“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.” Luke 5:10b-11

Have you ever pondered Jesus’ invitation to Peter to follow Him?  Peter had fished all night and caught nothing.  Jesus challenged him to go out into deep water and let down his nets.  Still, Peter followed Jesus’ instructions and Jesus performed a miracle — filling Peter’s nets with fish to full capacity.

Peter did not realize how drastically his life would change by saying “Yes” to Jesus’ invitation to leave everything and follow Him.

My life was similarly interrupted.  I hit my rock bottom.  I had suitcases full of mistakes and I was heading in the wrong direction.  A friend challenged me to take a risk and try following Jesus wholeheartedly for three weeks and see what would happen. I went home that night and gave my heart to Jesus and pledged to follow Him wholeheartedly.  That three-week challenge has lasted thirty-three years, and I am still following!

Peter objected, believing himself unworthy, but Jesus persisted with His invitation and encouraged Peter not to be afraid, but to just follow. Peter left everything and followed Jesus. He embraced his new calling.  Jesus used Peter’s fishing profession to explain that life would be different — that he would use some of the same skills, but from now on, would be fishing for people.

You also have been invited to a new purpose and set of priorities as a follower of Christ. How would you describe your experience of responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him? Have you left your life to follow Him, or have you inviting Jesus to join your life? One is discipleship; the other is living with divided loyalties.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the invitation to follow you wholeheartedly.  If there are aspects of my life that are keeping me from following you wholeheartedly, please show me. Please give me the grace to forsake my own life and to embrace what it means to follow you, making loving you and reaching out to others, my priority and purpose. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by permission

Her devotionals can also be found on thelife.com/dailydevotions

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If  you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

The post With Your Whole Heart can be found at Thoughts about God.

“And when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” Mark 1:37-38

Behind the declaration “Everyone is looking for you!” is a host of expectations. It can feel like the demands are coming from every direction with more expectations than we can fulfill.

How did Jesus respond with such clear purpose and direction to all the demands and expectations people had of him? How did he not get flustered? The verses just prior share his secret. Jesus had risen early that morning and found a solitary place where he could be alone with his Father and pray. Jesus didn’t disclose the intimate and private conversation he had with his Father, but the result was he knew his purpose and he knew it was time to move to nearby villages.

We, too, have many demands made of us. Our boundaries are constantly challenged. We also need to know our purpose and receive direction from our Father. We will often have more placed on us than we can handle without disappointing others or even ourselves. Jesus knew the secret — find a solitary place to pray in private. Seek the face of the Father and ask for his will and direction.

Like Jesus, you will not meet all of the needs and expectations from people around you but you can be sure the Father will lead and guide your life and your actions when you seek his will in prayer. It is an open invitation to pray. Emotional bondage can come through the constant demands and expectations of others. God calls us to please only him!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom of following you wholeheartedly. We seek your will and direction for each day of our lives. Help us respond to your invitation to get alone with you and pray and seek your face. Direct us in your purpose and your plans for our lives. Lead and guide us moment by moment through your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

• When Life Isn’t Easy
• How to Get a Grip
• Pressing On

The post When Demands are Endless can be found at Thoughts about God.

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19-21

Have you ever waited for a promise of God to be fulfilled? When I began following Jesus through Scripture and growing, I became convinced the Lord was calling me to a significant leadership position. But it took years to come to pass.

Joseph had a similar experience. As Jacob’s favored son, he grew up experiencing dreams of greatness and superiority over his siblings, which he loved to remind them about. His brothers hated him for it and sold him into slavery in Egypt.

Joseph’s leadership ability developed. His owner appointed Joseph over his household but after being wrongly accused, Joseph ended up in prison. In prison, authorities appointed Joseph as a leader. When he thought there was a real chance of release — he remained in prison indefinitely.

He was finally released from prison and miraculously appointed as second in command over an entire empire. His chance for revenge arrived. Now in charge of an empire, Joseph’s father was dead and he could treat his brothers however he desired.

Today’s passage testifies of God’s transformation. Joseph assured his brothers they had nothing to fear. He did not abuse his power but deferred to God as his leader and their leader. He admitted that they meant to harm him, but he now perceived the circumstances as being used by God to accomplish good — for him and others.

Amidst this supreme test of his character — Joseph did not retaliate but spoke kindly with reassurance to brothers he now loved.

Lord, thank You for Your call on each of our lives and the transformation You are bringing about while we await the fulfillment of Your plans and purposes. Help us be teachable and learn from the experiences and circumstances we are called to endure. May our character and love develop at the pace of our leadership ability. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission
https://thelife.com/devotionals

FURTHER READING

The post God Intends it for Good can be found at Thoughts about God.

“But he said to me, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Are there areas in your life you have begged God for relief? Paul begged the Lord three times to take away what was causing him to struggle deeply. We aren’t told exactly what it was. It could have been a physical or emotional weakness. However, it was causing severe physical or mental suffering. Paul referred to it as a messenger of Satan to torment him. Can you relate to being in a season of life in which you feel so tormented that it’s hard to find pleasure in what usually brings you joy?

In light of Paul’s suffering, Jesus’ answer to his plea is not initially comforting. However, when Paul realized the implications, his outlook on what was tormenting him changed so much he was ready to boast gladly about his weaknesses. He chose to find pleasure in them because he knew it meant that Christ’s power would “rest in him” — in other words, that it would dwell in his soul. Paul wanted Jesus’ power.

Paul accepted his current reality, including the suffering, and he stopped begging for relief. He took all the grace that Jesus would give him. Paul said in verse 10 that, “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Jesus says His grace is sufficient – no matter what you are going through physically or mentally. You can delight in your weakness. For when you are weak, then He is strong. Are you relying on Jesus’ all sufficient grace to get you through your suffering?

Lord, thank you that your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank you for the grace to persevere in my current reality. Help me to gladly accept all the grace that you want to give to me. May your power rest upon me for Jesus’ sake! Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by permission
https://thelife.com/devotionals

Do you have Jesus in your life?   Would you like to have a relationship with Him? If you do,  you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. It starts with a simple heart felt prayer:

Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small.  Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen

FURTHER READING

The post Embrace Your Weakness can be found at Thoughts about God.

“He (God) upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow…” Psalm 146:7-9

The Lord acts. His words and actions reveal His heart, especially for the oppressed, the prisoners, strangers in the land, and those who find themselves without fathers or spouses. He upholds, gives food, sets free, gives sight, lifts up, and loves. He watches over and sustain. He acts.

As Jesus’ followers, we’re His hands and feet in a hurting world. He expects us to act. We can ponder the hopelessness of sitting in an institution or we can visit those in long term care or in prisons. We can philosophize over the plight of addicts or we can help them find freedom. We can watch the news and pray for those moving around the globe after a devastation they have witnessed or we can welcome them to their new home and help them belong in a new community. We can wonder about the pain widows find themselves in or we can help create healing communities.

The needs of others are sometimes overwhelming, and we can feel that our small efforts are a waste of time. However, ultimately the Lord is the One who acts through us. If we are attentive, and then act on His invitation to join Him in reaching out to those in distress, then our actions can actually transform lives. Our efforts can express His love, and be an invitation to others to consider a relationship with Him.

Ask the Lord to send you. He knows what actions are yours to take.

Father God, thank you for all the action you take. Thank you for answering prayer, for how you comfort, lift burdens, help and deliver. Lead us, Holy Spirit, to want to act according to your good pleasure. May our actions reflect you and bring glory to your name. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• People Need Loving 
• Giving Freely to Others
• Be Mindful of Others
• Going Deeper with God

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The post Our God Knows What to Do can be found at Thoughts about God.

“I say then:  Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16 

A raging battle exists within every believer: our own sinful nature versus the desires of the Holy Spirit. Who will win?

In Galatians 5, Paul warns us that without a fight, we will do what comes naturally – following our own heart’s sinful inclinations and ultimately submitting to the folly of our own desires and influence. By doing so, we will not only experience the natural outcomes of our choice that lead towards destructive behavior, but we will also lose our heavenly inheritance. 

The great news is that as followers of Jesus, we do not have to live life that way!  We can live a life guided by the Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit directs and influences our decisions, our character will reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

So, how do we allow the Holy Spirit to direct our lives and influence our decisions?  Later in the passage, Paul says that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature and its passions and desires, and he urges us that “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24). 

Submit to the Holy Spirit’s influence: Let him be your Master, set your pace, and be your life manager.  Let him refine, correct, and discipline you. Live your life for him – under his influence, supervision and power.

Real freedom is letting the Lord win the battle for control of your life.  Fight for freedom!

Father, I want to keep in step with your Holy Spirit, with you in charge of my life. Search my heart, correct me and bring me into alignment with your heart and will. Thank you that as Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Fight, Flight, Freeze …or Faith?

• Fight Like Jesus Fights  – by Jon Walker

• 8 Verses to Remember that God is Fighting for You – by Laura Rath

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The post Without a Fight can be found at Thoughts about God.

The “God of peace” who raised Jesus from the dead equips you with everything good — everything you need — for accomplishing His will.

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  Hebrews 13:20-21

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.”  This truth encourages me often when I feel inadequate to face challenges or when someone assigns me something overwhelming.

Can you relate? You won’t find that phrase verbatim in the Bible, but it is scriptural. 1 Peter 2:9 says we are chosen to declare His praises. 2 Peter 1:3 explains that it is God’s divine power that gives us everything we need for living a godly life. In Philippians 2:13, Paul reiterates that it is God who works in us to will and to act to fulfill His good purpose.

The “God of peace” who raised Jesus from the dead equips you with everything good — everything you need — for accomplishing His will. He is the one who works within us what is pleasing to Him.

So what is our part?

Allow Him. Cooperate with Him. Believe Him. Listen to Him. Obey Him. Follow His instructions. You don’t have to do these things in your own strength. He works within us by His Spirit. He has the power. He raised Jesus from the dead. His will originates with Him and He is working within us to bring it to fruition.

God really does choose those who seem inadequate or weak in this world. He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called, and you have been called according to His purpose!

Lord, thank You that you are the one who has chosen and called us. Lord, equip us with everything we need for doing your will, for Your honor and glory! Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Come Alongside – what it looks like to come alongside of people while Jesus draws them closer.

•  Making a Difference

•  Salvation Explained

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The post He Equips the Called can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

People try so hard in life — to change, to be successful, to impress others, to stay in control. 

Many feel like they never measure up; they are disappointed in themselves.

The Christian life is union with Christ. Jesus explains this mystery in John 15 — that He is the vine and we are the branches and that apart from Him, we can do nothing. It doesn’t matter how much effort or focus we muster up or how many self-help books we read; our fruitfulness only comes from our intimate connection with Christ.

Breathe a sigh of relief. Being fruitful isn’t about trying harder. It’s all about abiding in Christ: relying on His word, depending upon His power and strength, obeying His voice and instructions, and most of all, remaining in His love.

Rather than pushing ourselves to change or to be more fruitful, the effort we are called to make is to feed on His word and to love and obey Jesus. He is the Gardener. He prunes our lives so we can be more fruitful. He is committed to remaining in us. He knows that apart from Him, we can bear no fruit. He is committed to bringing much fruit from our lives for the Father’s glory! We are loved just as much as the Father loves Jesus.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9).

Jesus proved His love for us by giving His life on our behalf. He calls us His friends. He has chosen and appointed us to bear fruit that will last.

Lord, thank You for calling me friend, for choosing and appointing me to bear much fruit for the Father’s glory. Help me to remain in and abide in You. Feed me with Your word, fill me with your life-giving power, transform me from the inside. Make me more like you. Have your way; help me to love You by obeying You! Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

• How to be Saved

• You Are Loved– by Gail Rodgers

• Impossible Love Made Possible  by Charles Stanley

The post Why Are You Trying So Hard? can be found at Thoughts about God.

“…I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me…” John 14:30-31

The first time I read the word “exactly” in this passage I prayed, “Really Lord, exactly?” No room for doing my own thing now and then or obeying you most of the time? I felt His reply in my heart: nope.

Jesus completely obeyed His Father all the time and modeled what a relationship with His Father is to be like. Wherever Jesus went, what He spoke and taught, and even the miracles He did, came from His Father. In John 5:30, Jesus said, “By myself I can do nothing…I seek, not to please myself but him who sent me.”

Jesus modeled a posture He wants for all of us — complete obedience to the will of the Father motivated by love. In John 14:1-15, Jesus comforts His disciples and explains that they will continue to have a close relationship with Him after he is gone. Jesus declares that if you love me then you will obey me — not as a legalistic requirement of being His disciple but as an act of love.

Jesus revealed that the Holy Spirit “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:26b, 27). Exact obedience to the Father keeps us closely relying on His power even though we are tempted to wander and demand our own will.

Father God, I love you and with all of my heart want to obey you without compromise or resistance. Draw me close, give me ears to hear your instructions and obey you. I am completely dependent on you for life, power, strength, guidance, and instructions. Above all else, may my desire be to do your will for your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• The Holy Spirit and Oxygen Tanks – by Kyle Norman

• The Spirit Filled Christian Life Explained

• Understanding the Holy Spirit

The post His Will – Exactly! can be found at Thoughts about God.

“On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”  1 Corinthians 12:22

Do you sometimes feel like you are not needed? You are. Paul explains that the body of Christ includes many parts — all needed and necessary. Each Christ follower is given gifts and has a role to play in the overall health and make-up of the Body. Paul declares, “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”

God has combined the members of the body and, as Paul goes on to say in verse 25, “has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

Our society values tolerance, equality, and belonging. Yet, we applaud strength, accomplishment, production, excellence, intelligence, and outstanding performance. There are many people who feel “less than,” like they don’t measure up and never will — no matter how hard they try.

God’s Kingdom is contrary. God’s call to reach the “least of these” reflects the Father’s heart. The Lord has equipped the Body — longing for unity, love, honor and respect — to reflect a beautiful picture of His heart. He calls us to reach society’s marginalized — those who may constantly feel like they are insignificant, undervalued, and have no contribution to make for the greater good.

How we treat the powerless and infirm reflects our heart. By comforting those in crisis, we learn about the depth of the love of God. Serving those who cannot repay us teaches us about humility and gentleness. Indeed, “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”

Lord, give me a heart like yours. Give me eyes and ears to see others around me as an indispensable part of your body. Help me love with humility and gentleness and treat others with dignity and respect. Help me to honor others and reflect your heart! Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

Further Reading

•  Perfectly Weak – by Francis Frangipane

•   Weak but Strong – by Rich Vega

•  My Weakness, God’s Strength – by Kath H Jones

The post His Weakest are Indispensable can be found at Thoughts about God.