WHAT DOES JESUS SAY

Want to share some scripture with you i read this morning.

It is in Luke and the whole of it is Luke 4:43 through Luke 5:11 (please read it first). i have been reading Luke and Colossians as if it were the first time, with fresh eyes to see. Jesus is great that way in his perfect timing and grace. This story is about Jesus going to the multitudes, "other cities also" because therefore he was sent. He stops at the Lake of Gennesaret to preach to the people from a little boat, Simon's, thrust out a little from land. When he finishes speaking, he tells Simon to Launch into the deep and let down his nets. I can just imagine what Jesus finished speaking about. So, Simon's response was that he had been fishing all night, toiling, and did not catch anything. Simon was probably tired, dirty, stinky, since fishing is hard work. But Simon says: "nevertheless", at Jesus word he will do it, he will go and let down his nets. When he does, there are fish beyond number that break the nets, and he needs help to get them all in, and help came. Simon then was first to recognize his sinful nature, followed by James and John. But Jesus tells them to Fear not that henceforth they will be fishers of men. There they forsook all and followed him. Forsook all.

Wow. The greater reality is truly what Jesus says and not what our natural fleshy eyes see. This is true yesterday, today and forever. What is he saying to us, to me and you, in his Holy living Word and in prayer? i will not be distracted by the world any longer and perhaps miss what God is saying to me. i am here in Florida as an minister of God's word, called by him, and i plan on gleaning every morsel, every speck i can to be used for his Kingdom. This season for me is to be washed in the water of his word, praise God, what season are you in? This season for me is not a picnic, it is a stripping away of anything not of Him, it is a trial and test of obedience and my love for Him above all else. My mission field is everywhere i go as soon as i step out my door, within the body and without. He provides ample opportunity to speak boldly his message. We need to listen, hear and obey.

This Story is for all of us..

"Now when He had left speaking, he said unto Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."" Luke 5:4

i believe what Jesus is telling us all is to trust him, go, be bold and be strong, i will be with you, i am telling you to go. Launch out into the deep, the unknown, i am with you. Put aside your fears, your worldly concerns and do what i tell you to do no matter what it looks like in the natural. Just do it because i said to do it. No nets, no fish. What ever season of life we are in, whatever our circumstances, i believe Jesus has what we need, has people for us to reach, has all the answers and direction for our lives.
"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word i will let down the net." Luke 5:5

How long will we toil in the darkness, the night, by our own fleshy strength and standards and take nothing for the kingdom of God? When will we hear Gods word, hide it in our hearts and do it, obey it and change our lives from flesh to Spirit and change the lives of countless others? When will we put His commands and will first in our lives? The time is now, the time is short and the urgency of the hour is upon us all who claim to be Christian. When is our nevertheless day? When do we truly turn all we have and all we are and all we think is ours over to God?

"And when they had this done, they inclosed a great mutitude of fishes and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them and they came and filled both ships..." Luke 5:6-7

They did what Jesus said, not what they saw, not what they thought in the natural fleshy man, but they did what Jesus said, they trusted and put all their faith in Jesus. Then there was light on the path that opened up to them, then they could see, and when they brought in the multitudes, their brothers saw, heard their cries for help, and came to help them. Amen.

i believe that when Simon saw the true implication of this demonstration, of who Jesus was. and how he was chosen, he fell to his knees, realized his sin and repented of his sin, he became aware of his worldly view, and his brothers also saw and followed. Because Jesus tells them finally that "Fear not, from henseforth thou shalt catch men" (v10), and "they forsook all and followed him." (v11)

Did this end all doubt and fear? No, there were times ahead that stretched them to the max, but they held firm to Jesus through it all even when it seemed there was no light. That is what we are to do now. Give it all up for Jesus and follow him. God bless you with eyes to see and ears to hear, amen.

May we be "...filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." Colssians 1:9