March 11, 2012

AWEsome Fishing 

 Luke 5: 1 - 11

Luke

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.  He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.  Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water.  So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish."

"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard al last night and didn't catch a thing.  But if you say so, we'll try again."  And this time their nets were so full they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verger of sinking. 

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me - I'm too much of a sinner to be around you."  For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him.  His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!"  And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.  

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Thoughts.....

Are you ready to follow Jesus?  Are you ready to walk away from everything for him?  Not many people will do this.  I am ready to follow Jesus.  I've been following him for a very long time....since I was a very little girl.  But walk away from everything?  I confess to you, my brothers and sisters, I am not perfect.  I am not willing to walk away from everything.  Let's go back to the beginning of this reference and run it through.

What do we learn from this first paragraph.  Jesus went to the shore of the Sea of Galilee to preach.  Has God told you where you are to preach?  Your office, your home, a classroom, through your computer, a building, a beach, a mountain, the sidewalk downtown, another state or country?  Does it matter where?  No...as long as God is there with you.  Is one greater than another?  No....emphatically no.  Will great crowds press in on you to listen to the word of God?  Maybe.....maybe not. 

Jesus found the crowds so intense as to need to step back.  He got into the boat and had it pushed off the shore.  This was to insure the crowds would not further press in on him, perhaps to prevent them from getting radical, and accosting him.  Remember, previously we learned that the people in the synagogue jumped him and mobbed him intending to throw him off a cliff!  His efforts were probably to protect himself, not neccessarily to set himself apart as greater.  However, his impact would be greater were he better heard and seen.  He was greater.....

The second paragraph reinforces that we are to go forth.  Stretch ourselves, persevere.  The men told him they had been working all night, to what avail to do it again?  Jesus said to just do it.  Trust him, believe in him.  Don't worry about the outcome, that is on God's back.  Our job is to go forth.  Extend ourselves.  Get out of our comfort zone, get off the sofa, go forth.  Say, "Yes, Lord!"  Many times we do not know how to do something, or when, or where.  In the middle of the water is a very vulnerable place to be.  If you are like me, you are there a lot.  And I don't float....at all.  Many times I've said, but for the grace of God...go I.

It's important to know who your life Savior is.......yes, I spelled that correctly.  It's important to know that you are not alone, when outside your comfort zone.   Even when you feel like you are drowning in a sea of sorrow, trauma, debt, trials, JESUS IS THERE with you, IF you have accepted him as your Lord and Savior.  Having him as your Savior is different than making him Lord of your life.  Saying he is your Savior, having been forgiven of your sins, is vastly different than living with him in you....and....making him Lord of your life....turning your life over to him....following his directives for you....journeying with him daily.  No one does it perfectly, so don't take it hard if you feel as though you are failing.....God counts the cost.....and weighs the effort....and will be thrilled you are trying for him and with him.  He will NOT forsake you.  He may not answer the prayers the way you want them answered, but he will give you a new path. 

See how blessed the fishermen were for having done what Jesus asked of them?  It was not what they would have done or wanted to do.  But when they did what Jesus asked of them.....what a haul of blessings....more fish than they could handle.  How much they were blessed!  They honored Jesus by saying okay....yes....we'll do it.  They didn't even do it with the fullness of their hearts....but they did it.  How much more will you be blessed if you say, 'here I am, Lord, let's go....and do together'. 

Would you be awestruck if God blessed you?  Would you be humbled, believing yourself unworthy?  You are worthy.   Follow the Lamb of God....Jesus.  And what awe you should have in reverence to the Great I Am.  Gratitude beyond measure would be a good thing, too.  Remember what Paul said (as we note it it's entirety later on this page), "When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plans, I fall on my knees and I pray to the Father".  Certainly to be so blessed would call for a moment of bowing down to the creator of heaven and earth....and his Son....your Savior and Lord.  But remember why you might want to bow down in thanksgiving to them for having blessed you....because you did what they asked....you went forth...beyond your comfort zone, exerted extra effort, tried again.  You must not doubt, you must believe, you must trust, you must do.

Today we learn what it means to follow Jesus and we learn who his first NAMED followers were.  There were crowds of people who were following him, but they are not all named.  Last week we learned, as this week, that we are to preach the Good News to other places.  And that you don't have to go to a seminary, or have someone lay hands on you from apostolic succession to be a fisher of people....preach the Gospel.  Nor do you have to be wealthy.  Or stay within your church to preach.  Jesus called the guys out of their boats.....they could have preached to the people on the boats, but Jesus took them out....away.  Now, lest you think that I am telling you to leave your church and your Pastor is having a royal conniption fit.....I am telling you this, if your Pastor does not open the door for you to share the Gospel.  But I am also telling you that based on what we learned today, and have been learning, it's not the people around you who may listen or want to believe you are called....or called in the way and practice they were.  So absolutely, go away to where God and Jesus and Holy Spirit are calling you to go. 

Consider Joyce Meyer.  Her church thought she was nuts.  My paraphrase.  In her church, she would have had to go to seminary and receive the laying on of hands through apostolic succession to preach.  But she answered God's call the way HE called.  It took her out of her church, caused her to lose friends.  Her church may not still recognize her ministry because it wasn't done 'their' way.  But who can deny the great work she has done in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world who came to Jesus Christ because she said yes to God and followed Jesus the way HE told her to go.  We are not all going to be called to that magnitude.  But you and I are called.   

One thing, of many, that you will learn about Jesus, is that he was not doctrinal.  He did not follow the edicts of the synagogue.  He followed the direction of God.  Now let me be clear.....if God and Jesus are telling you to stay in your church to preach and minister, by all means, you must follow God's and Jesus' directive, and the doctrines of your church.  However, if he calls you out, no, when he calls you to preach elsewhere (even if you continue to stay in your church), understand that everyone does not live by the same doctrines as your church.  AND, if you are going forth outside the confines of your previous church, striking out as he did on a new journey, the only thing you must follow is what God, Jesus and Holy Spirit tell you.  Major AND.....AND......do not  kid yourself.  You may only teach what aligns with Holy Scripture.....God's word.  You must only preach what God says to preach.  Don't get hung up on doctrinal things.  Man's law.  Understand, know, follow only God's laws.....Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.   Don't try to force onto others a group of laws made by man called doctrines.  Follow Holy Scripture.  Align everything with the Word.   

Throughout this reference, we read 'we', 'their', partners in another boat were called, James and John were also amazed.  It takes a lot of people to put a fishing boat out into the water, drop nets, bring them in.  It's not a 3 man crew traditionally unless it is a very little boat.  So, tho' only 3 names were mentioned, it is presumed more people had to be in play here.  The last line states, "And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.  Although it says Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!", I'm guessing more heard that response and that it was not only for Simon to hear.  Hence, the fact that 'they' followed Jesus.  The implication throughout the years has been that because only 3 names were mentioned, that only 3 people followed.  I'm not too sure about that.  I'm guessing it was a bunch of people.  Either way, we know at the very least Simon, James and John followed Jesus and learned how to fish for people. 

Are you ready to get off the shore, sofa, get out of your comfort zone, get into the boat in the mainstream of life with Jesus, listen to Jesus, and get out of the boat you're in now to follow Jesus?  Will you go forth to do some AWEsome fishing for people?  He's calling you.  Are you listening........?   How will you give him thanks?  "Get all exicted, Go tell everybody, That Jesus Christ is here!"  No worms for bait, no hooks to hurt.....just the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your blessings await.....beyond having been forgiven of your sins.  Thank him today.  Enjoy your AWEsome fishing!                      

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Let Us Pray

Lord, you sure know how to get a point across.  I get it.  I've gotta get on with spreading your wings and mine.  But first let me say thank you for forgiving me of my sins.  I pray thanksgivings to you that you do this daily....sometimes moment by moment.  Now, tell me where the path heads and I will follow.  Just point me in the right direction.  I"m ready to take the Gospel on the road.....just tell me when and where I go next.  I'm honored to have been chosen.  I'm in awe that you find me worthy.  I know that there are many things that you are calling me to do.  If you wouldn't mind, would you speak a little slower, so I can take notes, so I don't make too many mistakes....I'd appreciate it.  Thanks.  Gosh, lots to do.  But I am encouraged by your love and devotion.  I am so excited for the next part of the journey.  New things, new people, new life.....same you....bigger family of God.  Wonderful.  Now give me strength, stamina, the ability to carry on.  Thank you.  Send your guardian angels to surround me for protection.  Holy Spirit, fill me to over flowing to preach in season and out.  Be fully in me, Jesus, wash me anew and carry me, and, God, embrace me fully through it all.  I can do all things through you, Jesus, you strengthen me.  Thank you.  I pray now, Lord, for all the people in the world, that you will open their hearts and minds to receive what you have to say through me, as I share, and also others you send, to share your Gospel truths.  Give to the others the same strength, stamina, ability to carry on, protection, washing, embrace and love, as you have given me.  May our roots go down deep into the soil of God's love, as Paul says.  I have experienced your love, Jesus, and it is so great.  May others know you as I do and feel your love as deeply.  And share it with the world!  Bowing down to you, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.                  

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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