Anything I write is G rated. Once in a while PG rated. Christian writing from infant to teen. Parent and teacher tools to teach the bible at home and at church.
Peter didn’t expect much when Jesus told him to cast the net again. He’d already tried. He was tired. But obedience opened the floodgates of blessing. The boat overflowed—not just with fish, but with awe, purpose, and a new calling.
Reflection Prompt:
Have you ever felt like giving up, but chose to trust God anyway? What happened next?
Prayer:
“Lord, help me to listen when You speak, even when I’m discouraged. Teach me to trust Your timing and Your plan. Fill my heart with faith, and let my life overflow with Your goodness. Amen.”
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Luke 5:5 (KJV 1611) "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."
🐟 Devotional: “Nevertheless, At Thy Word”
Simon Peter’s hands were calloused, his nets soaked and empty. The Sea of Galilee had offered no reward that night — just the cold sting of disappointment. He wasn’t alone; James and John, fellow fishermen and sons of Zebedee, had also labored in vain. But as the sun rose, so did a stranger on the shore — Jesus of Nazareth. He stepped into Simon’s boat, not to fish, but to teach. And then came the command: “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Simon hesitated. He had every reason to decline. The fish weren’t biting. The nets were clean. The men were tired. But then came the words that changed everything: “Nevertheless at thy word…” That phrase is the heartbeat of faith. It’s the moment when logic bows to trust, when weariness yields to obedience.
As the nets plunged into the deep, the miracle unfolded. Fish swarmed the boat, so many that the nets began to break. They called for help, and even the second boat began to sink under the weight of the catch. Simon fell at Jesus’ knees, overwhelmed not just by fish, but by holiness. “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord,” he cried. But Jesus didn’t depart. He called.
This story is great because it’s not just about fish — it’s about calling, surrender, and transformation. It’s about how Jesus meets us in our failure and turns it into abundance. It’s about how obedience opens the door to revelation. Simon Peter, James, and John didn’t just catch fish that day — they caught purpose. They left their nets and followed Him.
The characters in this story — Simon Peter, James, John, and Jesus — represent the tension between human effort and divine intervention. Peter’s confession of sin is a turning point. He realizes that proximity to Jesus reveals our need for grace. And Jesus responds not with condemnation, but with commission: “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
Biblical fact: The Sea of Galilee is actually a freshwater lake, known for its sudden storms and rich fishing grounds. Fishermen often worked at night, when fish were more active near the surface. That’s why Jesus’ daytime command was so unusual — and why the miracle was so profound.
This story reminds us that God’s timing often defies our expectations. He doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. He speaks into our emptiness and invites us to trust. And when we do, the results are more than we imagined — not just full nets, but full hearts.
💡 Thought of the Day
Obedience to God’s word may not always make sense, but it always makes a difference.
📚 Recommended Scripture Reading
John 21:1–14 – Another miraculous catch after the resurrection
Matthew 4:18–22 – The calling of the first disciples
Isaiah 6:1–8 – A prophet’s encounter with holiness and calling
📜 Closing Verse
Luke 5:11 (KJV 1611) "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."
🙏 Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for meeting us in our empty boats and calling us to deeper waters. Teach us to say, “Nevertheless at Thy word,” even when we don’t understand. Help us to trust Your voice more than our circumstances. May we be willing to leave behind what’s familiar to follow You into the unknown. Bless this class with courage, clarity, and a heart that longs to obey. Fill us with Your Spirit, and let our lives be vessels for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
🙌 Praise be to God, who turns empty nets into overflowing purpose!
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see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven
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[Verse 1 – Abraham’s Call] He’s my only son, the light of my days Born of a promise, not earthly
ways, But the Lord has spoken—so here I stand On this mountain high, with
trembling hands
[Verse 2 – Isaac’s Innocence] Father, I see the wood and the flame But where is the lamb to be slain
in His name? You whisper “The Lord will provide,” and believe, that God does
know what’s best for me.
[Chorus – Shared Faith] He’s my only son, yet I still believe In the love of God, in the plans
conceived From one small seed, the stars will shine Each one a heartbeat of
love divine
[Verse 3 – Heaven’s Mercy] A voice from the heavens cried “Do not harm” And there in the
thicket—redemption’s ram The knife falls away, the tears finally stream God’s
love breaks through like a gentle dream.
[Bridge – The Greater Love] As Abraham laid down his son in faith So God gave His own in redeeming
grace One Son for all, the spotless Lamb His love for the world—who else but I
AM?
[Final Chorus – Eternal Promise] He’s the only Son, sent from above Carried by mercy, anchored in love
From faith like Abraham’s, hope begins Through stars uncounted, God's light
still wins
[Outro – Children of the Promise] We are the stars, we carry His name Born from above,
shaped through His love, Our hearts still sing, our faith still runs— With love
that began in the only Son.
[Outro – Children of the Promise Today] We are the stars, still bearing His light
Called to be faithful, to walk in what's right
From Abraham’s trust to the cross and the Lamb—
We live in the gift of the great I AM
In cities and silence, in joy and in tears
His promise still echoes across all our years
For He gave His Son—love’s purest embrace
So we shine today by amazing grace
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
The coloring pages stay with the stories and are to be used
for this story only unless you ask permission.
🌿 A Father, A Son, and A Lamb: A
Devotional Story Inspired by Genesis 22 & John 3:16
God’s deep love and
plan for redemption through Jesus.
Abraham and Isaac walked together
beneath the quiet sky. The wind whispered through the trees, and the boy carried
wood for the fire. He looked up at his father and asked, “Where is the lamb?”
Abraham's heart trembled. He didn’t fully understand what God was doing—but he
trusted Him completely. “My son,” he said softly, “God will provide himself a
lamb.” (Genesis 22:8, KJV)
Just like Isaac didn’t know what was
coming, we don’t always understand God's plan. But one thing is clear: we’re
all born with something broken inside—it's called sin. Sin isn’t just about
doing something wrong; it’s about being separated from God. Every person, young
and old, has sinned. Jesus knew this. That's why, whether He was talking to
fishermen, children, or Pharisees, He never avoided the truth. He spoke with
love—but He also spoke with clarity. He said we must turn away from our sin and
believe.
That’s why Jesus came—He is the Lamb
God provided for us. Just like the ram in the thicket saved Isaac from being
sacrificed, Jesus saves us from the punishment our sin deserves. He didn’t
deserve the cross, but He chose it because of His love for us. John 3:16 says
it all: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”
That’s the heart of Abraham’s story—it shines forward into Jesus’ story, and
now into ours.
When we admit our sin and believe in
Jesus, something beautiful happens. He forgives us, washes our hearts clean,
and makes us part of His forever family. It's not because we're good—but
because He's good. And just like the stars God showed Abraham, too many to
count, that’s how many hearts God longs to reach.
Today, you may feel far from God, or
unsure what comes next. But the same God who met Abraham on the mountain is
reaching for you now. He provided a lamb for Abraham—and He provided Jesus for
you. That’s how much He loves you.
The question now is this: will you
trust Him? He’s waiting with love, forgiveness, and forever hope. And when you
walk with Him, the journey—like Abraham’s—is never alone.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Mark your gameboard with points in different areas.
Put the other copy up where the kids can put
a mark on the board with the color maker they have.
You will know who made the points by the color mark.
Ask all the questions then add up the points at the end.
The one with the most points wins, If they learn they win..
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Our family watched a
little boy named Jackson; we watched him from six months to almost four years old.
My daughter was hired as his babysitter, but we all spent time with him.
I only spanked
Jackson one time the entire time we watched him. He kicked me in the shin and boy did it hurt. There was another time Jackson did something
I don’t even remember what it was. I
decided to teach him something and I asked my husband to help me. I asked my husband to let me spank him to teach
Jackson about Jesus. My husband did as I
requested and he willingly let me spank him. I want to make it very clear that I never hurt
Pastor George. We did the same thing when our girls were little. Pastor George and I worked as a team to teach
Jackson that Jesus took our punishment for us.
Jackson did something worthy of a spanking, we told him he should be spanked. We put on a little skit for Jackson. We explained to him, “Pastor George is going
to willingly take your punishment today, you did something wrong, but he’s
getting spanked for it.” Pastor George even
pretended to cry.
I did spank Pastor
George but it was not hard enough to hurt him.
See, Jesus took our place of punishment for us. He didn’t have to die for us, He willingly
laid down his life for us. God loved us
so much that He sent his only Son Jesus, to take our place. We didn’t deserve forgiveness;
Jesus didn’t deserve our punishment. What
Jesus did for us was not pretend, it was real.
He was crucified upon
a cross and shed his blood for our sins.
Jesus took our place. He provided a way for forgiveness; He
provided the way of Salvation.
He provided a way for us to become adopted into God's family.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
When we believe in Christ as our Saviour, God gives us power to become his child.
We are not his child until we believe and trust upon Christ for salvation.
If Jesus was not born we would not of had power to become God's Child.
God chose adoption and we are adopted as sons and daughters.
Joseph is an example of God. He accepted Jesus as his earthly son. Joseph loved him as his own and watched over him also as his Saviour. Go so loved and Joseph so loved.
Look
and See
Look and see, this joyous day, the Infant
Christ is here.
The
angel’s voices could be heard from the gates of pearly white.
Look and
see, in Mother’s arms, the promised child from God.
Glory
Halleluiah Christ was born upon this bless-ed night.
Oh, Glory
Halleluiah Christ is born, let us rejoice, Christ is born.
The
promised child was given, the promised child from heaven.
The
Messiah is here! The Messiah is here
and our
hearts are filled with joy!
Hello,
nice to meet you, we are shepherds from the field.
With
gladness, we are here this night to see God’s promise fulfilled.
Thank
you, God, for sending us this perfect baby boy.
A gift
of love, A gift of peace, a gift of hope, and great joy.
Oh, Glory
Halleluiah Christ is born, let us rejoice, Christ is born.
The
promised child was given, the promised child from heaven.
The
Messiah is here! The Messiah is here
and our
hearts are filled with joy!
I am
Joseph the protector of our newborn King.
God has
chosen me for this family, for this miracle
This is
Jesus, light of my life, Saviour of my soul.
I am his
earthly father and I know; that I love him so.
Oh, Glory
Halleluiah Christ is born, let us rejoice, Christ is born.
The
promised child was given, the promised child from heaven.
The
Messiah is here! The Messiah is here
and our
hearts are filled with joy!
Look and
see, the infant child that God has given me.
I am
most favored to cradle my Savior and to worship him.
Look and
know, that God loves us so, for Jesus is here.
Glory
Halleluiah Christ is born, born to save us from our sin.
Oh, Glory
Halleluiah Christ is born, let us rejoice, Christ is born.
The
promised child was given, the promised child from heaven.
I read this as a dramatic reading this morning in church.
Read with a lot of feeling and emotion.
Luke 2:7-11
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
Baptism is a picture of what happens to you when you become
saved. We without Christ are dead in our
sins. Separated from God. Once a person believes in the Lord Jesus
Christ. Something happens. They become alive to God because Jesus Christ
through the Holy Spirit comes into their heart.
When we are baptized, we are emersed under the water, buried
in the likeness of Christ, and arising to new life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony and an example, to all,
that we have been saved and have become born to God as his dear child. We were dead to God, but now, made alive unto
God.
This is exactly what happens when we become born again. By
faith, our sins are washed away. The
blood of Christ shed for us was applied upon the acceptance of Christ Jesus
into our life. We spiritually are risen into
a new life and beginning. We have been
adopted into the family of God.
The Holy Spirit is Jesus in our hearts but is called the Comforter
in scripture. The comforter is with us
and in us. Jesus in our hearts. We can pray and Jesus helps our feeble prayers,
He speaks for us with perfect prayers even when we don’t know how to say what
needs to be asked. When you worship God,
you can feel his presence with you. He
is there for you to help you through life’s troubles.
All acceptable good works are through Christ alone. Our righteousness is as filthy rags to God.
Isaiah 64:6 ¶ But we are all as an unclean thing, and all
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
Good works of any kind are excepted by people. They are commended and looked up to. People normally reward people for doing good
things. Many are known for their
wonderful gift of charity. However, God
does not accept our goodness as righteousness but as filthy rags. That is why the crown we receive in heaven
will be laid at the feet of Christ. Christ
within us and his working through us is the only righteousness accepted by
God. Not of good that I have done, but
only what Christ has done through us.
That only happens if we accept Christ and the shedding of his blood for
our sins.
The Holy Spirit does not testify of himself, He testifies of
Jesus. This is why we pray in the name
of Jesus Christ and do all things in Jesus Christ’s name.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:23 And
whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
God offers the gift of salvation to whoever wants it.
John 3:15 -17 That whosoever believeth in him should not
perish but have eternal life.
For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the
world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus Talks
about the Comforter
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
John 14:26 But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 ¶ But when
the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7 ¶
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for
if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will
send him unto you.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
abide in me.
Susan Nikitenko March 20th, 2022
Some lesson afterthoughts...
Jesus was baptized at thirty years old, as our example. Not one baby was baptized by emersion or sprinkling in the bible. Each person should understand what they are doing. Baptism is the first step of obedience as a Christian.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
I changed the song to say Mary and others. The bible does not say Martha was there. I'm not going to change the audio. If you would like for me to change it, let me know and I will change it.
Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. (Martha could have been there)
Matthew 28:1-19
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Matthew 27: 50-54
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
original - I changed it.
Matthew 27:51- 53
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
