Encouragement

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Reading a verse in chapter 5 verse 6 of the Gospels of Matthew in the NIV, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” It reminded me of my conversation with a friend of mine last week who mention to me about fishing and do I have a fishing pole? I said “Yes, I do” as I replied to her as I remembered as well that since I am a non resident and wanting to fish in the state of PA that I will need to get a fishing license from Wal-Mart or online. I love to fish as a kid, going fishing at the Shenango dam in Sharpsville, the falls as I call them in Sharon, and out in Orangeville, Ohio as I did with my relatives in spending quality time with them. Northern and Bass big time and out by the falls I seem to get more trout than anything there. Sadly though I haven’t gone fishing for quiet along time in fact it’s been at least almost 5 years now. I love how I could go to a nice spot that seem to be many at these places as one maybe filled by a father and son enjoying a day of fishing together, but that there were many other places to go that had clearing as wide open areas to just sit down, relax and feel the relief of just getting away and meditate on life in enjoying peace and quiet.

Sometimes you would have a nibble or two and see that bobber drop below the water line and if lucky though, you may be able to pull in Moby Dick, not really but maybe a 14inch Bass or something wonderful. Then you might be like me in pull in things that are smaller than your bait you are using. Just remember to take no pictures for that and tell all you caught many, this size or that size as bigger is better, lol. Make it a great story to behold, lol. Just joking though! As I reflect on my past fishing trips, I remember one though with my brother in law and sister as she accompanied us to enjoy a day filled with bait, hooks and good old fashion fishing. As I went with them two to a spot my brother in law knew of as a great fishing spot. I observed both prepping their fishing poles as one had forgot to bring their usual fishing pole and had to use one of their children’s fishing poles instead as this one was a kids pole. Small, but still could be used though.

For my sisters expectations was just to fish and nothing amazing to add to it as she expected very little action and just enjoy the company of me and her hubby. On the other hand my brother in law put this amazing pole together, strings it, adding all kinds of features and carefully baiting his hook with a minnow from the fishing bucket he tagged along with us. I could see in my brother in laws eyes he was ready and so excited in his hunger to catch something amazing and so worthy of a picture to share at home with their kids and his buddies at work. For he was not expecting a small fish, but a whopper though as he was expecting a big catfish, a big northern pike, or something like a Largemouth Bass that was like 20 pounds was his thinking. I loved his attitude though! He was there to fish, like a Bass master as he grabbed that pole. He had the hunger as his appetite for action created his expectation/s to fuel his desire. As I look at this now, I wonder what is your appetite to impact the world around you for the glory of God. Are your expectations fueled like my brother in laws hunger in changing what was to what can be as we share the gospel with all through Christ who shares with us?

Does that spur your hunger in changing your expectations? Remember what our Lord said to us as I mention at the beginning of this devotional, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”. As you reflect on that verse, compare and contrast your hunger and expectations in life? If your hunger is immense and enormous as it is genuine in your approach, then God will use you and position you to make great impact or impacts in this sinful world that will bring glory to the Father as that is a great and worthy of catch, to share with all in your testimonies as a follower of Christ.

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