Category: Distractions

Learn to Fish Like a Fisherman

5/6/2019

Alexander the Great was not satisfied, even when he had completely subdued the nations. He wept because there were no more worlds to conquer, and he died at an early age in a state of debauchery.

Hannibal, who filled three bushels with the gold rings taken from the knights he had slaughtered, committed suicide by swallowing poison. Few noted his passing, and he left this earth completely unmourned.

Julius Caesar, staining his garments in the blood of one million of his foes, conquered 800 cities, only to be stabbed by his best friends at the scene of his greatest triumph.

Napoleon, the feared conqueror, after being the scourge of Europe, spent his last years in banishment. (Pulpit Resource, G.S. Bowles)
They failed to live out Christ’s purpose in life. In my last blog, we saw that Jesus told Peter. Andrew, James, and John to follow Him to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:17-22). They lived out Christ’s purpose in life. We can learn at least four principles from real fishermen on how to become a fisher of men.

Patience and Perseverance
It takes many hours to catch a fish. The same is true in sharing our faith. Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, preaching good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness (severe pain, demon-possessed, epileptics and paralytics). Patience and perseverance resulted in large crowds following him (Matthew 4:23-25)

Because of the crowd, four men cut an opening in the roof above Jesus. They lowered a mat a paralyzed man was lying on to bring him before Jesus (Mark 2:1-5). They showed great patience and perseverance.

Good instincts
We must go to certain spots where fish are biting and be ready to catch them. Jesus told Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Jesus ate at his house with other sinners. He didn’t call the righteous, but the humble who knew their sin (Mark 2:13-17). Jesus returned in the power of the Holy Spirit to minister in Galilee (Luke 4:14; Matthew 4:23-25). Sensitivity to the timing and leading of the Holy Spirit enables one to take advantage of spur-of-the-moment opportunities.

Skill
A good fisherman knows his tools: how to cast out his line, and right bait and timing for certain kinds of fish. Similarly, fishers of men have the Word of God and Holy Spirit’s leading for their tools. Jesus said His mission was walking in the Holy Spirit and proclaiming good news/liberty to four categories of people: poor (helpless, brokenhearted, no wealth, position, or influence); captives (unable to be free from bad habits, physical addiction, lust for money, and ways of the world); blind (spiritually blind, unbelief, and prideful); and oppressed (beaten and broken down by worldly authorities) (Luke 4:18-19).

Know how to work together.
When a fish is hooked, your buddy stands by with a net. Jesus sent out His disciples in twos (Mark 6:7; Luke 10:1). As one person shares, the other person can pray.
Jesus’ told His disciples to let down their nets in the deep for a catch. So many fish caused their nets to break (Luke 5:1-11). Discover these four principles in this passage: patience and perseverance, good instincts, skill, and know how to work together.

Overcome your fear and fulfill your purpose to preach the gospel because people are going to hell without Christ (Luke 4:43 ; 5:10).

To see more blogs, go to www.markpomeroy.com

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How to Regain Purpose and Hope

4/29/2019

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Our mission agency, Christ For the City Int’l, spent a day serving during our bi-annual board meetings. During lunch, I sat down next to a man eating alone. I asked, “How’s your day going?”

After an awkward pause, he opened up. I sensed a melancholy spirit. He said his wife of 34 years died in his arms four years ago. She was the love of his life with a “beautiful spirit inside and out.”

This man turned to alcohol and his life spiraled out of control. He remarried, but temporarily lost touch with his second wife. I prayed out loud. Tears seeped out of his eyes. This man once had been a deacon in an evangelical church, but now seemed to have lost all hope.

How do we lose purpose and hope? How do we regain it?

We find a clue in Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, mentioned three times (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-12). He was led by the Spirit and tempted by the devil. The first was self-gratification (lust of the flesh). If you’re the Son of God, meet the physical need by turning stones into bread. Jesus, like us, need God’s word to withstand the temptation (Matthew 4:1-4).

The second temptation was self-promotion (lust of the eyes). The devil had Jesus stand on the highest point of the temple and throw Himself down. The devil twisted Scripture. Jesus said not to put God to the test (Matthew 4:5-7).

The third temptation was self-exaltation (boastful pride of life). The devil showed all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor so Jesus would worship him. Jesus said to worship and serve God only (Matthew 4:8-11).

Before the temptations, Jesus had a mountain top experience--heaven was opened, saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and heard an affirming voice of unconditional love from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17). When things go well and you feel blessed, beware the devil will blast you with chaos, confusion, and criticism.

After the temptations, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Jesus told Peter. Andrew, James, and John to follow Him to become fishers of men. (Matthew 4:17-22). The devil doesn’t want you to share the gospel or disciple others.

On the encouraging side, angels, ministering spirits to serve believers, helped Jesus and will attend to you (Mark 1:12-13; Hebrews 1:14).

If we resist temptation, share our faith and begin discipling others, evil forces will come against us. We must walk in Christ’s authority and drive out evil spirits (Mark 1:21-28).

Because we’re in a spiritual battle, we must fight with the spiritual weapons of prayer and God’s word.

It’s important we follow the example of Jesus and pray, preferably early in the morning (Mark 1:35).

The devil is crafty and leaves us until an opportune time. He knows our weaknesses. In Jesus’ case, everyone praised Him as the word got around (Luke 4:13-15). Seeking the praise of others may prevent us from sharing the gospel and discipling others.

Don’t love the world, which include the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and boastful pride of life. Those who do God’s will live forever (1 John 2:15-17).

The greatest purpose and hope we have in life are to follow Jesus in catching men for Him.

To read past blogs, go to https://www.markpomeroy.com/

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Principles in Staying Devoted to Jesus No Matter Your Marital Status (Insights in NT)

10/26/2012

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"Unfaithfulness in the key relationships of life is a common failure for many people in contemporary society. This lack leads to so much misery. We who trust Christ must not allow the world to squeeze us into its mold. What wonderful blessings flow from faithfulness in keeping our vows. Examine your life. Is it characterized by faithfulness? God is faithful. He keeps his promises to us. Keep your promises to God and to those with whom you have entered into covenant" (Harry Buis).

No matter your marital status, God demands holiness and complete devotion to Jesus Christ to show the world that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor. 5-7, Paul lists principles in staying devoted to Jesus Christ whether you are married or not. Loving church discipline serves a vital role.

Confront Sin in Believers’ Lives with Sincerity and Truth
Paul reported sexual immorality that did not occur among unbelievers when a man had his father's wife. Rather than being proud, grief should have motivated them to put out the man from their fellowship. Paul told them to hand the man over to Satan so his flesh would be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. A little yeast worked through the whole batch of dough. Remove the old yeast of malice and wickedness and replace it with the bread of sincerity and truth because Christ was sacrificed as the Passover lamb (1 Cor. 5:1-8). Confront sin in believers' lives with sincerity and truth.

Disassociate with Sinning Believers But Let God Judge Unbelievers
Continue associating with the evil people of the world, but do not even eat with those who call themselves brothers who were sexually immoral, greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards or swindlers. Judge those inside the church and God would judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you (1 Cor. 5:9-13). Disassociate with sinning believers, but let God judge unbelievers.

Suffer Unjustly to Show World Your Transformed Life Instead of Court Date with Believers
Do not let courts settle disputes between believers. If saints judged the world and angels, wise believers have competency to judge trivial cases. Having lawsuits proved they had been defeated already. It would be better to be wronged or cheated by a brother. The wicked would not inherit the kingdom of God. Some of those in the church had been sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexual offenders, thieves, greedy, drunkards, slanders and swindlers but now they were washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:1-11). Suffer unjustly to show the world your transformed life instead of court date with believers.

Flee Sexual Immorality Because Your Body is Temple of the Holy Spirit
Everything was permissible but not everything was beneficial since it could master them. The body was designed for the Lord, not sexual immorality. God would raise them up like He raised Jesus from the dead. Because their bodies were members of Christ Himself, they could not unite themselves with a prostitute and become one flesh with her. He who united himself with the Lord became one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin people committed were outside their body but sexual sins were against their own body. One's body was a temple of the Holy Spirit who was in them and received from God. Since they were not their own and bought with a price, it was appropriate to honor God with their body (1 Cor. 6:12-20). Flee sexual immorality because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Experience Marital Unity and Reject Passion Toward Someone Else Causing Divorce
Paul said it was good not to marry but because of immorality each man should have his own wife. A couple should fulfill their marital duty to one another since their bodies do not belong to them. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent for the purpose of prayer. Come together to prevent temptation from Satan because of lacking self-control. Not everyone had the gift of celibacy like Paul. The unmarried and widows should stay unmarried, but being married was better than burning with passion. A spouse should not separate or divorce their partner. If they did, remain unmarried or be reconciled to their partner (1 Cor. 7:1-11). Experience marital unity and reject passion toward someone else causing divorce.

Pursue Marital Peace Knowing You Were Bought with Christ’s Blood
If a believer had an unbelieving spouse willing to stay married, do not divorce him or her. The unbelieving spouse was sanctified through the believing partner. The believing spouse was not bound if the unbelieving partner left because God called them to live in peace not knowing if the unbeliever would be saved. Remain in the situation of God's calling. A slave could gain freedom even though he or she would remain Christ's slave. You were bought with a price so do not become slaves of men (1 Cor. 7:12-24). Pursue marital peace knowing you were bought with Christ's blood.

Show Undivided Devotion to the Lord Regardless of Marital Status
Remain single or married because of the present crisis in the world. Those who get married face many troubles in this life. Live like being unmarried since the time is short. Be concerned only about pleasing the Lord. The married have divided interests in pleasing their spouse while the unmarried can have undivided devotion to the Lord. People have freedom to marry but those who had control over their own will did even better by not marrying. A person can marry another person in the Lord after their spouse died (1 Cor. 7:25-40). Show undivided devotion to the Lord regardless of your marital status.

Here is a checklist of principles on how to stay devoted to Jesus whether you are married or unmarried:
1. Confront sin in believers' lives with sincerity and truth
2. Disassociate with believers if they continue in sin, but let God judge unbelievers
3. Suffer unjustly to show the world your transformed life instead of going to court with unbelievers
4. Flee sexual immorality realizing your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
5. Experience oneness in your marriage and reject passion toward someone else causing divorce
6. Pursue peace in your marriage realizing you were bought with Christ's shed blood
7. Show undivided devotion to the Lord regardless of your marital status

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Overcome Daily Distractions to Pursue Kingdom Goals (Insights in Prophets)

9/20/2011

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We all live busy lives with constant distractions like balancing family and job responsibilities, phone calls, emails, texting, etc Media of every type floods us with messages demanding instant response. How can we stay focused on our goals when multiple things compete for our time? God gave David a goal of participating with Him in building spiritual descendants, but the distractions of the Philistines, Moabites, Hadadezer and Arameans blocked him from this kingdom goal illustrated in the life of Jonathan's son, Mephiboseth (2 Sam. 7-9).

Overcome Daily Distractions in Your Outer and Inner Worlds
David took control of the Philistine chief city by subduing them. He made Moabites his servants by having them lay on the ground, measuring two lines to put to death and one line to keep alive. David defeated Hadadezer of Zobah and restored his rule at the Euphrates River. He captured 1,700 horsemen, 20,000 soldiers, hamstrung chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots and killed 22,000 Arameans. David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus who became his servants. The Lord helped David wherever he went. He took shields of gold carried by Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 8:1-8). The Lord helps you overcome daily distractions in your outer world.

Toi, king of Haamth, who battled Hadadezer, brought articles of silver, gold and bronze. David dedicated all he received to the Lord (2 Sam. 8:9-12). God helps you overcome financial bondage to pursue His kingdom purposes.

David made a name for himself by killing 18,000 Arameans and the Edomites served him when he put them in garrisons. The Lord helped David wherever he went (2 Sam. 8:13-14). The Lord helps and exalts you to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

He reigned over Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people. Joab was over the army, Jehoshaphat was recorder, Zadok and Ahimelech were priests, Seraiah was secretary, Benaiah was over the Cherethites and Pelethites and David's sons were chief ministers (2 Sam. 8:15-18). Participate in team ministry to maintain victory in your outer and inner worlds.

Bear Fruit of Spiritual Descendants By Ministering to Poor and Disenfranchised
David asked if Saul's house had any descendants so he could show kindness for Jonathan's sake. David told Mephibosheth, Jonathan's crippled son, not to fear since he would restore all his grandfather Saul's land, and allow him to eat his table regularly. Mephibosheth was overwhelmed by David's kindness to "regard a dead dog" like him (2 Sam. 9:1-8). Show kindness and righteousness by eating and developing relationships with the poor and disenfranchised.

David gave all that belonged to Saul and his house to Mephibosheth who ate at his table as one of the king's sons. All who lived in Ziba's house were servants to Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9:9-13). Empower the poor and disenfranchised so they can be self-sufficient and earn self-respect.

The following steps help you stay focused on kingdom goals in the midst of distractions:

1. Well defined goals: When distracted, review your goals to be reminded of what you are trying to do and why

2. Break things into bite-sized chunks: Actionable plan to identify how you can get from where you are to where you want to go

3. Prioritize constantly: Work on urgent tasks to get things done on time followed by those with greatest impact to maximize benefits you receive

4. Track progress vigorously: Give visibility to what has been done and gauge how much effort is left to sustain commitment

5. Plan ahead without fail: Look at your goals and task lists periodically to assess how much time it’ll take to do something and determine the best time to sit down and work on it

6. Reward yourself when warranted: Reflect on what you have done to maintain motivation

7. Have positive patterns in your routine: Helps you get more done and better judge periods of the day when you really need to focus and work

8. Remove distractions as best you can: Make distractions difficult or inconvenient to access because it takes too much effort to indulge so you are less likely to give in

9. Block out some time: Schedule quiet time specifically for accomplishing a given task such as morning after a restful night in order to be more focused

10. Keep results clear in mind: Maintain motivation by accessing feelings so you can focus on results, especially those things lacking natural motivation

11. Enlist family and friends for help: Share your goals constantly so they can provide gentle reminders and incentives when they see your behavior not consistent with your goals

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Don't Waste Your Life (Insights in Law)

1/3/2011

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Life contains many distractions that keep you and me from the main thing. Many people focus on appearance so others will accept them. Others pursue education and advanced degrees to get a better position that will earn them more money. Some love pleasure and thrills. They go on vacations, trips and exciting adventures. None of these are bad in themselves, Besides appearance, education and adventure, the normal grind of life involving meals, work and taking care of our families takes up time and energy. What is God's ultimate purpose so you don't waste your life?

Esau took wives and sons were born to him in land of Canaan (Gen. 36:1-5). God takes an interest in every individual, no matter their race or background.

Esau , the father of Edomites, took his household and livestock acquired in Canaan and went to another land, Seir, away from Jacob since their property was too great for them to live together (Gen. 36:6-9). Possessions or other distractions can separate you from godly influences.

These are chiefs of sons of Esau who are descendants of the Horites. These are kings who reigned in Edom before any king reigned over sons of Israel. These are names of chiefs descended from Esau, according to their families and localities. These are chiefs of Edom according to their habitations in land of their possession (Gen. 36:10-43). Today’s actions produce far- and long-ranging consequences either for good or bad.

A separation can be good or bad. When Esau separated from Jacob, he removed himself from a godly influence. The result was that Esau's immense family dispossessed the existing population in Edom for many generations. Unfortunately, it's very possible that Esau wasted his life by not turning to God.

As Christians, God desires each of us to infiltrate the world as salt and light by making disciples of all nations, which is Jesus' last command to His apostles (Matt. 28:18-20). About 56 different nations live in Lincoln, NE, where I reside. The church of Jesus Christ is not only responsible for nations in its hometown, but those in the rest of the world (Acts 1:8).

Let's break this down. Jesus commanded His disciples to follow Him and make fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). You learned in Gen. 35 how to follow Christ: forsake false gods, put on armor of God (Jesus Christ), wait and seek Him.

Instead of wasting your life, let God search your heart for false gods that you are embracing apart from Him. Put on Jesus Christ, wait and seek Him through prayer (Eph. 6:10-18).

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Learn to Fish Like a Fisherman

How to Regain Purpose and Hope

Principles in Staying Devoted to Jesus No Matter Your Marital Status (Insights in NT)

Overcome Daily Distractions to Pursue Kingdom Goals (Insights in Prophets)

Don't Waste Your Life (Insights in Law)

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