One of my favorites places to go is to the beach. I love everything about the beach. One of the things I enjoy is walking ankle deep along the shoreline. There is something about feeling the sand squish between my toes and the water washing over my feet that so safe and relaxing. But, I also enjoy getting into the water, going much deeper than just ankle deep, and playing in the waves, while still having a healthy respect for the power and danger of the ocean.  

Just as some people at the beach only dip their toes in the water, never wanting to get fully wet, it is often the same way in our relationship with God. We only want to get a little wet rather than jump in and out of the waves, getting completely wet. God calls us to be fully surrendered, fully committed, fully wet, all in.

Today I want us to look at a verse in the middle of the story of Jesus calling His first disciples. This verse is Jesus’ invitation to Simon to go against what makes no sense and go all in with Him. I encourage you to read this story, found in Luke 5:1-11. (I love verse 5!) In Luke 5:4 Jesus says this to Simon – “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon would never have gone into the deep water in the heat of the day. That simply defied fishing common sense. If the fish were not biting in the cool of the night, when fishing was usually at its best, why would they be biting in the heat of the day? But it was in that place of “going deep” that Jesus showed Simon the miracle of “such a large catch of fish that the nets began to break” (5:6).

As it was with Simon, Jesus calls us away from the safety of shallow waters and into the deep. I have found in my own life that it is in the “deep” water where I find the strength (Psalm 28:7; Philippians 4:13) needed to step out and say “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (5:5).

Faith is initiated by God the Father. It is implemented through his Son, Jesus. And by Holy Spirit we see our faith energized. It is by the Holy Spirit that we can fully lose ourselves and find all that God has for us. The deep waters of the Holy Spirit are always accessible to us because they are always flowing. Ezekiel gives us a beautiful picture of this constantly flowing river, one that begins like a small stream but the more we “jump in” the deeper it gets, and the more we get of the Holy Spirit’s work. Ezekiel 47:1-5 is a prophesy about the healing and restoration brought by God’s Spirit In verse 1 Ezekiel sees “the water was coming down from underneath the temple’s south side.”

In subsequent verses, each time its depth gets measured, the water goes from a trickle (v.2) to ankle deep (v.3) to knee deep then waist deep (v.4), and finally in verse 5 we read, “but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water has risen and was deep enough to swim in – a river no one could cross.”

Today Jesus is calling you to put out into deep water. Is that scary? Absolutely it is! We are challenged to be fully submerged in His flowing water; the water of wisdom, healing, peace, comfort, restoration, reconciliation, and so much more.

So, I ask you – Are you all in, finding yourself in the deepest parts of the ocean or are you only ankle deep at the shoreline playing it safe?

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Red roses are found in both Greek and Roman mythology. In the Greek tale, the story goes like this – Chloris, the goddess of flowers, was in the forest one day when she tripped over the lifeless body of a beautiful nymph. Deeply saddened, she transformed the body into a beautiful flower. When Aphrodite, the goddess of love, saw this lovely flower, it is said that she named it “rose” in honor of her son, Eros, also known as Cupid. The tale also says that Dionysus, the god of wine, gave this flower nectar for fragrance.  Other gods are said to have given charm and splendor.     

Today, in Western culture, there might not be any more enduring symbol of love and beauty than red roses. And there likely is no bigger day for red roses than Valentine’s Day. Red roses also appear in music, poetry, literature, classical artwork, films and everywhere in between. They are a way to express your deepest affection, longing, desire. Giving a bouquet of red roses is a message of genuine love. And doing so on Valentine’s Day will cost you lots of moolah. Florists hear nothing but cha-ching all day today.

Among other things, one thing genuine love does is forgive (read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We live in a world that often does not easily forgive. We tend to hold grudges and look for ways to get even with the person who we think wronged us. We might not say it out loud, but we think to ourselves those words spoken by the Wicked Witch of the West to Dorothy, “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” (The Wizard of Oz).

Most often the person we fail to forgive is ourselves. We have asked the person we wronged for forgiveness, they have granted it, but we look in the mirror with remorse and regret, never allowing ourselves to climb out from under the weight of guilt. If you are a Christ follower, once you ask God to forgive your sin, He does, never to hold it against you. Do you believe that? Read Micah 7:19 (in context, Micah 7:18-20) and Psalm 103:12 (in context, all of Psalm 103).

The problem is when we fail to forgive ourselves, even after God and others have, we begin to feel unlovable and we spiral down a dark path from which there is often no escaping. The Bible’s overarching theme is that God loves you and is pursuing you! You were made in His image (Genesis 1:27) and He allowed His only Son, Jesus, to be crucified and die (Romans 5:8), then resurrected Him, in order to restore a personal relationship with you (John 3:16-18), one that was broken due to sin (Romans 4:25).

If the truth be told, we are more convinced of God’s love and forgiveness for others than for ourselves. Many times, we hear that internal whisper, “Yes, but…” after every declaration of God’s goodness and kindness to us. We see ourselves as unlovable and unforgiveable.       

You probably know the first few words of the most recognized verse in the Bible (John 3:16) – “For God so loved the world…” The world, that excludes no one! Sensing God’s love – grabbing hold of it, letting it fill your lungs, swimming in it – is foundational to God’s Kingdom. The truest expression of God’s character is His love. The gospel message at its core is a message of love.

In 1 John 3:1 we read this, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

So, right now, no matter how you feel, no matter what your past looks like, open your heart and accept God’s extravagant and lavish love; a love greater than that expressed by a dozen long stemmed red roses. God’s love truly is the greatest love ever known.

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During my high school years, that period of time when most of us think we know everything there is to know about life, one morning I gained a tremendous amount of wisdom in the most unsuspecting way.

Let me explain. I frequently went to school early to workout with football or track and field teammates. Most mornings I grabbed a Pop-Tart and banana on the way out the door. Not quite the breakfast of champions, but it worked for me. My mother always bought the Pop-Tarts without frosting.

However, one particular week she bought the ones with frosting. So, on that fateful morning, as I did every morning, I grabbed the Pop-Tart from of the toaster on my way out the door. Except that morning, things were different… as I grabbed that toaster pastry, I immediately learned that hot frosting could cause second-degree burns in the palm on one’s hand! Now that is wisdom I carry with me to this day! I do not remember what I told my teammates about the wound on my hand, but I can assure you it had nothing to do with getting burned by a Pop-Tart.

The Book of Proverbs is a roadmap to navigating life with wisdom, not just any kind of off the shelf wisdom, but rather through God’s wisdom. It regularly contrasts the wise and the foolish. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, who according to Scripture is the wisest man to ever live (1 Kings 3:11-15), says this in Proverbs 12:15 – “A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.” Elsewhere in that same Book, in vv.1:22-23, we are told that that the promise of God’s wisdom comes to those who seek it, but first it requires giving up the world’s mockery of real and lasting truth. God’s wisdom comes to us through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

Just what is this wisdom that Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, reflects upon? I believe we need to look no further than the first five verses found in Proverbs:    

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (1:1-5).

Let’s look at a few key words –

–Wisdom (Hebrew: chokma) – skillful decision making. Think of that person who knows what to do when more than knowledge of some fact or compliance to some rule is required. 

–Instruction (musar) – training with proper accountability. Think of a parent or coach “getting in your face.”

–Insight (binah) – ability to differentiate. Think of that person who can pick out floral notes (aromas) in a glass of wine while someone else only tastes the wine.

-The words prudent behavior, prudence, and discretion all imply having foresight, knowing what results come from certain actions. Think knowing, or in my case, not knowing that heated sugar and corn syrup are extremely hot. 

-And in v.5 we see a call for the wise to add to their learning. In this context, the word learning (leqah) means to receive by acquisition. 

So, the wisdom of God is not gained though book knowledge or even street smarts. Instead, it is the Holy Spirit who provides us with true wisdom as we both fervently seek after God and gain a deep understanding of Scripture. Proverbs 1:23 says this – “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise” (NLT).

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Are you someone who likes to see power exerted? Think of superheroes: Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman. In today’s superhero world, there is a battle between DC Comics and Marvel Comics to see who is the most powerful. Maybe you see power exerted in sports. The bigger, faster, stronger team beating up on the underdog. Or the neighborhood bully chasing the scrawny little kid. We say someone “flexes their muscles” as a way to show power or strength.

Isn’t it true that when we show our power, when we flex our muscles, it is to gain an advantage. It is for our benefit. The idea of human power almost always deals with physical strength or physical resources. That strength, those resources, used in some way to achieve our own desires. A wealthy person uses their wealth to get what they want. For much of history, white men have been in “power,” usually at the expense of everyone else. Human power is almost always selfish and self-serving in nature.

Now let me contrast the self-centered concept of human power with the incomparable power of
God. I will define the power of God simply as His ability to accomplish His will in every situation. In Hebrew, the title God Almighty is El Shaddai, meaning the all-powerful one. We are first introduced to this title when God appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). Power is an inherent characteristic of God, the result of his nature (Romans 1:20).

God’s power is beyond measure. In Ephesians 1:19-21, the apostle Paul refers to the immeasurable greatness of God’s power. Allow me to dig a little deeper here. The Greek word Paul uses for greatness is megethos, meaning strong or great. It appears that in Paul’s mind, this did not adequately describe God’s power. So, he added the word immeasurable (incomparable, surpassing), which in Greek is hyberballon, which can be defined as “to throw beyond the usual mark,” or to excel or pass. God has power far beyond anything we can measure.

We can rely on the power of God. We begin by re-orienting ourselves to God’s available resources and away from our frailty. We find these words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” And in Ephesians – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (3:20).

So, why would Almighty God give us His power? I believe first and foremost, to declare His glory. God’s power also helps to transform our lives and the world around us. It grows our faith. It gives us strength. It sustains us when life is against us. We use God’s power to be His witnesses to those around us. And I can say for me, it is only by and through God’s power that I can remain faithful to the end.      

God’s power is transformative. It protects us. It enables us to do what is impossible. God’s power is resurrection power. God’s power is found in His presence. Has it been a long time since you felt the presence of God and witnessed the power of God? If so, why not ask Him right now to “show your power!” Make this your plea – “Our God, show your strength! Show us once again” (Psalm 68:28, CEV). God comes in power when we call upon His name!

Postscript: At the 2015 Vineyard Global Pastor’s Conference, we had one of the most impactful times of worship that I have ever experienced. This song (click here) is part of an extended worship set after the last evening’s session. I encourage you to listen in. To this day, I can say that the presence and power of God was undeniable. So real. So intimate. So overwhelming. So beautiful. I still get goosebumps. I long for more of those moments! God, show your power!    

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In the age in which we live there is an endless supply of places to look for information. You can download apps to your smart phone and or other hand held devices that give endless sources of information. Google and other search engines provide lists of websites that match your search criteria. Bookstores are full of books that address the topics you are interested in. Ask a question on social media and you are likely to get replies from many “experts.” Talk show hosts pontificate on a variety of subjects, some of which they actually have knowledge on. Family and friends often can be of great help to us if we would just ask.

The challenge comes not from finding enough places to look for information but from being able to know which are reliable and which are not. Is the answer based upon fact or is it just an opinion? Is there credible evidence to back up the data? What is the source of the information? Has this information been “time tested” or is it some new theory? Is it based upon current trends or something from fifty years ago? These are all questions we need to ask when trying to gain insight or knowledge of a particular topic.

For many of us, when we were young, we viewed asking for help as a sign of weakness. With maturity we begin to find out that wisdom comes not from knowing it all but rather from knowing who and where to go to find out whatever it is we need to find out. Even then, we sometimes end up making bad decisions. It might be that we got bad information or that we misunderstood that information, or even that we ignored the advice given.

Whatever the case, we tend to be skeptical of most information. We do however have one source of information that is always reliable and dependable. This source always has our best interests in mind. That source is God. We can find the answers to living life the way it is intended to be lived both by going to God directly and by reading His Word as found in the Bible.

When we read the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16), it becomes alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). The words on the page invite us in. We begin to be transformed. As the Spirit works in us, we do not simply understand and then follow. Instead, we come to understand as we follow. Ask God’s Spirit to open up your mind as you read and see what happens!

Saint Ephrem of Edessa, a fourth-century Syriac Christian said this of reading the Bible for the first time – “I read the opening of this book and was filled of joy, for its verses and lines spread out their arms to welcome me; the first rushed out and kissed me, and led me to its companion; and when I reached that verse wherein is written the story of Paradise, it lifted me up and transported me from the bosom of the book to the very bosom of Paradise.”

So, I ask, are you asking God for what he is ready to give? Are you allowing His Word to rush out and kiss you?

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We live in a society where odds are placed upon almost everything. Sporting events. Lotteries. Casino games. Is it a boy or a girl? Odds are nothing more than a numerical expression, often in the form of two numbers, which gives the likelihood that something will or will not occur. Regardless of the platform, the chances of winning are always stacked against the person placing the bet.   

With the proliferation of sportsbooks and online gambling apps, betting is now easier, and can I say more harmful and addictive than ever. The Super Bowl has endless things to bet on. You can even bet on the exact length of the national anthem or the color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach. How about placing a bet on if, when, or where a certain singer’s private jet will land.

Betting language is a part of our daily vocabulary, sometimes not even recognizing it, since it is not expressed in numbers. Opening a new restaurant might be considered a roll of the dice, meaning the odds could tilt in either direction as to whether the venture succeeds. Or how about, against all odds, she beat breast cancer. After bumping into a neighbor who moved away years ago, you get home and say to your spouse – “Bet you can’t guess who I just saw,” meaning you see it as unlikely (odds are low) they will know.

Sometimes we are just happy with any chance of success, no matter how small that chance might be. In the movie Dumb and Dumber, after Mary tells Lloyd that there is only one out of a million chance that they will end up together, he says this – “So you’re telling me there’s a chance. Yeah!!!”

Maybe right now you face some obstacle that seems insurmountable – the hole is too deep, the pain is too great, the mistake is too big, it is as if the “odds are stacked again you.” You just don’t see any way out; fear leads to despair which leads to hopelessness.

In the midst of what you are facing, no matter how big or how small, we have a God who gives strength to the weary and power to those who are weak. He gives hope to those who find themselves without hope. You might be familiar with these words – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Throughout Scripture, in times of real doubt, when the odds were stacked against someone or a people group, God asks them, “Is anything too hard for me?” Two examples – to Abraham after Sarah questioned how an old lady could have a son (Genesis 18:14) and to the prophet Jeremiah as Jerusalem and its inhabitants were about to lose everything (Jeremiah 32:27).

So, today, maybe against what seems like insurmountable odds, when you feel as if the odds are 100 to 1, or even 1000 to 1, against you, you can have confidence, you can rest assured, that you have a God who is bigger than the odds, a God who promises to be with you every step of the way, through good and bad, thick and thin, when the odds are in your favor, and when they are stacked against you. He says to you right now… Is anything too hard for me?

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