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1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled 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. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11 New Interntional Version Bible)
A most memorable Monday be yours, ConCafe Family, and may the miracles of the Lord in the lives of others begin with your words, prayers, hands, and gifts, dear Friend. May we continue to pray for the needs of one another and lift up our own as well. We pray because God answers prayers!
When did you say Yes to the Lord? Was it an obvious choice that immediately made a huge difference in your life? Or, was it a gradual move towards Him that ultimately brought you into His family? Jesus from a well-used boat owned by professional fishermen, teaches the crowd the word of God. We are not aware of what exactly Jesus taught in that teaching, but we do know that as a result of that teaching, Jesus won the first four disciples onto His team. Jesus may have again taught that sin was not good to carry around, and we should have God remove it from our lives. WItness Simon Peter's words upon seeing what a miraulous catch Jesus brought in; "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" Jesus touched a chord in Simon's life and when Simon saw the power behind that teacher's life, exclaims such a word about his own forgiveness, and then hears Jesus say, "From now on you will fish for people." Simon, Andrew, and their partners, James and John, all "left everything and followed Him." Their lives would never be the same again.
Little did I know that on that Sunday morning when I said Yes to Jesus, that I would find myself leaving the comforts of home and family and to go to many, many places to preach and teach, marry and bury, baptize and confirm, counsel and feed as many as God allowed me. Little did I know that God would provide a wonderful, special partner for my ministry in a woman I would meet in a church; and with her be blessed with a family of our daughters, their husbands, and our precious grandchildren. While I may have left everything, I also gained everything. And so can you, dear friend.
PRAYER: Loving God who calls all to follow and obey, bless us again with Your invitation to bless the world with our lives. Help us to truly fish in marvelous ways among those who have yet to hear and yet to say Yes to You; in Thy name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a fisher of people today by reaching out in love to bless someone.
Receive my blessings of joy and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
