As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two
brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net
into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I
will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.
Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, it is Monday and if
you are hitting the roads in Central Pennsylvania, BE ALERT FOR BLACK ICE.
Monday and the day we pray for our leaders, and let's add our future leaders as
we are in a major election year. Also pray for our veterans, for our current
military, for our police and firefighters and all others who work so hard to
keep us safe and healthy. Please pray also today for those who work at our
retirement and nursing homes. Please also pray for the family of Joe Paterno in
their time of sorrow. Please pray for Vicki, for Carol, for Ruby, for Katie,
also for Dolores, and for Eleanor, Sharon, Robert, and Dan (The Saylor
family).
Jesus Calls His First Disciples: Matthew 4:18 - As Jesus was
walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and
his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were
fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of
men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed Him. (NIV)
So let's take a look at the scripture and try and see the
examples Jesus was setting way back when He walked on this earth. I would
think as Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee that day He would have been
talking to His Father in Heaven, and also pondering all the work He had ahead of
Him, His many, many missions along with the "biggie" which of course is
Salvation through Him. As He came upon brothers Simon Peter and Andrew, Jesus
called out to them. "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." And
the scriptures tell us that AT ONCE they left their nets and followed Him. Their minds were made up already and they were ready to put their whole life on
hold to work for Jesus and to follow Him. I know some of you have already had
your feet in the shoes of Simon Peter and Andrew and that Jesus has called you
to be disciples, and yes, He is still calling disciples today and if you do not
hear Him, you are not paying attention.
When I look back over my life I have met a lot of men and
women who follow Jesus, some of them heard the call when they were very young,
while others, well, like me, got the call later in life. Maybe I had it early
on, but then my ears were not into listening to Jesus back then. Years ago I
met this fine young man who at that time was singing with a Gospel Quartet, not
one of those big name Quartets but a less known one, which had a big local
following. This young man was blessed to be born into a wonderful family who
loved the Lord, and would you believe he was the son of a carpenter. He was
also blessed as he grew to have a great baritone/bass voice. When he was not
singing he would be at concerts listening to other groups sing. Although I was
old enough to be his father, I just marveled at how his witness for Jesus helped
me along in my younger years as a Born Again Christian and how at his young age
he could reach out and touch people of all ages in the name of Jesus. I am
sure he put down his net many times to follow Jesus, sometimes having to bring
the net along to make some dollars to work for Jesus. I know that he loves his
wife and children very much, but above them he loves Jesus, and I know that
because he lives that life. This gentleman, and he is a gentle man, has never
stopped working for the Lord, he has over the years had to shift gears, but his
mission is still the same. Tell the masses about Salvation through Jesus, in
other words, take the Good News of Jesus wherever he can. He might now stay
nearer to home, but again, our neighbors need the word also. I know this
man very well, and as I said he has helped me many times in my walk for/and with
Jesus, and I could be telling you of more than one person.
Who in your life do you know that was called by God and picked
up their nets and followed Him, and who do you know who might have just said No
to Jesus? Folks, it is not easy to answer the call, there is a lot to think
about.
Near the end of next week you are going to hear about a young family,
the Stoner family, who fly for the Lord. During the week, this week I am going
to tell you of others who have put down their nets, and then some others, who
really worked harder at their jobs, so they could use their dollars to help some
who have put down their nets and followed Jesus.
Think about this, folks, if Jesus calls you to follow Him, and
would tell you to put down your nets, would you go, or would you have an
excuse? Please do not say you are too old, for at any age you can still work
for Jesus, as an example I point to our flock at The Bridges, for as God calls
some home and new folks move in, those living there who love Jesus invite them
to church right away. When people move in one of the things they tell us other
than needing to give up a lot of things, they don't get to their church, so we
try and make them feel at home with our services. God is good, and He does
have something in mind for you to do for Him, why not ask Him about it? It is
not too late to get out working for Jesus. If you are a person sitting at home,
maybe retired and maybe have been sick, but you still get on your computer, why
not start a prayer line? Start it first with Jesus praying for Him to open
doors for You, and then asking Him how you can be used to comfort people.
Please do not be afraid to pray with others and hug them as you pray. Let God
use you, folks...
Dear Father in Heaven, I pray today that You will call on us
to work in Your fields of Harvest. Please add to or change our assignments as
per Your will and may we hear the call and not just say to You, Jesus I will
work for You, but I want to name my terms, no Lord, I want to do it according to
Your will for me, and I pray others do the same. Help us, dear Lord. And Lord, for our other prayer requests, please honor them according to your will. And
Lord, please keep blessing the young man who I was talking about today, for he is
still ready, willing and able to work for You. Thank You, Lord, for his presence
in our lives. In the name of Jesus, I pray... Amen.
Now folks, my dear, dear bothers and sisters, go forth and
share your blessings, and by the way, the young man I was talking about this
morning, maybe you can tell me, I will let you know if you are correct. He
might figure it out when he reads this today, as he is a prayer warrior on the
line. Yes, I will let you know who it is this week... Tomorrow, more on
calling of His disciples and more on if you would take the call even today if He
calls on You. Love ya, Pastor Dan.
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