As You Are

As You Are

John 21: ¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

¹⁴ This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

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Thinking I had to be just like other people, I mimicked several folk’s moves. I wore the styles of one person, talked like another, and discussed car desires of another. An observer, who knew me before I started mimicking, asked “What are you doing?” I said I wanted to be successful. They replied, “Just be yourself.”

• At one point I thought I did not have what it took to be successful.
• At one point I thought I had to be like someone else, because I felt the way I was could not possibly be successful.
• At one point I desired to be successful, but was scared that people would see my flaws.

Peter came to his senses and started helping drag the huge catch of fish to shore. Not only did they catch one hundred and fifty-three fish, something amazing happened. The net did not break. The net was just as it was before, but did amazing things.

• GOD wants to use me just as I am.
• GOD wants to do amazing things through me without needing me to be someone else.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIS power and only I can reach a certain group of people HE has given to me.

When JESUS called HIS disciples, HE never said, “Change for ME” rather HE said “Follow ME.” This bold statement enables me to remain who I am, yet follow HIS examples. HE also takes care of the miracles. The miracle of the net shows me HE can take my pitiful efforts and use them for miraculous things. I am glad GOD delivers, every time, in miraculous ways.

• Do you feel inadequate?
• Do you think you cannot possibly be used for something large?
• Will you stop thinking it is your power that makes you succeed rather GOD’s power?

Taken Care Of

Taken Care Of

John 21: ⁷ Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. ⁸ But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. ⁹ Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

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Waiting in line at the toll nearest work, my mind raced with the projects I was working on. I finally stopped thinking long enough to notice the car in front of me was taking longer than normal. “What is taking them so long?” I said out loud impatiently to myself. When I got to the toll window, the person said “You can go through. The person ahead of you paid your toll.”

• There were times when I received more than I gave.
• There were times when I received an unexpected windfall.
• There were times when I received something wonderful that I did not deserve.

JESUS filled the nets of the disciples after they abandoned the idea of following HIM. I mean, HE was dead. Would you blame them? One disciple recognized JESUS on the shore and told Peter, who immediately jumped in the water to get to JESUS. He abandoned the great catch, seeking what he had been looking for. JESUS had even more fish and bread for them.

• GOD wants to bless me wildly.
• GOD wants to give me abundant life.
• GOD wants to see me elated within HIS mighty will.

In the middle of discouragement, JESUS appears, ready to pick me up to serve HIM. HE guides me to a plan that I usually do not understand. Something as simple as smiling when everyone is frowning may seem powerless, BUT GOD uses it to disarm those who are battling with HIM.

JESUS knows exactly what I want and need, HE wants me to be excited enough to jump in and follow HIM. HE has given me plenty and has even more to give to me. HE has taken care of me and all my situations.

• Are you in a period where your faith is waning?
• Do you see only trouble around you?
• Will you open your eyes and see the mighty hand of GOD, protecting you, guiding you and giving to you today?

Personal Fuel

Luke 5 : ⁴ When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

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“There is no way I can accomplish that” I said to myself. I looked at my resources and assessed my intellectual prowess and concluded the task at hand was too large for me. “Can you do it?” was the questioned posed to me again. Sadly I said “No.”

There were times when I thought “I” was in control.

There were times when I depended on “my” knowledge.

There were times when I believed in “my” strength.

Simon (Peter) was told to go fish after unsuccessfully fishing all night. He was a professional fisherman who probably had caught many fish and knew when he was not going to have a good day. JESUS knew something different.

GOD tells me to believe the unbelievable.

GOD tells me to have faith in HIM rather than what I see.

GOD tells me to trust in HIS power rather than thinking “I” have all the answers.

Having faith in GOD means letting go of “my” power. If I believe in “me” and “my” abilities, then I may not have room for GOD to take care of the situation. Only when I toil to the point of exhaustion, do I call on GOD. HE wants me to add HIM first when I make my plans. I get my fuel from GOD.

Are you exhausted?

Do you think you need to fix everything?

Can you let GOD handle your situation and give you strength to do what HE wants you to do today?