"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT MAKING NO PROGRESS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT MAKING NO PROGRESS"

John 20:5 He called out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.
John 20:6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!” So they did, and they couldn’t draw in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. Please notice what Jesus said, when He called out to the disciples, actually, please look at how He addressed them.
"Friends" Isn't that encouraging, and beautiful. To hear God Himself call His disciples "Friends" The word friends here, means just what you think it means. To be friendly to one, to wish him well. An associate, a companion. Jesus loved the disciples and called them friends earlier in John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

2. Jesus asked them a question. "Have you caught any fish? They had been fishing all night long. Jesus knew what their answer was going to be, but He was about to show them a miracle if you will, thus, He asked them this question. They answered "No"
They had worked and worked, and worked at a trade that they were experts in. Here they had fished all night, but, this was a night of no progress. 

3. The next thing Jesus did, was to tell them to simply cast their nets on the other side of the boat. On the right hand side, and then He told them, "You'll get plenty of fish" Jesus was directing these men who had made no progress to do something very simple, and He told them they would make progress, in fact, He told them they would catch alot of fish. And, they did.
They did what the Lord told them, and they made progress. In fact, they made so much progress that the many fish, were breaking their nets. They had experienced just what the Lord told them would happen. 

4. You may not be a fisherman, very probably, no one reading this is a fisherman. But, those who are reading this devotional may be just like the fisherman. You have been working, and working, and working and getting nothing for your work. You may be tired, You may be discouraged, and You may be ready to give up. Well, You are not the first ones, just as we have seen from this story.

5. God loves You, You are His friend. He knows what is going on in your life, and He has direction for you. He has not abandoned you, and He will speak to you, and guide you as to what to do. These are the kinds of things that God does for and in the lives of His children. He is faithful, He follows through, and You can count on Him. Here are some verses that I pray will be an encouragement to You. 

6. Here are some verses that I pray will be an encouragement to You. 

Ps 27:14* Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Ps 31:24* Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

Isa 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Ps 32:8* I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Isa 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Joh 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

A prayer:

Father, thank You that You know us, You know what we have need of before we even ask. Thank You that we can trust in You, and that You care about us. You have never promised that we would not have trouble, but, You have promised that You would be with us in those times, and that we can look to You for help and strength. We do that today. We pray for our family, our friends, and those we work with who are in desperate straits, and in need of Your help. In Jesus name, amen. 

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia. 

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND COMFORT TOWARDS SOMEONE WHO HAS SINNED AND THEN REPENTED OF THEIR SIN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND COMFORT TOWARDS SOMEONE WHO HAS SINNED AND THEN REPENTED OF THEIR SIN"

2nd Cor 2:7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
2nd Cor 2:8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
2nd Cor 2:9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
2nd Cor 2:10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
2nd Cor 2:11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Some explanatory thoughts, application and a prayer:

1. Paul was urging the Corinthian church to forgive and comfort a brother who had sinned. (The church had to remove this sinning brother due to his continuing on, and refusing to repent of openly involving himself in sexual immorality with his step mother) Now the brother in Christ had repented and gotten right with God, but the church was hesitant to forgive him, and let him back into the fellowship.

2. Thus, Paul was urging them to forgive the man. He underscores the importance of forgiving him, and comforting him. It was to keep this brother from being swallowed up with too much sorrow. Or to put it another way, "Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover" NLT. Thus we can see that forgiveness and comfort to a repenting brother or sister is a preventative for them becoming so discouraged that they will not be able to recover from what they have done, (even though they have repented and asked God to forgive them)

3. One other very important truth here.  And, it's 2nd Cor 2:11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. Or as it's stated in the NLT 2nd Cor 2:11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes. Forgiveness and comfort to a person who has sinned, and then repented of that sin, sought and received the Lord's forgiveness, is an important defense against the schemes and designs of the devil.
What might Satan do if you are unforgiving, and refuse to comfort a repenting brother or sister in Christ.?

(1) Satan might work to keep the person in a perpetual state of self-accusation, rather then walking in and enjoying the grace, the mercy, the love and peace of God. The person would be tempted to look at what they have done, i.e their sin, rather then focus on what God has done, i.e forgiven them, and restored them.

(2) Satan might work to keep this person in a state of introspection. That is, always looking within themselves, rather then looking to our wonderful Savior. God has not called us to focus on ourselves, but rather to "Follow Him". And to be "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"

4. It's so important that we show forgiveness, and seek to comfort someone who has fallen. And help them be restored to the Lord.
Isn't that what you would want someone to do for You? Of course it is. And, it's our God given responsibility to act that way, and and show God's love towards a repentant brother of sister in Christ.

5. Here's how all of these verses read in the NLT. Please take a slow quiet look at them, and let God speak to you through them.
And, let's be forgivers, and comforters, and be pleasing to our God, and seek to build people up, not tear them down, and leave them in their troubles.

2nd Cor 2:7Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover.

2nd Cor 2:8 Now show him that you still love him.

2nd Cor 2:9 I wrote to you as I did to find out how far you would go in obeying me.

2nd Cor 2:10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him (for whatever is to be forgiven), I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,

2nd Cor 2:11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.

A prayer:

Father, You have forgiven us, and we pray that we would pass on, and actively forgive, and show comfort to others who have fallen into sin, and have come to their senses, and come back to You. You would not turn them away, but, Father, it's incredible that we would not act like You in the most basic of ways that You call us to live. But, unfortunately, we can harbor pride, bitterness, resentment etc, towards someone. But, Lord, work in our hearts where needed, and make us like You. May we show Your Love and forgiveness, without hesitation. How needy people are, and we can be used by You to bring about blessing, and restoration of a needy person. We love You Lord.
In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOMETHING GOD CANNOT DO"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOMETHING GOD CANNOT DO"

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
Titus 1:3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. Right off the bat, Paul is telling this young minster Titus, and us, about "in Hope of eternal life" God wanted the Cretetans, and us to know the truth of God and encourage the believers to live Godly lives. And, he then mentions "in hope of eternal life" Eternal life, actually means that you and I who have believed have been brought into union with God, and communion with God through our faith in Jesus Christ the Savior. We were without Him, separated from Him, dead in our sins and trespasses, but God who rich in mercy, even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive in Christ and brought us into fellowship with Himself. (Eph 2) We now are in Christ. Part of His body.

2. But, here's the part about what God cannot do. We often don't think about what God cannot do, but there are a number of them, and here's just one. He cannot lie. It's impossible for God to lie. He simply cannot do it. To lie of course is to say something that is not true. God cannot say anything, not even one small thing that is not true. And, the point here, is that God has promised us this "eternal life" and He did before time began. Please think with me for just a long slow moment or two about these things.

(1) God cannot lie, it's impossible for Him to lie.

(2) God has promised us eternal life to anyone who will turn to Him, and receive Christ.

(3) God made this promise before time began. Before the creation of time, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made this promise.

3. Here's something God does do. He make good on His promises. In other words, when He promises that He is going to do something, He does it. And, He does it right at the time it's supposed to happen. He is never late, nor is He ever early. He is always right on time, coming through on what He has promised. Since it's impossible for Him to lie, He is faithful to do what He says He will do.

4. Now, here's this truth about God cannot being able to lie in it's context. And, there are several things to look at and enjoy understanding.

Titus 1:1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. NLT 

Paul who was a slave of God and an apostle, or messenger of Jesus Christ, had been sent by God to bring faith to those God had chosen, and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. Isn't that beautiful. God loves you so much, that He sends messengers to His children and, wants to show them how to live godly lives.

That's for You and I who believe. God wants to teach us the truth, and He wants to show us through His Word, how to live our lives. To live Godly lives.

5. One last thing. All of the above is called "Good News" And, it's been revealed to us, in fact, God has been announcing it faithfully for the last 2000 years through His church the body of Christ to any and everyone who will listen. In fact, God commanded Paul to do this, and God has given commands to His church to go out and do His work. He has entrusted us with a work to do for Him.

Titus 1:3 And now at the right time he has revealed this Good News, and we announce it to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been trusted to do this work for him.

6. In closing this devotional, here are some things for you to think about and pray about, and ask God how He wants You to put things into practice in your life.

(1) God has been thinking about You even before time began.

(2) God's thoughts towards you have to do with how He can bless you with eternal life.

(3) God has made a promise to send Jesus and He did it.

(4) God has some work for you to do in sharing Christ with others. Are You doing that at this time?

(5) God has many other people who He wants to save. He may use You to be His instrument. Are you willing to be used by Him?.

(6) God promises to use You if you will just make yourself available to Him. See Rom 12:1-6.

A prayer:

Father. Thank You for being faithful, and thank You for not being able to lie. Thank You that we can put our complete trust and faith in You. You always do what You say You will do. Thank You for saving those who will believe. That no doubt, includes many who are reading this prayer at this very moment. And, if anyone reading this is not sure they are saved, they can make sure by turning to You, and believing in You. Save them we pray Lord. Thank You that we can be used of You. And, we would like to say this day, "God we place ourselves before You, and ask that You please use us according to Your perfect will to be lights and witnesses of Your wonderful Son Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR GOOD SHEPHERD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR GOOD SHEPHERD"

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater then all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. Jesus calls believers, "My Sheep" He does so, because believers, belong to Him. He has purchased us, and placed us in His sheepfold if you will. We are no longer our own, for we have been purchased with a price. We truly are His Sheep. He is our Shepherd, and He views us as His sheep. He says, "My sheep"

2. One of the ways that Jesus's sheep can be recognized, is that they hear His voice. God has given us His Word not so we will obey it out of obligation or fear, but to assure His children of their relationship with Him, and guide them home.

3. Another wonderful truth about Jesus's sheep, is that He knows them. He has a great personal knowledge of each and everyone of His sheep. Not only do His sheep hear His voice, but, He knows His sheep. He has a very deep personal knowledge of each one of His sheep.

4. Jesus's sheep follow Him. We join Him as it were, and go where He goes. That's what a disciple is all about. We follow our shepherd. We side with Him, we accompany Him. And, that's not only here on earth, but, He is going to lead us right into heaven itself. Then we won't follow Him anymore, we will simply be with Him in glory forever, and ever.

5. Several other things here.

(1) He has given us eternal life. We are united with God through faith in Christ.

(2) We will never perish. Because, we have been saved and forgiven by Christ.

(3) No one will ever snatch us out of His hand. We are in His hand right now.

(4) We have been given to Jesus by His Father, and our Father. We are a gift to
Christ. We are His bride. God gave us to Jesus.

(5) Jesus's Father, our Father, is greater then any and every one. Greater then all.

(6) No one is able to snatch us out of the Father's hand.

(7) Jesus and His Father, are one. This means, that Jesus and the Father are unified and they enjoy perfect equality. Jesus and the Father are distinct persons, yet they share the same essence and attributes.

6. One last thing. Jesus has given us eternal life. Eternal life is not something we gain or receive when we die, rather we obtain it the very moment we believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

A prayer:

Father, it's very hard to find the words to express our gratitude for what You have done. You gave us to Jesus. Thank You for doing that. Jesus, thank You for receiving us from the Father. Jesus, thank You, that we are in Your hand, and You will not let us go, and no one can take us out of Your hand. And, Father, we also thank You that we are in Your hand as well. We are in the best two hands possible. the hand of Jesus, and the hand of our Father in heaven.

Thank You for giving us eternal life, and thank You that we shall never perish. Thank You also Father for being greater then any other being. You are the most powerful being that exists. And we belong to You, and You are not going to let us go.

In Jesus name. Amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT COMING BACK TO THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT COMING BACK TO THE LORD"

Malachi 3:7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. The Lord wanted His people to return to Him. That's what the verse says, Mal 3:7b Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. The word return, means, to turn back, or to repent, to restore, to recover. This was God's desire for His people.

2. They and their forefathers had been doing two things that describe why they needed to return. Malachi 3:7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. So, the entire population, both at the time of Malachi's ministry, and previously had both gone away from the ordinances, or the laws of God.

They had scorned God's Laws, and they had failed to obey them. In other words, they had removed themselves from God's laws, they had turned aside from God's laws, and they had put the law of God aside. And, naturally they were not obeying God.

3. So, with all that said, here we have God calling them back to Himself, Come back to me, is basically what He was saying, and if you come back to me God says, I will come back to You. I want you back, and I want to be back with you is the idea. God was interested in restoring the people back into a right relationship with Himself. He did not want them to continue living apart from Him.

4. You may know someone who is living this way. Away from God. You may be that person. Or you may remember a time when You lived that way, and the Lord has restored You, You have come back to God, and what did He do, well, He came back to You. That's the way the Lord is.

5. Interesting, to note, that the phrase, LORD of hosts, is also translated, LORD ALMIGHTY. God is all powerful. That's who He is, and He is able to restore His people. He wanted to, and wants to today, to restore His people. Sad to say, that the people at this time were not really very humble and broken about their condition.

They responded to this gracious invitation by a kind of cynical, less then sorrowful attitude, ( and by actually denying that they had gone away ) by asking the LORD in what way, or how can we returen, and in what way have we not been obeying You. Even though they had this attitude, God was faithful to answer their question. Here is God's answer to them.

Mal 3:7b-8 “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

Mal 3:8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

6. Someone has said, the point of return, always starts with the point of departure. In other words, go back to where you left, and start again at that point. In this case, the people had been robbing God, by not giving Him, what belonged to Him, and that was His tithe, and the offerings that belonged to Him. So, the Lord was answering their question by showing them how they had departed, and what they ought to do, in order to get back, and be rightly restored to the Lord. Stop stealing from God was the basic idea here.

Mal 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

7. The rest of the chapter, is an encouragement for the people to return to their God, and to stop stealing from Him, and begin once again worshipping Him in the ways that He had prescribed for them, and He promised to bless them.

May I encourage You, if You feel that this situation fits your life, it describes You, then, You can return to God, and come to Him on His terms, not Your own. Or if You know people that You love and care for, pray for them, and ask God to bring conviction upon them. He wants them back. They,  deep down in their hearts are suffering greatly by being away from God.

A prayer:

Father, thank You for being a God who desires restoration. Thank You that You would even speak to those who are stealing from You and say, Come back, and I'll come back to You. But, Lord that's who You are, and that's what You said in plain, can't argue with them words. You are God ALMIGHTY. You don't lie, and You are faithful. So, we pray for ourselves if this shoe fits us, and we pray for those in the body we know that also fit into this shoe. But, Lord, may we find ourselves in different shoes as it were. May we find ourselves coming back to You, and repenting of our sins, and showing our faith in You by practical obedience to Your ways.

In Jesus name. Amen
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia.