Reaching the Lost Is Like Fishing

Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" (Matt 4:19 NLT)

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon fishing with my daddy. What a great day! The excitement of reeling in fish after fish... wow! I cheered, laughed, squealed, prayed, and almost cried a few times with joy as I landed one after another.

Christ wants us to get that excited about bringing people to Him!! We should be casting our lines and trying our best to reel them into this boat with us! We should be tired afterwards because of the effort we're putting into it, but still can't wait for the next opportunity to do it again!

The fish don't just jump into the boat on their own. We have to cast the bait, we have to struggle to bring them closer, we can't give up, we have to pray the line holds tight and that they don't get tangled on a limb, we have to reach into the water and risk getting finned to help them into the boat.

Fishing isn't always easy... but it's worth every minute!

Psalm 73:26

I just want to share this quick verse with you today. Sometimes, I feel weak or that I'm not good enough to accomplish the task at hand, but He is stronger than my weakness.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:26

I'm tired... I mean, like Vacation Bible School kind of tired!

Whew! Vacation Bible School has come to a close, and not only do I feel exhausted, but I feel absolutely depleted. I poured everything I had into this week for those children and my team of VBS leaders, so today I am focusing on refilling my cup.

Giving of oneself is a great thing, and I encourage you to do it as often as possible. We are called to serve others for His glory, and I want to do that every day of my life. However, sometimes, you need to focus on you, which is what I'm doing today. Focusing on myself. Refilling my spirit. Reviving my tired body and mind.

In the war against Satan, there is little time to rest. In preparing my heart for speaking engagements now that my novel has been released, I've focused extensively on peace. One thing I've learned since I found that peace that surpasses all understanding is that you must work to keep it. Every day, you must choose peace. Every day, you must choose to have a heart of service. Every day, you must choose to work for Him.

This week, my joy has been in serving others. I'm exhausted physically, mentally, and often spiritually, but my heart just wants to serve more and more!! I find myself saying, "Now, Rhonda (yes, I talk to myself in third person), you know you can't do it all. Better to do a couple of things really well than to stretch yourself thin and not be able to give your projects the attention they need."

But when you sell out to Jesus, you realize that no amount of service will ever be enough, and you want to do more! Personally, I just want to make everyone feel this joy I have in my heart!!

Search for Peace... and FIGHT to maintain it.

Our VBS memory scripture this week was 1 Peter 3:15, so that's where my Bible study began today. "Always be ready to tell what you know about Jesus" is what the kids and I repeated at every assembly along with our "secret agent hand signals"! But today, I began to really look at 1 Peter 3 as a whole, and the Lord has given me exactly what my tired heart needed to hear.

1 Peter 3:11 says, "Search for peace, and work to maintain it." (NLT)

"Work to maintain it" is what my version of the Bible says, but I say we must fight to maintain peace. Maintaining joy and peace through the struggles of everyday life is a constant battle, but one worth fighting daily!! No feeling I have ever experienced comes even remotely close to the joy I have in my salvation and the peace of knowing that God is in control 24/7.

Peter basically gives a warning in chapter 3, telling Christians to be prepared to suffer for what is right. Lately, my life has been going great, and I'm doing my best to soak it all in and enjoy every second because I know the devil awaits right around the corner. Peter's message affirmed that for me today. I know my work for Christ is making the devil angry and he is simply waiting for the right moment to sucker-punch me in the gut.

But this peace and joy I have is not a result of my happy circumstances. It is the result of Christ living in me and through me. If the devil attacks and I should suffer for serving Christ, then I resolve to suffer with joy and peace in my heart.

God is God always, in the good times and the bad. I believe that when you pour out yourself for Him, He fills you back up with more than you had before. That's what He is doing for me today.

So I encourage you to take time to replenish your heart and mind for Christ because the devil awaits just around the next bend. He is going to attack whether you are ready or not, so you need to be prepared. Put on the full armor of God, then rest in the calm assurance that the victory is already yours.

Twas the day before Bible School...

Twas the day before Bible School and all through the church yard
The volunteers were stirring and working so very hard.
The banners were hung in the foyer with care
because tomorrow the children all will be there.

After studying the evidence and making last minute notes
I packed some Skittles in the kids Agency D3 totes.
When we finished the vault, I tugged on my cap
and thought, "My goodness! I need a power nap!"

When from the kitchen arose such a clatter,
I left my classroom to see what was the matter.
Everyone was celebrating in the fellowship hall
because the posters were finally up on every wall!

The craft leaders packed up the tape and glue guns
while we put away the leftover breakfast and honey buns.
Everyone went home to rest for tomorrow.
The fun begins soon, and there's no time to borrow!

Discover. Decide. Defend. That's our motto this year!
We will study how Jesus is always near.
Examining the evidence and proving God's real,
then finishing each night with a fellowship meal!!

I pray He uses VBS to show kids His light.
May we show them the difference between wrong and right,
Teaching the little ones to come unto Him
and lighting a spark that will never grow dim.

Book Release!

The day is finally here!! My novel Waiting for Peace has officially been released! I feel overwhelmed by the positive response I am getting so far, and I look forward to the days ahead of book signings and public appearances. This is a dream come true, and the message in my story is one that brings me such joy to share!

To get your own copy of Waiting for Peace, you can order directly from Tate Publishing or Amazon. I will be posting a calendar of upcoming events when you can get your copy signed!

Thank you for your support, and God bless!!