Christ's presence confers success
If you were to ask what I've been doing lately, the answer would be driving. Lots of driving! Good thing I enjoy being behind the wheel, and for this trip, I enjoyed great conversation. Just this week, I visited Big Cedar in Missouri with my mom, dad, and kids. We had a blast together! This photo was taken at sunset at Top of the Rock. If you haven't traveled to this area of the country, it's worth a trip. The scenery is beautiful, and the food is fantastic!
And here I am in my happy place. Surrounded by gorgeous pumpkins! Imagine beautiful mums, the smell of delicious boiled peanuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables on the other side of this wall. And some canned jellies and other goodies also. Can't beat a farmer's market in the fall! Or any time of year really.
What about you? How are you spending your beautiful fall days in your area?
I read a wonderful Charles Spurgeon devotional last week and wanted to share with you. The topic came from Luke 5:4, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
Do you remember this story? The men had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Does that sound like a fishing story you're familiar with from personal experience? I live with a few fishermen and have heard this more than once. But what happens next here with Jesus? The men did as Jesus said and dropped down their nets one more time and suddenly, the nets were so full of fish they began to break. So, they called their friends in another boat to come and help. Both boats were so full of fish they began to sink!
Now, here's one takeaway: the necessity of human activity. We often confuse saving work with the daily work of pursuing Christ. Is human activity necessary for salvation? As Paul says in Romans 6:2, "By no means!" Salvation is found in Christ alone, by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Spurgeon even says this, "Remember, therefore, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you--it is Christ; it is not your joy in Christ that saves you--it is Christ; it is not even your faith in Christ, although that is the instrument--it is Christ's blood and merits. Therefore, do not look so much to your hand with which you are grasping Christ as to Christ; do not look to your hope but to Jesus, the source of your hope; do not look to your faith, but to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith."
God works without us and without instruments and is glorified, but as Charles Spurgeon explains in this devotional, "He (God) has selected this plan of human involvement as being that by which He is most magnified in the earth." How wonderful! God has chosen us as His vessels and the instruments by which He spreads the gospel. And He's glorified through us. That makes my brain hurt a little trying to fully understand. However, the activity itself can accomplish nothing.
As in the story, Peter (called Simon in the text) says after Jesus asks him to let down the nets again, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets."
We already know what happens next, but why couldn't the men catch any fish before Christ hopped in the boat? Were the men unskilled or inexperienced fisherman? Absolutely not! They were fishermen by trade. Were they lazy? No, they'd been working. This wasn't easy work catching fish, but hard, manual labor for many, many hours. Did they lack perseverance? No, they had been working all night! Were the fish all gone from the sea? Definitely not, because as soon as Jesus came, the fish were so many they nearly sunk the boat! So what was the issue? As Spurgeon says, "There is no power in the means by themselves apart from the presence of Jesus. Without Him we can do nothing."
Is the activity (letting the nets down) necessary? Yes! But without Christ, what's the point?
By those who know me well, I can be described as a busy person. In fact, I like being busy, the good kind of busy. Not the running in circles, frantic and getting nothing done busy. We all have those days, unfortunately, but I enjoy the productive days. I enjoy tidying my home, serving my family through laundry, dishes, and cooking, all the while daydreaming about my characters or rolling ideas around my head. And chipping away at my daily word count goal brings me so much joy.
So, we can't cut out the human activity, the means by which God can work, for the sake of fearing we're working for our salvation or seeking to earn God's favor. Or for the sake of slowing down or afraid of being busy. Maybe that activity includes reading our bible, having a gospel conversation with a lost friend, or for me, being obedient and getting my words written for the day. God can use anything and everything we offer Him. Here, He used a boat, a net, a few tired fisherman and worked an astonishing miracle. After this, the men, including Peter (called Simon here) and the brothers, James and John, left everything to follow Jesus.
In short, as hard as it may be during winter seasons, we keep our hand to the plow God has placed in front of us. We do not neglect what we know we should do with our time, talent and treasure. We remain faithful to do our part for His glory. We act in obedience to all He's called us to and leave the "success" to Him. As Spurgeon says, "Christ's presence confers success."
In what ways has God called you to work for His glory?
Are you in a difficult season? Reply to this email. I'd love to pray for you.
GIVEAWAY!
I've teamed up with an amazing group of authors to provide you with a chance to win a HUGE bundle of books, 17 to be exact, and a $100 Amazon gift card!
Be sure and click the image below for all the details on how to enter. The image will take you to my IG post where I explain how to qualify.
Here is the final link you'll need to enter.
The above link is also in my IG bio. You'll enter your email through the link after completing the other steps listed on IG to qualify.
The giveaway ends this Friday, October 16th, so don't delay!
Author Spotlight
I've teamed up with an amazing group of authors to give away free books and reader goodies to our subscribers. Every month, I'll spotlight a new author. Here's October's special lady!
Tiffany Miller
Tiffany Miller discovered the influence of words at a young age and has been trying to make readers either cry or swoon ever since. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have three daughters who keep them laughing and gray. When she’s not typing away on her laptop, Tiffany works at a private Christian school where she focuses on events, fundraising, and graphic design.
Tiffany's newsletter subscribers receive a Christmas novelette, Secret Santa!
Working at the pretzel stand in the mall isn't exactly Holly's idea of a great holiday season. The music is annoying, the kids are loud, and the mall Santa won't stop coming by for a free pretzel and flirting with her. She tries to dissuade him with old, crusty pretzels, only for him to respond with charming grins that hint at him not being a typical mall Santa Claus.
This Christmas novelette is a quick and entertaining read that's sweet enough to read all year long!
Are you a caregiver?
My dear friend, Melissa Hanberry, has written a much needed tool and resource full of wisdom and encouragement for the caregiver.
I have the great joy of attending church and small group with Melissa. She is full of grace and wisdom. Even if you aren't a caregiver, her words are full of life. She is a gifted writer and just as special in person. If you know someone who might need this in their life, will you forward this email to them?
The read is nourishment for tired souls.
Writing update
I completed my manuscript! Now to editing. And more editing. But I can't wait to hopefully share this contemporary rom-com with you one day.
This story is full of wit, heart, and plenty of romance.
When you think about it, would you pray for me? Please pray that God will:
provide me with the words to edit for this story for His glory
for His continued wisdom, grace, and strength to continue persevering
for His perfect timing in finding the right partner/publishing home for this story/series
Thank you so much!
Have you read my free Novelette?
This 10 chapter story is free to my subscribers. If you haven't downloaded your copy, click the link below.
Love Unlawful
a 4th Century Rome Historical Romance
Aurelia cannot forget the terrible night she somehow escaped the grasp of a centurion. But when the honored guest of her father's party, the newly appointed Urban Prefect of Rome turns out to be the same man, she fears he will tell her father the forbidden secret she'd hidden for over a year.
After Liberius has finally secured the coveted position he's been striving for, one moment of weakness threatens to undo him. Will a haunted mistake from his past jeopardize everything he's worked for?
Until next month...
Godspede and happy reading!
Leslie
If you're new here, welcome to my little corner of the world. My name is Leslie, and I'm so glad you're here!
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