Author: Lee Wilson

 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Daniel 6:10 (NLT)

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PROCESS OVER RESULTS

 

College football is always a big deal—especially down here in the South. This past season was a bit different, though, without Nick Saban patrolling the sidelines in Tuscaloosa. Coach Saban retired with a career record of 292-71-1 and seven national championships.

Many people regard him as one of—if not the—best college football coaches of all time. Though I, like Bulldog fans everywhere, won’t miss him on the other sideline, I am in awe of all he has accomplished.

A hallmark phrase for Saban and his former players is the idea often referred to as “the process.” Essentially, it refers to the mindset of focusing on daily improvement—getting better every single day—regardless of the results on the field. The concept of being process-oriented rather than outcome-oriented is the crux of the philosophy.

Conceptually, the idea is this: if your goal is to win a championship or beat a particular rival, what happens once you accomplish that goal? What will continue to motivate you? How will you keep growing if your sole focus is the outcome? Trusting the process is paramount to finding lasting success.

This week, we’ve studied Daniel in the lion’s den. This famous encounter tells of a faithful man sent to certain doom, only to have God intervene to protect and preserve his life. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this passage—many of them applicable to our daily lives.

It’s important, though, that we don’t focus solely on the outcome. History is rich with stories of people who faced peril and prayed—and yet were not delivered this side of heaven. So, the outcome of Daniel’s story isn’t the sole focus for us as readers. Rather, it is the fact that Daniel trusted the process, regardless of the outcome.

Pastor John MacArthur, in a sermon, said it like this:

“Believing in God doesn’t mean that the lions aren’t going to eat you. There have been martyrs throughout all the history of God’s dealing with men that have believed God—and they’ve died. The issue is that we accept God’s will. If it is to live, it is to live. If it is to die, it is to die. But in either case, we’re never defeated.”

Daniel knew what his fate would be if he were caught praying—and yet he did it anyway. His faithfulness to God was more important than the outcome these men intended for him. Did Daniel know he would be saved or protected? We have no evidence to suggest that. Did he accept his fate? Yes!

Our faith can’t be outcome-driven. We are not God, and we don’t determine all the outcomes. But if we believe His Word to be true, then we know we can trust Him and His process—just as Daniel did. May we all walk with such faithfulness!

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

¹⁶ So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

Daniel 6:16 (NLT)

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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

 

How dangerous is an African lion? Well, according to the stats—pretty dangerous. CNN reports that they kill roughly 250 humans a year. That’s more than sharks, bears, and tigers—combined.

Lions can weigh up to 550 pounds and stand around four feet tall on all fours. They have a bite force approaching 1,000 PSI, can run in short bursts up to 50 miles per hour, and can leap up to 36 feet.

They also have retractable claws capable of shredding through skin, bark, or nearly any other material they choose. Their sense of smell is excellent, and their vision—especially in low light—is exceptional.

In other words, there’s no running, no fighting, no hiding. If you are trapped in a cold, dark cave with a hungry lion, survival is unlikely—if not impossible. At least, without divine intervention.
Such intervention is exactly what happened to Daniel when he was forced into the lion’s den and emerged the following morning unharmed. Why didn’t the lions attack? Because God protected him.

We have a tendency to view our problems through a humanistic lens. This is normal—after all, we are human. However, there are biblical examples that teach us never to lose our capacity to accept unexplainable mystery and to develop a palate for miracles. Jesus Himself tells us that the things impossible for man are possible with God (Luke 18:27; Matthew 19:26).

We serve a God who created the heavens and the earth, who knows the bounds of a limitless universe, who sparked the very inception of life itself—and I have the audacity to try and understand Him? Who do I think I am?

Our God exists outside the confines of nature itself. How did Daniel emerge from the lion’s den without a scratch? Because the Creator of lions was the one who was with him. Paul writes,

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)

God’s sovereignty over all is something we, as believers, can take refuge in. I don’t know what lion’s den you are walking into, but I do know that we serve a God who has dominion over every inch of it. Don’t try to rationalize or worry. Instead, stand in awe of our God—and allow yourself to trust in the Savior whom even the “wind and the waves obey” (Mark 4:35).

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. ¹¹ Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 

Daniel 6:10-11 (NLT)

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HOLY HABITS

 

Scripture is filled with examples of people facing hardship and responding with prayer. We see Jesus in Gethsemane the night before He went to the cross; there’s David’s numerous prayers during times of affliction, or others like Nehemiah, Paul, and Job.

In those instances, there is a very relatable sense of desperation, fear, or even sadness that accompanies the prayer. It is a good thing to be faced with suffering or difficulty and to run to the pages of God’s Word for inspiration and hope.

In studying Daniel, we see that his prayer in chapter six led directly to his punishment and condemnation, resulting in his being sent to the lion’s den for the night. We don’t get a direct portrayal of what Daniel said or what his prayer might have been, but we do get confirmation that his prayer was a direct response to the command not to pray to God (verse 10).

Based on everything we’ve learned about Daniel, it is reasonable to assume he was an educated and discerning man. He likely understood that once the edict came down from Darius forbidding prayer, dissenters would be punished harshly. Yet he did not run from the punishment in the slightest. He prayed. That was his response.

Daniel’s prayer wasn’t just a desperate plea in the face of danger—it was what he did every day, three times a day. We are repeatedly commanded in the Bible to pray. Jesus gives us direct instruction on how to pray (Matthew 6:9–13), Paul tells us how often to pray—hint: all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)—and we are reminded to pray when we feel anxious (Philippians 4:6–7; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25–34).

Prayer is meant to be a habitual activity for believers, a way of refocusing our attention on our relationship with God. Dietary habits, sleep habits, and workout regimens all matter to our physical health—but habitual prayer serves a deeper, eternal need. Daniel is an example of that.

Pastor and author Alistair Begg discussed Daniel and his prayer life, highlighting it for other believers:

“Daniel is, I think, in passing, an illustration of the priority of forming holy habits. It was his unswerving witness which made it possible for him to be caught. And as loyal as he’d been to these various empires in serving them, nobody could be in any doubt about his loyalty to the Kingdom of God. He looked towards Jerusalem, where he believed the truth was found and where he believed men and women from every nation would look for their salvation.”

May we all be as committed to the forming of holy habits so that similar words can be written about us!

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

³ Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

⁴ Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

Daniel 6:3-4 (NLT)

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STANDING OUT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

 

I have played the bass guitar since I was 15 years old. After getting my first bass—a Washburn that still holds a sentimental place in my heart—my dad signed me up for lessons, and I was off and running.

Those lessons, and my awesome teacher named Eddie (who is still playing live music), had a huge influence on me as a player. I had an interest in playing in a garage band with my friends, and I wanted to learn how to do all the flashy stuff—yes, like slapping the bass, which is the number one question bass players everywhere get asked (thanks a lot, Paul Rudd).

What I learned from my teacher was that none of those things matter if you don’t have a foundation in the fundamentals of music, the instrument, and technique as a whole. He taught me to keep it simple and focus on the basics.

Playing in the pocket—having a sense of how to play in a way that adds to the song or makes the other musicians sound better—that is what matters. You might be able to wear sunglasses like Joe Dart, but if you don’t actually know how to play, then you’re standing out for the wrong reasons.

As we discussed Daniel chapter six this past week, we learned a lot about who Daniel was as a man even before he had to survive a night in the lion’s den. He had earned the favor of Darius and was placed in an administrative leadership role over the 120 satraps governing the area (v. 3).

When jealousy took hold among his colleagues and they began to plot and scheme against him, they kept coming up short. Verse four says, “…they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.”

Everything we can glean from Daniel suggests that he was a great leader (v. 3), a man of integrity (v. 4), and a man loyal to God above all else (v. 10). We have a very clear picture of someone who set a godly standard for us to follow.

I’m brought back to my bass lessons with Eddie—perhaps it’s best to focus on the basics. If we can be people of integrity who place God above all else, then we can stand out for the right reasons, like Daniel.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. ¹¹ Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. ¹² So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”

“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

¹³ Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

Daniel 6:10-13 (NLT)

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DEFIANT PRAYER

Jealousy is a dangerous influencer of behavior. It can lead to poor choices and regret, and it can bring harm to others. As we studied Daniel chapter six this week, we read the remarkable story of Daniel being sent to the lion’s den and his incredible protection from the Lord in that moment.

Daniel was an established leader, held in high regard within the kingdom—even among his peers. A faithful man, Daniel prayed three times a day—every day. His performance, along with the praise and attention it garnered, drew the jealous ire of the administrators and satraps (which, by the way, means “a provincial governor who oversaw administration, security, and tax collection within their assigned territory”).

They schemed to trap Daniel by convincing Darius to sign an edict limiting prayer and praise to be directed only to Darius himself. In response, Daniel “got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, as he had done before” (verse 10). This led to his apparent condemnation—yet Daniel didn’t seem worried.

Interestingly, the name Daniel has a very relevant meaning: “God is my judge.” Daniel lived up to his name, fearing only the judgment of God—not the judgment of his fellow men. He was not going to stop praying to his God because of an edict or any form of earthly authority. He understood to which judge he ultimately had to answer.

Pastor and author John Piper described Daniel’s prayer life as “daring, disciplined, and defiant.” He goes on to say, “If what God thinks matters most, then you consult him most. If what God does matters most, then you ask him to act first. In other words, you live your life by prayer.”

Consulting God the most should be the default reflex of any believer, but I have a feeling I’m not alone in saying it’s not always mine. Daniel’s example is simple to see but hard to follow. When we have decisions to make or fears that begin to creep in, what should we do? We should PRAY!

You and I may not be faced with a literal lion’s den—at least, I sure hope not—but we are undoubtedly faced with new troubles every single day. Let’s respond by following Daniel’s example and falling to our knees in prayer.

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

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GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE

If you grew up in Atlanta in the early 2000s, you probably heard the name “Chipper Jones” a lot. The Hall of Fame third baseman spent his entire 18-year career in a Braves uniform and was beloved by fans.

He helped the Braves win their first World Championship in 1995, won the NL MVP in 1999, earned two Silver Sluggers and a batting title, and boasted a career batting average over .300. While his career was filled with accomplishments, one thing he missed out on was Rookie of the Year, losing that honor to Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo.

While Nomo had a good career, he certainly did not experience the same degree of success as Chipper. However, he did have one notable advantage over the Braves’ third baseman—he dominated him at the plate. Chipper faced Nomo 42 times, managing just two hits—both singles—for a .057 batting average against the right-hander. Needless to say, Chipper never felt comfortable in the batter’s box against Nomo.

This week, we have been studying Luke 5:1-11. When preaching on this passage, the great R.C. Sproul commented on Peter’s reaction to the miraculous catch of fish. As Peter fell to his knees in fear, he pleaded with Jesus to leave him because of the shame he felt for his sins (Luke 5:8). Sproul emphasized that Peter’s reaction was one of feeling uncomfortable in his sin in the presence of Jesus.

Peter’s humble and fearful response is understandable. If you came face to face with Jesus, you, too, would likely fall to your knees in shame and wonder, just as he did. But Sproul also made an interesting observation—one that might be harder for us to grasp. As Christians, we, too, might make people feel uncomfortable because of our faith.

We are not holy in and of ourselves (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; Ephesians 2:1-2), but as Christians, we represent the Most Holy—Jesus (Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 4:6-10). When we walk as believers, those around us who do not share our faith may feel uneasy. This can create friction and even strain relationships.

For me, I have a brother who isn’t a believer. I pray for him every morning. When we spend time with him and his wife, it’s good, quality time. We have a strong relationship, and I want his influence in my life and my children’s lives. But when I bring up Jesus, he shuts down—he gets uncomfortable.

I’m sure you have people in your life whom you care about who aren’t believers. And, like me, I’m sure you’ve struggled to find the right moments or the right words when you do get the chance to bring up Jesus. But Jesus came to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus’ power on the boat that day, and it changed the course of their lives. Someone might see Jesus in a word you say or a deed you do, and it could change their eternity. That’s why persistence matters.

Theologian and pastor Charles Spurgeon said it like this:
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

You might be the only image of Jesus someone ever sees. Take that responsibility seriously, and pray that God will use you to be a “fisher of men.”

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

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THE CATCH

In July of 1992, the Atlanta Braves hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates for a mid-summer matchup that ended up previewing that year’s National League Championship Series. In the ninth inning, with the Braves clinging to a 1-0 lead, Alejandro Peña faced Andy Van Slyke with a runner on first and the game on the line.

Then, Van Slyke connected. He sent a deep drive to center field, sending Braves center fielder Otis Nixon racing back to the wall. As he neared it, he slowed his pace, then leaped forward. His left foot hit the wall, and he catapulted himself upward, sticking his glove over the fence and snatching the ball back from the abyss. He landed and fired it back in—to the amazement of everyone watching.

“He caught the ball! He caught the ball! I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Braves announcer Skip Caray. The Braves held on to win the game 1-0, thanks in no small part to Nixon’s miraculous catch.

This week, we discussed a miraculous catch of a different kind—the overwhelming haul of fish that Jesus brought to the fishermen-turned-disciples Simon Peter, James, and John.

Simon Peter had previously met Jesus when he came to his home and healed his mother-in-law of a high fever (Luke 4:38-41). So when Jesus asked to use his boat to continue teaching, it made sense that Peter willingly let him do so.

Up to this point, Peter seemed to view Jesus as a respected teacher, but he had not yet fully grasped that he was the Messiah. At the end of his teaching, Jesus commanded them to take the boat out into deeper water. In spite of their doubts, they obeyed—and were met with an overwhelming catch. They had to call for help to bring in all the fish before the boat began to sink (Luke 5:7).

Despite witnessing the healing of his mother-in-law, it wasn’t until this miraculous catch that Simon Peter fully realized who Jesus was. Overcome, he fell to his knees and begged Jesus to leave him, confessing that he was a sinful man (Luke 5:8). In that moment, the weight of Jesus’ true identity was felt by all on board. From that point on, Simon Peter, John, and James left everything behind and followed him (Luke 5:11).

Jesus used the catch to get their attention—a shocking display that made it clear he was more than just a teacher. He used a physical sign to emphasize his message. And once he had their attention, he simply said, “Follow me.” The disciples’ response was immediate and obedient—they left everything behind to follow him.

So be grateful on the days when your net is overflowing with fish, but always recognize the one who fills the nets. The disciples didn’t stay on the boat and ask Jesus to help them catch more fish to grow their fishing business—they followed him to a calling of far greater importance.

Pray that your heart stays focused on the right kind of fishing each day.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

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OBEY

The San Diego Padres had a great team in 1984. Their roster featured Steve Garvey and future Hall of Famers like Tony Gwynn and Rich “Goose” Gossage. However, they were up against one of the best teams of the era—the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers started that season by winning 35 of their first 40 games, finishing with a dominant 104-58 record. The two teams met in the World Series, and the Tigers were as formidable as advertised, winning three of the first four games.

With the Padres facing elimination in Game 5, Gossage found himself in a jam late in the game as Kirk Gibson stepped up to the plate for Detroit.

Padres manager Dick Williams immediately called for an intentional walk, but Gossage flatly refused. As he later recounted, he had experienced a lot of success against Gibson. Williams paid a mound visit and listened to his pitcher’s case before finally saying, “Alright, strike him out then.”

Gibson, fully aware that Gossage had chosen to pitch to him rather than issue the walk, stepped up to the plate—and deposited the next pitch into the upper deck in right field for a three-run homer. The blast put the game and the series out of reach, sealing the Tigers’ championship that night.

It turns out the manager had the right idea all along. The player thought he knew best, but the result said otherwise. Reflecting back with a smile, Gossage simply admits, “I guess I should have walked him.”

It is in our human nature to be disobedient. Most of the time, it’s because we think we know better than whatever instruction we’re given—including God’s instruction.

In the passage we are studying this week, Peter obeys a command from Jesus even though he doubts the outcome. When Jesus says in Luke 5:4, “Go out deeper and let your nets down to catch some fish,” Peter replies, “Master, we worked hard all night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”

That reluctant obedience is reminiscent of many parental moments I have with my kids. There may be eye-rolling or heavy sighs before they ultimately do what my wife or I have asked. That reluctance is a manifestation of pride—and it’s neither good nor holy. It’s something we all struggle with.

When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, obedience isn’t simply a suggestion—it’s a command. Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27) and “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15).

Our obedience to him is one of the ways we set ourselves apart from the world. It is a sign of our love for Christ and our trust in him as our Shepherd. And that obedience, rooted in love, will always lead us to the most spiritually fruitful path—just as it did for the disciples in the boat that day.

So with willing hearts, obey.

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

My family moved to Atlanta from my home state of Virginia when I was just seven years old. Shortly after moving here, my dad made sure to take me, along with my brothers, to Fulton County Stadium for the first live sports event of my life.

I remember it well—the Braves lost to the Mets 5-2, despite leadoff back-to-back homers from Roberto Kelly and Jeff Blauser. More significantly, the first game I ever saw live was started by Greg Maddux—one of the best players of… well, ever.

Maddux may not have gotten the win that night (he threw a complete game, but unearned runs cost him), but he did earn 355 career wins and a Hall of Fame nod in 2014. Maddux didn’t throw the ball as hard as others, but he could make it move and locate his pitches with incredible precision.

Former major leaguer Orel Hershiser once remarked that Maddux could “throw it into a teacup if he wanted to.” Maddux himself routinely emphasizes the importance of location, urging younger pitchers to focus on where the ball is going, not just how hard they can throw it. Location matters.

We learned in studying Luke that location also mattered for the disciples. Jesus stepped onto the boat and taught the crowd before turning to Simon Peter and telling him to go deeper and try again. The fishermen reluctantly took the boat into deeper water as he instructed—and were rewarded with a catch so large they needed help hauling all the fish onto the boat (Luke 5:4-7).

Pastor and author John Piper, speaking on this text, said of verses 6 and 7: “The point is: this is an utterly unprecedented catch of fish in a location that seemed hopelessly unproductive the night before. And it was caught at the powerful and authoritative word of Jesus.”

This miraculous catch was designed to shock the future disciples and display his awesome power, leaving Peter on his knees in wonder. The location of the boat mattered—not because the fish had magically become more available that day, but because Jesus was delivering in a way that only he can, commanding the outcome.

We must be willing to answer the same call as the disciples did that day. They had doubts about the outcome, but they were rewarded for taking their boat to the right location. Our willingness to go where we are called must be absolute.

It has long been a hallmark of our church to have our “yes on the table” when Jesus calls us to move and act. We must have our hearts ready to move the boat wherever he tells us to go—despite our doubts. If we live this way, he will deliver in ways that only he can!

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon,^[b] its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

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GETTING THE CALL

 

Well, spring has sprung, and along with exorbitant amounts of pollen, the season also means baseball is back, baby!

In his essay titled A Perfect Game, author David Bentley Hart argues that baseball might be America’s greatest contribution to the history of civilization. Well, I agree. So let’s celebrate baseball with this week’s lessons.

For a Major League player, a defining moment in their career is often the moment they get called up to the big leagues for the first time.

That call can come at different times for different players—whether through a traditional climb through the minor league levels after scouts and the general manager determine that the player is ready or through a rapid ascension to the top for those with the most potential, even if development is still needed. Their readiness for all the challenges of the Major Leagues might be debated, but sometimes you take chances when the talent is there.

This week, we discussed Jesus “calling up” the first disciples in Luke. Jesus demonstrated his authority, leaving Simon Peter begging at his feet to leave, as he was such a sinful man (Luke 5:8). In spite of his imperfections, Jesus determined he was ready—he knew the talent was there.

In our lives, we may hear the Lord’s call and feel ready for our opportunity to be called up, only to be derailed or delayed by adversity.

In 1941, a teenage pitcher named Lou Brissie was pitching in an amateur league and was so successful that he drew the attention of future Hall of Famer Connie Mack, who offered him a contract to join the Philadelphia Athletics organization. However, his father insisted he finish school first.

Shortly thereafter, World War II began, and in 1942, Brissie enlisted in the Army. He aimed to serve his country with honor but still hoped to pursue baseball afterward. In 1944, he found himself in Italy with the 88th Infantry Division, where he came under artillery barrage. A shell exploded, shattering his left tibia and shinbone into 30 pieces.

Doctors told him they would need to amputate his leg, but he implored them to do whatever possible to save it, even if it cost him his life, because he was a baseball player. Dozens of surgeries and blood transfusions later, Brissie still had his leg—and a sliver of hope for his baseball future.

Upon hearing of Brissie’s heroic determination, Mack promised him an opportunity to pitch and simply urged him to get well. Brissie said Mack’s words were a tremendous motivator. Roughly a year later, Brissie pitched on crutches in a workout for Mack, who still believed in the talent he had once seen in a teen playing in an amateur league.

After years of rehabilitation and pain, in 1948, Lou Brissie got his turn to be called up. He went on to win 14 games for the Athletics that season and pitched seven seasons in the big leagues, later admitting that he was in pain with every pitch.

Despite everything he had been through, he still had someone who saw something in him and gave him an opportunity.

Jesus saw Peter, who admitted his own imperfections and stood in awe of all that Jesus was. Yet, Jesus not only brought him along but eventually called him to be the flag bearer for the faith.

Don’t be intimidated by your failures—for we are all unworthy of Christ. We have each been called to serve His Kingdom and share our faith in this world. We have something in common with Peter and Lou Brissie: We have someone who has given us an opportunity.

What are we going to do with it?

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.