I'm not sure what day we are on in this Covid-19 but as I read the word so many things come to my mind. My family can not handle anymore of my stories in this time of lock down.
I went to open my bible and some of the pages were sticking. I had put a empty packet of honey in a bag with papers. The papers got drips of honey on them and then the papers got shoved into my bible, thus now the sticky pages.

Why am I writing this. Because over the past thirty of so years, when I am doing something, sometimes an analogy will pop in my head. I get over joyed about it but and want to share, yet I get a eye role from my kids (like we need another story, eye roll).

In this case I think of honey, google the word. That's what I've always done over the years. I look up words and their definition. Wow, if you google it and click on idioms used for the word honey there are so money like...honey do list...land of milk and honey...no money, no honey.

But when I saw the honey I thought of sweet and sticky. That's what the bible is to me, sweet and sticky. I would go on to write a devo about HONEY. God wants the word to stick in our mind and it is so sweet. "Gracious word are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones Proverbs 16:24 NIV."

Another story:

I used a very old magnifying glass to see the smallest of print in my study bible. Ugh! I can't read it without it! I thought of my grandma using this. I remember after my grandma died I was standing in the nursing home, saying good-bye to the nurses and compiling her things to take with me. I remember that after Mother Theresa died they said they only had a bucket full of her possessions. That's it! Here I was saying good-bye and it was a bag full of stuff. In it was this magnifying glass. My grandmother went from not seeing well, to getting worse, to being legally blind. Well, that's depressing to think of, but my point is this, magnify the Lord, He is worthy to be praised. More of Him and less of the struggle. Singers Shane & Shane put it well its title Psalm 34-
Magnify the Lord with me, exalt His name together. So true. People lets do this! Lets praise the Lord in all times!

Stories make the world go round! It's time to listen people. Experiences, sharing, listening make others feel valued. Slow down, sit down, quiet down....i am going to add listen...listen to Jesus...let Him be magnified... let the stories of life unfold and enrich you. Be present is the saying these days. LISTEN.
What is Jesus saying in these times?
It's never changing!
He never makes up anything new.
We should not be surprised.

I am going through the book of John right now. My observation so far for chapters 1-4
Jesus was in the beginning and everything is made by Him. In Him we have life and when we believe we receive His grace and truth.
His life brought light to everyone.
He helps us see truth. Because of grace, we receive blessing after blessing.
Jewish baptisms were for ceremonially cleansing of  the Jews. Jesus baptism is a symbol of His death, resurrection and knowing who the son of God is.
The Spirit came of Jesus at His baptism. Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit. John, "He is the son of God."

COVID-19. OVERWHELMED OR BORED TO WONDER; HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

In this time of unrest, you may feel restless!

Restless-unable to rest or relax as a result of anxiety or boredom. Which is it for you anxiety or boredom.
I'm turning off the news and letting the people who are in charge figure this crazy days out.

My commitment right now is to sit down, quiet down, calm down and learn from this.

I landed on a passage of scripture and as I read it, I thought what if someone today just sits down and declares, "I have the time, I'm finally going to read my bible." Panic sets in with a question, "Where do I begin?"

It was Luke 5 for me.
1. I  prayed God help me to learn something, understand something, realize something.
2. Read it through and then I went back because something caught my eye.
Maybe something didn't happen for you? What to do?

Here are some questions to ask:
a Who are the characters in the story?
b.What is Jesus doing?
c.What are the others doing?
d. How do they react to what is going on? How were they feeling when Jesus encountered them?
f.  What was Jesus' reaction to their reaction?
g. Who is Jesus to me?
h. When I'm in a situation what do I do?
i. What can I learn from their reaction and what can I do different in the future?

What stuck out for me was, "Why did Jesus say, "Don't be afraid?"
Why did they need to be calmed?

I feel really like a reporter digging around the story to understand it. Then I am trying to understand why read it and how can this help me?

Let's do this together.
The characters: Jesus, Simon Peter, Simon's companions, John and James (sons of Zebedee).
What were they doing when Jesus came on the scene?  Simon and his friends worked all night fishing and caught nothing, they were cleaning their nets.
What must they have felt after the long night? overwhelmed, fearful, discouraged, lacking hope. Not only did they feel emotional they would have also been tired, and their bodies physically worn out.

They maybe saying: "I need the work, I need the fish to sell...they may take it to the next step...if we don't have money we can't eat, we can't feed our family, we can't pay the bills. And then ask...what will happen if we can't pay the bills...the final doom and gloom of their story could be we will starve and we will loose everything! Yikes!

Have you ever done this?
Right now are you overwhelmed, bored from lack of activities, fearful, scared, discouraged, impatient, lacking peace and hope? Put your circumstances in your feeling words. Right your story right now.

Jesus comes on the scene and what does he do? He walks in peace. Why? Because He is God, He knows the end of the story. Yes, he has an advantage. But what we must know that when Jesus (who is always on the scene with us) is with us; things are calmer, more peaceful. Reading God's stories and living them out gives us the assurance that peace is with us. Jesus represents peace.

Let's get back to the story! Did Peter get interrupted? Yes. Does Simon know Jesus prior to this? How does Peter react to this disruption? Did Peter make excuses like, "Jesus I am cleaning my nets, I've been out all night?"  I'm pretty sure if a stranger showed up Simon would not listen to them. But he  honors Jesus request to take him a little from the shore. It indicates Simon knew Jesus before. So Peter even tho he is exhausted, listens. Pause. Do you listen when you are tired or weak?  Just sayin!

Pause a question pops in my head? What does Jesus teach? In this case the other Gospel's have documented this story. Matthew, Mark and John have there version. All similar but each add or do not include every detail. Matthew 4:18-22 does not tell Jesus taught. But after that incident he does say Jesus went on teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom. Right before the incident he preaches, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near Matt. 4:17b." Mark gives the short version like Matthew. John's version is very insightful to add to Luke's story. (John 1:40-42) It states that Simon was with Andrew (I forgot to mention that the other versions mention Andrew was with Simon) and they heard what John had said prior, "Look the Lamb of God." They emphasize another very important things we too should ask ourselves. Are we looking right now, do we see, and  when we see do we listen? John says, "Look!"

What does Simon say in the John version? "We have found the Messiah, (that is, the Christ). Then Jesus says, "Follow me!"

They all leave their "stuff" and follow Jesus!

Let's get back to the Luke version.

Jesus asked Simon to take a little way out so he could teach.
Jesus sometimes asks even more of us. Pay attention. In this case it was to reveal more about Himself to the boys.
Luke 4:4, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."  What does that mean for the boys.
1. dirty their nets again.
2. move the boats to the deep. GO DEEPER! When we go deeper we SEE more!
3. trust
4. not question
5. have faith

Peter could not help himself tho? What does he say before he goes out deep? the BUT...do you but?...but I worked all night...but we tried... but I'm doing all I can...
Does Simon stops and catch himself? Yes! Thank goodness Simon says, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets Luke 5:4."  Next, they catch alot of fish.

How does Simon respond? He fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" What is this reaction? He realizes who he is talking with. God!
What does His companions do? They are astonished=amazed, impressed!

How does Jesus respond to their reaction? "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." They must have looked scared.  Like, "You want us to work for you?"

Conclusion: Simon went from being overwhelmed to wonder. He realizes he is unworthy and sinful. Despite them catching their big load of fish, they make a life changing decision, they drop everything and go catch people!

Very worth job.
What about you?
You are overwhelmed.
Pray
Seek God.
Wait.
Look.
Listen.
Wait.
Pray.
When you seek; act on it. Is it ok to have reactions? Yes! The disciples sure did, yet Jesus was patient with them.

Jesus is always there for us.
Jesus loves us like a Father loves his child.
Jesus seeks us and wants a relationship with us.
Jesus works things out the way He sees fit.

GODCIDENCE

i DON'T THINK SO!
Coincidence, no way, no how!

God is a beautiful rescuer.

Ready!
Willing!
Not wanting us to fall!
HE HELPS US FIND A WAY OUT!
I'm not making this stuff up!
He means its.

Let me explain,
I'm really holding my head high. I'm not slouching and going to give in. I say "I" but I really mean God doesn't want that to happen to me.
He is powerful!
He proclaimed from the beginning he would come to set the captives free.
I am one of those captives.\
As I memorize and read over and over Colossians 1.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your behavior. Then i woke up. I saw. I listened. God let me see. I was no longer blind. I could hear, taste and see in a new way. It was amazing grace. But I was...I was an enemy to the cross...I was separated..but....but i was found...i am no longer afraid...
But now he has reconciled ME by Christ's physical body through death to present ME holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

If I continue in the faith established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which Paul, had become a servant, which I now am a servant of also.

So as I labor for this faithful God professing my obedience in Him, I continue. I am blessed. I was never promised an easy journey. Never!

But I was promised protection, guidance, wisdom, knowledge, forgiveness, eternal life, love, hope, joy, peace, love, patience, love, joy, a heart to hold my head up high. I will hold my head high.
The saints will pray. God will respond. He has responded.
Today he awoke me with a song.
Healing rain!
AS IT RAINS TODAY! it is a physical way of showing what Jesus wants me to know.
TRUTH!
From the one who is the way, the truth, the life. it is his blood that pumps my blood and I go on!
Healing rain comes for the weak. I am not always strong. I feel weak.
My dry heart is soaked in heavens rain!
I am not afraid. I am not afraid.
Accuser!
Listen, I am not afraid, because God told me not to be.
Healing heavenly rain is here.
Tears of joy!
Tears of shame! are washed forever in Jesus name!
Let us not ASK, WHERE IS GOD?
He's here. He's alive. He helps, he sprinkles us with healing rain!

Each time I begin to get down, He lifts my hands and they are held by someone greater, THE GREAT I AM!
Be lifted friend from being down. Love your enemies. Pray for them. Because they are not capable of knowing this heavenly rain! They don't get it! WOE! Pray they do!
It's freeing!
It's nothing to be afraid of !
Be blessed today.
The other day the song Indescribable by Chris Tomlin came to me. I played it all day.
I was going down again. The song came to mind. I was lifted up. It taught me. I can't even describe the power of love of Christ, but to say it is amazing grace and you meet it at the death of Christ at the cross!

Wonder. The spontaneous worship song, came the next day. Realizing I am holy, without blemish, the daughter of the King, the child of Christ, the heir to all of His beauty. I am qualified!
You are amazing God!
(Wonder, Live, Bethel Music, Amanda Lindsey)
Next he helps me, he is ever present in my trouble. He is present! Oceans; Regine Velasquez!
Each song full of truth. His words. My worship!
Spontaneous!