by Rachael Stelzer
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Read Luke 5:1–11
Peter and his brother and friends had been fishing all night. And they had caught nothing all night. These simple men had not even caught enough fish to feed their families, much less enough to sell to make a profit.
And now this stranger, this itinerant preacher, was telling them to try again on the other side of the boat. It beggared all common sense. What did he know about fishing?
And yet, something about the way he spoke drew Peter in. There was something about him. And Peter figured he had nothing to lose. So, he talked the others into trying again.
And suddenly, they reeled in a catch like they had never seen before. So many fish that they were nearly swamped! They called for reinforcements from the other boat, and both almost sank under the weight of the fish!
And Peter knew without a doubt that something more than an abundant catch was being provided here. Peter recognised the power at work in this man. And his own imperfection. And the fear of God moved him to speak.
‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’
But the stranger did not turn away. Instead, he calmly said, with a twinkle in his eye, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people.’
And Peter was hooked from that moment.
Dear Lord, when we recognise the abundance you bring into our lives and communities, we are hooked. May our lives tell the story of your welcome, your leading and your rich love so that others will also be attracted to the abundant life you offer. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
Godly people?
by Peter Bean
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The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials (2 Peter 2:9a).
Read 2 Peter 2:1–10a
If you have read this whole passage, you might be left wondering what hope is there? Unless you are a holy, righteous person, and so never sin, any of the following might apply: you will not be spared (verse four), you will be condemned (verses three and six), and God will be hard on you (verse 10).
Woe is me! If I may be bold enough, woe is you!
Who among us is a holy, righteous person? Who among us is godly? If we follow the demands in this passage – to avoid false teaching, to not be greedy, to practise hospitality and to be holy, unlike everyone around us – we are in trouble. Because, in reality, we are just like everyone around us.
How much do we fit into society? How often do we accept cultural norms, even though they may be questionable? How often do we live as Christ lived, with grace and peace pouring out from us, with compassion and mercy towards the asylum seeker, the refugee or those who are different from us? Quite often, we fail.
BUT … The great gospel ‘but’! The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials. Being godly starts with God. Being godly is a gift won by Jesus. Being godly is a daily breath of life from the Holy Spirit.
Nothing to do with my goodness, righteousness or holiness! The only way I am holy is through the gift of love, the gift of presence and the gift of new life – as it was for all the righteous people throughout the Bible. God takes the initiative. God rescues Noah, Lot, David and Paul. God rescues you. God rescues me. He turns us into holy people who can reflect grace and peace, live with compassion and mercy, and practise justice and integrity. Lord, make me holy again!
Thank you, God, for your grace, peace, love and mercy. Help me to rest in these gifts and live as your person. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Keep reminding each other
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Therefore, I will always remind you about these things – even though you already know them (2 Peter 1:12).
Read 2 Peter 1:12–21
Reminders are pretty important in our lives. People set alarms for appointments, get reminder calls and are constantly reminded by road signs about how fast to drive, which lane to be in, and so on. How would we survive without reminders?
The Apostle Peter said he would always remind the people he was writing to about these things. Not what I have just mentioned. But the things that give life: grace and peace, walking with Jesus daily, and allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our lives.
How do you remind yourself, your family and your friends of these things? Perhaps you use a daily devotion (this one?), a Bible-reading guide, a quiet time, or a walk along the beach or in nature. Our wonderful Creator God gives us many reminders as we go about our daily lives. Sometimes, we just need to open our eyes to see them.
These reminders, like the words of the prophets pointing to Jesus, are ‘like a lamp shining in a dark place’ (verse 19). Reminders of Jesus, of grace and peace and of the Creator’s generosity and abundance all bring light to our lives, hope when we are anxious, comfort when we need comforting and life when death seems close.
How do you remind yourself, your family and your friends? If you don’t know how, ask the Holy Spirit to breathe the breath of life in you, to allow your creative side to emerge, to find reminders that assist you to live life fully and to bless those around you.
Remember grace and peace, love and joy, hope and compassion, and live with Jesus in your heart.
Holy Spirit, give us life. Remind us of grace and peace. Enable us to be like a lamp shining in a dark place. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Growing in knowledge
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2).
Read 2 Peter 1:1–11
Note the starting point: more and more grace and peace! This is not about head knowledge, but a living, acting faith. That happens when we receive more and more grace and peace.
Verse three tells us: ‘God has given us everything we need’ to lead a godly life. So, do we need to go searching, researching, discussing and questioning to grow in knowledge? Yes, they are all useful, but not the be-all and end-all.
The be-all and end-all is living in grace and peace, living with grace and peace and living through grace and peace. Then knowledge of God, union with Christ, inspiration from the Holy Spirit will – and does – occur. That leads to the practice of the gifts mentioned in verses five to seven (similar to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5).
Then verse eight emphasises again that living in, with and through grace and peace leads to knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Much more than head knowledge! We are enabled to ‘share his divine purpose’ (verse four). A scandalous thought, but a life-giving, liberating and freeing one. How do I live more like Jesus? By bathing in grace and peace, letting grace and peace permeate my every bone, my every thought, my every action.
Then ‘working hard’ (NLT) and ‘making every effort’ (NIV) (verse 10) is not a test or about works righteousness – it is simply living as Christ enables us. Imagine what the world would be like if each of us constantly lived in grace and peace, with grace and peace, through grace and peace! Pray for the courage and wisdom to do so.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the grace and peace you provide, even when times are tough or we are struggling. Provide more and more grace and peace so we may indeed grow in our knowledge of you. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com