When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them,  “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”   John 21:9-10 I love a good beach BBQ. The salty, smoky smells. The warmth of the sun. The sound of gentle lapping waves. The gritty crunch as you bite into a burger finely dusted with sand. Jesus already has the fire going by the time the disciples reach the shore. The fire even has fish on it. He has all they need. But what is interesting is that Jesus says ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’.  Jesus already had fish, he doesn’t need more, but still he invites us to be part of the story, to bring what we have to Him, and enjoy the blessing that brings. Jesus is inviting us to be part of something great. Let's bring our fish to the party! A prayer - Thank you Lord that you have everything we could ever need, but thank you that you want to involve us in your plan. Amen James Clee

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. John 21:7 I’ve been sea fishing once. I caught one mackerel and couldn’t stop throwing up for the rest of the four hour round trip. At the end of their fishing trip, the disciples had probably just made one of the biggest catches in their fishing careers, 153 whoppers. But what I love is that Peter isn’t bothered. He isn’t distracted by the haul, or the potential wealth it could bring, all he wants to do is be with Jesus. I don’t think he even considers trying to walk on water again, instead he quickly puts some clothes on and jumps. He has one thought, ‘I’ve got to get to Jesus’. A prayer - Lord, help us to be like Peter. Help us not to be distracted by things around us, but to have the same attitude and desire, to be willing to abandon everything, to be with you. Ame...

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” John 21: 5-6 I hate being told what to do. I can be stubborn, especially if I think I know best. I imagine after a whole night of unsuccessful fishing, the disciples were grumpy and tired. The professional fishermen had caught nothing. But when a ‘stranger’ on the shore tells them to cast their nets again the disciples could react in two ways. They could be stubborn and refuse the advice from the ‘amateur’, or they could trust and obey. Let’s trust and obey God today, even if we think we know best, let's commit our plans to Him and trust and obey. A prayer - Lord, help us to be less stubborn and more trusting of you today. Amen James Clee

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. John 21: 4 Waiting tests your patience. Waiting for Christmas, waiting for the delayed R68 bus, waiting for Liverpool to win the Premiership. As Jesus stood on the shore I wonder how long he had been waiting. He already had breakfast ready so I assume he must have been there for a while. But I imagine his waiting was full of excitement to see his friends, stood in anticipation, eager to see them again. I don’t think God’s character has changed. What a comforting reality that Jesus is always waiting for us, and He always will be, no matter how long we take. A prayer - Lord, thank you that you are always there, even when we turn away, you are still there waiting for us to come to you. Amen James Clee

  Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.   Proverbs 15: 30 We have such a wonderful message to tell and the whole world needs to hear it, tell them! Tell them with your actions, your deeds and your words. Live the truth, grow in the revelation of Jesus and what He has done and never stop testifying of what the Lord has done for you. Humbly tell your neighbour, work colleague or family member all about the God who is your rock that you can depend on. Have confidence that God is good and boldly take up the commission that Jesus gave you and tell them about our victorious God who fights our battles. Many today feel like God is irrelevant and an outdated concept. Some of us, by the grace of God, know that He is real and the truth about Jesus. Our eyes have been opened ahead of others around us, we have been jumped to the front of the queue, let God use us to tell those who don’t know yet. You are part of the few that will tell...

He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:3-5   What a God we serve! A God who fights our battles, never abandons us and gives us the victory! Will you let God fight your battle? This life is not for the fainthearted and God never promised it would be easy. We often feel like we are battling through our circumstances, our health, our relationships or our finances. God goes on to promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Do you know this truth in your situation today? He is right there with you, he is not a fair-weather friend. It is not always easy to hear and know these truths in ...

Then Jesus came to them and said,  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20   There is a brilliant book by Liz Forkin Bohannon titled ‘Beginners Pluck’. In it she reminds us to be like beginners, running boldly into opportunities understanding that we know very little and are likely to fail. She tells how her failures shaped her journey to future success and she shares practical help on how to find a passion and follow a dream with surprising advice like ‘you are average’ and ‘dream small’! I found it liberating to hear the opposite of what I would have expected from someone who continues to achieve such bold objectives. I’m not sure about you, but I have found that during...