Go out and Fish!
One day, Jesus Christ was walking by the Sea of Galilee and He saw Simon Peter and Andrew casting a net into the Sea and He said to them, ”Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him (Matthew 4:18-20). They later became very successful in their generation.
‘Fishers of men’ is a phrase that is frequently used in Christendom and for the purpose of this write up, we shall look at some aspects of it. Firstly, Fishers of Men by definition are people who have set all things aside to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and winsouls for Him. They are very close to God’s heart and He ensures that they are duly rewarded. Now, let us look at some of their rewards.
1. Overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit
One of the foremost rewards accruable to Fishers of Men is the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. He has amazing power which He confers on all willing children of God, including Fishers of Men. And this power propels them to function for Jesus Christ without restraint (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit also teaches them all things including things to come, reminds them of all things and guides them into all truth (John 14:26, 16:13). It sounds reasonable to conclude therefore, that the Holy Spirit is a priceless entity which every person ought to embrace in order to do well in life. And you can have Him on board your life if you become a Fisher of Men.
2. Huge personal returns
Being Fishers of Men also confer huge personal terrestrial and extra-terrestrial returns on people and Jesus Christ confirmed this position in Matthew 19:29 as follows: ”And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life”. So, if you are interested in having mind-blowing personal returns that transcends this world then, you have got to work towards becoming a Fisher of Men forthwith and you’ll have them in Jesus name. Amen.
3. Ability to do wonders
Fishers of men also have the ability to perform signs and wonders and Jesus confirmed this point like this: ”And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues 18. … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”(Mark 16: 17-18). The Apostles, being Fishers of Men, performed countless signs and wonders and they became hugely relevant to their generation. If you want to be relevant to yours too, then be ready to do things differently; be ready to perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. Be ready to become a Fisher of Men as from today.
4. Fool-proof personal security
Fool-proof personal security is another top reward of Fishers of Men. And Jesus Christ captured this point in Mark 16:18 thus: ”They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them…”. So, if you covet a fool-proof personal security in this age and time of sickening insecurity then, consider becoming a Fisher of Men henceforth and you’ll have it in Jesus name. Amen.
We have seen that ‘Fishers of Men’ are people who have set all things aside to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and win souls for Him. And in return, He rewards them handsomely with the presence of the Holy Spirit, huge personal returns, ability to perform signs and wonders, fool-proof security, among others. It is therefore attractive to join them.
How then can this happen, so that I can rake in good rewards you may wish to ask? Firstly, you must accept Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour; i.e., you must be born again if you aren’t yet. Next, you must prayerfully get involved in soul winning activities and finally, leave the rest to God to perfect. You can be sure that He will not disappoint you in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
c Adedayo Stoney Adegbulu, 2009
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Go out and Fish, soul winning
Launch Out Into The Deep
In Luke 5:1-11, it was written that Simon and his friends fished all night without catching anything. Obviously they must have been very disappointed but as they were washing their nets preparing to go home, Jesus approached them and requested for the use of Simon’s boat and he agreed. In appreciation, Jesus asked him to lunch out into the deep for a catch. Initially he was reluctant to comply with His instruction. Thank God that he later did and to his amazement, they caught so much fish such that they had to call for outside help yet, they could not cope. This startling incidence prompted Simon to ask Jesus to depart from him but He refused because once He decides to bless someone, nobody can stop Him.
The following points can be deduced from the account above.
1. Frustrating moments will surely come.
As long as we are alive, we shall experience frustrating moments now and again. It may crop up in our businesses or jobs, health, education, relationships, finances, spiritual lives etc. Simon and his friends were experienced fishermen but that night, they had their frustrating moment in business until Jesus Christ came into the picture. Perhaps you were doing very well in certain areas of your life before but the story has now changed; don’t worry-such is common. Just remember that you are not alone; God is around the corner to help you (Psalms 46:1). Please give him a chance!
2. You may have to give your all to God so as to get his all.
Simon’s only tangible possession was his boat and he released it to Jesus Christ. Let’s say he didn’t, he would have died unsung, unmourned and unremembered like many fishermen before and after him. But because of his act of generosity to Jesus, Simon and his brethren became legends and they still are up till now. You too can give your all to God via getting some people back to their feet physically, mentally, spiritually, financially etc. Is God asking you for your money, time, energy, skill, influence etc today? If He is, please release it to him today. Remember that he that scatters gains more whilst he that gathers only comes to poverty (Proverbs 11:24).
3. God will remember you at some point.
It wasn’t immediately after Simon released his boat to Jesus Christ that He remembered him. No! He remembered him only after He had finished speaking. Perhaps you have given God what seems to be your all but it seems a commensurate reward is not forth coming; don’t worry, just tarry on. He will surely reward you but at His own appointed time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
4. You must be prepared to obey God whenever He remembers you.
Whenever God remembers you, He will tell you what to do. Jesus remembered Simon and his friends and He told them to launch out into the deep for a catch and they obeyed him. In the same vein, you must be prepared to obey God by doing whatever he tells you to do. Is He telling you to launch out into the deep and start a Ministry for Him or is He telling you to dabble into a particular business? Is He telling you to change your present job so that your situation can change? Is He telling you to attempt a particular examination or is He just telling you to relax for the time being? Please obey Him so that it can be well with you (Jeremiah 42:6).
5. Amazing result awaits you if you obey God.
Simon and his friends obeyed Jesus and launched out into the deep and their destiny changed. They caught so much fish such that they called for outside help. As if that was not enough, Jesus also made them Fishers of Men and by extension, prominent ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. Amazing results awaits you too if you obey God through Jesus Christ. Isaiah 1:19 says ‘’If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land’’. This is my prayer for you today and for the rest of your life and so shall it be in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Go out and Fish, Launch out, Obedience