Thank you for your continued prayers as our family continues to get settled in WA. I am hopeful to return to weekly devotions starting September 16th.
Lisa Johnston is a delight to all who know her. She is one of my "meaty gals", aka: there is no fluff in her faith! She is also a cheerful servant, an intentional mother and a crown to her husband. I was blessed to meet her four years ago as God put us together in the same discussion group for Bible study. A meaningful and deep friendship developed and it is a joy to serve Him together. We love to encourage each other in our pursuit of God and the ministries He has put in our hearts.
Today Lisa will challenge you with relevant thoughts about reaching the lost, remembering your purpose, and having a heart that is broken over those who don't know Christ. I have encouraged Lisa to enter the blogging world. I'm sure you will agree after reading today's post.
Do you want more from God? Do you pray for God to reveal His will for you and use you for a purpose?
I’ve been restless. Jesus is on the forefront of my mind all the time. Many months I‘ve prayed for more (of Him) and to know what He wants from me. I know He does not need anything from me, but when you love someone you naturally want to serve them.
One of the many things I love about Jesus is He knows everything about me. He knows I have terrible hearing and very bad eye sight. When I pray, He knows how to get my attention.
On a sleepless night recently, I decided to get out of bed and go down stairs to read and pray. When I hit the last step, I smelled rotting fish. I forgot to take out the garbage after our salmon dinner from the night before!
As I rushed the garbage outside, I tripped over the fish net my son was using as a prop for his class speech. I sat down and noticed my Bible next to the fishing vest that our neighbors let him borrow for his speech. I began thinking, Our neighbors are great. They are loving and helpful people to everyone on the street. I just wish they knew Jesus. Suddenly, a verse in Matthew came to my mind: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”.
I repeated this scripture, looked at the fishing vest and knew what God wanted.
You see, it’s easy for me share my faith, invite people to church or wish people were Christian. The hard part is taking the time to recognize the spiritually lost and be devastated enough to do whatever possible to help save them. You might be thinking, I’ll leave the saving to God, but Jesus tells us several times to go, tell, reach, teach, rescue and be ambassadors to the lost.
I’m amazed by what people do (and can do) when someone they care about is physically dying. Think about it. For many, time stops and personal agendas go by the way side. Love and service become sacrificial, tears flow, forgiveness is granted and prayers for God to save never cease.
What is your response when you realize someone is physically dying? How about spiritually dying? Do you feel and act the same? What if we did?
In verse 19 Jesus commands us to be followers of Him “Come, follow Me”. To follow Jesus we must be committed to obeying His words (John 8:31) and have His heart in us. (Galatians 2:20)
He then says, “I will make you” Jesus wants us to become something; something we are not; something we are not comfortable with; something we cannot become on our own. Jesus must be involved changing and transforming us into what He wants us to be.
Why? Because, He wants us to have the same heart’s desire and passion, that He does. He didn’t come to make us happy and comfortable. He came to seek and to save. He came to fish.
There is no greater cause than jumping in the life boat with Jesus and go fishing. If you are asking God for more or praying now what do I do? Just take note of the disciples response, "At once they left their nets and followed Him." It’s time to join Him. Let's go fishing!
I repeated this scripture, looked at the fishing vest and knew what God wanted.
You see, it’s easy for me share my faith, invite people to church or wish people were Christian. The hard part is taking the time to recognize the spiritually lost and be devastated enough to do whatever possible to help save them. You might be thinking, I’ll leave the saving to God, but Jesus tells us several times to go, tell, reach, teach, rescue and be ambassadors to the lost.
I’m amazed by what people do (and can do) when someone they care about is physically dying. Think about it. For many, time stops and personal agendas go by the way side. Love and service become sacrificial, tears flow, forgiveness is granted and prayers for God to save never cease.
What is your response when you realize someone is physically dying? How about spiritually dying? Do you feel and act the same? What if we did?
In verse 19 Jesus commands us to be followers of Him “Come, follow Me”. To follow Jesus we must be committed to obeying His words (John 8:31) and have His heart in us. (Galatians 2:20)
He then says, “I will make you” Jesus wants us to become something; something we are not; something we are not comfortable with; something we cannot become on our own. Jesus must be involved changing and transforming us into what He wants us to be.
Why? Because, He wants us to have the same heart’s desire and passion, that He does. He didn’t come to make us happy and comfortable. He came to seek and to save. He came to fish.
There is no greater cause than jumping in the life boat with Jesus and go fishing. If you are asking God for more or praying now what do I do? Just take note of the disciples response, "At once they left their nets and followed Him." It’s time to join Him. Let's go fishing!
Heart Changing Word:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
"Do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly." Psalm 40:10
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” John 8:31
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Thanks Lisa. Is is great to have a peek into the window of your soul. I like what I see there--God does too.
ReplyDeleteHey Miss Hester Thanks 4 letting my mom share on your blog!
ReplyDeleteoh Lisa...this is a wonderful post! I hope that you have found the strength to follow this and share with the neighbors. This was a wonderful life story, thank you so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI love the heart you have for our Jesus and am so proud to know you! Keep strong and share the faith!