No Darkness
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
Author: Lori Casto
This I Know
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10
Still and silent, calm and gentle
Jesus loves me this I know
His strong arms are there to hold me
Jesus loves me this I know
When in life the strong winds blow
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know
Strong and hard the wind may blow
Jesus loves me this I know
Before I even knew what hit me
Jesus loves me this I know
His arms were there to hold me close
Jesus loves me this I know
In every part of the unknown
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know
Strong and hard the wind may blow
Jesus loves me this I know
I didn’t even have to ask
Jesus loves me this I know
He gave me life, He gave me hope
Jesus loves me this I know
Now I live to tell you so
Jesus loves me this I know
Jesus loves me this I know
Strong and hard the wind may blow
Jesus loves me this I know
In my silence I will know
Jesus loves me this I know
Because You Say
When He (Jesus) 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.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:4-6
Simon Peter made it seem easy. Jesus told him to do something, so he did it. He and the other (soon to be) disciples didn’t argue, give reasons why they couldn’t, or hesitate until later. Simon simply said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Even though They had toiled all night with no results, they still obeyed. Even though they were certainly tired, they still obeyed. Even though they may have doubted, they still obeyed. They didn’t do it partially their way.
They did exactly what Jesus said to do.
I can imagine the nay sayers telling them it was a waste of time or that they might as well quit for now and get some rest. Afterall, why should they bother to go into deeper water and let down the nets after such a long, exhausting, night?
How many times in our own lives have we labored over a thing? How many times have we worked so hard to figure things out and been left completely exhausted after working “all night”? How many times have we tried our way only to lift the net to find it empty?
Jesus is right here, though, giving us simple instructions. “Put out into deeper water and let down the nets.” His instructions are clear. Sometimes we may have to read and re-read his instructions (The Bible) over and over again and be tuned in to The Holy Spirit until we see it clearly, but it’s right here for us to search, to seek, to find, to meditate.
Then, when breakthrough occurs, as we keep our eyes focused on Him and not the nay sayers, we will find our net full of fish.
When He (Jesus) 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.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:4-6
For Those Who Love Him
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Open Eyes
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. Psalm 146:8
Blessings
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
I love collecting mugs. In fact, the one I am drinking my coffee in this morning is a Walt Disney World mug. It reminds me of precious time spent with family at Disney. Each mug is unique to me. They remind me of special destinations, family time, scripture verses, and even funny movie quotes.
It’s getting to a point where I am collecting so many mugs that I have nowhere to put them.
Every mug is a reminder of just how blessed I really am. I guess you could say my mugs are a great way to count my blessings. I am so blessed; I can’t even contain the blessing.
Isn’t it great to know God not only supplies our needs (according to His riches) but He even blesses us to overflowing with our heart’s desires?
May you feel the blessings of God as you continue to enjoy this beautiful summer. I pray His blessings overwhelm you with His unspeakable joy.
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2 ESV
Just a Boy
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samual 17:45-47
Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24
What if you speak to the mountain only to find when God removes it, there stands a giant? Sometimes it seems we are hard pressed on all sides, leaving us feeling persecuted and abandoned. (2 Corinthians 4) We’ve finally removed a barrier and there’s still more conquering yet to do.
I think it’s important to know that Goliath won’t be moved by our own power or might. Just like God throws the mountain into the sea as we speak to it in Jesus’ name, God also delivers us from the giant. The battle is His. He will equip us to fight the battle, then He will take over where our weakness begins. (His strength is made perfect in our weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9)
We will have mountains, and we will have Goliaths just beyond the mountain, but if God can use just a boy with 5 smooth stones and a sling, He can certainly equip us to slay the giant. Don’t give up. Whether you’re waiting for mountain removal or preparing to slay a giant, God is fighting our battle through Jesus and the power of The Holy Spirit.
I’ve come to realize the more opposition we face, the bigger the blessing. Don’t quit. Jesus wants us to live victorious lives as overcomers. Remember, David wasn’t just a boy. He was a boy with mighty faith in a big and powerful God.
Instruction
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
God is Faithful
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Monday Meditation
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Proverbs 3:3-10
Hope
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18
Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10