Caught in the Net...
By Trey Kistler |
Mon, 3 Mar 2008
The following is a special word from Trey Kistler for March 2008.
Caught in the net……
What an exciting month it was for my staff and I to watch our sales reach a new record high and witness our pro angler Alton Jones win the Bassmaster Classic! This fantastic news means our business is about to skyrocket and we will be slammed with orders from all over the world! What a blessing! What more could we ask for? Well, how about a relaxing day at the office? Or, how about work day without a million emails and phone calls? This will never happen as long as we keep growing so fast. I say these things to make a point. As a whole, the human race is never satisfied with their situation in life. We are either bored with our careers and want change or we are constantly working so hard to make ends meet we are too tired to play. Some of us are just so busy that we don’t even have time to stop and smell the flowers!
My take on this is simple….If I am not using my time and resources in an area of life that will benefit others now and after our earthly lives, then truly, I am wasting my time. My most rewarding days are often realized after I have either spent quality time with my children, served others in their needs outside the church, helped less fortunate families in times of struggle or even when I have taken my pastors fishing in appreciation for their service. All of these and other activities in my life must be honoring to God. Why? So that I can sense His approval of my life spent on earth while knowing that I am living for His purpose and not just my own selfish desires. This and this only gives me pure joy and fulfillment! The nice big house, the Skeeter bass boat and a booming business will never give me lasting happiness no matter how much I try to enjoy them. Trust me when I say this because I have tried it and proven this fact of life over and over again. I can’t fill the voids in my heart with earthly treasures. There is no lasting satisfaction outside the realm of God’s will for my life.
Living for and pleasing God is the ONLY way to a life of meaning, peace and joy. This only comes through my personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my savior. Knowing Him as your Father in heaven and living for Him WILL guarantee you an eternal home in heaven.
If you are searching for a real purpose in life and starving for something more, I would recommend to first, look up toward heaven in prayer, then, look down to read and listen what God is saying throughout His words in the Bible. Read with me these few scriptures from God’s word….I promise it will change your life.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income.
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet….
I believe God warned us of these tendencies to help us live a more content life as He knew how our sinful nature would affect us in this world. Those were Old Testament instructions from God then later we find the teachings from Jesus in the New Testament.
John 12:25 and 26 "If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be too. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."
Luke 9:23 – 25 "If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his very soul."
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man (Christ) did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
My prayer is that anyone who calls on His name will then be "caught in His net of salvation" and be changed forever while experiencing everlasting peace and joy, no matter what the world throws at you.
May God draw you near to Him this week, as you stop the crazy cycle of your life and sincerely seek Him.
Your friend in Christ,
Trey Kistler
