“...Simon Peter said unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, ‘We also go with thee.’ They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Children, have ye any meat?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said unto them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.’ They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”   John 21:3-6


Like many Americans, I believe that the most proven way to have monetary wealth is to be an entrepreneur. We have only to look at, Forbes 100 Richest People in America, to find that more than 90% are entrepreneurs or the heirs of entrepreneurs.

The problem is, being an entrepreneur is never easy; it tests the limitations of your beliefs. If you really want to learn who you are and what you truly stand for, create a cash reserve (very important), stop your daily 9-5 (gradually if possible), and become an entrepreneur.  Whether you open a store, create a product, work from home online, or are part of one of those multi-level marketing businesses; your stamina, faith, and core beliefs, will be tested.
There will be things you learn about your core beliefs that will shock you. Your core beliefs will be threatened; and, you will be asked to do things for monetary gain that will either test your faith or enhance your lack of faith. You will learn your true feelings about money in relation to God, time, love, and people (family, friends, business associates, etc.)  I added love to the list, because it will test the true depths of your deepest relationships.  And, if you don’t know God as yet--you will.  —All this, and still most entrepreneurs would not trade places with their 9 am-5 pm counterparts.

When we look at the motley crew Jesus selected as His twelve Apostles, He chose very specifically.  At least 1/3 of His Apostles were entrepreneurs; fishermen by trade: Peter, Andrew, James, and John, had to rely on the ocean for a living. Like most entrepreneurs relying on the ocean for a living, you must have faith to believe that you will reap a bounty you cannot clearly see in so vast an ocean. The test for most Christian entrepreneurs will be obedience. The kind of obedience found in today’s biblical verse, where Jesus tells Peter and the others to cast their net on the RIGHT side of the boat; even though, they have just spent an entire day and night reaping absolutely nothing from the ocean.  Nevertheless, they were obedient.  And, as a result of their obedience, they received a net so full of the ocean’s bounty that they had difficulty reeling it in.

So, for the entrepreneurs who are having difficulty extending their limits, it’s time to step up your faith, focus on obedience, and cast your net on the RIGHT side. This way, like Peter, you too will reap an overflowing bounty so full from God, you will have difficulty reeling it in alone. L.

Study Reference: John 21:3-6, Matthew 9:28-29
​From: "Christian Entrepreneurs." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Corey Arnold

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“...Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statues, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.”   Ezekiel 36:25-26
 

Upon our baptism as adults, after we have been baptized of the Holy Spirit, we are cleansed of all filthiness and idolatry in our lives.  It means that we have received a fresh start to our lives and no stronghold will imprison us again.  It means we have received power from without to eliminate anything God does not want within.  That was the good news! 

The issue is, we must now make a conscious effort to call on the Holy Spirit to continuously aid us in resisting the temptations which can haunt our memories.  We must call on the Spirit to guide us in overcoming and resisting the memories and weaknesses of the past.  The more we do this, the more we learn to resist past temptations.  The more we practice, like everything else, the better we become at it.  It may also mean that we will have to change those people around us who are still caught in the ravages of the things we left behind.  Because, either they will continuously remind us of our past, or they will attempt to pull us back into the same pathology we elected to leave behind when we decided to follow Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, keep in mind, those who attempt to pull us back into the things we left behind are not bad.  Many times they just do not believe that we have changed, and/or they simply fall into the old adage of, “misery loves company.”  Either way, it becomes a level of power and control on your life that most people will not relinquish easily. 

Keep in mind, many times you will not be able to have both; the thing you left behind, and the new thing God is enacting in you.  We can relate it to an attempt at keeping both eyes focused on two cars going in opposite directions.  Although easily achievable for most birds, it is an impossible feat for humans; we must make a choice to only follow one car. 

It will not matter who or what it is you leave behind when you decide to follow God; God is “no respecter of persons, powers, or principalities.”  If it is someone who truly loves you, he/she will understand your need to transition your life in the direction God commands.  If they do not understand, they will not be able to help you in the process anyway, so let them go.  Eventually, when you have gone through God’s transition period, and you are strong enough to resist the temptations of the past, God may use you to lead others lost in the ravages of your former pathology back to Him.  

God expects us to call on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in righteousness and truth.  Jesus knew and understood how difficult it was going to be for us to remain on course after our baptism, so He gave us help.  He is our Comforter; the One who aids us in overcoming temptation or any other battles we may face.  Remember to ask for guidance and the strength to overcome; because, no matter how terrible things are, or how horrible you may be feeling, The Comforter will come to you when you call on Him.  L.

Study Reference: Ezekiel 36:25-26, John 16:4-16 
From: "Accepting Power."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
photo: istock

“...But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people.  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”   
​Jeremiah 31:32-34

 
There is a reason that Jesus says, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there Am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)  It is the praying people of God who form a church; and, it is people who invoke God's presence with their prayers, supplications, and submittal to God's will.  We have all seen empty boarded up churches in complete disarray across our nation; God is not sitting in those churches waiting for people to show up. We have also seen storefront churches with only 20 people praising and worshiping, no matter what some of us may think about their choice of venue, God is in the midst of them.  It is the people who invoke the presence of God. 

Of course, the problem in the church is also the people.  We bring our egos, issues, past experiences, pretense, and fear with us when we gather together. Sometimes not completely understanding that those are the very things we need to leave at the door of the church before we enter.  Our church is supposed to be a refuge, a place where we gather to invoke God's presence.  Not because we cannot invoke God's presence in the park, or in our homes, or in our closet, but because, we have set aside a specific place to invoke reverence, worship, praise, and hope.  It is also a place where non-believers, because of the presence of believers, can feel, see, and /or hear the presence of God; not because of the place, but because of the people. 

...Architects will tell you if a building is boarded up, the building will decay much faster than if people were in it using its doors, floors, and walls. Even in decay, with people in it, it will last longer. There is something very special about the presence of God’s people. God has hidden a secret treasure map deep within the recess of our hearts for us to find Him. Let us gather together, because together we invoke His ultimate power in unity to combat evil.  However, even then, understand that you in your solitude, through Jesus Christ, have a direct conduit to God.   L.  

Study Reference: Jeremiah 31:32-34
From:"Within YOU."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”    1 Corinthians 7:23-24


Imagine being at the tribunal that would eventually lead to the fulfillment of Jesus' death at Calvary.  Although Jesus responded only a few times, He truly had the opportunity and strength to defend Himself against the accounts of the Sanhedrin. Instead, He accepted their accusations without a fight, understanding that His sacrifice would ultimately save the human race. 

Eventually, as a Christian, you will have to make a sacrifice that will benefit others without an apparent benefit to yourself; you may have even done so already. However, there’s one small caveat. Unlike Jesus, your sacrifice may lead you to some type of resentment against your fellow Christians, or even, the church itself. You may even believe you did not receive your price for the sacrifice, i.e. recognition, position, accolades, fanfare, love, etc. 

It is so easy for the human ego to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of Christian churches, where we eagerly desire to become part of the hierarchy.  Resist the urge.  Somehow, desperately keep in mind that any sacrifice you make is not for you; and, it’s not really for others; it is for God. We can never repay the sacrifice of Jesus. Our worship is not enough, our praise is not enough, and what we believe to be our sacrifice is not enough. Our life and love is the only thing we can offer; it is the only thing that counts. 

To really understand our sacrifice fully, think about this; has a child you loved ever given you a homemade gift?  Do you remember your reaction? Did you display it with pride and satisfaction?  Now, could that gift really equal any of the gifts you have given to that child?  -No.   Your love sees the sacrifice, time, and love that the child has put into the gift.  Our gifts, sacrifices, worship, and praise is like that to God. Know that God loves you already, and anything you bring to Him is accepted with love. So beloved, do not wait for your sacrifice to garner recognition, position, accolades, fanfare, love, etc. from others; know that you already have it from God. -L.

Study Reference: 1 Corinthians 7:23-24 
From: "Sacrificial Deeds." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock
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“The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband, for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband, in that said thou truly... The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did; is not this The Christ?”  
John 4:17-18, 28-29


We need at least one person in our life that will tell us the truth, no matter what the circumstance. It is always worth listening to, although sometimes, it can be difficult to hear. The truth allows us to make the necessary adjustments in our lives to get us back on track. And, while it is easier to be with someone who continuously tells you what you prefer to hear, it will not allow you to grow to the optimum level you were destined to reach.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman-at-the-well, He told her intimate details about her life; details that were known only to her and the men she had been intimately involved with. He lovingly told her that her insatiable desire to be with several different men came from a much deeper yearning for God’s Love.  A Love so intensely complete, it lasts forever. Outwardly, she happily went through her daily routine, secretly knowing there was an unfulfilled void in her life. When Jesus revealed the scattered details of her life, she immediately recognized her hidden desire and lack of fulfillment. Yet, it is interesting that she did not deny the truth about her life, she accepted the criticism of her past, and with it, the opportunity to change her future. In accepting what Jesus offered, she became so completely fulfilled by the Love of God, she left her pitcher and immediately went into the city to tell any and everyone about her encounter.

Find the truth in the criticism of others; sometimes, it may be just the wake-up call you need to foster a reaction, course alteration, or serious contemplation. Dismiss the criticism said in anger; because, although there may be truth in it, it will be difficult for you to see through all the inherent drama of the circumstance. If there is no one in your midst whom you can trust to honestly tell you the truth concerning a given situation, then tell your story to a perfect stranger. At least then, you will know that the person has no vested interest, is completely indifferent, and could probably care less about how you feel after they tell you the truth.  Not to mention, there is a really good chance that God will allow them to tell you exactly what you need to hear; since, you may have already decided, not to listen to Him.

The Samaritan woman-at-the-well made a conscious decision to accept the truth in the criticism she received. The Love of God freed her from concealing the weaknesses of her past, and empowered her to expose the power of her future!  Become what the Love of God has empowered you to be!  L.

Study Reference: John 4:17-18, 28-29 
From:"The Best Critic." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Sharpiron

“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shall escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether hold thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knows whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?Esther 4:13-14


The story of Esther is a fascinating story!  When you have some time, read the entire book for yourself.  The story is really about conquering anxiety and releasing fear to accomplish God's desire for your life. The annual Jewish celebration of Purim is actually based on this historical / biblical event.

When we read the story of Esther, most of us look at her self-sacrifice and heroism; however, today let's take a look at Mordecai, the adult cousin, who became her guardian and mentor. It was a custom in all communities around the world to take the responsibility of raising a family member's child/ children if they became orphans, or if their parents simply could not care for them. In some cases, if a wealthy member of the family or community were childless, someone would send their own child to them to raise as their own.  It was rare that a couple went without having children, whether they were biological or not.  Today we look at people like Madonna and Angelina Jolie, and are perplexed at their decision to adopt children from the ravages of poverty.  Esther’s cousin Mordecai, whom she referred to as her uncle must have been a man with a good heart.  He not only agreed to raise Esther as his own child, he gave her the principles that would nurture a love for God, ultimately leading her to the kind of heroism that would save an entire nation. He taught her self-reliance, respect, bravery, and altruism. He thought she was beautiful, and because he thought so, and told her so, she believed him.  Through his influence and guidance she would follow the path God designed for her life.

Each one of us has the ability to shape the lives of the children directly in our lives or somewhere around us. Many of us can search our past to find more than one adult, other than our parents, who shaped and nurtured our minds, talents, and gifts.  They taught us to cast out fear, so that we could become the person we are today.  We have to look around us and nurture the children who will one day become our guardians.  As is the circle of life, one day they will return the favor by fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives, and you never know—they too might save a nation!  L.  

Study Reference: Esther 4:11-16 
From:"Saving A Nation."  In The Master's Hands II: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo; overflowed

"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat... for He grants sleep to those He loves."
Psalm 127:2 (NIV)


Are you sleeping well? Did you have a good night sleep?  
Did you know that having peaceful sleep is a blessing? Peaceful sleep means that you have taken care of what you can; and, you have relinquished the daily issues and cares of this world to the only One who can dissolve your fears —God. However, for those of you who are struggling with peaceful slumber, here’s a thought:

Turn off the television.
The television, with its loud commercials, bad news, and concurrent episodes of murder, mayhem, and the mundane, penetrate your psyche and change the natural cycle of your dreams.  Advertising executives originally developed television commercials to foster action, creating desire for their product, and the anxiety to purchase.
—None of which you will be doing in your sleep. 

Turn off the music.
The music, even if it is your favorite song, actually does the same thing as the television commercials. However, they stimulate your senses a little differently.  Since the music is your favorite music, the songs trigger a more overt 
emotional reaction by prompting memories to the surface, not allowing your brain to rest or relax. This is why the best commercials are set to music. They correlate a product to a favorite memory increasing the anxiety to purchase. Again, no need to count sheep. --Just turn it off. 

Turn off the lights.
Turning off the lights tells your brain you are ready to sleep. It allows your body to wind down, limiting external stimuli to your eyes and skin. It is one of the reasons we get so tired during the winter months; we do not receive enough light stimulation from the sun. Days are shorter, we are tired earlier.
So, close the drapes, and flip the switch.

Say your prayers.
Saying your prayers at bedtime is not just for children; and, it is not, “Now I lay me down to sleep...”  Saying your prayers upon retiring signifies that you are relinquishing all your daily cares to God, acknowledging His blessings and sovereignty in your life. It is courageously accepting those things you can change, and enduring those things you cannot.  Ask God's blessing for yourself, and those you love; ask for forgiveness for whatever you believe you have done against Him, yourself, and your fellow man. Then, close your eyes to the world and leave the rest to God. The Bible says, "...He offers sleep to those He loves."  So, to you, —Sweet dreams and peaceful slumber.  L.

Study Reference: Psalms 127:2
From:"Peaceful Slumber." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans do the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans do so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”     Matthew 5:44-48

 
Sometimes loving others is really difficult. You can share your love, your friendship, your time, your honesty, etc; and, it is repaid without regard to your love or life.  Whether you love the person romantically, platonically, or in kinship; you must honor and respect each person you call “friend, family, or love." It adds to your character and will eventually enhance your heart's capability.  If it is a family member, then be prepared to extend a quadruple dose of love.  Family can be the hardest to love; because, they know where all the tender spots are in your armor. 

Sometimes, there will be times when it really hurts to love someone; because, simply put, the other person just doesn't get it. They simply cannot understand why you have chosen to elevate them to a place of love and honor. However, we have to keep trying to extend our love until we get the hang of it. —Until it becomes so easy to love that, nothing anyone does can change it. 

And remember, although the act of love is supposed to be reciprocal, the art of loving someone is not necessarily done for them, it is done for you! —So, do not wait on reciprocity.  There will be times in your life when you will open your heart and receive nothing memorable in return. Yet, keep in mind that, it is your heart that you are empowering to exhibit the most powerful privilege in the universe —Love.  When you make the decision to love others, (and, it really is a decision), you literally link yourself to God’s Eternal Power, Jesus Christ.  Your love, whether it is acknowledged by others or not, when offered in Spirit and in Truth, truly does change everything!

Today, ask God to bless you in extending the privilege to Love as many people as possible, for as long as possible. It teaches you to extend your heart’s capacity to love; and, more importantly, it teaches you how to love others the way God loves you.  L.

Study Reference: Matthew 5:44-48
From: "Loving Others." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
​photo credit: essentials

​"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”   Isaiah 43:18-19


The passage above, found in the book of Isaiah, reminds us not to keep our minds focused on things of the past, because God is, a God of creation; the kind of creation that has nothing to do with the former things discarded by the wayside for His purpose. Instead, the kind of creation that is far beyond anything you could ever dream for yourself. He is also the God of restoration, the kind of restoration that can make the former things we believed extraordinary, seem like trash.

If you believe you have had extraordinary success in the past and are going through a desert experience now, it is very difficult to forget the good times. It can also create deep anxiety every time you relive the successful times in your mind. However, in biblical times, there were times when God's people experienced seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. And, the people had to prepare for those periods when life was not as abundant as in the past.

Modern society is not accustomed to this type of preparation, and as Americans, even less. We believe we should live in abundance at all times, even when we do not have abundance. Sometimes it is with the gift of hope and faith, and sometimes it is with pure avarice. Remember the passage above; it is God’s promise to you while you go through your own unique desert preparation period that, He will enact a new thing in your life. It can be a new opportunity, in a new direction, where He has repositioned you in a new place; or, it can be something so completely out of your paradigm, you’ll never see it coming.

Either way, stop worrying. Keep your eyes open so you can see when your opportunity springs forth.  And, keep your faith strong; God will create an oasis in your desert to replenish you!  L.

Study Reference: Isaiah 43:18-19
From:"The Desert Experience." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
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​“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth…”
2 Timothy 2:24-25


Before we build a team we have to discuss the "leader;" I mean, the "servant." The concept of Servant Leadership is an oxymoron to most people. However, those who are true leaders understand that, you become a servant to those whom you lead, whether you like it or not.

Once you accept a leadership role, your time, efforts, and training, are no longer your own. In a leadership position, every aspect of your life becomes intertwined with the decisions you make and, how those decisions impact others. Even if you are an egomaniac, or as fair-minded as Solomon, a Mom or a CEO, your decisions will create a negative or positive impact, reaching much farther than your immediate audience.
It's true, you can surround yourself with those who nod their heads in approval of your every action, limiting both your growth and theirs; or, you can surround yourself with those who tell you the truth, thereby expanding both you and your team’s sphere of understanding and development. The one you select will indicate whether you are a servant leader, or a leader with servants.

As Christians, we accept a role of leadership and all the moral standards that are attached, when, by virtue of our own testimony, we announce to others that we "serve" Jesus Christ.
Obviously, Jesus is our best example of what it means to truly lead others to their full potential; He was and is the Greatest Servant Leader. Just stop and think about how His interaction with the motley crew of the twelve He led, impacted His nation, the world, and your life. L.

Study Reference: 2 Timothy 2:24-26, 3:1-7
From: "A True Leader."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
​Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​​

“For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”  
​Galatians 5:14


It has been said that we are separated by "six degrees of separation." Which means that most of us can find any person in the world, without knowing them, by connecting with six other people or less. When we add in the connectivity of the Internet and all the social media websites, any computer literate person can peck a few strokes of a keyboard to connect with just about anyone.

Although the "six-degrees" concept has been proven many times; the truth is, if we really understood this concept, we would never waste any of our interactions with others.
Think about it for a moment; an average person can connect with any person in the world without personally knowing them. This means that, no person on earth is impossible to meet or influence concerning the Word of God.

Hmmm... –It appears that God gave us an embedded GPS microchip coded directly into our DNA to find, teach, love, or influence one another. So, the next time you interact with someone, know that your interaction will be magnified 6 degrees out into the world, and has the potential to possibly return 6 degrees back to you!

Today, why not live in the moment, recognizing that every human interaction that you have today, has the absolute potential to eventually change the world, and /or someone's life, –even yours. L.

Study Reference: Galatians 5:14
Excerpt from: "Six Degrees of Separation." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: Pixabay