Luke 5 - 9.5.25

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

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.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

Observation:

Jesus was teaching God’s word to a group of people, but there was a problem they were crowding him.  He saw the solution getting in one of two boats that were at the shore.  He was able to sit down and teach the people from the boat.

The boat belonged to Simon who with his partners had been cleaning the nets after a night of fishing and not caught anything.  The fishermen were tired.  I imagine cleaning the nets was not an easy or fun task.

When Jesus was done teaching Jesus told Simon to go back out to the deep water and put down the nets they had just cleaned for a catch.  Simon told Jesus that they had worked hard and caught no fish, but then agreed because He said so.

His obedience brought more that he could have ever expected, a catch so large it practically sunk his and his partner’s boats.  Then, Simon fell at Jesus’s feet and confessed Him as “Lord” and asked him to leave because he was a “sinful man.”  He, James and John his partners were astonished.  

Jesus told them not to be afraid and called them to be fishers of people.  They left everything and followed Him. 

Interesting side note: Luke refers to him as Simon Peter in verse 8 although his new name had not been given yet.  Maybe he did so to emphasize this confession of Simon’s as he falls to his knees calling Jesus “Lord” and how this attitude of the heart would later lead to Jesus renaming him Peter or Rock.

Application:

Several things stood out to me.  First Jesus had a divine appointment.  He had a need for a better location and took advantage of the boats at the shore.  He got into Simon’s boat and asked him to pull away from shore. God always provides what we need.  For Jesus it was a space between the crowd and a place to sit.  Then, a way to get his future disciple’s attention.

I need to have my eyes looking for opportunities when challenges come and be award this could be a chance to make connections with those I might not have had a way to connect with otherwise.

Jesus met a need the fishermen had with a miraculous catch.  To receive it they had to do something uncomfortable, to go out again after working hard all night and after the nets were clean.  That obedience allowed for a huge miracle. Then, an even greater reward is being called to follow Jesus.

I want to remember that I need to keep trying even when I’ve worked hard and done all I can do.  Jesus in the boat made all the difference.  It is important I listen to His direction, surrender and follow Him not worrying about what I’m leaving behind.  It may even be a huge blessing or something that He provided that I could profit from.  It may not make sense!  I still need to go. I want to trust His leading.  That can be hard, but worth it.

Prayer:

Lord, Thank you that you have given us such an excellent example to follow.  You were incredibly resourceful and did the miraculous for those  going about their daily tasks.  Help me be obedient to go out again when I feel I’ve already exhausted my potential.  May I always have the perspective that you want me to be a fisher of people.  May I walk with you in a way that leads others to follow you.

Amen

- Cindy Howard

Luke 4. 09.04.25

SCRIPTURE

“But Jesus said, “I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns also—because—this-is-WHY-I-was-sent.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. During that time Jesus ate nothing. The temptations lasted Forty days—and for forty days Jesus was fasting. Tempted means to “put to the test”.

Jesus was SENT for a Specific Purpose.

The Holy Spirit had led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days—to be tempted not to see IF He was ready—but to demonstrate that HE was Ready. Adam, though created perfect, gave in to temptation and passed sin on to the whole human race. Jesus, by contrast, [being Fully Man AND Fully God] resists Satan-demonstrating:

the Messiah has COME —at last—

with GOOD NEWS —Freedom to Break the Chains of sin.

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because —HE anointed ME —to preach the gospel to the poor.

HE has SENT Me—to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set FREE those who are oppressed,

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

And JESUS began to say to them,

“TODAY—this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””

‭‭(Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬, ‭21‬ ‭NASB1995‬)

APPLICATION

The Spirit of the LORD is on Me—The Spirit of the LORD is on You-

Jesus IS Still Setting People FREE and

HE has Passed His Anointing to Preach the Gospel—on to every —Believer.

Jesus said,

I MUST proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God-this is WHY-I was Sent.

It took me a long time to realize that Jesus passed this very strong conviction onto me. Not because I was anyone special. I can tell you with certainty-I am not.

I can remember when I was first saved in 1981–meeting two people at a home group. God is so providential. I didn’t want to go-but my mom begged me to go with her as it was a work friend of hers who she found out went to our same church (church on the way-Van Nuys). So I conceded. I met an older woman (Sally) who was so spiritually powerful and in love with God-she would become my lifelong spiritual mom. And I later would meet another friend-Ginger-who would become like a sister and so much a part of our family that she and I gave my mom her wedding shower a few years later —and many years later she flew down to be with me and help me care for my mom in her final days on hospice.

Ginger was a missionary when I first met her—I had never met anyone like that before. She had such strange and extraordinary stories of being in exotic places. When we first met she had just come back from Papua, New Guinea. Some mission trips were short and some were extended. She would often  ask through the years-if I would visit her during extended trips-especially when she was in Ethiopia- saying how lovely the people were. And I would jokingly say, “Honey, I just didn’t get that call from God. That’s your call”.

It’s true we may not be called to travel far away to distant lands. But, I am genuinely sad to say that it took me 39 years of my Christian life to understand that Jesus DOES in fact—Call-EVERY Believer.

We are all called to share His Love and Good News.

It wasn’t until COVID hit and Justin Eaves began doing a virtual zoom —Eave’s dropping—that God began to convict me about His calling on my heart.

We are all missionaries—some are called across the ocean—others are called right where we are. God didn’t save us to be “seat warmers” at Church on Sunday.

There is no fruit in being a “seat warmer”. Jesus said this about the importance of Fruit in His disciples (believers).

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. HE cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Don’t misunderstand me..

Church is vital —we need IT! We come to Be Equipped SO we can GO and COMPLETE the Mission Jesus has given us. We gather together. We pray and worship and LEARN from God’s Word-and encourage and SPUR each other on to GOOD works.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We come to church—So we Can GO and DO what Christ has given us all to Do.

Make disciples. May we have the same urgency that Christ Himself had.

Jesus said—I Must..

Must -from the root word deo- from the root of doulos-slave.

The importance of this is to understand the meaning it carries —an inward constraint-it is not optional. It must Not be overlooked—or missed.

In Jesus well known Commission from Matthew 28

HE tells His Disciples to GO Make Disciples— two points stand out of importance.

The word “Go” is not literally a command—it is translated more accurately

“as you are going”. It is assumed that all of Jesus Disciples—WILL-Go.

“Make -is the specific and direct command that Jesus gave to all Disciples.

All who remain faithful to His Word ARE His Disciples and All Disciples —as they Go-

Are to MAKE More Disciples. Jesus didn’t Come and suffer death on a cross so we can come to church and sing a few songs and go out to a nice brunch. He Came SO we would MAKE Disciples. Not converts…Disciples.

“Jesus said—to the people —who believed—in HIM, “

“You are truly—my disciples—if—you abide in my word.” (John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the Power of God

that brings salvation to everyone who believes...” (Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

‭‭(Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Then Jesus came to them and said,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and MAKE disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I AM with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank YOU for Your goodness and Your patience to me. Thank You for showing me that it is every believer’s calling to Share Your Good News-and Make Disciples. It is not our skill, ability, or our power. Your word clearly tells us that Only those who the Father brings come to Jesus. Your timing is perfect. May we never shy away from planting and watering. This IS WHY-You have saved us. To Bring More people into Your Kingdom. That they may know Your Riches of freedom from sin, deliverance from bondage, Your amazing grace that brings sight to eyes that once were blind. You brought that fulfillment And it STILL is Being Proclaimed TODAY because of your faithful Called ones. I am yours.

Here I am, send me. Through the phone, on zoom, at the grocery or coffee shop. Only in Your Power and Grace. You broke the power of sin and death. You Bring Your unmatchable LOVE. You are Able.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Luke 3 - 9.3.25

Scripture

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:8)

Observation

John the Baptist enters the scene in Luke chapter 3. John is the promised messenger sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. How did he prepare the way for Jesus? By preaching “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. John went around preaching “repentance” for the forgiveness of sins.

The dictionary meaning of the word repent is remorse for one’s actions accompanied with the action of turning away from it. Repentance is more than saying sorry or feeling bad about our sins. Repentance is taking a U-turn in life. It is deciding not to go back to our sinful way of living. Repentance needs to have fruit. 

Our life needs to produce the fruit of repentance. The fruit of repentance is the change in lifestyle, living without compromising with sin. There are consequences if our life does not have the fruit of repentance. The tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into fire (Luke 3:9). 

In the rest of the chapter, John teaches what this means in practical terms. “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same (Luke 3:11). Whoa, looks like those people who say that tithing is not in the new testament, have a valid point! The ratio of giving in the new testament is no longer 10%, but 50%! You and I cannot solve the problem of world hunger. But we can certainly give a meal to that homeless man or woman we see on the street. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). May the Lord say of us “He/She did what he/she could” (Mark 14:8). 

John taught the working people of his day (tax collectors and soldiers) to be faithful in their jobs. Do not be corrupt, be content with your pay (Luke 3:13,14). All of us have a vocation, a God-given profession or a job to work and provide for our families. Let us be faithful in our calling whatever it is - in the ministry, or in business, or in corporate boardrooms, or to be a stay-at-home parent. In the epistle of Ephesians, Paul reminds employees to obey their earthly employers with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as we would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on us, but as children of God, doing the will of God from our heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if we are serving the Lord, and not people (Ephesians 6:5-7).

Application

If God sent John the Baptist with the message of repentance in order to prepare the way for Jesus, repentance is a very serious thing for God. This is so important that the verse “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (NIV) or “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (KJV) is repeated twice in the Bible (Matt 3:8, Luke 3:8). 

An example of true repentance is Zacchaeus. When he encountered Jesus and had a transformation of heart, he declared, “I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (Luke 19:8). Action to set things right always follows true repentance.

Let us examine our hearts and see if there is any secret sin in our life, which we need to repent of. If we do, let us repent and ask God to help us to live a life that glorifies Him, producing the fruit of repentance. 

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for showing me the importance of producing fruit in line with repentance. Please show me where I am not doing that. Lord, my conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is You O Lord, who judges me (1 Cor 4:4). I want to be holy as you are holy (1 Peter 1:16). I cannot do this by my own strength, as without You I can do nothing (John 15:5). But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps 139:23-24). In Jesus’s name. Amen

Asha Chacko George