[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] Try the Other Side | Encouragement For Today

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "TONY_at_FloridaHealth" <FloridaHealth21 at verizon.net>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] Try the Other Side | Encouragement For Today
Date: 
Wed, 25 May 2011 07:49:36 -0400

Try the Other Side | Encouragement For Today | Proverbs 31 Ministries

           
               
           
                        May 25, 2011

                              Try the Other Side
                              Marybeth Whalen
                             

                          "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 (NIV)

                        Have you ever done the same thing over and over
with no success? I have. Whether it was trying to make our money work
without a budget or trying to make our marriage work without following a
biblical model, I tried to do things the same way over and over, hoping for
success just one of those times. I came up empty every time.

                        But then God got my attention, showing me other
things to try-a different way than what I'd been doing on my own. God's way
worked much better.

                        In today's verse Jesus suggests that the
disciples-who hadn't caught any fish-put their net on the other side of the
boat. When I read this my mind flickered back to the times in my life when
I'd been completely unsuccessful in what I was doing-and how I had to throw
my net to the other side of the boat before I could bring in a catch. When
I did, my net was full.

                        I can still remember feeling the elation that
came with seeing my "catch." Those full nets that came from listening to
and obeying Him are a visual of living life "to the full" like Jesus spoke
of in John 10:10.

                        Perhaps you too are in a place of trying the same
thing over and over but it never works. Your net comes up empty. You
struggle with feeling like your debt will never get any smaller. Or you
can't seem to grow your savings account. That promotion feels out of reach.
Maybe your relationships just never seem to improve. And that stupid scale
won't budge no matter what you do.

                        Whatever the situation you find yourself in, you
are struggling with that nagging feeling that something needs to change.
Maybe it's time to try the other side.

                        When the disciples came up empty, Jesus urged
them to try something different. He showed them that they didn't have to
keep doing things the way they always had. And He gave them specific
direction as to how to achieve the success He had in mind for them.

                        He wants to fill your net, but perhaps He wants
you to take a bigger risk, reach outside of your comfort zone, and trust
His ability instead of your own. Most of all He wants you to seek out His
voice, listening hard for His direction as to where your nets need to go,
trusting that wherever He tells you to put them, His direction is perfect.
Try the other side. Abundance is waiting there.

                          Dear Lord, You know what's not working in my
life. You know where my net needs to go. Help me to see it and to trust
fully in You as I throw my net to the other side. Please make Your
directions clear to me as I listen for Your voice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

                        Related Resources:
                        Do You Know Him?

                        She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A
novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I
want what she has," She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of
pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.

                        Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for
Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen

                        Visit Marybeth's blog where she's sharing a Psalm
for moms and more encouragement for your day.

                        Application Steps:
                        Spend some time journaling about your situation
and what's not working about it. If there's something God's been whispering
to your heart that you've been resisting, investigate that further through
prayer and listening to Him.

                        Reflections:
                        Why do I think I keep doing things that don't
work? Why am I resistant to throw my nets to the other side? What's keeping
me from trying something new?

                        Power Verses:
                        Luke 5:5, "Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked
hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will
let down the nets." (NIV)

                        Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now
it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and
streams in the wasteland." (NIV)

                        © 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

                           

                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105
                        877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)