Becoming Fishers of People

Today's Reading:

• Luke 4:31 - 5:11
• Psalm 64:1 - 10

Read Bible Passages Online

Luke 4:31 - 5:11
Jesus told Simon Peter to cast a net out into the ocean.  Simon was skeptical, for he had fished all night with no results.  Nevertheless, he cast out his net.  Simon caught so many fish that he had to get help from a second boat.  In the end there were so many fish that both boats almost sank.  Jesus then said these words to Simon in verse 5:10:

"Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!"

Fishing for people.  Jesus has commanded us to follow him and to fish for people.  For the first time in my life, by way of this blog, I finally feel like I am actively casting my net out upon the world.
 
I don't know about you, but I've always been afraid to start fishing for people.  What if people rebuke me?  What if people think me crazy?  What if people don't like me anymore because I share my faith with them?

But you know what, Jesus told us right there not to be afraid.  When Simon followed the instructions of Jesus and cast his net, it came back overflowing.  There were so many fish in that net that Simon couldn't have possibly missed the few that got away from him.

I still have a lot of work to do on my journey to fish for people.  The purpose of my blog is to cast out the Word of God among people, to tantalize them into perhaps picking up their own bible, to lure them into learning more about the Lord and learning more about what the Word says to us.  I aim to show people that studying the Word is a very intimate, individualized experience.  You could put ten people in a room and have them read the same passage, and yet it will speak differently to each person there. 

There is power in the Word.  There is beauty in the Word.  There is life in the Word.  There is inspiration in the Word.  There is comfort in the Word.  There is understanding in the Word.  There is closeness in the Word.  The Word of God speaks to your own spirit.  Your spirit longs for the Word.  My spirit longs for the Word.  I am amazed by the Word.  I am enlightened by the Word.  The Word is the second greatest gift the Lord has given to us (the first being Jesus Christ, of course!).  The Word gives me a closeness to the Lord that is otherwise unobtainable.  The Word is food for my spirit.

The Word was written just for me.  Customized to my very life, to my very spirit.  The Word was written just for you -- it has been customized to your life and customized to your spirit.  The Word is amazing.  My net unto the world is the Word of God.  May each of you who come across my blog find the light of the Word and take it into your own spirit.

Psalm 64:1 - 10
This Psalm of David foretells of the justice that will befall those who seek to do harm to others.  We are told that these people will fall victim to their own acts, and that God Himself will shoot these people down.  But for those of us who love the Lord God, who seek to do right before Him, we have peace and shelter to behold.  Praise the Lord.  Amen.

Becoming a Beautiful Woman -- Inside and Out

Today's Reading:

• Numbers 32:1 - 33:39
  
• Proverbs 11:22

Read Bible Passages Online

Numbers 32:1 - 33:39
Today's reading in Numbers was short and consisted primarily of tribes and the territories they conquered.  The reading ends with a list of the places Israel had stopped to camp while on their way to the promised land. 

I feel the end of Numbers is drawing near.  I can't wait to read about how the Israelites finally make their way into the promised land!

Proverbs 11:22

A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

Eeew, that is a gross thought.  A gold ring might be beautiful, but it certainly doesn't matter if that ring is in a pig's snout!  After reading that verse, I had to look up the exact meaning of discretion.

dis·cre·tion/disˈkreSHən/

Noun:

The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation

I see here two definitions for the word "discretion".  The first goes along with all I've read about controlling one's tongue.  Those who are wise choose their words sparingly.  Those who are wise do not betray the confidence of others.  So what I gather here is that a beautiful woman should be dignified, control her words, and have and display wisdom.

The second definition comes down to deciding what to do in a situation.  So, deciding how to handle something.  Doing what is right, not doing what is wrong.  A beautiful woman should make the right decisions in her life.  By choosing the right path, she chooses life and dignity.  She sets an example for others.

Have you ever met someone who is beautiful on the outside, yet ugly on the inside?  How does a woman like that make you feel?  Those type of women invoke anger and dislike among others.

Now think of a beautiful, dignified woman.  A woman with a beautiful, beaming personality.  Because she is beautiful, a woman's first reaction might be to hate her or be jealous of her.  But no matter how hard I try, I cannot dislike someone who has a beautiful personality -- whether they be ugly or pretty on the outside.

Be discreet.  Be dignified.  Be wise.  Be beautiful -- inside and out.