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by Sandy Shaw
When Peter hears the voice of Jesus, Peter does not listen to his feelings, but demonstrates unquestioned obedience to Jesus. After a night of disappointing fishing, Peter rises to do what Jesus Christ calls and tells him to do.
Expect Jesus to turn things around – why are we afraid to launch out – why do we paddle around at times in the shallows – in some comfort zone – are we afraid of the big waves which may never appear?
God loves us too much to allow us to remain in the shallows.
Be open to the “Faith Factor” – trust him to do what he says he will do.
“When they rose to the challenging Christ, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break! So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink!” Luke Chapter 5 verses 6,7 .
If God tells you to go fishing – and God is with you in your boat – and God tells you where to let down your nets – are you going to come up empty? Peter is not afraid of going out to fish now – Jesus is guiding and directing him – and controlling the forces of nature at this point.
Animals make their way to the ARK – fish make their way to where Jesus wants them to be at that moment.
The catch was so great they had to ask for help – note Peter’s reaction. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!’ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.” Luke 5 verses 8,9 . Go away from me – I do not deserve this type of blessing.
We now come to the real lesson – “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘DON’T BE AFRAID; FROM NOW ON you will catch men!’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, and THEY LEFT EVERYTHING AND FOLLOWED JESUS!” Verses 10,11 .
Let Me show you what I am going to do with you – business men – grown men – experienced men in one area of life. Come with ME and I will show you what I can do with you.
They did not even sell the fish – they walk away from the results of this miracle – they were more interested in the Blesser then the Blessing.
I can walk away from this catch – because there is something more if I follow this teacher. They did not know who Jesus was that day – they did not know all the details.
What is Jesus Christ calling you to do? Is Jesus calling ME to leave my job to serve him full-time? Am I willing to do that “because he says so”? Is Jesus calling ME to start using my job as a platform to share his message of hope?
Do you think they ever regretted the changes they made that day? NO!
“Lord Jesus – give me time to read this passage carefully – so that I may hear clearly what you are saying. I know this world badly needs committed disciples – I am aware of the situation in which we are presently living. Do you have something new for me to – or do you want me to do something differently? I know we are not going to meet the needs and make things happen the way they are just now. Lord God, deal with us – help us – speak clearly to me and use me and my gifts and talents and abilities. Loving Father, in Jesus’ name I pray.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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