I don’t know who came up with the idea of fishing shirts, but they are wonderful. They have not improved my fishing, but they are lightweight and have a lot of pockets…but most of all, they are stain resistant. Ya see, I’m a guy who wears his food well. These shirts resist the food, coffee, tea, mustard & everything I spill down my shirt. It does not seep into the fabric. I just wipe it off.

Ponder this. If we lived the way Jesus taught & commanded us, the stains of life, being offended, ticked off, rejected, overwhelmed & worried would be repelled…wiped away. Believers are called to live with a Grateful heart. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. This abundant life is not as the world views abundance, but the Hope, Peace, Strength, and Confidence that only Jesus can provide. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

Jesus didn’t sugarcoat life. His life on earth revealed how He responded to being rejected, lied about, beat, mocked, spit on, and even crucified. He told us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.” …Now here comes the Power, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Ok, but how? Paul gave us the key when he taught us to “Press on…” even through all his difficult challenges. Paul proclaimed, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14. We will get offended & stained when we live a self-centered life. Simply put, we are living for ourselves and our happiness. But when we live out what Paul is teaching…living for Jesus, the things of this world don’t really matter.

Paul even gave us the perfect apparel for today. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11. Isn’t it about time you got rid of those old worldly clothes with stains of political rants, fly off the handle, having a critical & grumbling heart? Jesus has what you need. Only Jesus can transform your heart. But there is a catch… Jesus is a gentleman…You must ask. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7.

We are also told how we are to seek Him in Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” We must seek Him as if your life depended on it. Because you know what…it does. It will determine where you spend eternity.