Let Down the Nets

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And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”  Luke 5:5

We all sometimes come face to face with failure no matter how hard we try. When kids were picking teams to play baseball in my neighborhood I was always the last to get picked and usually was made pitcher because I couldn’t hit, run or catch.

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Maybe you are struggling in your marriage is struggling or you are just weeks away from bankruptcy. Like Peter whatever you are facing, remember that Jesus didn’t come to choose the best fishermen, fathers, mothers or business men and women. Jesus came to pick people who have worked all night with nothing to show for their efforts. in fact Jesus is not asking for us to just try harder. He calls us to simply believe and obey His word!  When Peter did what Jesus asked his once empty nets became so full that he needed his friends’ help to pull them in. But Jesus doesn’t stop with simply filling our nets with fish. He has an astonishing adventure in mind far beyond just immediate blessings. If we follow Jesus we will be amazed at where that journey leads; but everything hinges on being willing to let down those nets at His word!

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him Luke 5:11

Measuring God’s Love

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How can we measure the limitless love of God? Paul gives us some dimensions for us to consider and that got me to thinking.

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV

So just how wide is the breadth of God’s love? John tells us it stretches to the widest horizon: For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3:16

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And how long is its farthest limit? Jeremiah raises his hand to answer:

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3

And how height is it’s loftiest peak? Isaiah reminds us that it is higher and holier than we can imagine and yet God welcomes us there when we seek Him. Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,  who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:“I dwell in the high and holy place,  and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

And when we ask how we can measure the depth of the heart of God almighty? Paul answers back: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Two Lost Sons

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Everyone loves the parable of the prodigal son. But the story that Jesus tells is actually about two boys. One was lost in a far off city and the other lost right at home. All of us are a lot like these two but no matter which son (or daughter) you are like remember that God loves us both.


This week’s songs include; Nothing But the Blood; Our Great Savior (Jesus what a Friend for Sinners) and Are You Washed in the Blood. Remember to pray for our brothers and sisters who live in long term care for whom I produce these videos. Consider that they cannot have not been able to have visitors for any reason since March 10th and there is no end in sight. The good news is that Jesus is a friend who cannot be quarantined or kept out! If you know anyone in nursing care or who is being quarantined at home who would like to hear these familiar songs please consider sharing the video links. They are the closest to a chaplain’s visit that I can give. Have a good week everyone and I hope you will be blessed!