Dont’t throw in the towel

I’ve been reading a Bible devotional on my You Version Bible app. It’s called “Launch out into the deep!” By Lisa Singh. It gave me some needed encouragement, and I wanted to share it with you. Hopefully, it will give you some encouragement.

We all know that God wants us to live an abundant life. An abundant life comes from talking with God (prayer), seeking Him (reading the Bible), and following His commands (obeying His Word). I don’t know about you, but even when I think I’m doing all of those things, I can still become discouraged.

In Luke chapter five, Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesarat talking to the crowds of people surrounding Him. Jesus saw Simon Peter’s fishing boat and decided to get in it, thinking it might be easier to teach the people from the boat. Jesus asked Simon Peter and his crew to take the boat out a little from the shore. So Simon Peter got in the boat and took Jesus out from the shore. 

When Jesus was finished speaking to the people, he looked at Simon Peter and his crew and told them to take the boat out into the deep and “let down the nets for a catch (verse 4).” Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade with years of experience. I can see him shaking his head back-and-forth as he said something like, “Lord, with all due respect, we’ve been fishing all night and there is nothing to catch.” In fact, he and his crew were exhausted from fishing. But after he told Jesus that, he said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets (verse 5).” According to verse 6, “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.”

This story reminds me of the saying in the above photo. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve become discouraged when I’m trying to live a life for God, or when I’m trying to be that good mom, or when I’m trying to be the loving wife, or when I’m trying to compassionately care for my patients, or when I’m trying to write a good story that tells of God’s love. So many times, I’ve wanted to throw in the towel. Life can be exhausting.

Discouragement affects all of us. The thing is, just when we are on the edge of quitting and want to give up, God speaks to us. He tells us, “No, don’t give up. I am with you, and good things will happen. Trust My timing.” Friend, don’t give up. God hears you and sees you. He understands your feelings of discouragement, your lack of confidence, and your feelings of inadequacy. He says, “Don’t give up. Keep trusting Me. I am helping you. You’re almost there.” Cast your nets out one more time.

Lavender Sky

Lavender Sky

By Denise Janette Bruneau

Now available at Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com

He loves you

I’m not sure about you, but my mood can change from day to day. I know I should be more even-keeled than that, but sometimes the events in this world affect my daily life. I can be feeling as if everything is good in the world, but then something as simple as catching some of the news...or seeing a big bill in the mail…or looking up at the towering pile of laundry to wash, can start my descent into a funk. 

Maybe you can relate to my minor moodiness, or maybe you’re going through a more serious trial…a divorce, the loss of a loved one, depression, or a betrayal. I just want to encourage you today by reminding you that God sees you, He understands you, and He loves you.

“See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.”  Isaiah 49:16a

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him.” Psalm 103:11

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

He never changes

Although we are still having some warm weather, fall is officially here. It will only be a matter of days to a week before the weather cools and then becomes cold, as we prepare for the winter months. The seasons are predictable and we expect them, because God cycles them through each year.

For me, every new season is welcomed. Just as I can’t take the cold of winter any longer, God brings out the sunshine and warmth and bestows spring upon us. Then, just as the hot, humid summer days become almost intolerable, God drops the temperature, and graces us with the cool, crisp air of fall.

Unlike the seasons and everything else in this world, God never changes. He is always the same. His love for you never lessens. His care for you is steadfast. No matter what season of life you are going through today, remember how much God loves you. He wanted me to remind you of this today. He is with you, He wants you, and He loves you so much.

“Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8