Oct 08
Today’s Truth
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:4-5, NIV)
Friend to Friend
I promised myself that when I grew up and became a parent, I would never ever tell my kids that they had to do something simply “because I said so.” I broke that promise. One day, my parenting frustration level was on overload. I had run out of good responses. I heard the words come out of my mouth, but I could not believe I had actually said them. “Just do it! I am your mother and I said so!” Can you relate?
I’ve been studying Luke, chapter 5:1-11 this week. The phrase that keeps coming up in my spirit is Simon Peter telling Jesus, “because You say so.” In the Greek, it is the word that I have come to love. It is “rhema” which refers to the times God gives you a personal word. You see, God gave Simon a personal word to push out into the deep waters and let down his net for a catch. No other explanation. He didn’t give Peter any other details. God was basically telling Simon Peter to “just trust Me and the results will be unimaginable”.
So, I want you to know that the personal word God has given you is a call to action. He wants you to push out into the deep waters of your circumstances and let down your net for a catch. He is going to do something amazing! Just trust Him with all the details. He already has it all figured out. He’ll be in the boat with you no matter where the storm-tossed seas take you, whether you are close to the safety of the shore, or out in the deep and terrifying uncharted waters. He’ll give you everything you need to survive and thrive.
You may or may not know how to “fish.” It doesn’t matter. He knows how to fish even better than you do. You may think you’ve done it His way in the past and it didn’t work. Oh, if you are like me, you have a new plan that you are convinced guarantees success. Have you felt that way before about one of your plans? How did that work out for you?
Now is the time to trust God. I’m talking about the kind of trust that is total abandonment, no safety net below, no exit in sight, and a plan that does not seem to make sense. You are not trusting the plan. You are trusting the Plan Maker.
I have been wrestling with God about a major decision in my life. I do not want to do what He is asking me to do. It makes no sense at all. Like Peter, I need to remember that when God calls my name, I need to follow Him … simply because He said so.
Let’s Pray
Lord, I’ll push out into the deep and let down my net for a catch. I choose now to trust You and the plan You have for my life. I will take action on the promise You have given me. I praise You now for the victory!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
I have used this faith acrostic for years.
F Forsaking
A All
I I
T Trust
H Him
Spend some time with your Father. Let Him strengthen and empower your faith. Then create your own acrostic of faith. I would love to hear what God gives you! Just shoot me an email with your acrostic included.
More from the Girlfriends
In order to follow God, we must learn how to trust God. Why? Because God orders our steps. Steps of obedience. And when we trust and obey Him, blessings will surely follow. Need help trusting God? Check out Mary’s book, 10-Day Trust Adventure.
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© 2020 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.
Really? Do you like, IDK, live in my head? Are you here somewhere? God has been prompting me to send an email for weeks and I have been putting it off due to embarrassment of being out of touch with that person for so long. I really didn’t want to. I could hear the still small voice saying to do it. “Yah yah, I’ll get to it” had become my pat response.
But then you happened. Your point today isn’t exactly spot on with my situation, but, honey, God used you. I sent the awkward email before I came here to thank you. Yes, thank you! For doing what you do. For being transparent. For using your powers for good. Thank you, sister!
Happy Thursday:)
F- Forever
A-An
I- Intimate
T- True
H- Hope
Thank you for your daily encouragement and Love for Jesus!
I was an art major with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. I chose to homeschool my children for 15 years. I knew divorce was on my horizon in spite of trying desperately to save my marriage. Going back to work proved to be a challenge. 253 resumes were submitted. I spent every moment I could on line looking for a job, any job that would allow me to provide for myself and my children. I finally got a job by word of mouth, try number 253. I kept a ledger of where I had applied. I know the number. The job was for a skilled nursing and rehab facility with long term care. I’ve been here now for 10 years, their business office manager for 8.
For 8 months we have remained free of Covid. This morning when I rose and dressed, I knew I was coming to a place where 18 residents have been diagnosed along with 10 employees. And yet we dawn our masks and show up for work. It is disconcerting.
My daughter sent me a text yesterday asking if I was doing okay. I told her that it was God who provided the job and He knew what was coming. I have to trust him. Faith. Faith that I am at the right place at the right time. Faith that God is with us and sees us. Faith that it’s going to be okay.
Thank you for the reminder today to press into my FAITH … trusting Him.
A few more acrostics from our readers:
F FINAL
A Answer
I IN
T Trusting
H Him
From Tracy:
Fearless
As
I
Trust
HIM
From Diane
F – Finally
A- Allowing
I- Intercession
T-Through
H- Him
From Patricia
Feeling
Absolutely
Invaluable
Through
Him
From Vicki
Forgive
Always
Insighting
True
Happiness
From Desi
Forever
Always
I
Trust
Him
From Katura
Forthcoming
Always
I’ll
Trust
Him
Adriana
Fully
All
In
To
Him