John 15:7 | A Year of CastTheNet

John 15:7 (NKJV), “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

It has been a year since I started CastTheNet. I wrote my first blog entry on September 27th of last year, which was a simple “Getting Started” introduction piece (which somehow got erased--I may have accidentally deleted it or something). What amazes me is how much God has matured me since I started this journey with Him. Truly, by just abiding in Christ and meditating on His words, I have received all that I have desired. And I have received all that I have desired because my desires have continually become more aligned with God’s. We know God does not withhold any good gift, and my desires have changed because He has given to me so freely: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13 NIV).

Although I may deceive myself in thinking that not much has been accomplished for God’s kingdom since CastTheNet’s creation, I quickly remember that the world’s standards of success do not define heavenly value. For those of us who reside in Christ, our success is measured by a different standard: the currency of heaven, being God Himself. What Jesus has done within me and in my walk of faith (and I believe I can speak for Jack as well, ever since he joined and started working on CastTheNet’s Instagram--which he has done an awesome job with) has been immeasurable. My eyes are more open to Jesus than they ever have been, and it is hard for me to articulate how much I have changed, even in just a year. And this is the beauty of it all; not only as I have matured have I realized how limitless the extent to which I can grow is, but also that I am constantly being renewed in my understanding of God’s goodness. There is no end to the depth of Yahweh’s holiness, and I am utterly compelled to wander the deep.

Therefore, I rejoice in the work that God is doing, despite not being able to see all that is being done. And, although I am unable to see the full extent of God’s hand through CastTheNet, Jack, and myself, I am able to realize the change that He is bringing in me. I have noticed greater boldness to speak the Gospel. I have noticed a greater attunement to God’s truth. I have noticed an increase in the fruits of the Spirit throughout my life. The changes that God is making within me are too many to count or identify--I am not even the same person I was yesterday. This is all to God’s glory alone. I could do nothing if it wasn’t for Jesus--such is the power of the Blood. I have always struggled with maintaining focus towards projects or various endeavors; the fact that CastTheNet is still standing, and that I am still writing blogs, is a testament itself to the power of Christ. To think God is using someone as scatter-brained and forgetful as myself to write words concerning His truth, among other things