Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: John 21:1-14
John 21:6 (NKJV) "And [Jesus] said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.'"
The disciples decided it was time to go fishing. In an attempt to remove the thoughts of the crucified Jesus from their minds, Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John (the sons of Zebedee), and two others whose names are not mentioned, ventured out into the waters to try their hands at fishing. After some time away from shore, a mysterious man--Jesusasks them how the fish are biting. With a resounding negative answer to the man's question, Jesus instructed them to cast their net on the "right side of the boat" (John 21:6). Listening obediently, the disciples catch so many fish in their net that they have a hard time dragging it back to shore!
As an avid fisherman, the disciples' fish story creates a parallel in my at my attempts at evangelism as I catch "fish" for Jesus. You see, there are times I go fishing that I can't find a way for the fish to bite. Frankly, I don't like going fishing without catching something or at least having a bite on my lure. So, after I have tried every lure in my possession, I have to remind myself to keep on trying, because most often the key to catching fish is a deal of great patience. And this is exactly what the disciples learned in their experience with fishing.
If seeing those around you not respond to the gospel gets you down, remember this: Jesus had to wait all His life for His sacrificial mission to be complete. Keep Jesus' patience in mind and you will be better in tune for God's voice when He tells you to cast your net in a different place when fishing for souls for His kingdom. Faith Lesson: Winning people to Christ doesn't always happen instantly. It happens in God's perfect timing.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ: John 21:1-14
John 21:6 (NKJV) "And [Jesus] said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.'"
The disciples decided it was time to go fishing. In an attempt to remove the thoughts of the crucified Jesus from their minds, Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John (the sons of Zebedee), and two others whose names are not mentioned, ventured out into the waters to try their hands at fishing. After some time away from shore, a mysterious man--Jesusasks them how the fish are biting. With a resounding negative answer to the man's question, Jesus instructed them to cast their net on the "right side of the boat" (John 21:6). Listening obediently, the disciples catch so many fish in their net that they have a hard time dragging it back to shore!
As an avid fisherman, the disciples' fish story creates a parallel in my at my attempts at evangelism as I catch "fish" for Jesus. You see, there are times I go fishing that I can't find a way for the fish to bite. Frankly, I don't like going fishing without catching something or at least having a bite on my lure. So, after I have tried every lure in my possession, I have to remind myself to keep on trying, because most often the key to catching fish is a deal of great patience. And this is exactly what the disciples learned in their experience with fishing.
If seeing those around you not respond to the gospel gets you down, remember this: Jesus had to wait all His life for His sacrificial mission to be complete. Keep Jesus' patience in mind and you will be better in tune for God's voice when He tells you to cast your net in a different place when fishing for souls for His kingdom. Faith Lesson: Winning people to Christ doesn't always happen instantly. It happens in God's perfect timing.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.