Used Before Filled 8/25
Used Before Filled
Jesus asked to use Simon’s boat while it was still empty. He did not fill it with fish first. He used it as it was. We often want the opposite. We tell God we will serve after He blesses us. We will give when we have more. We will get involved when life settles down. Jesus says, “Let Me use the boat now.”
Faithfulness does not begin when the boat is full. It begins when we place our empty boat in Jesus’ hands. He uses our limitations and weaknesses. He works with our unfinished stories. Our emptiness becomes the setting for His power.
You may feel you have nothing significant to offer. Your boat may feel scratched and weathered by life. Bring that emptiness to Jesus. Trust Him to use it for His glory before He fills it. Where are you waiting for God to fill you before you will obey Him?
“And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.” (Luke 5:3)
Prayer: Confess to God your tendency to wait for fullness before offering Him your emptiness.
Challenge: Set aside ten minutes today to sit in silence and offer God your current situation, however empty it feels.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Jesus asked to use Simon’s boat while it was still empty. He did not fill it with fish first. He used it as it was. We often want the opposite. We tell God we will serve after He blesses us. We will give when we have more. We will get involved when life settles down. Jesus says, “Let Me use the boat now.”
Faithfulness does not begin when the boat is full. It begins when we place our empty boat in Jesus’ hands. He uses our limitations and weaknesses. He works with our unfinished stories. Our emptiness becomes the setting for His power.
You may feel you have nothing significant to offer. Your boat may feel scratched and weathered by life. Bring that emptiness to Jesus. Trust Him to use it for His glory before He fills it. Where are you waiting for God to fill you before you will obey Him?
“And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.” (Luke 5:3)
Prayer: Confess to God your tendency to wait for fullness before offering Him your emptiness.
Challenge: Set aside ten minutes today to sit in silence and offer God your current situation, however empty it feels.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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2026
January
February
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March
The Submitting Savior's Perfect Obedience 3/2Finding Peace in Seeing Christ 3/3The Cost of Salvation and Enduring Faith 3/4Faithfulness in the Waiting Seasons 3/5 Intentional Parenting for Spiritual GrowthThe Priority of Consistent Worship in the HomeThe Danger of Assuming Jesus is With YouGod's Higher Purpose in Our Confusion Our Primary Identity is Found in the Father Faithfulness in the Ordinary Prepares for God's PurposeGod is at work in our quiet, ordinary seasons God’s power is made perfect in our weakness and griefGod often uses unexpected messengers to deliver His truthTrue repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of directionBaptism is the public declaration of a prior inward transformationThe Danger of Familiarity Without TransformationReal Repentance Bears Visible FruitConfronting the Hidden HeartRepentance Changes Our Daily ConductThe Personal Question of ConvictionThe King Who Comes in Humility 3/30/26The Danger of Our Own Expectations 3/31/26
April
The King Who Walked Forward Purposefully 4/1/26 Obedience Without Negotiation 4/2/26Worship That Sees the Savior 4/3/26God is already at work before you arrive 4/6Why seek the living among the dead? 4/7The King who chose to stay for you 4/8Salvation is a simple cry for remembrance 4/9He walks with you in your brokenness 4/10Day 1: The Superiority of Christ Over All Things 4/13 Day 2: The Transforming Power of Internal Change 4/14Day 3: The Courage to Proclaim Uncomfortable Truth 4/15Day 4: Christ Identifies With Us in Our Mess 4/16Day 5: Our Identity is Secure in Christ's Approval 4/17The Seventy-Seven Name Breadcrumb Trail 4/20A Crime Scene, Not a Hall of Fame 4/21Chosen by an Adoptive Father 4/22The Wait in the Workshop 4/23Your Place in the New Family Tree 4/24A Name on God’s Hands 4/27 The Unseen Relay Race 4/28 Building a Boat for 100 Years 4/29The Night God Changed a Name 4/30
May
While We Were Yet Sinners 5/1The Wilderness and the Bait 5/4Temptation is Not Sin 5/5The First Adam and the Last 5/6 The Attack on Your Identity 5/7It is Written 5/8Stones and Hot Biscuits 5/18A Crown Without a Cross 5/19The Whisper in Weakness 5/20Who Sits on the Throne? 5/21Twisted Scripture on the Pinnacle 5/22 The Scroll in the Nazareth Synagogue 5/25 As Was His Custom 5/26To Heal the Brokenhearted 5/27 Deliverance for the Captives 5/28Today This Scripture is Fulfilled 5/29
June
The God Who Names the Stars 6/8 Love’s Billboard on a Hill 6/9The Grand Canyon of Sin 6/10Heaven’s Rescue Mission 6/11Receiving the Gift 6/12 The Gracious Words from Nazareth 6/15The Doctor and His Hometown 6/16Grace for the Unexpected 6/17The Barrel That Did Not Run Out 6/18From Your God to My God 6/19The Man Behind the Medals 6/22The Captive’s Courageous Word 6/23 Pride at the Prophet’s Door 6/24The Humility of Seven Dips 6/25A Clean Man Goes Home 6/26
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