Intellect and logic would have told Jesus’s first disciples not to follow Him. They hardly knew the guy. They had stable jobs as fishermen and tax collectors. By the world’s logic, they shouldn’t have left steady paychecks to follow a practical stranger! But Jesus told Peter, James, and John, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10 NIV). No questions asked. No curiosity expressed at the utter strangeness of this statement. What do you mean, “fish for people”? The men simply “left everything, and followed him” (v.11).
It was the same with Matthew. Jesus hadn’t yet shaken Matthew’s hand before He was inviting the man along, saying, “Follow me!” Matthew’s response? Leaving everything behind, “he got up and began to follow him” (vv.27–28).
As a result of the disciples’ responses, they ended up on the adventure of a lifetime. Full of pain and heartache, yes, but oh, how it was worth it.
While reading today’s passage, I found myself feeling jealous of the disciples’ seemingly easy faith—and resonating with the Pharisees’ suspicious and questioning attitude. In some seasons, faith is easy. My heart believes. I see God at work and can faithfully follow. These days, faith is not coming as easily. My head is loud: This isn’t practical! This isn’t logical! Make a better plan for yourself! My heart is afraid: What if this doesn’t work out? What if Jesus was wrong? What if this will all be for nothing? I am uncertain of taking the next step Christ is calling me to. I am wary of the unlit path before me, even with Christ beside me.
But what does Jesus say? Don’t be afraid. Follow me.
Perhaps the disciples’ faith is not the point here, so much as Jesus’s belief in them. He had faith in Peter, James, John, and Matthew, didn’t He? He saw something in them they did not see in themselves, or else He wouldn’t have asked them to follow Him. Maybe when my faith feels weak, I do not need to muster more. Maybe it’s enough to remember I was called. Sometimes faith precedes the step. Sometimes it comes after.
The response to Jesus by these first disciples is immediate and whole-hearted. They leave everything behind. They follow Him—not because they are pious or perfect, but because Jesus is worth following. All they know at this point is they want to be near Him. So do I. Let’s surrender our hearts and our heads to Christ today. Let Him lead us on the unlit path. It may have pain and heartache, but oh, my friends, I think it will be worth it.
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106 thoughts on "The First Disciples"
I am thankful for this devotion this morning. It is just what I needed to hear. So many times now that logic in my head wants to play and it’s loud and then God’s presence and His loving care takes over and my Spirit says the unknown journey of faith is worth it – I have nothing to fear with Him by my side!
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“Sometimes Faith precedes the step, sometimes it comes after” I needed this reminder today. Some days my faith will be enough but even on the days when it is wavering a little, I will still trust in God and know that he will never lead me astray.
In Oct 2017, after much discernment and prayer I left my steady income job to pursue starting my own business of social media marketing and web design. This last year I have struggled with faith & finances. Even last night as I was falling asleep, I was having a conversation with God about my finances and how I don’t know how I am I going to pay for things (every month I have this conversation with Him and yet I managed to pay for rent). So this came at the right time – following Jesus even when it doesn’t seem logical or reasonable. Follow because He loves me and He know way more and understands way more then my small world view. Following is the only thing that is guaranteed in a world of uncertainty.
I really loved this today and related so much to the writers feelings of being afraid and unsure. My biggest issue is that I never know if where I’m going is where God is leading or where I am just trying to head off on my own.
I soooo feel that! I trust Jesus. I don’t know if I trust myself.
This has been a really timely study for me. I’ve been asking so many questions of life & God. Wondering ‘is this even the right path?’ I find myself coming back to the fact that nothing else makes more sense to me & realizing it’s actually confusion with my current placing in life & where God has me right now that leads time to ask those questions. I find it hard to trust him with the path ‘unlit’ before me & yet he’s the only one who hold the light I so desperately need. This was really helpful.
I need this study today❣ knowing he will love me no matter what! As long as I give full faith in him the Lord for he sent his son Jesus to save us ♥️
But what does Jesus say? Don’t be afraid. Follow me.
Perhaps the disciples’ faith is not the point here, so much as Jesus’s belief in them. He had faith in Peter, James, John, and Matthew, didn’t He? He saw something in them they did not see in themselves, or else He wouldn’t have asked them to follow Him. Maybe when my faith feels weak, I do not need to muster more. Maybe it’s enough to remember I was called. Sometimes faith precedes the step. Sometimes it comes after
I am also in a position where I don’t know where God calla me right now. I was at a job that I loved and my boss recently quit, which will change things quite a bit. Please pray for me to know God’s will for where I should be.
God is sooo so good! He works through you even when you don’t know! Following him and continuing too is hard when you live around people who don’t but it is so worth it! Praying for myself and others who struggle sometimes!
This is such a struggle for me. I look back on my life and see when my faith was strong. When I clearly felt and heard God calling me to the next step, and I boldly walked by faith. But now, I feel like I don’t know where He is calling me at all. I feel stuck, I don’t see a next step, and I feel like I should be doing more, doing something. Do you guys ever feel like He is being silent in a season?
It’s so easy to follow Jesus when the season is just right but it’s so hard when it’s a tough time! I pray I remember these words in my time of need! Trust in lord with all my heart!!
the thought about Jesus believing in us is a different train of thought, but powerful. I’ve gotten caught up in my end of faith – when in reality I can’t muster up any ounce of it on my own, it’s by God’s grace alone. And being reminded here that Jesus places value on us is empowering to walk out His path He lays before us.
I think I really needed to read this today. My family and I have went through a lot this past year, and I sometimes felt hesitant to follow what I knew God was asking me to do, I need to have more faith. I now do, but it took a while to get there. I need to practice not being skeptical and be quicker to believe and have faith like the disciples.
I’ve come back to this day to read it again. I’m again reminded that it’s not about me. It’s about Him. HE believes in me, HE gives me strength. Through HIM I can. I can trust Him and follow Him. And I will!
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Lk 5:16). This. Jesus was God. But. He was also man. And He needed time away from everything and everyone to draw strength from His Father. How much more do I need to step away from the busyness of life to talk to God? To know Him. To meditate on His Word. His character. His works. He tells me I can trust Him and rest in Him. But I have to know Him and cling to Him. And when life gets busier I need that time so much more! Not less.
Oh how I want to follow Jesus and have a relationship with him as he is our soon coming bridegroom
With the new year upon us, everyone is all about resolutions and the whole, “new year, new me” stuff. Prior to the new year, some time in November or a little sooner, I knew that I needed to strengthen my walk with Christ.
I’ve been trying to be diligent each and every day. I have slowly been integrating different ways for the Lord to influence my life. It started with a couple’s devotional with my husband, then to us beginning to read the Bible from start to finish together (reading aloud every morning), to a 365 promises devotional that I write down in a journal and finally incorporating the lessons from She Reads Truth. Granted, I have fallen behind with the latter of the list, I am keeping myself in the word and trusting what Jesus has in store for me.
It’s hard some days though when it hurts just rolling out of bed, the stomach pains come through in spite of the pain patch on my arm. And mentally there are days where the anxiety just surmounts on my shoulders and I feel like I am carrying the entire weight of it on me. What I know at the end of every day is that Christ is my savior and king and that I just need to trust in Him. Trust that He has all the answers and that He will meet all of my needs.
Lord, I do admit I am stuck in a rut. I believed you had plans for me, had faith in you to get me through nursing school. Now I have been a nurse almost a year and feel so mundane. I feel like what I do daily has nothing to do with you. Open my eyes to my calling. Help me to see your work and your work through me in the everyday Lord. I am no doubt in a rut, and I know getting out requires action. Lord please help me to take that action. Please guide me as to what that action should be. I pray that I first start prioritizing my time with you. I pray I wake early and go to a quite place if that’s what I must do to spend time with you. I want my relationship with you to come first, bc it has not in a long time and I’m aware of that. Please Lord, I ask for the fire to be lit in me again.
In your name I pray,
Amen.
Trust is a big part of any relationship… I’ve gave my trust to people who’ve let me down so many times…its time to put my trust into God who’s always shown me the way when I was lost.. ❤️❤️
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – Luke 5:31-32
…how humbling it is to know that Jesus lowered himself to heal the sick and save the lost.
My favourite part is how the apostles “left everything.” Oh, how much I pray for trust and belief like that! I pray that I would hold things in this world with open hands, ready to give it all up if God called me to. I pray we have attitudes like that. I want to have wholehearted and un-denying belief that though my God is leading me into waters unknown, it will be oh so worth it!
Was debating whether or not to post this, but when I saw others comments about time at home with young kids…. it seems a whole lot more relevant!
While not the specific point of this study, it really stood out to me where it said in v.10, “James and John, Zebedee’s sons.” I’ve been spending a bit of time in ‘John” lately and it occurred to me that Andrew and Peter (also apostles) were brothers too. It makes me think about the culture in their homes, the values that their parents raised them with, that siblings were all called and all said “yes”. That these men had hearts open and expectant for the Messiah. As parents, we are building foundations in the lives of our kids. By modelling for them what a relationship with Jesus looks like, by instilling Godly values in them – we are setting them up for a lifetime of saying “Yes” when God calls them.
It’s so easy to loose sight of the importance of this season (my kids are 4 and 7) but taking the time off work to invest in them, in our family and in helping them build a strong foundation on/in Jesus is one of the most valuable gifts I’ll ever give them.
Oh how good is this… “when you’re faith feels week, you don’t need to muster more; just remember you’re called”. I’ve struggled so much this week with home/work and balancing my “to do” lists for my family. It’s hard to not think “Well if I don’t do it, no one will” so you end up staying up late, waking up early and exhausting yourself to the point of a blow up. A blow up not only within but at those that didn’t even know something was wrong. It’s ok to not be ok. And this passage reminds me that I’m chosen and loved regardless of weakness.
It’s so easy to question the dimly lit path of our lives, simply knowing there’s more and resting in the promises spoken to us. The ups and downs come and it’s so easy to be lead into believing that we can figure things out on our own. May we be reminded in those moments that God chose us, He created us for a time such as this, equipped with everything that we need.
I recall that I learned somewhere/somehow that it was normall for a rabi to have students/discipels who follow him everywhere as Bea says.. It was a privilege, and even though the fisherman didnt know him personally yet, they would have heard of this special rabi by the time He called them. So yes, it took a step of faith (what we should follow), but it sounds strange to me, stating that they would have logically said no to following Him!
Amen!
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“Maybe when my faith feels weak, I do not need to muster more. Maybe it’s enough to remember I was called.” What an encouraging reminder! And what an incomprehensible privilege – that the God of the Universe sees and knows our true potential – because he has put it in us!
Thank God he came to save sinners and people like me who can’t save ourselves. Not the righteous. Instead of looking to my inability to save myself, I should fix my eyes on Christ’s ability to save me. Instead of focusing on myself and my lack of faith, I should focus on Christ and his ability to do what he has promised.
This passage is a great reminder that sometimes it is ok to not fully understand that path you are on. Take faith in Christ as your light and use it to lead you through your journey.
Indeed!
This reading came at a time when faith is not easy and gave me new perspective on taking those steps Jesus is calling me to take even when I doubt. He is it worth it all.
I remember a preacher mentioning that in those days it was common for a teacher to call those whom he wanted as his disciples. The teacher would choose whomever he thought was the best options, it would be a life commitment to study under such teacher and then the called would be the one to succeed him after this death. Usually this call was not issued to mere fishermen or controversial tax collectors, they were not worthy. But then comes Jesus, the Teacher of teachers, with power and authority, and of all the people He could have called, He chose the marginalized because He knew what He could do in and through them. To get this call was a privilege, it imparted great value to the person, and I think the disciples understood this when they heard it.
As a fairly new true believer I have truly struggled with my sinful past. I could not understand how Jesus could find me worthy of salvation. Today’s scripture has my heart rejoicing, for I truly understand now that Jesus came for people like me. Jesus wants me. Jesus knows me and still wants me. Hallelujah!
That’s so good Tiffany! I pray everyday you’re reminded that you’ve always been apart of Gods plan
Amen to that Tiffany!
I’m struggling to see why Jesus would believe in me. This past year has been a real struggle that seems to be continuing. Near the beginning of last year my job contract finished and my boss couldn’t continue it. Since then I have been searching for a job with many looking like perfect situations but last minute the doors have been firmly shut. I’m not good at hearing Gods voice. I don’t know where I am meant to be or what I am meant to be doing. Am I asking God the wrong questions? I feel so stuck and lost. These studies have been amazing because I’m learning so much and being challenged on a lot of things. I’m just ready for things to start working in my favour a little
I’ve recently been thinking about my calling. Have i missed my calling? have i ignored it? The disciples so easily said yes
I use the browser on my android phone to access SRT. I can’t post a reply to an individual posting either. This has been the case since this new update and format.
What am I doing wrong?
Angie, I appreciate your willingness to boldly follow the leading of Christ. Others may not understand but that is simply because they have not heard God speak to them – and it’s not for them to hear because your situation is specific to you and between you and God. They may have an opinion or an observation but both are less important than hearing and obeying the Word of the Lord. I have been in a similar situation. I thanked those who shared their concerns but I followed Jesus. I did not and have not regretted it.
When Andrea said, “The response to Jesus by these first disciples is immediate and whole-hearted. They leave everything behind. They follow Him—not because they are pious or perfect, but because Jesus is worth following. All they know at this point is they want to be near Him. So do I. Let’s surrender our hearts and our heads to Christ today. Let Him lead us on the unlit path. It may have pain and heartache, but oh, my friends, I think it will be worth it.” I was saying me too Lord, me too.
Praise the Lord Tracy Hutchinson.
Kathy I too do that and need to do what you said.
Allison with the new format, I have found, if you are trying to reply from your laptop then it doesn’t work but if you are doing it from your phone it does.
Emily T., Christina, and Lauree K I’m praying for you.
Charissa J amen.
Can anyone give me a little insight into the end of this chapter? I am a little confused about fasting and what the connections are between this chapter of Luke and the readings in Isaiah and Joel. Thanks!
How the above resonates with me! I too am shocked almost every time I read the disciples’ responses that they left everything and followed him. No reasoning, clarifications requested. What authority Jesus must have spoke with, and Holy Spirit stirred their hearts to have such life-turning obedience to the call.
Trust and believing God sometimes seem so easy and reasonable, yet so difficult at other times. When the leper came to Jesus, much like I would’ve done- on my face, afraid of rejection, being shooed away- yet I love how Jesus not only reaches out, but touches him, and says “I AM WILLING, be cleansed.” He, our almighty powerful God who came not to amaze, but to save us, is willing. What a merciful God!
Hello. My name is Tina… and I am a follower of Jesus..
He called me at my lowest, when rock bottom could have been a word I invented..He called me when my life took a turn I did not see coming.. not even in my worst nightmares..
But God..
He knew I needed to be called.. I needed Jesus as much as I needed the air to breathe.. I was drowning slowly in a sea of sadness, a broken heart and a shattered life.. i was dying inside…
But God..
He called me. Walked with me.. guided me through the storm.. strengthened me.. gave me hope when I had no no HOPE..
He held my hand along the shores of sorrow, His Grace oh His Grace, carried me when I fell too many times to the floor..
He called me out of my broken ‘could see no way out’ world and brought me to a place where I can, hand on heart say..
I will forever follow Him..this Man Jesus.. He saved me..
Forever thankful for the call.. Lord Jesus.. Thank you..
Love wrapped hugs to you all..xx
In the Joel passage (Joel 2:16) it talks about calling all of the congregation, elders, infants, “let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.”
I feel as though the Lord whispered to me, “it’s never too late for the redemption of the Bride.”
Whether you are feeling busy and overwhelmed trying to prepare, excited and distracted by what’s to come, overwhelmed or anxious, unsure if you are making the right choices, It’s never too late, no emotion is too much, no shackle too tight for you too step out of your chamber and follow Him.
So good!! Being a Christ follower is so worth it! Being in ministry for over 15 years is not for the weak and I have grown in many ways! But this study hit it so well…. there are times of difficulty and heartache but the end result is so worth it! I WAS CALLED
Amen!
I don’t read the bible as much as I should or trust in God as much as I should. Reading your story resonated with me so much and I look forward to trusting the word and the lord more.
What stuck out to me as I read Luke 5 is the authority Jesus carried. He walked in full and complete confidence in His Father. Even Jesus took lots of time away with His Father to build that reliance. I want to walk with that same huge confidence in my God! I want to take time with Him to build it!
Peter’s response to Jesus to cast again for some fish (even though they had tried that to no avail) is remarkable. A simple “I will.” The effort of the men who brought their paralyzed friend to a packed house in hopes of a healing from Jesus (removing roof tiles and lowering him through the roof!) is remarkable. How quickly do I say “I will” in response to God’s call and how much effort am I willing to make to bring my friends to Jesus? What role does comfort and convenience play in my response? Ouch. Sobering questions prompted by today’s reading.
Thank you for sharing this today!!! My husband and I have been trying to conceive a child for almost two years and have not yet been able to. We have started the foster care process and had or orientation last night but I find myself so hesitant sometimes to take this HUGE leap of faith. I liked how you said “Sometimes faith precedes the step and sometimes it comes after.” Praying for the boldness to follow Jesus wherever he leads.
My husband and I are in the midst of fostering, hopefully adopting a little boy and the process is not for the faint of heart. God has guided us the entire way because I know we would never have been able to get this far without him.
My husband and I are in the midst of fostering and hopefully adopting a little boy. The process is not for the faint of heart and I know we could not have gotten this far without God guiding us and supporting us. I will pray for your journey. Remember this about your faith in God when times get hard. You are chosen because of His faith in you.
Does anyone know why I can’t “reply” to a person’s comment? I hit reply and nothing happens. Thanks!
I think it takes awhile for the comment to show up? I could be wrong, but the same thing happens to me.
I have to comment by hitting reply and post, close the app, and then reopen to see my comment. Clearly there is some sort of bug in the system, since the timing next to the comments is very wrong for a lot of them.
I’m so glad you shared this today. I just did this reading and was praying through how you see Jesus in this chapter meet physical needs and find people have a spiritual response. We are in a very lean season financially with a recent move and a major surgery. It’s causing me frequent worry and I am trying to turn it over to the Lord. I needed your words of encouragement today too, to remind me that obedience is worth it.
Hang in there Emily. Praying for you today!
Several days ago, maybe even during the Advent study, a young woman shared that she thought she would retire from teaching but is now staying home with her baby. She seemed like she needed assurance.
My baby’s are now 28 and 30. The plan was for me to stay home from teaching when our first was born. Circumstances the month he was born altered that plan, completely. It took 2 years to work something out so I could stay home. When our 2nd child was born my income was slightly more than my husbands. Teachers do not make a lot in our state, which means things were tight. We sacrificed and I was able to stay home. Someone said to me, “You are just wasting all that education?” My response was, “So, it is okay to use that education with other people’s children but not my own?” People also said, “You’ll never be able to get back into teaching (I had 6 years experience and my masters).” My response was, “If God wants me to teach, he will make a way for me to get back in.” These weren’t just words I was saying, they were foundations I believe God had given me. I stayed home for 8 years. I tell people, if someone had the power to turn the clock back, and offered me a million dollars for each year I stayed home if I would go back to that time and work, I would tell them ABSOLUTELY NO. Were those years financially very difficult? Yes. Was it worth every minute? YES. The advantages in both my children’s lives, my husband’s, and mine were tremendous. And, not just in the way you would think, that we got to spend time together and enjoy the moments, also our faith and trust had to be on Jesus provision. When both children went to school full-time I started subbing. At the end of that school year there were 2 positions open in our school system. God. Gave. Me. One. I didn’t get it because of anything about me, He called me back to teaching, I obeyed – it was all Him. The story of my rehire to teaching shows His hand in every step-every step, but that is another story for another time. I pray this will be an encouragement to someone today.
Whether it is teaching, staying home, working in an office, giving up a job for a lower paying one (as another lady mentioned today), whatever the call, obedience to God is always worth it. That is what Jesus disciples did, that is what His disciples today need to do. When He calls you-when He calls me, we don’t want to be some of those who came and heard Him speak, or experienced healing but then went about their everyday lives. Instead let’s be women of the Word, living in obedience that glorifies God alone.
2019; the year of unmanaged, unharnessed faith and obedience is upon us.
May we have ears to hear and feet that follow, only Jesus.
Thank you for sharing your story.
I will share it with my daughter who is trying to decide to move to Chicago and leave her teaching job. Someone told her to be sure to get a job as a teacher once she moved because once you leave the field it’s hard to get back into it.
She is a special education teacher and fearful if she takes a year off she is “losing” her opportunity and all the education she paid for.
So thank you for your words of “If God wants me to teach, He will make a way for me to get back in” that I can share with her.
Thank you for sharing your story! It is very encouraging. I just recently quit my job as a tv journalist to stay at home with my first baby (due this Sunday!). I’ve been met with a lot of those same types of comments about why I would want to leave, how I might lose my skills, etc. It’s going to be a big stretch financially, but God hasn’t failed me yet! And truthfully, my heart hasn’t been in journalism for a while, and i would find myself daydreaming at work about all the other ways I could be using my skills and time. I am nervous about what will come next, but i am pursuing work from home opportunities and i am confident I will find something. I am so excited to meet my little girl and see what this next chapter holds for our family!
As a stay at home mom (and a freelance writer “in my spare time”!) I truly appreciate this reassurance! Sometimes I worry about my place in this world and what my purpose is. Holding fast to the notion that THIS (changing diapers, teaching my son to be a good human and ensuring our home is full of love and safety) is my purpose right now. It may seem small to others—and myself sometimes—but I’m so fortunate and I wouldn’t trade this time for the world. Praise Jesus for allowing me this opportunity and this point of view. Thank you for reminding me on a hard day, Angie!! ❤️❤️
I was that person you are referring to! I was in tears reading your words. Thank you so much for posting this! I know I don’t understand God’s plan at the moment. I have been out of the classroom for 5 years. I don’t know if I will go back, and I have to know that is ok…. I am making a difference in the lives of my own children. Again, I really needed to read what you wrote. God gets His message across one way or another. Thank you for listening.
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been at home with my two babies since my first was born three years ago and worry that I will not be able to get back into the work force when need be ( I was a nurse before I had my babies) but I feel God wants me to be at home with my babies now…sometimes we just need a gentle reminder that when God calls us to do something He will provide the means and it’s best to be obedient to Him
Thank you for sharing. This was very encouraging to me as I just took a leap of faith to leave a teaching job that I absolutely loved to stay at home with my new born baby. I too was making more money than my husband but we decided to do it anyways. I still get the fear that I’ll never get to go back and enjoy it as much but knowing God has a plan and will honor putting my family first is an extreme relief. Hearing your story also gives me some hope. Thank you ❤️
Thanks for sharing. I am in a similar but opposite position right now, where my heart aches to stay home with my babies but my husband lost his job and it’s just not feasible right now. Your words are encouraging to me— when we focus on being obedient I believe God will bless our ways and provide. Thank you
I was also impressed with Levi. He immediately dropped everything! No questions asks. I wonder how he knew, and if I would have done the same.
The scriptures about the fast God calls us to were powerful as well. I feel a little unclear, though, and need to study them as well.
Lord help me to surrender and have faith to follow, because you are worth following.
Amen!
Thank you for your transparency in sharing your questions!
Maybe my faith feels insufficient sometimes because it tends to be so inwardly focused. If my heart is only set on ‘what’s in it for me’, my adventure with God will fall short. The crowds pressed inward toward Jesus for their healing and they received their miracle. But, It’s interesting to me that the Word takes the time to say He went into the boat offshore. The people received their healing, but did they find intimacy with Jesus like Peter, James and John? If my heart desires to spend myself on healing of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, maybe my faith won’t feel so small sometimes. Maybe Jesus won’t feel like He is in a boat offshore that my faith can’t seem to reach. I’m not in it just for my healing. That’s only the beginning. I pray I am obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to follow His lead. When He says follow me, I won’t question the personal outcome, I’ll follow because my heart desires fellowship with my Father and my faith will be eager to follow.
Yes ❤️
It will be worth it! No doubt!
“Perhaps the disciples’ faith is not the point here, so much as Jesus’s belief in them…He saw something in them they did not see in themselves, or else He wouldn’t have asked them to follow Him.”
Wow! This is transformative!
What if my focus is on the fact that Jesus believes in me. What a difference that can make.
AMEN!
Amen!
Yes! I love this
This hit me in my core. Love this!
To Lauree Kellu and all the Laurens! God loves you now and always with an UNCONDITIONAL love!
I really needed this today. My faith is so weak right now that I question if He has even called me. I question everything and I feel deeply, deeply anxious. I’m interviewing for a new role at work and first rounds are next week. I’ve been told that some of the interviewers have biases against me and I feel ill prepared for it. I truly don’t know how I’ll make it through at this rate. But, I have felt like this is where God wants me to go. He has spoken to me time and time again about it, if I’m not wrong about what I’m hearing. It all feels so impossible and today I just feel so disheartened. Father, I need you today.
Lauren, you are chosen by GOD. You are loved by God with an UNCONDITIONAL love. His love does not change with the circumstances!
If you are wondering why “your light ” is not shining in the darkness, it may be because “If you get rid of the finger pointing and Malicious speaking ” and “if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, THEN your light will shine. Is 58:10
They follow Him– not because they we’re pious or perfect, but because Jesus is worth following.
Wow. How many times have I not respected God’s will or trusted in His plan because I deemed myself too unworthy, too ill-equipped, not enough…when I put the focus back on Jesus and off of myself, there is no excuse for not following Him! I’m praying for clear, unwavering focus on Jesus.
“… if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.”
I think we all could use this reminder a little more often.
Amen, Charissa. Our world would see the light of His church rise in the dark ess.
Amen, Charissa. The watching world would see the light of His church rise in the darkness, if we do this. And as the passage from Joel stated… “Why should they say, where is their God?” If we spend ourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, the glory of God would be on display. May we display your mercy Lord, and be salt and light in this world.
Tracy thank you for sharing how God has provided.
I know I should have sent this yesterday….. Lk 4:25-27. Why was only one widow fed thru Elijah? Were none of the other widows worthy? Why was only one leper healed through Elisha? We’re none of the other lepers worthy?
When I am going through crazinesss in my life, instead of losing faith or wavering in my faith, this story helped me to think about being chosen and not being afraid.
My parents were both addicts and I was never their priority and my mother held bitterness towards me till she passed. It was not because of who I was, it was that according to her my biological father, raped her. Another man came into our life and he chose to adopt me. When he and my mom split, he stopped loving me and threw me awaym just like my mom. However, God chose me forever and do not need to be afraid ever that He will throw me away or leave my side.
Thank you for this study.
In Jesus precious name,
Amen
Praying with hope and confidence that the Lord will “restore the years that the locusts have stolen” from you. He can do it. He has done (and is doing) that in my life. And just listening to the words of your testimony, it is obvious he has begun already to do that in you!❤️ Jesus, please fill this sister of mine with the fierce truth of her belonging and beloved-ness. Amen!
Yes, you are chosen! Adopted, one of God’s own, by a true Father who promises not to abandon or forsake you. His Word is true and can be trusted, when the words and promises of man cannot. Be brave and hold fast to faith. Praying for you.
Lauree, I share some similarities with your upbringing. Early on as a Christian, I “stumbled” (lol!) on this Psalm and these verses have been a comfort when the pain hits:
Psalm 27:10-14 New International Version (NIV)
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Lauree,
I resonated with this as well—as being chosen. I just listed to a sermon that spoke directly to us being daughters of God and how our view gets so distorted because of our earthly father relationships. It’s from the passion conference this year. Praying it speaks to you as much as it did to me. Along with this great message today ❤️
https://live.passionconferences.com
I love the verse from Deut. 31:8. The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. This verse is always a good reminder for me.
You are chosen, and you are loved ❤️
I can surrender, but can I SURRENDER? The extreme kind. The disciples left everything to follow Him. Because they were called. Because they wanted to be near Him. Wow.
Recently, I applied and interviewed for a job in ministry that will pay a lot less than I make now. Because I feel called, I took each step in faith trusting that He would direct. I wait to hear the result of my interview. However, my heart is in my throat fearing the answer either way. Not getting the job means remaining in a position I am not satisfied with. Getting the job means leaving the boat full of fish (steady and larger paycheck) behind. What else will He ask me to give up? I feel selfish typing that. As Andrea said, The disciples were not pious or perfect, but they desired to be where Jesus was. I pray that for my own heart.
I need to stop putting my faith in my faith and remember to put it in my God who gave me faith, to begin with.
Amen.
So strong! Thank you.
The sentence that stuck out to me the most today was :
Maybe when my faith feels weak, I do not need to muster more. Maybe it’s enough to remember I was called.
I want to remember I was called, when I can’t remember how it feels to be strong and full of faith.
I also want to say thank you for the prayers yesterday. My church is helping to pay my rent this month, a family member is paying my car payment and a foundation at work is helping pay my utilities. Jesus stood in the gap and provided. Praise his wonderful name!
How wonderful to see how He is supplying all your needs. He loves you!
I’m so glad to hear that! Praise Him indeed!
So amazing Tracy! God is good!
Hallelujah! God is so good!