This message is about the kind of fishing that Luke 5 speaks about.
Simon and his companions had fished all night but to no avail and Simon expressed his disappointment in no uncertain terms, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.”
Jesus, undeterred by Simon’s situation, responded with the following words “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Out of respect for Jesus, the nets were lowered into the deep water.
Everyone was astonished at the large amount of fish they had caught and that the boats were in danger of sinking.
Jesus responded “. . . from now on I will make you fishers of men.”
How is you fishing going? Are you fishing in shallow water with a hand line, from a canoe with a rod and reel or, in a boat with a large net?
Are you like Simon, tired, worn out and not in the mood for fishing?
Here is the good news, especially if you don’t care for boats or water:
1) Jesus said in Acts 1:8 “What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses . . . (Message version).”
If you want to be a fisher of men, you will not be on your own; the Holy Spirit will be with you
2) Paul said in 1Corinthians 9:22 “To the weak I became a weak man, that I might win the weak. I have, in short, been all things to all sorts of men that by every possible means I might win some to God.”
If you want to be a fisher of men, you don’t have to catch them all, just be willing and relatable.
3) James 4:2 says “You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
If you want to be a fisher of men, you don’t have to be afraid of failure, just be sincere and ask God to be with you and give you the strength and courage that he gave to Joshua "Be strong and courageous . . . I myself will be with you." (De 31:23).
May the Lord be with you and prosper you as you “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
~Lloyd, Volunteer
