Apr 2010
Following
Apr 19, 2010
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become i fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
-Mark 1:16-20
Sometimes we forget those first followers of Jesus had friends, families, and family responsibilities. I can imagine the questions that arose as Simon, Andrew, James and John communicated their decisions to follow Jesus:
"What do you mean you are leaving? Where are you going? Who is this guy named Jesus? Why follow him? Who is going to take your spot on the fishing fleet? How will you survive? When will you be back?"
The questions go on and on but the questions didn't detour them from following. As I read these passages, I reflected on my own personal call to full time Christian service and my past 25 plus years of ministry. As I reflected, I was reminded that with the call to follow always comes questions, but following Jesus isn't about security. It's about obedience.
Looking back on your own life, what has the faith journey cost you? For Simon, Andrew, James and John, the cost of following meant walking away from what they knew and the security of family, finance and potential future to enter the unknown. However, God would honor their courage to obey and use them to leave a Heritage of Faith as each of them would become not only followers but fishers of men.
-Pastor Sidney
-Mark 1:16-20
Sometimes we forget those first followers of Jesus had friends, families, and family responsibilities. I can imagine the questions that arose as Simon, Andrew, James and John communicated their decisions to follow Jesus:
"What do you mean you are leaving? Where are you going? Who is this guy named Jesus? Why follow him? Who is going to take your spot on the fishing fleet? How will you survive? When will you be back?"
The questions go on and on but the questions didn't detour them from following. As I read these passages, I reflected on my own personal call to full time Christian service and my past 25 plus years of ministry. As I reflected, I was reminded that with the call to follow always comes questions, but following Jesus isn't about security. It's about obedience.
Looking back on your own life, what has the faith journey cost you? For Simon, Andrew, James and John, the cost of following meant walking away from what they knew and the security of family, finance and potential future to enter the unknown. However, God would honor their courage to obey and use them to leave a Heritage of Faith as each of them would become not only followers but fishers of men.
-Pastor Sidney
Fishing
Apr 12, 2010
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
-Matt. 4:18-20
While we were in the mountains this past week on a family vacation, we ended up hunting down some tubes and taking the kids tubing down the river several times. The water could have been a little warmer, but it was doable if you could make it past the loss of breath the first few minutes in the water. However, not only did we tube, but I got a chance to go fishing and catch a fish or two.
When we choose to follow Christ, Jesus tells us He will teach us how to fish. He does that by taking our willingness to follow then matching it with all the stuff in life that we face: the job, marriage, finances, relationships, etc. Our Heavenly Father then shapes our lives in such a way that we are perfectly positioned in someone else’s life so we can be the fisher of men on their behalf.
In otherwords, God has positioned us and will position us to be in the right place at the right time. God says, "to those things in life that seem mundane and temporary, I will bring eternal value. To ALL those things that you have experienced, I am going to use all of that stuff to perfectly position you so that if you follow me, you will learn to become a fisher of men".
True followers will eventually fish if they are followers. Where will you fish this week?
-Pastor Sidney
-Matt. 4:18-20
While we were in the mountains this past week on a family vacation, we ended up hunting down some tubes and taking the kids tubing down the river several times. The water could have been a little warmer, but it was doable if you could make it past the loss of breath the first few minutes in the water. However, not only did we tube, but I got a chance to go fishing and catch a fish or two.
When we choose to follow Christ, Jesus tells us He will teach us how to fish. He does that by taking our willingness to follow then matching it with all the stuff in life that we face: the job, marriage, finances, relationships, etc. Our Heavenly Father then shapes our lives in such a way that we are perfectly positioned in someone else’s life so we can be the fisher of men on their behalf.
In otherwords, God has positioned us and will position us to be in the right place at the right time. God says, "to those things in life that seem mundane and temporary, I will bring eternal value. To ALL those things that you have experienced, I am going to use all of that stuff to perfectly position you so that if you follow me, you will learn to become a fisher of men".
True followers will eventually fish if they are followers. Where will you fish this week?
-Pastor Sidney
Ministry in the Work Place
Apr 06, 2010
After celebrating Easter, our hearts are centered around the power of the resurrection and living with power and confidence. This devotional below reminds us of the opportunities of ministry in our places of work.
"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people...." - Haggai 2:2
Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah 60 years after the great temple built by Solomon had been destroyed. The temple lay in ruins, and the Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Hag. 1:4) God was calling for a remnant of His people to come out of their comfort zones and restore the glory of God's house.
God is doing this same thing today among Christian workplace believers throughout the world. He is raising up a remnant of workplace believers who are being handpicked to use their resources, skills, and experience to affect nations that have not heard the message of Jesus Christ. The only way they can hear is by commerce being brought into their nation through Christian workplace believers, because these are closed regions to normal missionary efforts.
"But now be strong, O Zerubbabel," declares the Lord. "Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear" (Haggai 2:4-5).
The remnant of workplace believers God is calling today understand that they have to come out of Egypt from their past work life. Egypt signifies the way of the world. It represents sweat and toil. It is the flesh. This new way is exemplified by a pioneer spirit. God knows we need to have courage in order to move in this realm. Also, God assures us that His Spirit is with anyone who seeks to live in the realm of supernatural faith.
Are you one of these remnants He has handpicked in these days? Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year. Then act and "be strong, all you people of the land."
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.
"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people...." - Haggai 2:2
Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah 60 years after the great temple built by Solomon had been destroyed. The temple lay in ruins, and the Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Hag. 1:4) God was calling for a remnant of His people to come out of their comfort zones and restore the glory of God's house.
God is doing this same thing today among Christian workplace believers throughout the world. He is raising up a remnant of workplace believers who are being handpicked to use their resources, skills, and experience to affect nations that have not heard the message of Jesus Christ. The only way they can hear is by commerce being brought into their nation through Christian workplace believers, because these are closed regions to normal missionary efforts.
"But now be strong, O Zerubbabel," declares the Lord. "Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear" (Haggai 2:4-5).
The remnant of workplace believers God is calling today understand that they have to come out of Egypt from their past work life. Egypt signifies the way of the world. It represents sweat and toil. It is the flesh. This new way is exemplified by a pioneer spirit. God knows we need to have courage in order to move in this realm. Also, God assures us that His Spirit is with anyone who seeks to live in the realm of supernatural faith.
Are you one of these remnants He has handpicked in these days? Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year. Then act and "be strong, all you people of the land."
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.
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