was never to be allowed as a deacon or elder in the midst. But now I see, how this man was used to show me God himself, and Jesus Christ and his love, more than any other man in that congregation. And here is what I mean:

You see, coach had a goal for us as a team and individuals. He wanted us to “learn” a game, and he wanted us to “score” so that we could “win.” His whole passion was so that we could be more than just a simple player, he wanted me and the others to be all we possibly could be. And here is how he accomplished it:

1. Sometimes he had to be harsh! Yes, I mean coach could really let you have it. If you screwed up, he could reign down on you with fury. BUT, it was not because he was mad at me, it was because he knew by doing it wrong, I would never accomplish what he really wanted for me!

2. His ultimate goal was for me to be the best I could be. That meant sometimes being gentle and repetitive in his teaching. Sometimes that meant discipline by running sprints or even sitting out a game. BUT, none of his disciplines were to hurt or destroy me, but rather to guide me toward what he ultimately wanted for me, TO WIN!

And God is much like what Coach showed me. God has an ultimate goal for my life. He wants me to be perfect for his son. He wants me to be the very best I can be, all He created me to be. Along the way, sometimes I think I have a better plan, and I screw up. And guess what, He, out of love, disciplines me. Not because He is mad or angry, but because by heading down the wrong path, I am destroying the opportunity to be what He really has for me and experience the JOY he has set aside for me. Sometimes, His methods may seem harsh, like running sprints. But even the harsh methods actually help accomplish the ultimate goal!! Every sprint coach had us run built our endurance for the “fourth quarter.” So even the “punishments” accomplished the ultimate goals he wanted us to experience.

I am so thankful to Coach, Steve Holloran, for being this man in my life who allowed himself to be used to teach me so much about God and His desires for my life. I am thankful that Coach did not let the judgment or condemnation that was placed on him by the legalistic system of our church to keep him from offering himself for the benefit of a bunch of knuckle headed teenage boys. I mean, he could have sulked in bitterness over not being allowed to be a deacon or elder. Many felt this decision was a farce (secretly for the most part because of fear of saying it aloud), but Coach sacrificed even that on the altar and gave himself, and how amazing was his impact on an ole, hard headed, egotistical, know it all, red headed boy, who gave him such a hard time, yet he never gave up, coach never quit on me, and in the end, we had a great bond that even now cannot be broken.

And I know, that God, much like Coach, deals with this knuckle headed, thinks he knows it all, bald headed fellow,  but by his Grace, and His unwillingness to quit or give up on me, in the end, will be able to use me and accomplish His purpose of making me like His Son! (Romans 8:28-29)

Coach, thanks! I look forward to seeing you again! R.I.P.!

I received the following in an email from a friend of mine who has a phd in the subject of “this gift.” I HIGHLY encourage you to read through the whole thing. Used by permission:

Philippians 1 :29-30

“For to you it has been Granted for CHRIST’S SAKE, not only to BELIEVE in Him, BUT to SUFFER for HIS SAKE, EXPERIENCING the SAME CONFLICT which you saw in me and Now HEAR to be in me.”

Ther are two “gifts” from God in this passage,THE First Gift is – the Gift of SALVATION.

The word “GRANTED” is based on the word “Grace” and is a verb….WHICH MEANS “to give. To favor, to grant graciously….to render… Given freely, unmerited.” SALVATION – AND SUFFERING ARE BOTH GIFTS Unmerited , Unearned, Undeserved Gifts from God. Just as it is Gods Unmerited Favor to bestow salvation upon you, it is also His umerited Gift to GRANT You the PRIVILGE to SUFFER FOR “CHRIST’S SAKE”

ONE WRITER HAS PUT IT THIS WAY;

“Christ’s vicarious sufferings means , however, for His followers NOT DELIVERANCE  FROM Earthly Suffering, but Deliverance FOR earthly suffering.”… Having been tested by suffering and that without sin…He is our Pattern to follow in the way to Suffer that Honors God that enables us to WALK WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

The Essential Goal which the Christian suffers for is for  the Kingdom of God

. Like Bunyon, Like Paul and countless others before and since. Suffering is a GIFT FROM GOD ….FOR GODS GLORY AND IT HAS BEEN GRANTED – GIFTED….GOD HAS BESTOWED THIS FAVOR UPON THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI not only to Believe in His Name- The Gift of Salvation but Secondly to “Suffer for His Name Sake.” Each Gifted by God. Salvation first then the suffering- But it has purpose. What are some of the POTENTIAL Blessings from the Gift of Suffering for  Gods People ….

One writer has said “The Christian waits not for the end of the suffering but the GOAL”- which is GODS GLORY…

Lets consider some of the “BENEFITS” of Suffering for CHRIST SAKE.

1. Suffering for Christ Sake is  - A Gift- Phil 1: 29- “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for Him.”

2. Suffering for Christ Sake is  - An Evidence of Salvation – Phil 1:28 – without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”

3. Suffering for Christ sake is -An Opportunity to Spread the Gospel- Phil 1:12-13 –“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard  and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”

We also read in 2 Tim 1:8 Paul’s final words to Timothy in the midst of conflict “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.”

4. Suffering for Christ sake is – A source of encouragement to strengthen other brothers to speak Gods Word more boldly – Philippians 1:14 – “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” AND IN VERSE 15 AND 16 we see their motivation –“ out of goodwill. The latter do so in love.”

5. Suffering for Christ’s sake- Brings about / a Deep Yearning to Know Christ as Master Passion IDENTIFICATION with Christ- Phil 3:7-10 – V 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,”

PAUL  when he writes the book of Philippians  it isThirty years after his conversion  and he wants to enter into the power of Christ and intimacy with Christ. His AIM is CHRIST.

6. Suffering for Christ sake  - Equips us to minister COMPASSIONATELY into the lives of others- 2 Cor 1:3-6 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.”

So you see “SUFFFERING can be a Blessing and not a cause for Bitterness – when it is embraced as a Gift and “FOR CHRIST’S SAKE”. Suffering is a Gift, Suffering is an evidence of salvation when it is for Christ’s sake, Suffering is an opportunity to spread the gospel for Christ sake; Suffering can be a means to encourage the brethren for Christ sake; Suffering can lead us to Evaluate life and see that all that counts is Knowing Christ and produce that Master Passion- for CHRIST SAKE- Life is to be lived; Suffering Equips us to Minister Compassionately

Oswald Chambers wrote – “If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others.”

God bless-

Aidan

Recently I have been following Father through an overwhelming emotional situation involving some people really close to me. Through a series of events that have happened over the past several years, there have been some close bonds that were either strained or broken. As time has gone on, those situations have digressed and have hit what I call a “boiling point.” Everyone has come to wits ends and the over splash of emotions have begun to affect others around them. This is all very close to me and it has caused me great sorrow and pain as I have both watched, and been involved in these events.

I have been seeking Daddy about these things for several months, starting with a night I will never forget. Sept 11th, 2009. God moved in my life around 11pm and He stayed with me all night. I never slept a wink, but I had never been more refreshed. It was AMAZING. As an outcome, He led me to see some sins in my heart and gave me a prayer to pray regarding the a-fore mentioned situations. The prayer was simple, Lord, may we glorify You in ALL we do!

As time has moved on, He has kept me at bay from moving ahead on some things in my heart. I have a bull rush mentality and always want to gun ahead to get things done, But He had a timing He wanted to take place. The first of His timing came a few weeks ago, as I was approached by someone involved in this ordeal. The conversation was nothing short than a gift from God and I was flat out blown away. However, during the conversation, this person said, “Things can never be as they were before, although they could be better than they are now.”

The conversation ended, and I was on cloud nine, except for that one saying. I am a dreamer by nature and believe with God ALL things are possible. But what was I to do? The next day, I read these verses: Matthew 18:15-19

¹⁵ “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. ¹⁸Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Did you see that scenario? First, we have people who are at odds with each other. They have somewhat against one another. Then through a series of events, they are brought to a place where they are told to agree on something and bring it to the Lord in prayer. And then a promise, “if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven”

Wow! What an amazing promise! If God has put something on your heart, and as brothers/sisters in Christ, you approach the throne with your request, then God WILL do it for you. I know, you start screaming “name it and claim it”, but that is not the message. You cant just come up with something and ask for it. HOWEVER, if there is something that would bring God glory, and He leads you to pray, you are guaranteed that He will hear, and He will do!

So how does that fit in my story. Well, I believe God wants to receive glory from this situation and through it, draw His people together in a unity that will shock and shake up the world. Therefore, I have joined with another and have asked my Father in heaven to make this a reality. And slowly, I can see His hand doing the very thing that we have asked Him for.

I LOVE HIS PROMISES!

Last night I was reading to my girls from their story Bible and we were looking at the Sermon on the Mount. As I read, I came to these words:

“Do not store up wealth here on earth…..”

Now I know we have read this many times, but it suddenly jumped off the page at me. is this a command we have been breaking as a bride by saving up, or storing up, wealth and money? Is this a simple rule we have missed based on the fact that this world is infinite and we are eternal beings? Is it why God/Jesus told us on multiple occasions to trust Him for our daily needs. Yet we have determined to store up “wealth” to ensure our own future. Have we lost a sense of trust in God by storing up riches here on earth, or by making that our goal (aka, saving up for retirement or a life of ease?”

Now let me say, I have not made a determination on the issue, it just kinda caught me like a left hook. We spend so much time, energy, and our resources seeking to save up for tomorrow and for our future, that we oft times seem to miss today. I see Jesus constantly living in the moment as He walked with Father here on earth, and He did not give much care or attention to things or money. Yet we seem to live and breath wanting that next payday or promotion at work that will better place us for our future here on earth.

I am not sure why this so grabbed me after having read it hundreds of times before, but it did. So, using it as a spring board, I would like to see how this command of Jesus’ sets in with all the other teachings we find in Scripture when it comes to money. Cause after all, is not our ultimate goal to glorify the Father by being transformed into the image of his Son, into a Little Jesus?

Your thoughts and Scriptures are welcomed on this topic!

Ray

Awhile back, I started having some very serious questions about some things going on in my life. I was really enjoying my walk with Jesus, but was silently struggling with some issues regarding things in life. Finances, relationships, giving, being a new dad again, and the list goes on.

My greatest concern however was coming in the area of finances/giving. Having not been in an organized “church” culture for several years had brought us to a place of waiting and trusting Him to show us where to give. Our walk in this matter had somewhat evolved as the months wore on as we strove to simply see Him at work and give as He led. However, this old nag kept bugging me regarding 10%. I did not know if it was just the old hag of religion, or Him speaking. I thought about asking the opinions of several people, but something Craig and I had discussed before came to mind!

“Just ask Him!” Taking the question to the Scripture and simply seeking His words on the subject matter. So I did. I started in Matthew and was looking to see what Jesus had to say about money and giving.

But, I was not finding “the answer” I was looking for. Several weeks in and it just wasn’t coming to me. There were not a-lot of Scriptures screaming out at me, and I was still be nagged in my heart that maybe there was something aloof with my search.

About a week ago it HIT me, and Hit me hard. A quite voice rocked my world and said, “Why are you looking for ’something’ when I AM the answer?”

It all came back full circle. There are topics in Scripture from which we can learn, however, HE in his person is the answer to all our questions. It is in our walk WITH him and listening to His voice that we know where to go and what to do. It is NOT found in the letter of the law but in the ONE who fulfilled the law.

SO here I am again, staring once again at Jesus in all his beauty. And in staring at Him, my issues have found rest in knowing he will direct me in His paths. My only “job” is to Listen and OBEY! aka, Follow Him!

John 5:19-40

I sent this to some friends via email today and wanted to share it with you guys as well.

“If Jesus is powerful enough to save a wretch like me, then His power exceeds all impossibilities that one can imagine. He can heal broken families! He can heal broken bodies! He can move the immovable! He can do the impossible and make far fetched dreams come true.”

We believe in Jesus, but yet are afraid to believe He can do what we consider impossible. What have we placed out there and said it was impossible, and therefore have made our hearts unwilling to believe in what only He can do?

The only thing Jesus will not do (notice it does not say ‘cannot do’), is what you are unwilling to let him do by the attitude of your heart!  ( Mark 10:27, Matthew 13:58)

Absolute surrender can accomplish more than dogged determination!

Have a great week!

God has been speaking to me lately through a few verses. Here are some of them.

Luke 9:23-24 (New International Version)”

²³Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

and Luke 14:26-27

²⁶“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:37-39

³⁷“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25

²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 8:21-22

²¹Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

²²But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

in the Message 8:22 says, “Pursue Life! Follow Me!”

Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

³⁴“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

James 4:13-15 (English Standard Version)

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

What I have started to see is a focus on the words “daily” and “right now”. “Cross” and “Follow”. This got me to thinking maybe it wasn’t in “changing” what I am doing presently and living differently as if I had just a few days, weeks, or months to live. But rather, more of walking daily in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and giving Him (Jesus/God) my all in every moment I was presently living. Maybe it wasn’t so much of doing more service or giving more to ministry, or sharing my faith more. Maybe it was more in living every moment for His glory and knowing He was going to guide me to the perfect situation to give him glory (playing kickball with the kids in the neighborhood. Making an investment with His money. praying with a friend, Having lunch with a fellow believer. being a husband. Typing a blog on my computer. etc.etc.etc….) Learning to live a life in tune with the Holy Spirit! Hearing His words and obeying Him!

Everyday is but a gift from our Creator. And not just a gift of mercy, for I have come to see mercy would be to have me with him NOW. But rather, the gift of today is a gift of Grace. A gift to give to my Daddy, my King, My Lord, My Redeemer, My Savior, to give Him my very best in my service to Him in order to glorify His name. Every breath I breathe on earth is an opportunity to bring glory to His name and to serve Him in gratitude for His gift to me, which is a relationship with Him.

Therefore, I see everyday as an opportunity to live as if it is my last. Not by selling off everything I own and living a life of poverty or in ministry as we define it. Not a chance to do more good deeds to my fellow human beings. Not to give “more” to his work, but rather this:

It is an opportunity to do my absolute best in what He has placed before me that day/moment. If it is service in missions, give it my best for His glory! If it is service in Real Estate, do my very best for His glory! If it is in being a father to my children, do my absolute best for His glory. If it being a husband, be my absolute best for his glory. A friend. Auctioneer. Son. Brother. Companion. Helping Hand. Steward. Whatever it is, doing my best in the moment I am in, ALL for his Glory.

and why?

Because this day, this hour, this moment, might be my very last chance to glorify Him before eternity. My last day to serve Him here on earth. And I believe what He is looking for in my heart is, did I give Him my all, my absolute best, today? If so, glory be to God. If not, may He give grace for the next moment.

I do not think He would have us chose a path this world considers religious, but rather, give Him our absolute best in the path He lays before us today!

I pray He will continue to draw me closer and allow me to give Him my best Right Now!

Thanks for reading!

This morning after my short run ( yes I am trying to run a little these days. mostly to share a passion of Katies. losing a few pounds aint bad either!), I sat down and read John 21! In John’s final chapter of his letter, he listens to Peter who has decided to go fishing. He and the other disciples joined Peter on the boat for a night of fishing. As morning arrived a voice from shore asked if they had caught anything. Answer: NOTHING!

Then, a strange, but also familiar command! “Drop your nets on the other side of the boat!” As they do, the nets fill with a great catch andf John turns to Peter and says, “It’s the Master!” All the sudden, Peter is having a flashback! Remember Luke 5? The day Jesus called Peter James and John to “follow him” and become fishers of men! Peters journey with Jesus had come full circle.

In Peters dispair, he had returned to what he had known BC (before Christ), fishing! And Jesus, just to remind Peter of his greater calling, refreshed Peter with his initial call to be a fisher of men. He performed the same miracle he had done to initially capture Peters attention! You see, Peter was thick headed, but Jesus knew how to get his attention.

And as Peter washes up on shore, Jesus tells him of his calling again, to feed His sheep!

That is where I find myself at times, having to be reminded of His initial call on my life, to simply follow daily, carrying my cross! It is not about my future, or even tomorrow! It is about RIGHT NOW with Jesus! And to know his call on my life, to follow Him and feed His sheep!

Do you have any “thick headed moments?”

Yesterday, I found myself enjoying reading other peoples suggested passages from Scripture. If you had one you mentioned over the past few days, I found myself just relaxing in these words and enjoying them.  Passages like Romans 4:13-15:

^“13It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.” (NIV)

Or how about 1 Timothy 6:6-10:

” ⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (NIV)

How easy it is to fall into this trap! We have so many teachers telling us how to “get rich” or “be wealthy”, retire early, so we can “minister more.” Sorry, I think in light of Scripture, that is all hogwash! Chasing money and wealth to give our kids a “better life” in a world that is “passing away.” And as a friend said this week, “We work long hours to earn money to buy them things they don’t really need or want, what they prefer is simply TIME with us!” How easy that trap is in a world built on money! The more you have, the better you are in this world! That does not seem to translate as true in His kingdom!

but my favorite by far this week was Romans 12:1-2

“¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

What I noticed was how he urged the offering of our “bodies” as a sacrifice! Notice the writer did not mention bringing our logic, our ideas, our brilliant minds, nor anything other than our bodies! God is more interested, evidently, with our submission to obedience than what we can offer to him in the way of knowledge! A stinger to my pride system, but it is His requirement.  And notice, as we lay down our bodies (without bringing our brilliant ideas) He chooses to give us a transforming in the mind so that we will have the mind of Christ (thoughts of God).

BRILLIANT!

Enjoy your weekend! Pursue Life! Follow Christ! (Matthew 8:22 MSG)

This morning I was privileged to meet with some guys for some time in Scripture.  The lesson came from Luke 5.

“   ^{1 -3}Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

⁴When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”

^{5 -7}Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

^{8 -10}Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

^{10 -11}Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.”

I have heard this story spoken on numerous times growing up! How all the sudden the nets were full of fish, or how Jesus had such a huge crowd, he had to seek refuge out on the water. How the nets broke and how we can trust God even when things seem impossible or His commands seem ridiculu0s. Just trust and obey. Or, how people fear God’s presence for how it exposes their sin. And, each lesson has meant a-lot to me growing up.

But, as these lessons were being rehearsed this morning, I was captivated by something else. Someone else. Jesus.

Jesus was always focused on one passion, doing the will of His Father.(John 5:19-20) He was always intent on obeying His Fathers voice! Amazingly in the Gospels, it is apparent over and over that Jesus was always more concerned with the individual vs the crowd or fame. As we read this morning, I started to see something I had missed before. Even though Jesus “preached” to the crowd, His main interest was in one person, Simon!

Notice the story! Proud Simon had just spent an entire night wasted in fruitless effort on the seas. As Jesus walked along the shore, he chose a fisherman and a vessel to push out into the sea to speak to the people. Is it any wonder that he chose the vessel of the man who would become one of the most prominent apostles? Is it any wonder he was there on the day when Simon was feeling utter defeat and failure?

Do you remember Simon Peter? Proud! Boastful! Brash! Can you imagine his state of mind? He was cleaning his nets after a night of failure. A man walks up and ask to use his boat to speak to the crowd. We have no record of his sermon or the reaction of the crowd.  We have no clue as to if they stuck around or just brushed off His words. And, we have no reaction from Jesus regarding the crowd. What we do have, is Jesus turning to the dejected, yet proud, Simon and asking him to shove on out into the deeper water. Once there, he turns to Peter and says “cast out your net!”

Okay,  let me take a Simon Peter stance for a second.  I am a proud fisherman! I am skilled in my work. I have just spent a fruitless night fishing trying to provide for my family, and, I have cleaned my nets! A sign I am finished and going home for some rest. Then, some stranger comes along and ask to borrow my boat and he uses it to preach to some people on the beach. NOW, he is telling me how to do my job? (I hate when people do that to me personally!) This “carpenter / teacher” thinks he knows how to do my job better than me! And, just to prove himself right, he throws the net over thinking, “when I pull this back in and it is empty, this preacher boy can clean them this time!”

Then we know the part where the catch was so big that the nets almost broke. They called in backup and barely make it to shore before the boats go under. As this is going on, proud, brash, powerful Simon has gone to his knees, realizing he is in the presence of someone mightier than he. Holier than he was. He begs Jesus to leave him alone!

However, Jesus responds with a simple, “Do not be afraid!” and an invitation to follow Him. Simon and two more, James and John, drop everything, nets, boats, and the richest catch of their life, and follow Jesus.

Now I know there is more to the story than just one lesson, however, I believe the greatest lesson for us is the fact that Jesus did all this for one man, Simon Peter. And, if he is willing to go to all this to gain one (or three as James and John came too), how far will he go to get you and me to follow him?

Jesus, how amazing!