Today’s scripture for this pastoral care devotional is Mark 1:14–18.

As Yeshua invited fishermen to be His helpers, it’s interesting to note when He invited them.  Yeshua invited them when they were casting a net, not when they were pulling in a catch.

The very nature of fishing is that you don’t always catch fish.  Sometimes you do.  Most of the time you don’t. When you cast and don’t catch, you cast again and again and again….

In 1923, baseball legend Babe Ruth broke two records: the most home runs in a single season and the most strike outs in a single season.  Babe Ruth’s success was to a great extent due to his willingness to fail.

In life you don’t always hit home runs, score touchdowns, make three-pointers, or “catch the big one.”

In fact, in life, most of the time your line comes up empty.

Embracing and accepting the possibility of failure is the only way to reach success.

Fishermen make great workers in the kingdom of God, not because they always catch fish, but because they always keep trying to catch fish. 

In whatever it is you have recently failed to catch (like a job, a raise, a relationship, an improvement in your health, etc.) keep casting your net.  Every failed attempt brings you that much closer to victory. 

Photo courtesy of macieklew.

Today’s pastoral care scripture is Mark 1: 14–18.

Yeshua was not above asking for assistance (and assistants) as he gathered souls into the kingdom of God.

Yeshua not only asked for help, but He also got it.

I believe the key to getting help is found in the way that Yeshua asked for help. 

As Yeshua was “fishing for men,” He asked for others to help Him “fish for men.”  In other words, Yeshua asked for people to join Him in what He was already doing.

Who among us has not been approached by a panhandler?  (I’m not being judgmental.  I know times are tough and people are doing what they have to do to make ends meet.  Most of us are holding down more than one job.) In my life when I am approached by a panhandler, I consider: what is he doing with his other hand? 

Consider this scenario: On a day when you are feeling overly generous, you approach two panhandlers.  One is carrying a “Please Help” sign.  The other is strumming his guitar and singing with his guitar case open in front of him to receive donations.  Who do you feel most inclined to help?

Help is available.  There are people who really want to help you.  But… they want to contribute to a “work in progress” not a “sign holding” campaign.  

Photo courtesy of Calotype46.

Our pastoral care text is Judges 4:1-24.As we continue looking at the lives of Deborah and Jael, we see even more outstanding attributes that the Bible brings attention to concerning women.

11. Women have spiritual discernment. (Judges 4:14)

12. Women are pro-active. (Judges 4:17, 18) These women are making things happen, orchestrating events, not just waiting and winging it.

13. Women can devise brilliant plans. (Judges 4:19)

14. Women don’t just “stand” around. (Judges 4:20)

15. Women are fearless! (Judges 4:21) I know my wife is!

16. Women know how to drive a point home! (Judges 4:21)

17. One or two women can accomplish huge things. (Judges 4:22-24)

This series of posts is dedicated to all women and particularly to all mothers.

Happy Mothers Day!

We are continuing our series on women.

Today’s pastoral care scripture is Judges 4:1–24.

As we look at the significant contributions of Deborah and Jael, we see many things that are praiseworthy in women.

6. Women have insight and wisdom that’s well worth the cost of going to get it. (Judges 4:5)

7. Women can deliver a message from God. (Judges 4:6,7)

8. Women can be a driving force for an entire organization. (Judges 4:8)

9. Women deserve honor. (Judges 4:9)

10. Women can get a lot done in a single day. (Judges 4:14).

In our next pastoral care devotional post, we will look at some more important characteristics of women as evidenced in the lives of Deborah and Jael. 

Today’s pastoral care scripture is Judges 4:1–24.  I usually do not ask you to read an entire chapter in these pastoral care devotionals, but today I have to make an exception.  It would be well worth your time to read this exciting chapter.

The children of Israel are about to be conquered (maybe even annihilated) and two women save the day.  Their names are Deborah and Jael. 

As you read this chapter (and the following chapter, Judges 5:1–31, is a great read as well) you glean some interesting truths about women.

1. The answer to your prayers may be sent to you from God through a woman. (Judges 4:3)

2. Women can solve long-term problems. (Judges 4:3)  A twenty-year old problem was solved by two women. 

3. Women should not be ignored.  Women have something to say that’s worth hearing.  (Judges 4:4)

4. Women (wives and mothers) can have a career outside of the home. (Judges 4:4 and Judges 5:7)

5. Women can hold positions of leadership. (Judges 4:4)

These insights gleaned from looking at Deborah and Jael should serve as encouragements to women and educational truths for men. 

We will continue the list in our next pastoral care devotional post.   

Do you see how the lives of Deborah and Jael give a picture of women that is in stark contrast to views held by some?

Photo courtesy of Israel Defense Forces.

Today’s pastoral care verses are Mark 1:15,16.

As we look at the beginning of Yeshua’s earthly ministry, we hear Him proclaim, “The kingdom of God is at hand.”  In three and a half years from that proclamation, Yeshua would die on a cross, be buried, rise on the third day, opening Heaven, God’s kingdom to all who would personally receive Him.

The kingdom of God was “at hand.” But, for the kingdom of God to be manifested, Yeshua had to move and make certain things happen. 

In all of our lives there are good things we would like to see become a reality.  Some of those things are: better health, financial security, fulfilling career, more peaceful relationships, etc.

The Bible is filled with promises of good things that God has given us.  (See Romans 8:31 and 2 Peter 1:3.) However, they are not always “handed” to us.  Many times they are “at hand,” within our reach, and we need to reach for them.  

Yeshua set an example for us. “Now… he walked…” (Mark 1:16 KJV).  Yeshua proved the kingdom of God was “at hand” (within His grasp) by immediately taking steps toward it. 

Good things are not as far away from you as you may be thinking.  In fact, good things get even closer when you begin closing in on them.

Some believe “good things come to those that wait.”  Personally, I disagree.

I believe good things come to those who take steps toward them.   

Photo courtesy of ell brown.

Since the horrible attack on a messianic family in Ariel, Israel, in 2008 (click here for background info), the spotlight of media attention in Israel has been riveted on Yad L’Achim, an extremist anti-missionary hate group. It’s encouraging that the Israeli mainstream media—at long last—is calling attention to the activities of such extremist groups. They are a small minority, thankfully; however, as we saw in the Ami Ortiz case (mentioned above), they’re capable of inflicting pain and suffering that is hugely disproportionate to their small numbers.

As you watch, note that there are still extremists who, even on TV, out in the open, defend the actions of Yad L’Achim. In their way of thinking, the Messianics are essentially “asking for it” because they’re trying to lure unsuspecting Jewish people away from their faith and “convert” them to Christianity. That’s how they see it. To them, it’s a war.

Actually, if the Messianics were trying to “convert” Jewish people to some form of non-Jewish, institutionalized Christendom (like Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, or any one of a number of others), Yad L’Achim’s frothing at the mouth might be slightly more comprehensible.

But they’re not. Not even close. Most of the Messianic believers in Israel are simple, down-to-earth Jewish Messiah-followers. They’re not part of any “Christian” denomination or church. In Hebrew, they are Meshichi (Messiah-followers) rather than Notzri (denominational “Christians”).

Are some of them supported by churches (whether in North America or elsewhere)? Yes, of course—some of them receive support from Christians outside of Israel. What’s wrong with that? The United Jewish Appeal has received significant support (to the tune of millions of dollars) from US churches (including, perhaps most notably, Pastor Hagee’s Cornerstone Church here in Texas)—and we don’t hear anyone complaining about that, do we?

But I digress. Getting back to the topic at hand, here are the three installments of the report from Israel’s Channel 1:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPrhXREm3w&feature=relmfu

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEPpkzxYYRA&feature=relmfu

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyblyb3EOY&feature=relmfu

Do you value time?

Today’s pastoral care verse is Mark 1:15.

When Mark pens his account of the earthly life of Yeshua, the first quotation that he includes from Yeshua is: “The time is fulfilled.”

These words prompt a personal question that we should each ponder: Are your hours, days, and weeks, “fulfilled?”  Are your hours “filled to the full?”  Are your hours stuffed with significance?

When I was in the grocery industry, all managers were required to take a time management course.  One of the unforgettable lessons I learned was this: Successful people become successful in the very same time other people waste.

As a pastor, I have learned that many of life’s problems can be solved, maybe even avoided, through making time count. 

One example: when people find themselves between jobs, I encourage them to spend the “40 hours” they would be at work, pounding the pavement, submitting applications and resumes. 

I wonder what problems could be solved or what projects could be completed if we followed Yeshua’s time example?  What would this week look like if we all filled our time to the full with what really matters? 

Photo courtesy of pimousse3000.

Today’s pastoral care verse is Proverbs 30:28.

The spider that wise King Solomon brings to our attention did not start out in the palace.  She got their as quickly as possible using the eight legs that God gave her.

Most of the people I am in contact with have at least one area of their life where they would like (or maybe even need) to see a change.  Some of these areas include: health, career, finances, relationships, etc.

Solomon would say, “It is possible,” adding, “but you’ve got to get moving!”

Yesterday afternoon I was tempted to cut my walk short (which I cannot afford to do).  I began reasoning.  It’s too hot. I’ve walked enough.  I need to work on blog posts. I’m tired. I walked yesterday. Nobody will know. Etc.

I stopped justifying a shorter walk when I saw a man getting his daily walk in using a crutch.  One of his legs was not cooperating and his other leg looked like it was going to soon be in the same shape.  Nevertheless, he walked. 

Whether we have eight good legs (like Miss Spider) or one leg barely in the race, we need to get moving.  This is the key to getting to the palace, that place of positive change that we seek in our lives. 

Photo courtesy of skender.

Have you learned the lesson of the locust?

Today’s pastoral care verse is Proverbs 30:27.

Wise King Solomon gives us a very important fact about locusts (or grasshoppers). Locusts, every single one of them, get their job done without an infrastructure of organized leadership.

Think about ants and bees.  There are queens that are responsible for providing leadership.  Not so among locusts.  Locusts do what locusts are supposed to do without being told, ordered, reminded, held by the hand, or even given an example.

It’s almost as if inside each locust is the God-given knowledge that he is a locust and he inherently knows what he is supposed to do as a locust.  And more importantly, the locust does it.

Photo courtesy of Mister Troy.