Kneeling Among the Flopping Fish 8/30
Kneeling Among the Flopping Fish
Simon Peter stood in a sinking boat. Fish flopped at his feet. Nets strained and tore. Just moments before, these fish represented everything he wanted. They meant success and security after a fruitless night. But now Simon wasn't looking at the catch. He was looking at Christ. The miracle got his attention, but Jesus captured his heart.
When Simon saw the glory of Jesus, he became painfully aware of his own sinfulness. He fell to his knees among the fish. He did not look to see what the other disciples were doing. He simply fell. He called Jesus "Lord" and begged Him to depart. The holiness of Jesus exposed the sinfulness of Simon.
We often feel good about ourselves by comparing our lives to others. We find someone worse and think we are better. But God's standard is not another sinner. His standard is the perfect holiness of Jesus Christ. When you stop comparing your dirt to someone else's dirt and look at the purity of Jesus, what do you say? Do you see your own need for a Savior?
And when Simon saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”(Luke 5:8)
Prayer: Ask God to reveal His holiness to you and to show you your own heart clearly.
Challenge: Write down the name of one person you normally compare yourself to, and then pray for them instead.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Simon Peter stood in a sinking boat. Fish flopped at his feet. Nets strained and tore. Just moments before, these fish represented everything he wanted. They meant success and security after a fruitless night. But now Simon wasn't looking at the catch. He was looking at Christ. The miracle got his attention, but Jesus captured his heart.
When Simon saw the glory of Jesus, he became painfully aware of his own sinfulness. He fell to his knees among the fish. He did not look to see what the other disciples were doing. He simply fell. He called Jesus "Lord" and begged Him to depart. The holiness of Jesus exposed the sinfulness of Simon.
We often feel good about ourselves by comparing our lives to others. We find someone worse and think we are better. But God's standard is not another sinner. His standard is the perfect holiness of Jesus Christ. When you stop comparing your dirt to someone else's dirt and look at the purity of Jesus, what do you say? Do you see your own need for a Savior?
And when Simon saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”(Luke 5:8)
Prayer: Ask God to reveal His holiness to you and to show you your own heart clearly.
Challenge: Write down the name of one person you normally compare yourself to, and then pray for them instead.
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
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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
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