Tag Archives: Faith

CAST YOUR NET TO THE OTHER SIDE

CAST THE NET TO THE OTHER SIDE

John 21:6

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some”. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.- John 21:6

Have we ever experienced moments where we thought life have given up on us?

That doors were slammed on our faces wondering why?

And I find it surprising that after all of our efforts and energy trying to get results, we end up in vain and yet just on the opposite spot; this is where we can find the same results we are expecting.

Is it just a coincidence or a divine intervention is at work?

Whether we like it or not, without any option left; we need to learn how to cast our net to the other side.

Let us dig deep and understand how it works because the disciple’s experience may relate somehow to our own story.

What Shall We Do Now

Here was a situation where after the disciple’s tragic experience of being with the Lord, they were still not totally recovered and were still puzzled about the past events that happened to the Lord.

For now, the disciples were on their own after years of being with Jesus. Their ministry was under lookout, no more preaching, no more teachings, miracles ceased, those who followed Jesus were hiding and some returned back to their normal life wondering what happened.

They may think that their faith in Jesus made a mess in their lives because they were identified with Jesus and now they were on the watch list.

Their movement became limited.

Their hope was slowing down. The Messiah they expected had died and missing but appeared to them while they were hiding in a closed room. Pilate was still in his seat, the Pharisees were still enjoying their lives after their presumed victory.

They may be asking themselves “What shall we do now?”

Even in our lives, under painful events and tragic experiences; we have the same question “What shall we do now?

“My spouse left me, what shall I do now?”

“My finances are on the downhill, what shall I do now?”

“My blood pressure is not getting normal, what shall I do now?”

“My relationship is not getting better.”

“My company may close any time.”

“My children’s behavior is not what I expected.”

“I cannot afford to keep my family here in Dubai anymore, what shall I do now?”

“WHAT SHALL WE DO NOW?”

With this in our mind, we console ourselves and return back to our comfort zone.

To where we fit and are accepted. To where we are best. To a life of mediocrity.

This may be the same question Peter and the other disciples were asking.

Peter demonstrated this scenario like all of us, so he returned where he came from.

Fishing.

THE WAY WE WERE

For some people, fishing is a hobby and to be one with nature. It’s good for deep thinkers.

But for Peter, he returned to what he loved and was familiar with, fishing!

Catching fish was his expertise. He knows the sea, and the timing and this made him successful.

“You don’t know what to do now? I’m going fishing.”

There was no doubt that even his fellow disciples when he asked them to go fishing, all followed him.

When our expectation fails us, aren’t many of us settling for less?

Because we don’t want to be hurt and to fail anymore.

We grab our old boats, we use the old nets, we hang with old friends, and we do the old things.

We return back where we fit, where we used to be.

When we return back to where we fit, we cannot fit there anymore.

Caterpillar cannot go back to where it came.

Chicken cannot go back to its shells again.

Because when we left everything to serve God, there should be no turning back.

This is what we need to know, sometimes God closes more doors than He opens.

He shuts more access so that we could get to the right door that leads us where to go. To our destiny where He wanted us to be.

WHAT IF YOUR BEST IS NOT THE BEST ANYMORE

Peter might say to them, “You don’t know what to do? Ok, come with me because I am good at this. I know this is going to work”

But what you will do if the things you know really work don’t work?

God shuts doors in our face we can’t go back to where we came from.

Being a Christian, there is no turning back because the mold that we usually fit in will not fit us anymore.

“I know this man, this is where I was good at.”

So they cast the net but it took time, some more time, and more time.

But seems the fishes were sleeping or on a holiday somewhere on that night because none of them is touching the net.

Peter at this time might be feeling red already and in excuse might say “By this time there should be fish already”.

BY THIS TIME AND SURELY BY NOW

So they waited for some more time but there were no fish.

Peter at this time might be feeling red already and in excuse might say “By this time there should be fish already”.

How many of us expecting something and until now waiting for it to come?

“By this time, I should be with my family already in the Philippines but I’m not yet ready to retire”.

Then you pull the net up, “Surely by now I should have already a husband…”

Pulling it up once again, “Surely bow now I should have already children”

Surely by now, I should have already gone home for good.

But the Bible says they had CAUGHT NOTHING.

Peter doesn’t know that on that night, God shut the door for him.

No matter how good and intelligent we are, how gorgeous and beautiful you are when He shuts the door, we can do nothing.

God puts us in a position to realize that without Him we can’t do anything.

God will humble us.

He will give us success, not from the success offered by this world.

ABNORMAL FAILURES

We must be aware of any abnormal failures.

We should always suspect unusual failures because it means that there is something spiritual going on.

An uncommon letdown means God is talking to you somewhere.

You can call for help from anybody but when He slams the door, no one can help you.

It’s about daybreak and from the shore, someone yells at them and asked ‘Children, have you caught any fish?” and they said “No!

This is not a question of insult but it’s time to inspect ourselves. Ask the question why and what happened.

Evaluate what is in our boat.

WORDS OF DIRECTION

We need to admit that nothing is working.

Our skills are of no use until we humble ourselves.

And when they admit that they can do nothing, Jesus said to them “cast your net on the right side.”

Take note that it’s the same boat, the same net, it’s on the same lake, only a change of sides.

The blessing comes not because of a new net or a more sturdy boat or a new lake but the difference lies in the obedience to a Word of Direction.

Because when God speaks in our life, He gives us Words of direction.

Therefore the problem is not on our skills or our technique but on our obedience.

I would rather have words of guidance than a bunch of inheritance. Even if I have that much without direction, I can lose it all.

May you have His Words of Direction

Mikesendon

CAST YOUR NET TO THE OTHER SIDE

Leave a reply

CAST THE NET TO THE OTHER SIDE

John 21:6

Cast Your Net

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some”. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.- John 21:6

Have we ever experienced moments where we thought life have given up on us?

That doors were slammed on our faces wondering why?

And I find it surprising that after all of our efforts and energy trying to get results, we end up in vain, and yet just on the opposite spot; this is where we can find the same results we are expecting.

Is it just a coincidence or a divine intervention is at work?

Whether we like it or not, without any option left; we need to learn how to cast our net to the other side.

Let us dig deep and understand how it works because the disciple’s experience may relate somehow to our own story.

What Shall We Do Now

They may think that their faith in Jesus made a mess in their lives because they were identified with Jesus and now they were on the watch list.

Their movement became limited.

They may be asking themselves “What shall we do now?”

Even in our lives, under painful events and tragic experiences; we have the same question “What shall we do now?

“My spouse left me, what shall I do now?”

“My finances are on the downhill, what shall I do now?”

“My blood pressure is not getting normal, what shall I do now?”

“My relationship is not getting better.”

“My company may close any time.”

“My children’s behavior is not what I expected.”

“I cannot afford to keep my family here in Dubai anymore, what shall I do now?”

“WHAT SHALL WE DO NOW?”

With this in our mind, we console ourselves and return back to our comfort zone.

To where we fit and are accepted. To where we are best. To a life of mediocrity.

This may be the same question Peter and the other disciples were asking.

Peter demonstrated this scenario like all of us, so he returned where he came from.

Fishing.

THE WAY WE WERE

For some people, fishing is a hobby and to be one with nature. It’s good for deep thinkers.

But for Peter, he returned to what he loved and was familiar with, fishing!

Catching fish was his expertise. He knows the sea, and the timing and this made him successful.

“You don’t know what to do now? I’m going fishing.”

There was no doubt that even his fellow disciples when he asked them to go fishing, all followed him.

When our expectation fails us, isn’t that many of us settle for less?

Because we don’t want to be hurt and to fail anymore.

We grab our old boats, we use the old nets, we hang with old friends, and we do the old things.

We return back where we fit, where we used to be.

When we return back to where we fit, we cannot fit there anymore.

Caterpillar cannot go back to where it came from.

Chicken cannot go back to its shells again.

Because when we left everything to serve God, there should be no turning back.

This is what we need to know, sometimes God closes more doors than He opens.

He shuts more access so that we could get to the right door that leads us where to go. To our destiny where He wanted us to be.

WHAT IF YOUR BEST IS NOT THE BEST ANYMORE

Peter might say to them, “You don’t know what to do? Ok, come with me because I am good at this. I know this is going to work”

But what you will do if the things you know really work don’t work?

God shuts doors in our face we can’t go back to where we came from.

Being a Christian, there is no turning back because the mold that we usually fit in will not fit us anymore.

“I know this man, this is where I was good at.”

So they cast the net but it took time, some more time, and more time.

But seems the fishes were sleeping or on a holiday somewhere on that night because none of them is touching the net.

Peter at this time might be feeling red already and in excuse might say “By this time there should be fish already”.

BY THIS TIME AND SURELY BY NOW

So they waited for some more time but there were no fish.

Peter at this time might be feeling red already and in excuse might say “By this time there should be fish already”.

How many of us expecting something and until now waiting for it to come?

“By this time, I should be with my family already in the Philippines but I’m not yet ready to retire”.

Then you pull the net up, “Surely by now I should have already a husband…”

Pulling it up once again, “Surely bow now I should have already children”

Surely by now, I should have already gone home for good.

But the Bible says they had CAUGHT NOTHING.

Peter doesn’t know that on that night, God shut the door for him.

No matter how good and intelligent we are, how gorgeous and beautiful you are when He shuts the door, we can do anything.

God puts us in a position to realize that without Him we can’t do anything.

God will humble us.

He will give us success, not from the success offered by this world.

ABNORMAL FAILURES

We must be aware of any abnormal failures.

We should always suspect unusual failures because it means that there is something spiritual going on.

An uncommon letdown means God is talking to you somewhere.

You can call for help from anybody but when He slams the door, no one can help you.

It’s about daybreak and from the shore, someone yells at them and asked ‘Children, have you caught any fish?” and they said “No!

This is not a question of insult but it’s time to inspect ourselves. Ask the question why and what happened.

Evaluate what is in our boat.

WORDS OF DIRECTION

We need to admit that nothing is working.

Our skills are of no use until we humble ourselves.

And when they admit that they can do nothing, Jesus said to them “cast your net on the right side.”

Take note that it’s the same boat, the same net, it’s on the same lake, only a change of sides.

The blessing comes not because of a new net or a more sturdy boat or a new lake but the difference lies in the obedience to a Word of Direction.

Because when God speaks in our life, He gives us Words of direction.

Therefore the problem is not on our skills or our technique but on our obedience.

I would rather have words of guidance than a bunch of inheritance. Even if I have that much without direction, I can lose it all.

May you have His Words of Direction

Mikesendon

Walking on Top Where Everybody’s Sinking

Leave a reply

Walking on Top Where Everybody’s Sinking

MATTHEW 14:22-33

Do we want to see miracles that most people failed to see?

Do we really want to receive blessings that many missed receiving?

It seems surprising to know that God’s blessing is just around us and just within our reach.

It seems odd to know that you and I can walk on top of where everybody was sinking, and yet we don’t experience it?

Because Peter is a man just like us, with limitations, with many weaknesses yet experiences the miracles of a lifetime to walk on top of the water.

Who among us wants to walk on top of where everybody is sinking?

THE NEED FOR AN ANTENNA OF FAITH

It was not just long ago when most of us witnessed and experienced that to have clear reception of channels on radio or television, we need to have an antenna.

Is it not funny that before, you need to turn the antenna to every angle possible just to receive a clear reception of invisible power, unseen energy, that feeds the radio, the wireless telephone, and television with huge data or hertz to hear and see that are just around us?

Although this technology is now revolutionized into a more advanced technology using a fiber optic, the law is still the same.

The question now is, do we have that antenna for us to receive these things, these blessings, these revelations, and these miracles that are just around us?

Do we have the FAITH to see what others don’t see?

Faith is an antenna to receive and tap into the power that many missed to possess and experience.

The miracles and blessings of God surround us, but we don’t experience them because we don’t have the device to claim and received them, we don’t have an antenna of faith.

It’s just like your swimming in a vast ocean with countless fish but you cannot fish because you don’t have the net to catch them.

That is the faith Peter had, he saw Jesus walking on top of the water and when he Jesus invited him to come, he believed that he can walk too on the water.

FAITH is like a WIFI, it is invisible but it can connect you to what you need.

In faith, there are no dead spots in God because we will always be connected in faith

In Hebrew 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

FAITH MAKES YOU EXCEPTIONAL

When you have faith, you become exceptional.

Peter became exceptional as he walked where many could sink.

He was the only disciple who had the experience to walk on top of the water.

Our faith makes us special as we can connect to where most can’t connect.

By faith, it makes us among the list of halls of fame in heaven, who gained favor and pleasing before God.

Because by faith, we can please God.

By faith, Enoc please God and took him up without seeing death.

By faith, Noah being warned by God of things not yet seen prepared the ark for the salvation of his household.

By faith, Abraham became the father of many nations.

But all of them were human too like us, and what happened to them can come to reality in us if we have faith.

Your FAITH in God can make you exceptional too.

Why? Because their faith and our faith when we fully practice can please God.

Shout that you are exceptional.

Declare that you are extraordinary.

Your faith can move mountains
Your faith can connect to where many can’t connect
You can tap on the power where many missed
You have the lenses to magnify the unseen
With faith, you have the edge over your adversaries
With your faith, you dare to face your enemies
With faith, we can touch the heart of God
With faith, we can be part of a miracle
With faith, our prayers could be heard and answered

Because you are exceptional.

A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

-Psalm 91:7-10

WALKING ON TOP OF WATERS

Matthew 14:29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter goes out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

God allows us to experience walking on top of the water to show us that whatever is impossible could be possible.

That all of us can rise above where people are afraid to walk off.

That we can overcome our fear and have the courage to endure what others feared to face.

So that we can step outside our boat and live away from our own comforts and start to trust God’s provision and power.

WALKING EVEN THERE IS A STORM

But seeing the wind, Peter became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out “Lord save me!”

Like Peter, he already walked on the water but he was distracted by the strong wind that he saw, and he slowly sunk down. Jesus told him how little was his faith.

Don’t expect God to be sensual in our storms.

Because we may not see or feel Him physically, but with faith, we will know that He is always in control.

That is the reason why we must walk by faith and not by sight.

Storms should increase our faith as faith could be the best practice in our storms.

Uncommon faith brings uncommon results.

The presence of storms in our life does not mean that God is not with us. In fact, the presence of God is with us.

In fact, it is the presence of God that sustains us in battle the strong winds in our life.

Psalm 46:1 says our God is our very present help in times of trouble.

God is present in our tribulations, in our sufferings, and in our struggles because He is a very present help in our times of need.

Call upon the name of the Lord and he will be with us.

It does not mean that when we are being shaken by the strong wind, God is absent.

GOD ALLOWS YOU TO SINK TO HUMBLE YOU

Never be so proud that we are on top of the water always because sometimes God allows you to sink.

It is when you are on the top of everything that he allowed us to sink to understand that we need Him to help us.

Our walking on top of the water is not ours to brag about but rather to understand that we experience it because it is a grace.

Don’t be so proud that you are walking on top of waters and overcoming all your storms that you lose sight of the hands that call you.

Because sinking allows makes us call the name of the Lord for help.

Sinking allows us to understand that we need Him always in our life.

Sinking diverts our attention and focuses again on the hands of the one always willing to help us.

And it is Jesus.

May your happiness be full,

Mikesendon

GOD FINDS YOU IN EMMAUS

Leave a reply

God Finds You in Your Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

It was after three days when the two disciples were travelling back to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. On their way, they were debating and discussing what had happened in Jerusalem for the last few days about Jesus whom was mighty in deed and words but crucified then buried.

They were so downcast and depressed because their hope was lost. A hope that someone would deliver them from the Roman oppressions.

Their faith was with Jesus Christ, their would be Messiah, who was mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and the people.

EMMAUS EXPERIENCE

Here was a story that all of us can relate as we too experience what the two disciples experienced.

We may have undergone or going through an “Emmaus experience”.

Like the two servants, they had put all their hopes in Jesus believing that with Him, all their dreams for freedom shall be fulfilled at last by the Messiah they long waiting for.

We may have once put all our hopes in other person. With great optimism that this person will be our defender, our champion, our hero.. but at the end, they left us wounded, abandoned, abused and broken.

We may have put our energy to work out our relationships but it never works…

We might exert all our dedications and hard works aiming for that promotion and position but our boss never appreciated what we’ve done.

We may have reached our rock bottom and hit us badly, left us down casted, frustrated, hopeless and undermine.

Emmaus the road of Retreat

Emmaus is the road to our defeat and surrender.

It is where we pity and tell ourselves that we are losers.

It is when we want to return to our old life.

Emmaus is when we walk back to where we came from. It is the road to isolation; we separate ourselves from the rest.

This is the road where we slowly waver in our faith.

Emmaus is a journey

All of us are not exempted from this part of journey.

All of us have walked on the same road.

Like the experience of Cleopas and the other, we have journeyed the same path.

Because on the same road, it is where God find us. It is where He meets us.

We may not look for God while we are on the road to Emmaus but it is God who find us on this road to retreat.

Why? Because God is following us in our Emmaus journey not to condemn us but to encourage us.

Not to blame us but rather to uplift us. Not to let us fall astray but to guide us.

We may find it difficult to see the light in the road to Emmaus but God will surely open our eyes to see rays of light and shade of hope.

Emmaus is a walk to remember

Emmaus experience is not only about retreat but an encounter with God.

It is when in this moment that we have the opportunity to experience Him who seeks us.

It’s an occasion to remember because at the moment that we were down, neglected and abandoned, there was a God who never forsakes us.

There is always a God who permanently walks with us.

We are not alone. We are not forgotten.

Emmaus is not our destination

We should remember that Emmaus is not our permanent destination.

God don’t intend us to be stranded in our Emmaus.

You might be enjoying your stay in your Emmaus right now but God will find a way to win you back.

Our destiny does not depend on people nor governed by events and circumstances. Our Destiny is with God

That is why Jesus commands the two disciples to go back to Jerusalem.

We are encouraged to go back to our Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is where God had called us. It is where Jesus saves us.

Our Jerusalem is where Jesus is. It is where we belong with the people whom God called.

Recognizing God in our Emmaus journey

By His Presence

In verse 32 says” not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us in the road while He was explaining the Scriptures”

We recognize God by His presence. It is a presence that comforts us.

In His company we find that we are important and He regard our value worthy as we perceived ourselves.

It is a presence that never condemns and reject but rather welcomes and encourages.

By His Words

In verse 27,” then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the scriptures.

We recognize God through His Words by revealing Himself to us.

He has the Words that encourages us and gives us hopes.

Jesus is the Word that gives us life.

By the breaking of the Bread

In verse 30-31, God opened their eyes after the breaking of the bread and they recognized the presence of Jesus.

Whenever we are in our Emmaus, encounter God in the Holy Eucharist where we will experience His holy presence, speaks to us through the reading of the scriptures and receive His real presence.

You might be walking back to your Emmaus but it is in the same Emmaus where God will meet you.

Listen to His Words speaking to you right now, feel the burning heat of His presence and meet Him in the Eucharist and allow God to open your eyes and hearts.

May you recognize God in your Emmaus,

Mikesendon

BE STILL IN YOUR STORM-SERIES 3 (Storm increases our Faith)

Leave a reply

BE STILL IN YOUR STORMS-SERIES 3

(Storm increases your Faith)

MARK 4:35 -41

In Mark 4:40 And He said to them “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?

We should understand that we pass different storms not to harm us, not to kill us but to strengthen us.

Our storms come in our life to strengthen and increase our faith.

3. INCREASES OUR FAITH

The storm in our life brings fear. It brings us anxieties.

“But storms should increase our faith as faith could be best practice in our storms.”

Our faith could only be stretched out when we practice it.

Our muscles expand more after regular work out. An athlete who went through a rigid training is more strong, agile and determined than an ordinary person.

Your storms are instrumental in the growth of your faith. The more storms you have, the more muscles your faith will have.

GROW IN FAITH

Is it not your happy when you have a bonsai plant and your friend like it because it’s small?

When you parade your pet Chihuahua dog; everyone says that it’s so cute.

But how about our faith? Will God be happy if our faith after five or ten years attending a prayer meeting or going to church and it still remains small?

Will you be happy that we have a cute faith?

Our faith should grow over time. Although the requirement for us is to have a faith at least as small as mustard seed, however, it should not remain as small as it is.

Our faith needs to develop and one way to grow it is by practicing it in our storms.

STORMS ARE ATTACK IN OUR FAITH

Storm comes sometimes undetected.

In November 2013, a super typhoon Yolanda, with sustained winds of 235 kilometers per hour with gusts of 275 kph when it made landfall devastated the southern part of the Philippines. By those measurements, Yolanda would be comparable to a strong Category 4 hurricane in the US, nearly in the top category, a 5. It left Tacloban and other islands in total devastation, leaving the area like a ghost town.

But the strongest typhoon met the strongest people in earth.

In our spiritual world, storms are attacks in our faith. It comes so that we lose and waver our faith.

It’s an enemy’s assault to make you vulnerable, weak and defeated. When your our storms are battering us, we tend to give up, blame and question God why He allows all of this things to happen.

The enemy brings storms in our life not to attack you but because he want to attack our faith.

FAITH AS VALUABLE COMMODITY

For the enemy, our faith in God is like valuable commodity.

It’s like an exchange of trade and the enemy what we could become because of our faith.

Because with faith we can please God.

With faith we can have answered prayers.

With faith we can do miracles.

With faith we can touch the heart God.

That is why, he send so many storms in our life because he know what we could become. The enemy knows where God is taking us.

When you lose your job, the enemy is not after your money but he is after your faith.

When your marriage is in the brink of separation, the enemy is not interested in your husband; he is attacking your faith.

When your car was impounded by the bank due to non-payment, the enemy is not after your car, he is after your faith.

Storms should increase our faith as faith could be best practice in our storms.

Uncommon faith brings uncommon results.

WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT

Because when we are in the midst of our storm, we may not feel Him, we may not see Him, we may not heard of Him but it does not indicate that he already jumped off from our boat.

In the midst of storms, it is dark there, it is not quiet and we cannot see him.

He wanted us to stir our boat not from what we know but from what He could do.

When we focus our physical eyes on our surroundings, we will be disappointed.

But instead of fear and doubt, fill our boat with faith.

When we are so conscious about our storms, we will be terrified when the water is filling up our boat.

Like Peter, he already walked on the water but he was distracted by the strong wind that he saw, he slowly sunk down. Jesus told him that how little was his faith.

Don’t expect God to be sensual in our storms.

Because we may not see or feel Him physically, but with faith we will know that He is always in control.

That is the reason why we have to walk by faith and not by sight.

May your storms stretch the muscles of your faith,

Mikesendon