Posts

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 11 – CALLED ALONE, CALLED TOGETHER

Image
DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 11 – CALLED ALONE, CALLED TOGETHER Mark 1:16–20 Matthew 9:9 (NIV) 🔁 Recap We’ve seen: Some cast. Some mend. Some partner strategically. Now we examine something deeper: God does not call everyone the same way. At the shoreline: Peter and Andrew were called together. James and John were called together. But Matthew? He was called alone. Same Jesus. Different structure. Unit Callings Some callings are corporate. God calls: Brothers. Couples. Teams. Partnerships Why? Because the assignment requires synergy. Unit calling provides: Built-in support Shared burden. Emotional stability Accelerated impact. But even within unit calling, individual obedience is still required. Peter followed personally. Andrew followed personally. They were called together — but responded individually. Individual Callings Then we see Matthew sitting alone at a tax booth. Jesus says, “ Follow Me .” No brother beside him. No partner. No shared transition. Some assignments require is...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 4 – NET CASTERS: THE GRACE TO REACH OUT

Image
DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 4 – NET CASTERS: THE GRACE TO REACH OUT Matthew 4:18 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” 🔁 Recap From Part 3 – Leaving The Nets In Part 3, we saw that calling requires surrender. Peter and Andrew left their nets immediately. They released security for destiny. They chose obedience over comfort. Now we zoom in on something specific: Before they left the nets… They were casting them. That detail is not accidental. Not all disciples were doing the same thing when Jesus called them. Peter and Andrew were casting. James and John (as we will see later) were mending. Different actions. Different expressions. Same lake. Same Lord. Same mission. This is where diversity begins. What Does Casting Symbolize? Casting is: Outward Risk-oriented Initiative-driven Faith-based When you cast a net, you: Step into uncertainty. ...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 3 – LEAVING THE NETS: THE COST OF CALLING

Image
DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 3 – LEAVING THE NETS: THE COST OF CALLING Matthew 4:20 (NIV) “At once they left their nets and followed him.” 🔁 Recap From Part 2 – The Invitation Before The Assignment In Part 2, we established that Jesus began with an invitation: “ Come, follow Me .” We saw that: Relationship comes before responsibility. Formation comes before function. Identity comes before activity. But an invitation always demands a response. And this is where many hesitate. Because following Jesus is free — but it is not without cost. Matthew says something powerful: “ At once they left their nets …” No debate. No delay. No negotiation. Immediate obedience. The shoreline became a crossroads. Stay with security. Or step into surrender. What Were The Nets? The nets were more than fishing tools. They represented:  Income,  Stability Family business Familiar identity Daily routine Predictable future Leaving the nets meant: Leaving control. And that is where the real cost lies...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 2 – THE INVITATION BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT

Image
DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 2 – THE INVITATION BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 🔁 Recap From Part 1 – God In The Ordinary In Part 1, we saw how that Jesus met Peter and Andrew at the Sea of Galilee — in their workplace, during their routine, while casting nets. We established three powerful truths: God calls people in ordinary places. Faithfulness in routine attracts divine attention. Your profession does not disqualify you. The shoreline was not random — it was preparation ground. Now we move deeper. It is one thing to be seen by Jesus. It is another thing to be invited by Him. After observing their diligence… After seeing their consistency… Jesus speaks. And His first words are not instructions. They are invitation. “ Come, follow Me .” Before authority. Before miracles. Before public ministry. There was closeness. Kingdom Principle #1: Relationship Before Responsibility Jesus did not start with...

DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 1 – THE SEA OF GALILEE: GOD IN THE ORDINARY

Image
DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 1 – THE SEA OF GALILEE: GOD IN THE ORDINARY Matthew 4:18 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” Before there was a sermon on the mount… Before miracles shook cities… Before crowds followed Him… Jesus started at the shoreline. Not in a synagogue. Not in a palace. Not in a religious council. But at work. At the water. At the routine place of labor. The Kingdom of God did not begin with celebrities — it began with fishermen. The Setting: God Moves In Ordinary Places The call happened at the Sea of Galilee — a place known for: Fishing Trade Daily struggle Long nights of labor This teaches us something powerful: God does not wait for perfect environments. He invades ordinary routines. Peter and Andrew were not fasting. They were not praying in a temple. They were not preparing for ministry. They were working.  An...

LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 9: THE FINAL LAP “FROM LESSONS TO LEGACY: APPLYING THE TENTS TODAY”

Image
LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES  PART 9: THE FINAL LAP “FROM LESSONS TO LEGACY: APPLYING THE TENTS TODAY”   Jeremiah 35:1–19 (KJV) Scriptural Focus The Rechabites obeyed Jonadab’s instructions faithfully across generations: Build no house Plant no vineyard Sow no seed Have none Dwell in tents God used their discipline to contrast Judah’s disobedience and to demonstrate the reward of consistent obedience. The message is clear: obedience produces legacy, not just comfort or convenience. Meaning in Our Time and Dispensation Spiritual Dimension — Obedience Shapes Eternity Faithfulness in small things trains us to honor God in big things. Legacy is not measured by wealth or influence but by consistent obedience and godly impact. Physical Dimension — Mobility and Readiness Living as pilgrims, not settlers, keeps us adaptable and aligned with God’s timing. Emotional Dimension — Peace Through Discipline Obedience reduces anxiety, fear, and regret. Trusting God over possession...

LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 7—A MAN TO STAND BEFORE ME FOREVER” — THE REWARD OF CONSISTENT OBEDIENCE

Image
LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES  PART 7— "A MAN TO STAND BEFORE ME FOREVER” — THE REWARD OF CONSISTENT OBEDIENCE Jeremiah 35:18–19 (KJV) “Thus saith the LORD of hosts… Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father… therefore Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” Scriptural Focus Obedience was never just about restriction — it was about positioning. The Rechabites followed Jonadab’s instructions faithfully. God used their faithfulness to contrast Judah’s disobedience and then blessed them with enduring honor. Their reward was generational: a perpetual presence before God — a legacy that outlived temporary comforts and possessions. Meaning in Our Time and Dispensation Spiritual Dimension — Honor Comes From Faithfulness God honors consistency over convenience. Obedience to instruction — even seemingly small or inconvenient — builds spiritual credibility. Lesson : Faithfulness plants a legacy that no enemy or distraction ...

LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES PART 6 -“DWELL IN TENTS” — LIVING AS STRANGERS WITH PURPOSE

Image
LESSONS FROM THE TENTS OF THE RECHABITES  PART 6 -“DWELL IN TENTS” — LIVING AS STRANGERS WITH PURPOSE Jeremiah 35:7 (KJV) “…but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.” Scriptural Focus “ Dwell in tents ” was not about homelessness. It was about posture. The tent was a daily reminder that they were passing through, not settling down. God gave them a lifestyle that constantly whispered: stay ready, stay obedient, stay humble. The tent was temporary, but the obedience was permanent. Meaning in Our Time and Dispensation Spiritual Dimension — Living With Eternal Awareness A tent has no strong foundation. Spiritually, this kept the Rechabites dependent on God, not on systems. Believers today are called to live with heaven in view, not earth as final. Lesson : Eternal awareness sharpens daily obedience. Physical Dimension — Readiness Over Comfort Tents allow movement. Houses encourage staying. God trained them to live prepared ...

Popular posts from this blog

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 8:WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 1: WHEN LIFE REFUSES TO START

DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING