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Fishing for men?

Scripture reading for January 6: Matthew 4

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” Matthew 4:17-20

Jesus loved to challenge the world-views of those He came in contact with. His preaching message was a call to change minds, hearts, and actions: “Repent!” This was not something in the future Jesus was speaking about. In His own Life was the immediate presence of the kingdom of heaven and He was the King! Matthew, who himself had repented and followed Jesus, recorded Jesus’ call to follow given to two ordinary fishermen who were busy casting a net in a family fishing business. These young men heard the call of Jesus and had to adjust their thinking from catching fish to catching men with a Gospel net! I am sure that they did not understand all that would be required of them. But child-like faith to fearlessly respond to Jesus’ new challenge to their calling brought them into a new life and eternal rewards!

I had this call in my life as well. I was a successful farmer raising crops, cattle and pigs when Jesus reaffirmed His call to me to preach His Word. I chose to ‘repent’ and follow, not knowing all that would be required. My ‘immediate’ response took several years, but following Jesus Christ has totally expanded my world and enriched my life beyond measure! I am thankful for His patience and gentleness!

Have you heard the call of Jesus to repent and follow? What response have you given Him? How does your present world-view help or hinder you from responding immediately?

Prayer: Father, thank You for expanding my world-view from my own selfish interests to see Your plan tor reach all people with the Good News of a Savior Jesus Christ and eternal life. Teach me how to fish for men and guide me each day to the best fishing spots. Amen.

“Follow Me!”

Scripture reading for January 6th:  Matthew 4

Key Scriptures:  Matthew 4:18-20

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed Him.”

Jesus walked where people were at work!  He, Himself, was a worker!  He was a carpenter who helped His father to shape wood for various purposes.  He was walking here among fishermen who were busy at their trade.  He called out to Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew.   When they heard Him, they immediately left their trade and daily work and followed Jesus.  He called them to a new type of fishing–fishing for men!

When Jesus calls us to come after Him, we often make excuses.  How will we make a living?  Aren’t we supposed to be loyal to our family business?  How will others and our families eat if we don’t have fish to eat and sell?  The word of God is calling us to humbly trust Jesus and obey Him.  The new calling to fish for men requires an apprenticeship with the Master Fisherman!  Why not obey His call and let the great adventure begin?  Trust Him to provide all you need.

Observation for overcomers:  The call of Jesus goes deep into the heart and spirit of each person when they open their hearts to listen.  When we want what He wants, we will joyfully follow Him and overcome all fears and arguments!  “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart!”  (Psalm 37:4)

Led by the Spirit!

Scripture reading for January 4th: Matthew 4, Psalms 3, Proverbs 1:20-21

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.  The tempter came to Him and said,  “If you are the Son of god, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written:  ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:1-4)

Jesus, Himself, was filled with the Holy Spirit at His baptism.  (Matthew 3:16-17)  The Holy Spirit came in the bodily form of a dove and lighted on Him after His baptism by John.  Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and to identify with sinners that He came to seek and save.  Jesus was a human man and yet was God.  He was empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin His life of ministry at the age of 30.

The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit living in us.  God’s Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force or some creepy presence.  The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus and immediately began to lead Him into God’s will and purpose for His life.  It is interesting to note that the first place the Holy Spirit led Jesus was into the desert for testing.  He led Jesus to a forty day time of fasting in that desert where He underwent a series of temptations from the devil.  We have a record of three of these temptations, but the Scriptures imply that there were many more.

What is fasting all about?  We all have flesh that likes to call the shots in our life.  Fasting is a willful denial of the rule of our flesh and a purposeful recognition that we  want to  live by God’s will and word.  We recognize that we need the rule of God’s Spirit to help us in life more than we need bread or sleep!  We tell the flesh “no” and say “yes, Lord” to God.  Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger.  Jesus spoke Deuteronomy 8:2-3 to Satan, countering the temptation with God’s will and word!  Satan was trying to get Jesus (and us today) to live for ourselves and our appetites instead of God’s will!  As we continue our journey through 2011, let’s ask the Lord for victory over our flesh and the devil’s temptations!