Word for Today - 15 Nov 2024
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“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 KJV
Catching fish and winning souls
Jesus told professional fishermen, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” These men knew three things about catching fish: (1) You must go where the fish are. You say, “I thought we were supposed to separate ourselves from the world.” Jesus didn’t avoid the culture; He engaged it in order to change it. And you must do the same. Jesus prayed: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18 NKJV). (2) You must be ready when the fish are biting. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). The saying, “When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear,” is a true saying. (3) You must use the right bait to catch fish. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 NKJV). The word “gospel” means good news. Honest sinners already feel bad about their sins and struggles; what they need is the power to change. And “the gospel…is the power of God to salvation.” Keep these three principles clearly in mind, and today go fishing for souls.
Catching fish and winning souls
Jesus told professional fishermen, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” These men knew three things about catching fish: (1) You must go where the fish are. You say, “I thought we were supposed to separate ourselves from the world.” Jesus didn’t avoid the culture; He engaged it in order to change it. And you must do the same. Jesus prayed: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18 NKJV). (2) You must be ready when the fish are biting. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). The saying, “When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear,” is a true saying. (3) You must use the right bait to catch fish. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 NKJV). The word “gospel” means good news. Honest sinners already feel bad about their sins and struggles; what they need is the power to change. And “the gospel…is the power of God to salvation.” Keep these three principles clearly in mind, and today go fishing for souls.
