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January 22, 2018 Monday

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother 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. A little farther 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 1:16-20 NLT)



            It is easy to think that we must invite people to come to church, especially our church.  After all we need to fill the pews and we need the offerings the new people will bring.

            But Jesus was interested in other things and more important things.  The call of Jesus is “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”  Look at the stages of this call.

Come – Jesus came to call us to Him and to discover our need to receive forgiveness and grace.

Follow Jesus – One of the hardest things for us is to turn from our own selfish and self centered lives and seek to follow God’s call.  When you plan for the future it is your future or do you seek God’s guidance?

Show you how to fish for people – Pastor’s and Christian leaders often but too much emphasis on this without realizing that without the first two steps it is impossible for someone to fish.  As leaders we also try to do a God thing failing to see Jesus said He would show us how to fish for people!

            Some will ask why James and John left their lives so quickly to follow Jesus but I believe that many people are waiting and look for someone who will lead them and who is worthy to follow.  Also we do not know how God prepared their hearts ahead of time.

            When I would go fishing for people I would always ask God to lead me and guide me in what to say as well as what not to say.  Will you seek Jesus to follow and be guided by Him so you can indeed fish for people?



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