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"WILL YOU LEAVE YOUR NETS TO FOLLOW JESUS?"
Matthew 4:18-22: One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers-Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew-throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
I'm always amazed at how Jesus led and trained his disciples. The things he did and the ways he did them, we can learn from his example. In this passage he was selecting his first disciples. You, like these, are called to be a follower, a disciple of Jesus. The question I want you to ask yourself is; are you willing to leave your net to follow Jesus?
First of all let's understand what these men in this passage gave up to follow Jesus. Lots of times, when we think of his future disciples fishing, we think of poor men who were waiting for an opportunity to leave the fishing industry for something different. I, however, believe it was just the opposite. If you study this subject you find that fishermen were central to the Galilean economy and made a good living by the standards of their culture, far better than the large numbers of peasants who worked the land through much of the Roman Empire (IVP Bible Background Commentary). This occupation of fishing was a fairly profitable one and they probably lived a comfortable lifestyle for their day. When you understand this it's even more amazing to read that they left their nets at once to follow him. James and John left their boat and their father behind!
What does this have to do with you? Jesus is still walking and looking for those that will be his disciples on the earth today. Your "nets" are those things that keep you in your comfort zone. I'm not saying that you will have to give up everything that makes you comfortable, you may not have to give up your job but God may call you to leave your "nets", whatever those "nets" are, and follow him. He's not looking for us to question him or determine if it fits our own comforts. He wants us to leave our nets, at once, and follow him. His future disciples probably had questions as to what they will do or how they would provide for their families, but they still immediately decide to follow Jesus.
The statement Jesus made says it all. "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" Jesus is saying to you; "Come, follow me, I will show you what you're called to do, I'll lead the way!" The benefits that will come from leaving our nets to follow Jesus are greater than any benefits any corporation or business in this world can offer. He has warehouses of benefits in Heaven with your name on it and you don't even have to pay rent!
I encourage you to truly ask yourself that question. Am I willing to leave my nets behind to follow Jesus? God is calling His people to greater things and greater things come when we decide to follow Jesus. This week I've included a video from Jentezen Franklin. I don't normally do that but I watched this video after I wrote this and I believe it ties in with this week's devotion. The video is only about 30 minutes long; it is worth 30 minutes of your day to watch this. When we decide to follow Jesus, greater things will happen in our lives.
God Bless!
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Stephen Young
Stephen's Gate is a weekly devotion that purposes to encourage people to live the victorious life God has called them to. Stephen grew up in a Christian home and was raised in Church. As a young boy he was very shy and never wanted to be the center of attention, however, he always had the desire to preach and minister to others. God called him into ministry in his late twenties and he has enjoyed every minute of it. Stephen previously served as Assistant Pastor in Fort Fairfield, Maine. God has since called him and his family to Georgia where they will get involved in ministry in whatever way they are directed. Stephen is an ordained minister under Celebration Center. He has been married to his wife Kristen for 9 years and has two beautiful girls, Abigail and Sydney. | | |
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As most of you know my wife and I are selling our home in Fort Fairfield. If you or you know of someone that is looking for a home in that area would you please direct them to the Remax website..!!!
Thanks in advance
Check it out on REMAX | |  |
 | | Short video on what the house looks like inside |
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