Nets

“Jesus called out to them,“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20 NLT)

When Jesus called his disciples, they left their nets behind. These nets represented their way of life. They were fishermen . This was their area of expertise, what made them feel competent, productive, and independent.

Disciples are students who commit themselves to following a teacher. They apprentice themselves to their master, adhering to his side--listening, interacting, obeying, learning, emulating. Eventually, their teacher’s ways start to rub off on them, and they become more and more like him.

Discipleship requires us to give up our individuality. We are no longer slaves to our own whims. We are disciplined, committed, and focused. We identify with our Master. Our ideas are influenced by His ideas. Our methods are conformed to His methods. Our character is shaped by His character. As we learn to depend on the Master, we grow more productive and competent in unseen ways. We relinquish separateness for likeness to Christ.

Twisted Scriptures

“The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91.” (Matthew 4:5 MSG)

As William Shakespeare said: “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” Quoting scripture to persuade others is nothing new. People of all faith backgrounds have been manipulated to do things that are harmful to themselves and others in the name God. Bible verses have been used to defend slavery, genocide, discrimination, and child abuse. Certain verses from the Quran have been exploited to justify terrorism and the subjugation of women. Hindu texts have been utilized to condone child marriages.

When someone attempts to manipulate you into doing evil by using twisted scriptures, how can you counteract it? Jesus was able to stand firm and respond appropriately because of his deep understanding of scripture. We can follow his example. The only way to defend against a skilled enemy is to learn to use your weapons well. This requires knowledge, practice, and determination. Do not be satisfied with other people’s interpretations of scripture. Study it for yourself. Ask God to reveal what you need to learn. Write it out; analyze it; pray with it; internalize it. Once we learn to use the weapons that have been provided, we can fight back against the invisible spiritual forces and unseen powers of darkness.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11 MSG)

Spirit Lead Me

“Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.” (Psalm 143:10 MSG)

Where are you going? What are you going to do? How will you manage?

Questions about the unknown confound us. Uncertainty produces anxiety, especially when we feel like we have to figure out everything on our own. We don’t have to. When we try to manage things, it doesn’t take long before we realize our limitations. When we choreograph our life, we end up with an amateurish version of what it could be. Some of us are content with this graceless life.  BUT, God wants more for us. God intends for us to live a life free from fear, in complete dependence and trust. He wants to lead us beyond our failures, beyond our capacities--to clear and level pastureland. God wants us to know that He is in charge, and He is good.

Spirit of God, lead us to uncluttered, open spaces where we can focus on pleasing You. Spirit of Truth, draw us to what is real, away from all that is fake. Spirit of Light, guide us to clarity, and protect us from stumbling. Teach us to do Your will. Grant us firm footing. Keep us upright and safe.

Negative Space

“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.” (1 Timothy 4:4 NLT)

In artistic compositions, negative space is the empty space around an object. It defines the borders of positive space and draws attention to it. For example, a single flower on a white surface catches one’s attention. However, if the surface is cluttered with lots of different things, it is hard to appreciate the flower.

When I pray, I often focus on what I’m lacking. I rarely appreciate these negative spaces. I forget that these gaps define and draw attention to the positive things in life. When I am sick, I am able to cherish the days when I am healthy. When I am hungry, lonely, distressed, tired, or sad, I am able to give thanks for the times I am not. When I get depressed about all that is wrong with this world, I am able to acknowledge all that is right with this world. I am grateful for the negatives, because they call attention to the blessings. My emptiness, my areas of deficiency, my vulnerability--all draw me closer to God. I realize how dependent I am, how needy I am.

Lord, my insufficiencies merely serve to highlight Your sufficiency. Thank You for taking care of my needs.

Joy

“Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!” (John 16:24 MSG)

What is joy? How is it different from happiness?

Joy is a deep contentment derived from an unshakable confidence in God. It is not based on our circumstances.  It can coexist with sorrow. It does not waver in the midst of trials and afflictions.

Hope is a precursor to joy. When we have a perfect relationship with Christ, we are able to trust Him completely. We are able to accept whatever comes, because we have placed all our expectations in Him.

Joy is a side effect of intimacy with God. It is a supernatural expression of the Holy Spirit within us. It cannot be manufactured by our own efforts or achievements. However, we can ask for the gift of joy, despite our circumstances and powerlessness.  Ask, in the name of Jesus, according to His will, and we shall have abundant, overflowing joy.

In the name of Jesus, I ask that the Holy Spirit may express joy through me.

Post-Traumatic Ministry

“Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” (Matthew 4:11 ESV)

Yesterday  on my way to church, I saw a homeless guy standing on the street corner holding a sign that said he was a veteran soldier. He had two prosthetic legs. I saw two well-groomed guys walking up to the homeless guy and speaking to him in a friendly manner. It was obvious that these two were not homeless by their clothes and mannerisms. One of them had a military-issued, camouflage backpack, so I’m assuming the two newcomers were also soldiers at some time. It looked like they were trying to help the homeless veteran. The whole scene touched me, and it got me thinking...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most often associated with soldiers. Military combat can scar a person’s psyche long after the battle is over. After a traumatic experience, it is natural to feel stuck in hopelessness and helplessness. However, soldiers are not the only ones who go through PTSD. All of us experience periods of tribulation and trial. How can we minister to each other during and after spiritual battles?

When I have gone through times of suffering, God has sent me angels in the form of friends. Mostly they just listen. Sometimes they whisper: “me too...I’ve gone through that too.” I’m deeply comforted to know I am not alone. They continue to check up on me. Their consistent support makes me feel like I am not forgotten. They cheer me on as I take each step forward. They console me when I relapse back into despondency. They encourage me to keep moving and not get stuck in negativity.

Stand Your Ground

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14 NLT)

Defectors are never seen as noble heroes in any culture. It is not honorable for a soldier to run away in the midst of battle, even if he is overwhelmed. Yet, more often than not, when faced with the prospect of conflict, most of us choose to abandon our post rather than stand our ground. When things get difficult, we abandon our jobs, marriages, and homes. When things don’t go as we planned, we lose hope. When our prayers are not answered, we withdraw from God.

What enables us to stand our ground and fight life’s battles? Some people seem to be born with innate courage and perseverance. I’m not one of them. I come from a long line of people who would rather start fresh than deal with messy situations. I don’t like conflict. I try to avoid it as much as I can.

However, I have learned to defend my territory, my sacred space. This encompasses everybody and everything I hold dear--my faith, my loved ones, my home, my health, my convictions, and my way of life.

Over the years, I have adapted a few strategies that help me persevere. First of all, I admit to myself that this urge to flee is a weakness. I don’t try to pass it off as apathy or just wanting to get a fresh start. I gird myself with truth instead of living under pretenses and false messages. I ask God to shield me and guide me. I pray for courage, discernment, and a sense of purpose. I wait for the Holy Spirit to empower me with inner strength and fortitude. I have faith that God will help me grow into the kind of person He wants me to be. Finally, I stand my ground, willing to deal with whatever comes. For the the battle is not mine, but God’s.