It Only Takes a Moment to Change Your Life

 A Series on Lent
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 5:1-11

[Lent gives us an opportunity to step back and pause to recognize our humanity and sinful nature. The Lenten season reminds us of our need for a Savior as a time to reflect and repent for our shortcomings. It is an opportunity to recognize the human condition we may spend the rest of the year running from and bring our need for a Savior to the forefront. Lent prepares us as we approach Good Friday and Easter with thanksgiving for the grace and mercy shown to us.]

  

It only takes a moment to change your life. For me, one of those life-changing moments occurred in high school when I was in the process of deciding what college to attend. When I told the guidance counselor that I wanted to be a geologist, he said, in no uncertain terms, “Well then, you need to go to Michigan Tech”. So I did.

 

Peter had one of those moments too. His occurred while he was at his job. After fishing all night, he was cleaning the nets. Nearby, Jesus was speaking to a crowd so large that he asked Peter to take his boat out in the water again so that he could speak from his boat in order to be heard by all the people.

 

When he was finished, Jesus asked Peter to go out to the deep water to fish again, even though they hadn’t caught anything the night before. But, because it was Jesus who asked, Peter did it. Here’s what happened after Peter caught so many fish that two boats could barely bring them to shore.

 

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.                        NIV

 

You would be hard pressed to convince me that Peter was a touchy-feely kind of guy; somebody who was introspective or easily impressed. No, not at all. He was a take charge kind of guy who acted first, and then thought about it later… maybe.

 

But, what was the impact of that brief moment between Jesus and Peter? How did it change Peter’s life?

 

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.      NIV

 

Lent is a time for drawing close to our Lord. Sometimes that can happen by fasting and prayer. But sometimes it happens in a less conventional manner… like at work fishing. The Lord is not limited by how or where He speaks to us. It could be through a life experience; a book; a movie; a friend. All we need to do is listen.

 

After all, it only takes a moment to change your life.

 

 

Living in the Wilderness

 A Series on Lent
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
Mark 1:9-13; Matthew 4:1-11

[Lent is the traditional 40-day observance leading up to Easter Sunday in which Christians fast, pray, and prepare spiritually for a time of reverence and adoration of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The period of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and concludes with Holy Saturday.]

  

Forty days is a long time to be living in the wilderness by yourself while you’re fasting. Your mind can play tricks on you. You’re more vulnerable to temptations; to the urges of your basic desires. Besides extreme hunger, you can feel angry, lonely and tired; all of which are triggers for temptation.

 

John had just baptized Jesus. His Heavenly Father had affirmed him in the most loving way. The Spirit immediately led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested. It was an important time for Jesus to prepare for what lay ahead of him; to draw as close as possible to his Father; to gain strength for the impending battle.

 

I’m guessing that during his forty days of fasting and preparation, he had a lot on his mind. He may not have known all the specifics of the next three years, but he knew that he was to become the sacrificial Lamb. He knew the end would not be pretty, or pleasant. So as he faced the temptations of Satan, he may very well have been obsessing about his future.

 

When he was tempted to turn stones into bread, he may have wondered what similar temptations he would experience in the future. Would he face the triggers of being hungry, angry, lonely and tired?

 

When he was tempted to test his Father, did he wonder if maybe, just this one time, it would be okay in order to give him a little extra boost in his faith? After all, Gideon had given the Lord multiple tests before he obeyed. Why couldn’t Jesus?

 

When he was offered all the kingdoms of the world, wouldn’t this be a really great safety net for when he was arrested and passed from King Herod to Pilate to the chief priests and to the merciless crowd? For sure, having power over the kingdoms could prevent him from immeasurable suffering.

 

Of course, there’s no way to prove that these thoughts ran through Jesus’ mind during his forty days in the wilderness. But living in the wilderness does bring its share of difficult times and temptations; much like living in the wilderness of our world today. For you and me, the question becomes, how do we respond to these temptations?

 

During the coming forty days of Lent, take time to pause; to read Scripture, to meditate, to journal and to pray. Ask the Lord to reveal himself to you, and to draw you closer to him. Then, may you hear your Heavenly Father say the same words to you as he said to Jesus.

 

¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”        NIV

 

 

 

By Comparison

 Continuing a Series on “Living by Faith”
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
1 Samuel 12:1-11; Hebrews 11:32-34

[Hebrews 11 is a recounting of the Heroes of the Faith. Each person is commended for living “by faith”. Following these commendations we read, “Therefore, because you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses… throw off sin; run with perseverance; fix your eyes on Jesus”. In other words, continue to live “by faith”.]

We live in a world that thrives on comparison. It starts at an early age. Mothers compare
their babies. Students compare their grades. Employees compare their paycheck, or the possessions bought with it. Throughout our lives, the message is clear; compare yourself to others to see how you stack up. It’s human nature.

 

Samuel grew up in a relatively good home. His parents observed all the religious traditions of Israel. In fact, his Mother Hannah, dedicated him to the Lord. As a result, he served as a priest, a prophet and a judge.

 

As a priest, he served in the Tabernacle with Eli. As a prophet, the Lord spoke to him when He wasn’t speaking to anyone else. As a judge, Samuel led Israel against the Philistines, and back to the Lord.

 

Samuel was even spoken of in the same breath as Moses. It doesn’t get any better than that. Unless you consider the fact that he is also mentioned in Hebrews 11 as a Hero of the Faith. By all accounts, Samuel was a very impressive guy. All of Israel could not lodge a complaint against him.

 

³ Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the Lord and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody's cow or anybody's donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken.” ⁴ The people answered, “No, you have not cheated us or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone.”         NLT

 

If I compare myself to Samuel, I’m not him… but I am Joe. And the Lord created me with unique gifts, desires and experiences that perfectly fit His plan for my life. This is confirmed to me, when I read the words of David in Psalm 139.

 

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful, I know that full well.     NIV

 

Samuel was not perfect, but he did trust the Lord throughout his life. We can take heart from this and follow his example. And in the same way that the Lord was faithful to Samuel, He is faithful to you, and to me.

 

Therefore, let us live by faith… not by comparison.

 

 

The Rings of a Tree

 Continuing a Series on “Living by Faith”
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
2 Samuel 7:1-29; Hebrews 11:32-34

[Hebrews 11 is a recounting of the Heroes of the Faith. Each person is commended for living “by faith”. Following these commendations we read, “Therefore, because you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses… throw off sin; run with perseverance; fix your eyes on Jesus”. In other words, continue to live “by faith”.]

  

You’ve probably heard before that the rings of a tree can tell you how old it is. But, did you know that you could also learn the history of a tree’s life? According to International Paper, you can actually learn the following from the rings of a tree:

A tree that’s happy, getting lots of sunshine and rain, will show rings that are relatively broad, and evenly spaced.

A tree’s rings that appear wider on one side than the other may indicate that something pushed against the tree as it was growing. The tree will build “reaction wood” to help support the side that’s leaning.

A fire in the forest can be easily seen by scarring on the tree’s bark. Year by year, the tree will create more and more wood to cover the scar, but it’s there to see in the tree’s history.

Reading this makes me wonder if we as humans, don’t have something similar to “rings of a tree” within us. Something that shows the scars or happiness or stress of life.

 

David experienced all of these starting as an outcast shepherd boy; defeating Goliath; running from Saul; being anointed king of Israel; defeating Israel’s enemies; sleeping with Bathsheba; and then, having her husband killed. David’s life was all over the map, both good and bad. No doubt he had some “interesting” rings.

 

In 2 Samuel 7, there’s an amazing promise to David from the Lord.

 

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you… ¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”          NIV

 

The Lord had a plan for David’s life. And not only for him, but his children, and his children’s children and their children; eventually crossing over the millennia to Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

 

The Lord also has a plan for you, and for me. One day at a time; one year at a time; one experience at a time; from generation to generation; the “rings of the tree” can be seen. Let us pray like David to our Sovereign Lord.

 

²⁰ What more can I say to you! You know me, your servant. ²¹ It was your will and purpose to do this; you have done all these great things in order to instruct me. ²² How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God.          GNT