:: To Worship Him ::

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was simon’s. and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:1-4)

The next verse shows the exasperation in Simon’s voice as he says, “Master, we have been out here fishing all night long and we didn’t catch a thing. But………..if you say so, we’ll let out the nets.” And the story continues, Simon did launch out in deeper waters, dropped the nets, and in seconds the nets were running over with fish. I am sure Simon had some reservations about obeying the Master since his trade was fishing. It was one in which he was extremely capable and yet here was this man giving him orders. Simon was probably surprised that he didn’t question but quickly obeyed those orders. Jesus said to Simon, “Simon, don’t be afraid, for from this moment on you will be catching people.”

Jesus was showing not only how to catch fish in deep waters, but also calling Simon and his fishing partners to take on greater challenges, greater risks, even to joining Jesus in His mission to save the world. The catch of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing gear were overlooked; but all were used to bring in the fish. We learn from this story that it takes a community to enter into the missions of Jesus. We learn that there is no power in the means of ourselves apart from the presence of Jesus? We only travel in the miraculous when Jesus is in the boat. The Word of God says that “without Him we can do nothing.” But with Jesus Christ we can do all things!

Let us launch out into deeper water, unafraid, trusting our Lord. As we look to Jesus, out labors will not be in vain. When we work in His mission field, we can toil endlessly knowing that He who calls us into His work will surely fill our nets with fish!

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Someone said that people seek guidance from God instead of seeking the God of Guidance, and that there’s a world of difference between the two. Too many of us want the counsel of God but we want it to come from another source than our own prayer life. We would rather be told what to do because it is easier. We seek the recipe for today rather than the recipe for a month or a lifetime.

John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” That means that we have enough to fulfill God’s will for our lives. We may not be rich, as the world defines wealth, but we will have abundance and overflowing riches according to His Word.

What are all these things that shall be added to us? They are the goods that we need in the here and now. God has made provisions for everything that we need. For every need there is a promise which we can build our hope and faith on. He is Jehovah God, Our Provider.

A true story is told of the citizens of Feldkirch, Austria. They didn’t know what to do for Napoleon’s huge and massive army was preparing to attack them. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church. The pastor rose and said, “Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us.

The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left.

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider, Your grace is sufficient for me! As I seek You first, You will supply all of my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Glory!

In 1 Samuel 12 we read about a window in the life of King Saul. He was Commander-in-Chief of Israel as well as the Israelite Army. Sometime into his reign, he began to suit-up the military, hoping to free his people from the controls and abuse of the Philistines. Soon after Saul sent out the alert to the military, the prophet Samuel sent word to Saul to hold-up in Gilgal for seven days until he, Samuel, could return in order to sacrifice to the Lord on Saul’s behalf before the planned battle.

In the meantime, word spread that the Philistine army continued to grow in number and in power. This caused Saul to become increasingly anxious. When the seventh day came and Samuel had not shown up, added stress was put upon Saul. His troops began to desert the ranks, the soldiers were murmuring about his ability to lead them, and because the enemy was multiplying they were all in panic. Saul made an erroneous executive decision. He violated Samuel’s directive and offered a sacrifice to God in Samuel’s place. This violated the Law of God. Not good! No sooner than he had finished offering the sacrifice, Samuel arrived on the scene, just as he had said.

‘But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:11,12

When Saul defended himself by saying, “I forced myself,” Samuel answered back, “Your foolish actions have cost you the Kingdom.” Ouch! We have to have mixed feelings for Saul. He should have known better , but how can we judge when we have faced choices and likewise violated the Law of God? The wisdom is to not let pressure force us into hasty actions and decisions. It reminds me of high pressure sales people. They tell you we must buy immediately or the deal is off. Beware! When we are pressured to hastily react, we must take a deep breath, withdraw, count to 1000, and pray! Haste makes waste!

I recently read a report that says that the American church faces a formidable challenge because many Americans don’t know what they believe or why. That we often base our faith on our experiences or upbringing rather than the Word of God. We say that we place a valuable importance on the Bible, but few read it. Because the Church is partially illiterate, it causes so many to grope around in the dark grasping for direction and truth where it can be found. That can be very dangerous!

Here are some points that help us better discern from the Bible God’s direction for our lives. In order for these to work and be effective in our lives, we must open our Bibles, study, and pour over God’s Word.

PRINCIPLES. We need to look for Biblical principles when we search the Scriptures. Some decisions are automatic. For instance, we know that we are to financially support our local church. (Luke 10:7)

PATTERNS. We learn from characteristics and patterns of God and how He has dealt with His people through the ages. We see things that please Him and things that displease Him.

PEOPLE. We learn how others have responded to certain things. We learn consequences of certain people’s actions and habits from the testimonies and history recorded in God’s Word.

PROPHETIC PARALLELS. Certain passages that we read will witness to our lives. We learn as we are sensitive in our readings. The Holy Spirit can bring forth truths as we study and pour over God’s Word.

Joshua 1:8 tells us “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

I think we all want to live a successful life. A life that counts for the good of others and one pleasing to God. Jesus said in a prayer to the Father, “I glorified You on earth by completing down to the last detail what You assigned Me to do.” John 17:4 My, what a legacy! As we commit ourselves to the studying of God’s Word, it guarantees us success. As we give in to obeying God’s Word, we will in time discover the success and fulfillment that His Word brings.

“Lord, I place my faith in Your Word today. Help me not to allow anyone or anything to take Your place as my Counselor and Teacher.”

1 John 2:15,16 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.”

There are three basic motives that stir up fleshly responses rather than Spirit-led responses. The lust of the flesh craves pleasure. The lust of the eyes desires possession, and the pride of life hungers for position. Ever since creation these three have lured away mankind from Godly decisions and lifestyles. Adam and Eve were the first to experience this enticement. Satan used the same temptations on Jesus. Praise God! Jesus didn’t fall for it. He refused by quoting, “It is written!” We must do the same.

When we encounter these temptations we must ask ourselves these key questions:

Does this fulfill fleshly pleasures? The pleasure that God is opposed to is the kind that feeds our fleshly lusts. People seek pleasure through sex, money, work, addictions, even food. Anything that substitutes for an intimate relationship with God is undesirable. God’s desire is for us to look to Him first, not to worldly pleasures to fill the hole in our hearts that only He can fill.

Do I think this will bring me security or esteem? When we seek security or esteem by living in the biggest house, driving the fanciest car or other status possessions, we will eventually lust for them. When we seek things we will never be satisfied with them for they will not satisfy. Too many have fallen into the trap and became so consumed with their lust that they even took dishonest steps to fulfill their lust.

Am I seeking to promote myself? God says that He will open our doors of opportunity. He will exalt us in due time (1 Peter 5:6). The question lies in who is doing the promoting. Are we seeking to promote ourselves or is it God? Our flesh loves the influence and respect that comes with certain exalted positions. When we have been raised up by other means than God, we are a sure set-up for a fall.

If we are delighting ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. (Psalm 37:4) He will direct our steps. The more we abide in Him, in His presence, the greater the probability that our inner conviction will be right and Godly….The opposite is true. The less we abide in the Lord, the more we will mix fleshly desires and habits with spiritual things.