Gone Fishing

When I was about 4 or 5 years old my grandfather made me catch my first fish. That’s right, I said “made.” He had taken me fishing since I was born and had helped me catch many, many fish (I had a catfish mounted in my crib, j/k - sorta) but this was the first time he wouldn’t help me. The fish on my line was so large that it was about to pull me in! I screamed, “Papa! Help me!” but he just laughed and said, “You can do it.” Finally, the fish was subdued. I was the champion. That was the biggest 2 pound fish I ever caught!

The Bible says that when God forgives our sins it's like He sends them to the bottom of the ocean:

Micah 7:19 - You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

We shouldn’t be fishing them back out. We are called to be fishers of men, not fishers of sin. Stop punishing yourself and/or others for past sins. You may have a difficult time accepting God’s forgiveness because what you have done was especially shameful or detrimental to yourself and others. There may be constant reminders like consequences, negative thoughts or the reproach of others. Here’s what God says about that: if you are in Christ Jesus, there is now no condemnation for you. None. Listen to some of the terms used by God to describe you now: free, righteousness fulfilled, spiritually alive, at peace, dwelling place of His Spirit, sons & daughters, heirs of our Father, glorified, hopeful, delivered, saved, saints, lovers of God, called with a purpose, justified, more than conquerors and loved by God. Wow! That’s just in one chapter! Imagine what He says in the rest of the book (shameless plug to get us all to read the Bible more).

All of these apply to you… and to other brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only do you need to trust in God’s forgiveness for yourself, but also for them. Jesus shed His blood to pay for their sins and we need to accept that, honor that and set them free just like He did.

Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

I hate to say this, but… sometimes church can be the worst place for this. There are those, including some preachers, who want to constantly remind God’s children that they are sinners, unclean, failing, broken, weak and corrupt. That’s not how God sees you and that’s not how we should think of each other either. We need to uplift one another, encourage one another! The Bible says that our love for each other will be one of the things that attracts the lost to Christ. Isn’t that great? When Jesus called us to be fishers of men that’s the bait He wanted us to use – LOVE. If you feel a tug on your line and it’s something bad from your past just tell that stinky old fish what God says about you now and you’ll have that sucker for dinner! And if it’s a temptation to remind someone else about their past transgressions, you need to throw that fish back in the sea and never reel it in again. Instead, go up to that person and give them a hug and tell them you love them and appreciate them. You’ll be amazed at the change in your relationship. God’s favor and blessings to you my brother or sister – you are free! Now, what’s for dinner? I'm having tacos! :)

Ref: Romans 8

Peter do you love me?

Before He was crucified, Jesus told Peter that he would deny knowing Him three times. “Not on your life!” exclaimed Peter. I’m sure most of us, as followers of Christ, would make a similar statement. We would never deny knowing Jesus, the one who loves us and gave His life for us. But you all know how the story goes… Peter did indeed deny knowing Jesus. He even cursed the third time. Kinda like when I get pulled over for speeding, lol. “No, officer I was not speeding!” (choice word, choice word, choice word…) Ok, so it was a little more serious than that but the point is this, Peter did what we all do in some way. We all make mistakes and find ourselves regretting the choices we made. Peter was crushed. He was devastated. He wore his guilt like chains and shackles around his hands and feet. He gave up on his calling and went back to his old lifestyle. In John’s Gospel, chapter 21, we read that he went fishing in the Sea of Tiberias. He went back out into the same old boat he was in when Jesus first called him.

So, what did Jesus do to Peter for denying Him? Did He strike him with lightening? Did He plague him with leprosy or boils or chicken pox or extreme hair loss? Oh, wait, He showed up and went off on Peter like Madea! No. No, He didn’t. Jesus came to where Peter was (very important) and cooked him breakfast. Jesus never once rebuked Peter or reminded him about his bad choices. He showed up to say I love you and I have a purpose for you in my kingdom. Wow! Did you know that even though you may have made some horrible mistakes, some terrible choices, Jesus comes to you and says “I love you, I forgive you, now let’s move forward together because you are mine, my son, my daughter!” We, like Peter, sometimes carry our guilt around and have a hard time shaking off those chains. We think God wants to brow-beat us and torment us over our mistakes. He doesn’t. Your sins have already been paid for – in full. Leave those mistakes you have made in the boat. Jump back into the water. God has chosen you to be a part of His family and to have a positive impact in His kingdom. Jesus is smiling and saying “Good morning, my friend! Today is a new day. I made you breakfast. Would you like coffee?” Yes, Lord, I would. :)

Ref: John 21