Thought for July 13

History:

•  1832: Source of Mississippi River discovered at Lake Itasca MN
• 1862: Battle of Murfreesboro begins
• 1865: Horace Greeley says "Go West young man"
• 1917: Three children claim to see vision of virgin Mary at Fatima
• 1923: Hollywood sign dedicated
• 1923: First recognized dinosaur egg discovered
• 1939: Frank Sinatra makes his recording debut
• 2017: Dunkirk premiers
• Born: Julius Caesar, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Charles Coody [PGA], Patrick Stewart, Paul Prudhomme [K-Paul], Harrison Ford, Erno Rubik [Rubik Cube], Cheech Marin, Louise Mandrell,
• Died: John C Fremont, Alfred Stieglitz [photographer], Frida Kahlo, Grantland Rice, Davey Allison, Red Buttons, George Steinbrenner,  Joy Lewis [wife of C.S. Lewis]

As I have written, the Mississippi River reminds me of our faith. I have stood astride the river where it leaves Lake Itasca, a mere trickle. As you drive the Great River Road South, the river grows into a stream, then a river and finally the big river we see at New Orleans. Our faith begins as a mustard seed and as we trust God and see His faithfulness, our faith grows like that river. 

Thought:

Reading the story in Luke 5:1-11 this morning. Jesus is in the area around Capernaum at the north end of the Sea of Galilee. He has healed Peter's mother-in-law [Peter's house was almost next door to the synagogue where the man with the unclean spirit had been healed]. Jesus had also healed the multitudes who came after sunset on the Sabbath. Notice back in Luke 4:41 where many demons were cast out of people and came out proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ. 

The fishermen kept their boats a little west of Capernaum and Jesus goes there to teach. He got into Peter's boat and asked to be moved a little ways into the sea. From there he taught the crowds. Peter had completed a night of fishing because when Jesus came, he was cleaning his nets. After teaching, Jesus tells Peter to go further out into the lake and put down his nets. Notice:

• They have been fishing all night and caught nothing. Ever had one of those days. You thought you did everything right, but made no progress. Or you look back at your day and wonder what happened to the time--I didn't get anything done. Peter had fished without success and had cleaned up to go home and rest. 
• At Your word I will let down the nets. FAITH. Here is something I need to read and grasp--when I act based on His word, things are different. When I respond in His strength, things change. When I trust in His plan, things work out. Peter says, look, I fish for a living. I went out all night and caught nothing. I don't understand why You think I will catch something now, BUT I will obey. Sounds like me and the Lord. What You ask me to do does fit my ideas or experience, seems unlikely to work, but because You told me to, I will---and then amazing things happen.
• And they caught an abundance of fish, so much that James and John had to come help them get their catch to shore. Now check out the reactions:
• Peter falls down and asks Jesus to leave because Peter recognizes that he is unholy and Jesus is holy. 
• Everyone is amazed--Jesus provides exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask or even think about. 
• Jesus tells the four fishermen that He will make them fishers of men--they leave everything to follow Him. 

Today, think about things that you are trying to handle in your own strength with your own wisdom. Listen to the Lord's direction and trust His word--He will amaze you with His response. Then realize that the only response we can give to the amazing grace and mercy of God is to follow Him.

Blessings

Larry