Monday, August 4 – “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’” (Luke 5:10) Simon, who would be known as Peter, was a fisherman by trade. So, it makes sense that Jesus would use these words to call Simon to follow him, without fear. For Jesus is merely asking Simon to change his perspective, not to abandon all that he knows. Jesus is asking Simon to take everything he knows about fishing and put it into practice in his relationships with people.
Tuesday, August 5 – “’Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” (John 9:3) When you encounter someone with a problem - physical illness, homelessness, unemployment, relationship problems, etc. - your natural tendency is to ask yourself what they did that has caused their problems? This is called the Retribution Theory. In Hinduism and Buddhism it’s known as karma. This is a perspective. And Jesus wants to transform this perspective.
Wednesday, August 6 - “’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” (Mark 1:17) Fishing isn’t a job, it’s a perspective. Fishing requires planning and preparation. But it also requires a great deal of patience and hope. It’s not called “catching” after all. The act of fishing is a blessing in itself. Being out on the water, in the beauty of nature. The thrill of the hunt. Ask any fisher-person and they will tell you that catching fish is the goal. But a day spent fishing, is way better than a day spent not fishing.
Thursday, August 7 – “When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’” (Acts 3:12) Peter shares the perspective that the healing, that just occurred, wasn’t because of his power or authority. It was because of Jesus’ power and authority, working in him and through him. It would be very easy to get puffed up and proud of your accomplishments in this situation. Yet, Peter’s perspective was that it wasn’t him, it was Jesus.
Friday, August 8 – “We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.” (2 Corinthians 3:13) Moses had to put a veil over his face, after encountering God on Mt. Sinai. For the radiance of God was shining from his face and it terrified the people. His perspective was that it was better to hide his face, then terrify the people. As followers of Jesus, we no longer cover our faces with veils. We’re called to let the light shine from us. Our perspective is that our world needs the light of Jesus.
Saturday, August 9 – “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) This is a perspective that’s all wrapped up in an expectation. The perspective of God’s presence, through our faith in and worship of Jesus. The expectation that God will be present with us, in worship. Yes, there’s power in numbers. But, when it comes to worship, it’s not about numbers. It’s about perspective and expectation. 50,000 people in worship can be as powerful as two or three in worship.
Tuesday, August 5 – “’Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” (John 9:3) When you encounter someone with a problem - physical illness, homelessness, unemployment, relationship problems, etc. - your natural tendency is to ask yourself what they did that has caused their problems? This is called the Retribution Theory. In Hinduism and Buddhism it’s known as karma. This is a perspective. And Jesus wants to transform this perspective.
Wednesday, August 6 - “’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” (Mark 1:17) Fishing isn’t a job, it’s a perspective. Fishing requires planning and preparation. But it also requires a great deal of patience and hope. It’s not called “catching” after all. The act of fishing is a blessing in itself. Being out on the water, in the beauty of nature. The thrill of the hunt. Ask any fisher-person and they will tell you that catching fish is the goal. But a day spent fishing, is way better than a day spent not fishing.
Thursday, August 7 – “When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’” (Acts 3:12) Peter shares the perspective that the healing, that just occurred, wasn’t because of his power or authority. It was because of Jesus’ power and authority, working in him and through him. It would be very easy to get puffed up and proud of your accomplishments in this situation. Yet, Peter’s perspective was that it wasn’t him, it was Jesus.
Friday, August 8 – “We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.” (2 Corinthians 3:13) Moses had to put a veil over his face, after encountering God on Mt. Sinai. For the radiance of God was shining from his face and it terrified the people. His perspective was that it was better to hide his face, then terrify the people. As followers of Jesus, we no longer cover our faces with veils. We’re called to let the light shine from us. Our perspective is that our world needs the light of Jesus.
Saturday, August 9 – “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) This is a perspective that’s all wrapped up in an expectation. The perspective of God’s presence, through our faith in and worship of Jesus. The expectation that God will be present with us, in worship. Yes, there’s power in numbers. But, when it comes to worship, it’s not about numbers. It’s about perspective and expectation. 50,000 people in worship can be as powerful as two or three in worship.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
