
TIME ~
My 4 year old granddaughter (Willow) said, "Grammie, when is PA taking me fishing"? It was raining hard today and I explained it's hard to fish in rain. She quickly explained she had a rain coat, boots and a pole to fish with. It brought tears to my eyes because this little girl loves her PA more than he might know. She just wanted time with him.
Later in the day, I started thinking about Jesus and how he said, "I will make you become fishers of Men" ~ Matthew 4:19 NIV. It's not quite the same story as Willow, but it's about time. It's about trust and knowing that it take effort to accomplish something. It's about the what God has said and continues to say to us. He wants us to lead others to him.
FISHING ~
Requires you getting things ready. Spiritually speaking, it's about getting our lives ready for God to use us and help others.
FISHER OF MEN ~
Souls matter to God. He wants us to become leaders and examples. We have the opportunity to give others what we might not have had as a child. As we grow up, we learn and when we give our lives to Jesus, we change. We change from the inside out and we just know our lives are different. Each of us have an important role to play in this life and also to leave a legacy of living a Jesus life style.
Mark 1:17-18 New International Version (NIV)“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
When we follow Jesus, he fills our nets. He fills the desires of our hearts and wants us to live in freedom of all things. Getting closer to Jesus help me develop my faith. Somethings in life, I just know. I just know that Jesus cares, he loves me and won't leave me. I just know that my mistakes of life have grown me into a bitter person at times, but a much better person today. Through it all, I learn to let my net down and allow God to fill that net with right things. Right thoughts, right actions and right desires. The things I wanted in my younger years, are not the same today.
ACTION ~
When you go fishing, you expect to catch fish. When you go fishing for men, that means men/women souls. It takes God leading you and your surrender to his will. We need to be taught and to learn daily. Spending time with Jesus daily, just like Willow wants time with her PA. It takes you reading the Bible, listening to songs of praise and little by little growing into a stronger person.
THE STORY OF TWO SISTERS ~
Luke 10:39-42 New International Version (NIV)
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
FISHING ~ MARY
She knew to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen to what he said!
How about you today? Do you need to go fishing and sit along the shore to listen? Spending time waiting on a bite on your hook or sitting there waiting to hear from God. Greater things are ahead for you. This is a message about yourself and about reaching out. There are times when we need to listen or need to take action. Be careful who you listen to and how you react to things. Keep that thought of being an example before others and to yourself.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends!
~ Sparkie