Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 7, 2019
Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19, NKJV
Our grandson Harrison just celebrated his sixth birthday. Among his bounty of presents, the favorite was a red and black Zebco rod and reel, accompanied by a tiny tackle box. “Pop, I want you to take me fishing”. Who can say no to that sweet solicitation? So, three days later Harrison and I woke up early, rigged his line complete with a lesson in tying a fishing knot, and the strategic use of needle nose pliers. And in spite of the 38 degree morning, we made our way to the pond near our house and “wet a hook” for about 90 minutes. No big bass to be found (though Harrison was sure two hit his bait but got away). No matter, because our shared memory of love, adventure and yes, patience, will be stuffed and mounted in our minds and on our hearts forever.
Fishing was the career of this motley crew of would be disciples Jesus called to follow Him. Rugged, rough and weather-beaten, these men took their life lessons of hard work and faith and followed Jesus. Just as the Lord had given them the resources and skills to fish in the natural world of physical provision, now Christ would equip and empower them to fish for souls in the supernatural world of spiritual provision. Jesus was clear, if they would take a step of faith to follow Him—He would make them fishers of men. Competency comes with Christ’s calling.
“Simon’s fishing partners, James and John (two of Zebedee’s sons), along with the rest of the fishermen, see this incredible haul of fish. They’re all stunned, especially Simon. He comes close to Jesus and kneels in front of His knees. Simon: I can’t take this, Lord. I’m a sinful man. You shouldn’t be around the likes of me. Jesus: Don’t be afraid, Simon. From now on, I’ll ask you to bring Me people instead of fish” (Luke 5:8-10, The Voice).
The good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness is tasty bait for those who believe. Your imperfect life of love and forgiveness gives you the credibility to cast the net of Christ’s love over lives in need of a Savior. When you first believed—you began your journey with Jesus for the purpose of helping wayward souls find rest in a relationship with Christ. Following Jesus requires fishing with Jesus. Show up for others, be generous, cast the gospel net and God will fill it with souls. Fishing with Jesus takes time and requires patience, but you come to know Him much better in the process.
Yes, the beauty of fishing with Jesus is the opportunity to grow in your intimacy with the One who loves you the most. You learn from His example of how to love people well, and you grow in your confidence to share His gospel of love and forgiveness. When you fish with Jesus you are on the front lines of faith sharing which fosters the growth of your faith and understanding in God’s love and wisdom for living. A day of fishing with Jesus may not result in a soul caught for Christ, but joy and fulfillment will be stuffed and mounted in your heart and mind forever.
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, AMPC).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as I follow Jesus grow my boldness to share the gospel, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Who in my life needs my intentional prayers and attention to share Jesus?
Related Reading
2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Acts 13:46, 28:31
Post/Tweet today
Competency accompanies Christ’s calling. #wisdomhunters #Jesus
Worship Resource
4 minute music video- Norton Hall Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2zt7PzHPqk
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
Comments are closed.
I love the use of metaphors! It paints a picture to remember the words read.
Thank you for your artistry of words!
I have been receiving your daily devotionals for a few years and they have always inspired me. I have to say that the last few months for me have not been easy. I lost my job in September and have been searching with no success…I think it’s age (66 years). I also had to do a voluntary repossession on my car. It seems since this happened your messages seemed to be from God to me. The one that inspired me the most was on December 19th, “Identity Crisis”. After that day, it has been all of them. Thank you, Tripp and Shana. I pray you will continue your calling.
Dear Rebecca,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us with your kind words for Boyd, Tripp and Shana. We are grateful that these devotionals have touched your heart and have encouraged you through some challenging days. Please know, we realize it is “all God” that placed those words in front of you and so, we give HIM all the glory!!Is it not just amazing that HE, in His Prefect Timing, puts the words in front of us, or the people in front of us, or the verses from His Word, right in front of us when we listen and need to hear them the most. Praise our Heavenly Father!
I am sorry, Rebecca, for your struggles lately but I am so thankful you know that God is walking besides you every day through all of this. I rejoice in the fact the He works all things for good according to His purpose and hope you can find some comfort in that fact.
Hold on to Him, Rebecca, dive into His Word, and He will guide you through this. Please let us hear from you in the days ahead. I am sending you an email, separately from this post, to chat further.
We are so grateful for you and look forward to hearing fro you again,
Believing and trusting,
Gwynne
P.S. I will pass along your kind words to Boyd, Tripp and Shana. I am sure they will be blessed by them.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b (one of my favorites!)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Dear Cindy,
Thank you for your kind words. I will pass them along to Boyd and I am sure he will be blessed by them. I agree with you: I love the use of metaphors, too, especially when it is a great way to “paint the story” as you said.
I loved when Boyd told the story of fishing with his grandson, Harrison, and although no fish were caught,”… our shared memory of love, adventure and yes, patience, will be ‘stuffed and mounted’ in our minds and on our hearts forever”… What a beautiful way of describing the process or the journey of some of our attempts – while the outcome may not be what we initially were after, the process we took taught the lesson we will remember! (“stuffed and mounted” as Boyd stated).
Another great metaphor in his reference of fishing with Jesus his he statement: “Following Jesus requires fishing with Jesus.” (“…casting the net of Christ’s love over lives in need of a Savior”) Amen and Amen.
Cindy, here is to fishing with our Savior! Let’s cast our nets together!
Grateful for you,
Gwynne
“While Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a
net into the sea because they were fishermen. Jesus told them ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people!’ So, immediately, they left their nets and followed him.”
Mark 1:16-17