- Tuesday, 7/9/19 Psalm
138:8, The Lord will perfect that which
concerneth me. “God’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the Sun and earth and
Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be: He’s still working on me.”
Luke 22:1-2, Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him. These men had a religious date, a holiday, on the calendar, but never let the spirit of the day or the deeper meaning affect their daily life. Yet, so often, we’re made of the exact same stuff: Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July are simply times for family gatherings and feasts... Is God invited to your holidays?
- Wednesday, 7/10/19 Psalm 107:12, Therefore he brought down their heart with labour. Adam was given work to do before he sinned. Afterwards, it was made harder. One reason for that is to make us do it more, but here’s another reason: to help to humble us. Hard, physical labor makes us cry to the Lord. Proverbs 6:16-17a, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look... We often think of pride as, “I’m better than you (because of how high I am.)” However, it’s just as proud to think, “I’m not as bad as you (because I’ve not sunk as deep as you.)” Do you think of how good you are and rejoice? Or, do you think on how bad another is? Abominable. “Lord have mercy on all of us.”
- Thursday, 7/11/19 Luke 22:31-32, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Jesus didn’t say that He’d prayed that Satan wouldn’t sift him, but only that he’d be strengthened. Seldom will God remove our burden, but will give us the strength to go through it. Jeremiah 2:6a, Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt... God was laying out His case against Israel, and He said that they were willing to live without Him. They were content to live without miracles. Are we? If we’re going through a dry spell of answers, are we still in contact with Him? Are we still acknowledging Him through praise and thanksgiving and worship? Are we whispering “little” prayers for guidance or driving safety or to bless our loved one today? Are you conscious of God on a regular basis? How could you increase that awareness? Come on: think!! How?
- Friday, 7/12/19 Jeremiah 3:3b, ... and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. Ouch!!! The whore has no ability to be ashamed of her actions: she is that calloused. Yet, we are often the same way. “What’s wrong with thaaat?” What’s right with it? We must quit trying to just be “not that bad” and instead strive to become far more holy. We WILL see Him, and then...lots of shame. Let’s lessen that amount... Matthew 4:19, And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (If we’re not fishing, we’re not following.) John 20:21, Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (We have as much right to refuse to obey as Jesus did.) Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Go, win, baptize, teach...all with the arm of omnipotence behind and with us.) Soul winning is a clear command from Christ. It is NOT a gift given to a few; it is an order given to all. Over the next several days, I’m going to post over 30 similarities between fishing for fish and fishing for men.
- Saturday, 7/13/19 Psalm 143:8, Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning... How can we hear His lovingkindness today? Read the Bible out loud; simply realize that we can hear; listen to nature (go outside); revel in hearing loved ones speak. Similarities between fishing & soul winning. 1. Anyone, aged 4 to 104 can go fishing. Anyone, aged 4 to 104 can win souls. 2. Some fish professionally, but most do it on the side. Pastors and FTCW win the lost professionally, but most believers do it on the side. 3. The fisherman goes to where the fish is. The soul winner goes to where the sinner is.
- Sunday, 7/14/19 Luke 5:13, And he put forth his hand, and touched [the leper], saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. Though against tradition and good medicinal sense, Jesus touched the sick. Never underestimate the power of a therapeutic, loving touch. More similarities between fishing & soul winning. (Day 3) 4. No one seeks to catch a dead fish. No one wants a dead sinner. A dead sinner is worthless. 5. Those who do it say that fishing is fun. Those who don’t do it, don’t see the attraction of it. Those who do it say that soul winning is fun. Those who aren’t winning the lost don’t see the attraction of it. 6. Though the equipment can become complex (boats, radar, poles, lures), all that is needed is a string and a hook, or a spear, or even just your hands. Though the equipment can become complex (nice clothes, fine NT, PA systems), all that is needed is a verse or two on a paper, and just your testimony.
- Monday, 7/15/19 Luke 6:31, And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. We oftentimes obey this command...until they don’t reciprocate. Then, we stop. Is that how we’d have others treat us? Give up after a short, small effort? Nope...keep being sweet. More similarities between fishing & soul winning. (Day 4) 7. Fishermen always have a story to tell, and enjoy doing so. Soul winners always have interesting stories to tell in sermons and SS lessons, and enjoy doing so. 8. Though the mechanics are simple, to become good at fishing takes an investment of time, patience, money, and practice. Though the mechanics are simple, to become good at soul winning takes an investment of time, patience, money, and practice. We must LEARN to be a good soul winner.
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