Tag Archives: Faith

Faith, Poems

I Will Let Down the Nets

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We have clues that the fish are here. They should be here, it’s fertile water with plenty. The waves are calm and there have been fish before at these depths at this time of year.

Throw out the nets and be prepared for the catch. What reason would there be for anything other than success.

Let the nets settle in and posture yourself for the pull, it’s going to be a heavy and laborious haul. Pull! Catch them all, don’t let any swim free, close up the net!

But nothing is there. The net has no tug except from its own weight and drag. The net itself is the only burden, dragging up through the water. The fish were not there.

Surely we simply missed and we’ll just slightly move and try again. And again we try and try again. Until we’ve worked all night and caught nothing but despair.

Whose voice is telling you to cast your nets? And will you obey? For when Jesus is the captain the fish will swim your way.

Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:5‭-‬7 NASB

Faith

Your Faith

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What is your faith?

Show it to me. How big is it? How much did it cost? What did you do to find it? Where did you discover it? Can you feel it? Is it easy to shake? Why do you have it? Can a person take it from you? Can you lose it? Is it in a building? Is it a building? Is it a group of people? Do you need fancy clothes to be in it?

Remember who perfected your faith.

My faith is not a building or a religious group. My faith is not a set of rituals. My faith is not dead. My faith can’t be taken away from me. My faith has no dress code or minimum bank balance. My faith is evidential and true, I won’t be changing my mind based on cultural pressure. My faith is in Jesus Christ.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.

Hebrews 11:1‭-‬2 NASB

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:7‭-‬8 NASB

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God , and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 2:17‭-‬26 NASB

F3, Faith, Life

Playing the Man Means Being Peaceful Not Passive

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When men act like Godly men everyone wins.

Families are strong. Communities flourish. The local church is active as designed by God. And those truly in need are taken care of.

But passivity forced upon men by a godless culture has corrupted the view of proper manhood.

As men we must speak up and speak to. It’s hard. I know it’s hard because I want to just keep quiet and mind my own business most of the time. But often times that isn’t what we should do.

We become passive and disengaged because of fear really. We fear ridicule. We fear being ostracized. We fear being labeled something we are not.

But if we put ourselves last and stop worrying about what others may do to us or how we will be treated, then that is when He (God) will lift us up.

Put God first, family second, and put yourself third. And as we put Him first He will be the source of our strength and supply.

We have to live knowing that we do so for His glory always.

Be peaceful not passive. Stand up for what’s right. Stand strong for the truth in the face of opposition and fear. Pull courage from the source of strength that is our faith in Jesus Christ. Be a man after God’s own heart.

F3, Faith, Fitness

Act Like Men

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Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
1 CORINTHIANS 16:13‭-‬14 NASB

How do we “Act like men”?

There is a pervasive poison in our society that pushes men toward unacceptable behaviors. It is true that there does exist a population of overly aggressive men. But there is now becoming an even larger population of men who have no idea what it means to be a man or a leader.

The answer is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in your actions and thoughts. And any thoughts or actions contrary to the fruits of the spirit should be avoided (Galatians 5:22‭-‬26). Take the lead on something and own it, and do the hard things that benefits someone outside of yourself. Step out in faith and give God the glory when He brings you through.

Don’t miss it when your faith is being tested and don’t allow false doctrine and “modern manhood” cause you to be something you are not. Act like men. Be strong and bold in your faith. But let all that you do be done in love.

Do man things. Get dirty. Lead by example. Act in manly ways. Don’t be a pushover, and if you are attacked be prepared to defend yourself. Just always make sure you are not the aggressor. Treat all people with respect and love your neighbor as yourself. Help protect those who are unable to protect themself. Give generously and without grumbling. Provide for your family physically, emotionally and spiritually. Hold your brothers in Christ accountable.

And remember to allow your emotions to have a healthy outlet. Find a good friend to vent to and allow them to vent as well. Allow your gym time to be an outlet for reducing stress and frustrations.

Pray about fleshly temptations and find ways to keep yourself busy so you don’t focus on those desires. Tame your flesh. Go for a run, go lift weights, get on a bike, do something to focus your body on something other than the temptations that harm us and others. Find a group of men that will encourage you and make you a better man. And you too can help them grow.

Take care of yourself through meditating on God’s Word, doing Bible studies, reading books to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, and then learn how to capitalize on those.

Doing this will help all of us to keep ourselves in alignment with who God wants us to be emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Act Like Men.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬26 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.22-26.NASB

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Fitness

The Place Where The Spirit Lives

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A temple. 1 Cor. 6:19‭-20 says our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Our body was not made for immorality. It was made to glorify God.

It’s our job to glorify God in our body. Consistently.

And if we are going to glorify God with our bodies, then we must maintain this temple and keep it in good working order as much as we can.

We must use our body in service by carrying the Gospel message to our communities, that is the top priority.

A faith that is alive produces a desire to accomplish works of love.

Secondarily, we must keep this body temple in shape by loving our Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and with all our strength (Mark 12:30). Jesus, said that this is the foremost commandment of all.

Don’t be a SadClown (@F3NWArkansas @F3Nation). Do what you can to maintain your temple in all four areas of Lord loving that Jesus described.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19‭-‬20 NASB

Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 NASB

How are you maintaining your temple this week (mind, heart, soul or strength)? Please comment and share with others.

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Bentonville Half Finish 2019 Johnathan
Runners gathered at the Bentonville Square for a 13.1 mile run, concluding with the dreaded Crystal Bridges Hill.