Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men." Immediately they left their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:16-18 WEB.When I was young, I spent a lot of time navigating the waters near my home in South Carolina. The black water of the Waccamaw River was just a few miles away. Hunting and fishing are a big part of growing up in the country, at least when I came up.
I learned that bait selection is imperative, crickets for bream, night-crawlers for catfish, minnows, or lures for bass. A good fisherman always went prepared and had a well-stocked tackle box with him. Also, you use different tactics according to the quarry you are after.
When fishing, you try and entice a fish to take the bait. You put something in front of them that looks good, appealing, a lure they would want to eat. If you use the wrong bait, you'll be ignored, but the fish will pounce on the right one. You have to be patient, for you'll drive the fish away if you make too much noise or bump the bottom of the boat with a paddle.
Hunting is almost the opposite. You pursue your prey, often with the help of barking dogs and other hunters, depending on the quarry. The target does not willingly submit either. It is being chased or ambushed. Their only desire is to get as far away from you as possible as quickly as they can.
God knows the difference between hunting and fishing as well, and there are different seasons for each. In Jeremiah, He gave Israel a chance to come willingly by having fishers "lure" them. Afterward, He sent in the hunters to force them to come. The Lord told Jeremiah:
"Behold, I will send for many fishermen," says Yahweh, "and they will fish them up. Afterward I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain, from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks" (Jeremiah 16:16).
Jesus said that He would make us "fishers of men," not their hunters. We are to make Jesus look good, appealing, someone people would want to know. If they aren't interested in your bait, then move on. Don't pursue them like a hunter, as you'll just drive them away. No means no.
The prodigal son's Father didn't chase him down the road yelling at him but instead waited for his return after he came to his senses (Luke 15:17). Jesus told us that He didn't come to destroy men's lives but to save them (Luke 9:56). So make Jesus look good, and don't be offensive and scary when you share your faith with others.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace, tact, and wisdom. Please help me know what to say at the right time and keep me from driving people away from You. Help me find a balance in my life. Please walk with me and talk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge from group leader, Dianna Wyles: Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." ~ 'Grin Grabbers' or 'Smiles for Miles' will be our next fun-tastic theme and is wide open for some creative interpretation, so let the creativity flow! My photos this week surely bring on the smiles for miles for me! Hopefully they are grin worthy for you too. Have a fantastic week y'all ~ God bless! Here is the link:
Creation Photographers > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen,
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen,thank you Jesus for loving us.We love you.
Amen thank you Jesus for all your doing in the world today I love you!
Amen!!
A timely reminder for these weeks of conferences, Pastor Dion! Lord, please help me know what to say at the right time. Thank you.
Yes Lord, provide the words to make you alluring. Thank you for loving us and only wanting the best for your children. Thank you Pastor Dion
Amen praise Jesus
I thank You Father for all You have done for me and our family, speak to us and through us and teach us the right words when we speak Your word to others. Lead us Lord,in Jesus Christ name we pray, Amen.
Excellent message reminder Pastor, as always much appreciated. God bless you and Sylvia, Amen.
Amen and Amen!!! Dear Lord Jesus, please continue to walk with me and talk with me, as I continue on! Please help me to be what You want me to be so others can see YOU and only YOU!!!
Amen !
Yes Walk with me Jesus Amen
Yes, amen Lord
These are certainly good words to following when talking to others about Jesus, we aren't trying to force them to believe or grab them by the neck and to try to coerce them into what we believe. We are just to tell them about Jesus and how He has worked in our life and what He means to us, then God will take it from there.