When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:4-5

There is a saying “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  Yet, sometimes we are to do the same thing over and over in the hope that something happens.  We are called to pray repeatedly and continually.  We are called to reach out to people who may not be interested in God. 

In this passage, the fishermen had been out all night with no luck.  They have done the work, yet now Jesus calls them to cast the nets out one more time.  As the passage continues, they catch so many fish the nets nearly break.  Jesus uses this miracle to show Simon Peter that he and the others will soon fish for people.

The difference between the men fishing all night long without any catch versus Jesus calling them out one more time?  Jesus is with them, and they are following what He tells them to do.

In your journey this week, listen to what Jesus is calling you to do, be obedient and watch the results.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁰And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” ¹¹In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Luke 3:10

We have been going through the house and packing up things we no longer use.  This includes clothing, DVD’s (yes, even video tapes), toys, books and anything else.  Some things go directly to people we know, others get donated.  It is a long process, but we need to thin things out.  It is amazing how many things one can collect over time.

In response to their baptism, people begin to ask John “how should we live” and John gives them some simple instructions.  If you have extra, give it to someone who has need.  If we all did this, even if only to clean out our closets, we could meet many needs in our communities, although there is a much better reason.

There are a lot of needs out there.  There are many struggling with many things and we can all help.  If we take the attitude of sharing what we have without judgement, we are doing God’s work.  This same attitude can then grow beyond your and my household, affecting all peoples of the earth.

Do you have an extra coat?  Share it with one who has none for that act of giving can move mountains.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

²¹“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ ²²But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:21-22

Jesus is telling us something important here.  The commandment says “Thou shalt not murder” but He extends that to far more.  Jesus is saying we need to work things out with each other, to reconcile with each other, or perhaps to love each other.

This is where Jesus takes the law and applies it to our hearts.  It is so far much more than following a bunch of commandments and statutes, it is about our relationships with each other.

In this politically volatile season listen to the words of Jesus.  Watch your anger, work things out, reconcile and above all, love one another as He has loved us.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

One of the frequent questions to a pastor is this: “Does God still speak to us?”  I always respond “Yes, but are we listening?” 

Deep down you know the voice.  When you listen very carefully you can discern between your own wants and desires and what God wants.  Not to say our wants and desires are wrong, but we need to be very careful to wrap them up in God.  Yet when we listen carefully and prayerfully, we know the voice of the Shepherd.

What is the Lord calling you to do today?  What is He asking of you?  Listen carefully for you will know His voice.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

Imagine how wonderful life would be if we did this.  Just take a moment and think about it, if everyone, instead of getting so upset about things, would stop, listen (truly listen), not think about how to respond while the other person is talking, and not get so angry about everything.

We live in trying times, especially as the election approaches.  It seems like so many people are not listening, rather just talking over each other and getting angry.  Then we have world situations with constant battles and truly horrifying news every day.  This, of course can make us quite angry.  But what comes of that anger?  Does our anger change anything, or just cause more issues with those around us?

How can we change these things?  We can pray and then be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, then pray some more, for that is the way of the Lord.

Peace,

Pastor Bill