8^th January 2015

“When He had finished speaking. He said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets to catch some fish.” ”Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. BUT IF YOU SAY SO, I’LL LET THE NET DOWN AGAIN.””

 Luke 5:4-5 (NLT)

How often do we find ourselves dictating our lives to God instead of letting Him lead and guide us in the right direction? However, there is great blessing in obedience and submission, as we will see from today’s passage.

The scene has been set; Jesus has just finished talking to the crowds from a boat. He then turns to Simon and tells him to go out a little deeper to catch some fish. Simon’s response is astonishing. He could have easily said that the best time for fishing was at night not during the day, he could have laughed at Jesus’ assumption that a carpenter knew better than a professional fisherman, he could have even said that they had just finished cleaning the nets (v2). But He didn’t say any of these. He calls out Jesus as Master, which means leader or even boss. Then he astounds the reader with a submissive and humble response. But if you SAY so!!

Wow, what a response. Simon knew that there was something special about this man. In Luke’s version of the Gospel, we see in chapter 4, that Jesus has already shown His miraculous powers and even healed Simon’s mother in law. Yet Simon’s response here in chapter 5, is of utter submission knowing that if Jesus said something, it will come to pass! He didn’t question, huff and puff, make excuses or even say no, he simply obeyed the words of Jesus.

This is a great reminder for us to trust in God’s promises, trust when He leads us to places unknown, trust when we cant see what the future holds, simply submit and obey. We may not know what the future holds but we know the One who holds the future!!

7^th January 2015

“A little further up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed Him. Leaving their father Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.”

 Mark 1:19-20 (NLT)

In today’s passage we see how Jesus calls two other disciples, James and John. Much like Peter and Andrew they were brothers, they were doing their job when Jesus called for them, and surprisingly they too left all to follow Jesus at His command, “HE called them at once, and they also followed Him.” Again we have no evidence that they had seen any miracle or heard any teaching. They just left everything to follow Jesus.

However this passage adds what I think, a very significant detail that separates it from the Peter and Andrew calling. James and John where not only fishing by themselves but were with their father, Zebedee and the hired workers. Much like most Biblical businesses, this was a family run affair. From face value they must have had quite a successful business if they were able to hire workers to assist them. Not only did they have to give up what was probably a successful family business, but they also left their father, who had to rely on his son’s help. Add these all together and verse 20 takes a whole new relevance and significance. For when Jesus called them it seems like there was more to give up.

The significance is not that we are called to abandon our work and disown our families. On the contrary God calls us to be good stewards of our finances and to look after our families. However, the underlying message is that when Jesus calls you, what is holding you back from fully committing your heart to Him. Are you willing to leave everything to follow Him, even if the cost is great? That may not be only physical and material things but also issues of the heart.

Great blessing awaits those who give up all to follow Him!

6^th January 2015

 “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.”

Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

A good friend of mine wisely reminded me that fishing was not an individual activity in Biblical times but was a joint effort. Fisherman would take a team out on a boat, usually whilst dark, throw their large nets out together, wait for a catch and then haul their catch together. We remember the story of when Jesus supernaturally increased the number of fish in the days catch in Luke 5. There were so many that they needed help to haul them all in. However in today’s fishing world most people fish use a single pole whilst sitting by a lake or a river.

There is much significance in the fact that fishing was a communal/joint effort. So it is with fishing for men. Yes there are times when we are called to go fishing on our own with our single pole but there is great joy when we fish together with others. The power of unity speaks volumes. When we are committed together to seeing lives changed by the love of Christ, I genuinely believe that our catch will be so great that we wont be able to haul them in by ourselves. Whether our fishing method is through prayer, fasting, street evangelism, community centres, acts of kindness in our communities, whatever it is, when done in unity, together as group of people willing to see change in our nations, God will move in great power!!

5^th January 2015

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.”

 Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

Today’s passage sees a two-fold promise and command from Jesus: A command to follow Him and a promise that He will help us fish for people.

Peter and Andrew were two ordinary people. They were simple fishermen going about their daily work. Then suddenly this Jesus turns up in their lives and completely transforms them. Jesus had hardy started His ministry, yet both Peter and Andrew show no hesitation in dropping their nets (their means of livelihood) and followed Him. Interestingly we have no apparent record of Jesus doing any miracles or signs and wonders before He recruits these two brothers. It was simply the power of His words that stirred their hearts. This same Jesus calls us today to follow Him. Will you drop your own agenda and follow Him as Peter and Andrew did?

Finally, Jesus commissions them from fishermen to evangelists in a moment. He didn’t require Peter and Andrew to study in a Bible College, have a theological degree or pass a years evangelism training course (although there is nothing wrong with these!). He simply saw into their hearts and knew that these men were mighty warriors and promised to help them fish for men. And that they did do!!

Our pastor challenged us with two questions and I will leave them with you also!

This year what are you intentionally doing about growing deeper in your walk with Christ?? (COME, FOLLOW ME v19)

This year what are you intentionally doing about helping others know the love of Jesus and His saving grace? (AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN v19)

1^st January

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me….for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-11 (NLT)

I am often surprised at God’s grace in my life; the times when I feel far away from Him or when I feel like I have let my Heavenly Father down, it’s in those times that I feel God uses me most. Why is it when we feel weak, useless, hopeless, and even faithless that God uses us most? The answer simply is because it is in those times that we have nothing but to trust in His strength! God works best when we recognise that we cant do things on our own or in our own strength.

Paul highlights this in today’s passage. Whatever Paul’s weakness was, he prayed for it to be taken away. Yet each time Paul prayed, the Lord reminded him that His grace was all he needed. Paul recognised His need for God’s strength through his weakness.

This is a great reminder for us as we journey into a new year. We will face many challenges, trials and tests of our character but if we hold fast to God’s strength then we will overcome all things. It is in our weakness that He is made strong!! You have a purpose and God wants to use your seed to plant into His kingdom.

 A piece of Gold, a pile of mud, which is more useful?

The gold of course!!

But to a seed?

Don’t underestimate your seed, you have a purpose.