FISHERS OF MEN

 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea:for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him

(Matthew 4:18-20 KJV)

As I was reading the book of Ephesians earlier today the Lord put this scripture on my heart.  The Lord said go to the verse about my first disciples.  So as I turned to this scripture I began to think about being a fishermen and being called to be a “fisher of men”.

So I began to think about the equipment, environment and all that might be involved being a fisherman.  Perhaps the “fish” were of one kingdom and Simon Peter was from another, both living yet both different.  What are the similarities and differences of fish vs. man and what are the parallels?  

How incredible just a short verse of scripture can reveal so much of what Jesus may have been speaking, implying and bringing into light and truth.  There was no reluctance from Simon Peter or Andrew to follow Jesus and what strongholds might be holding us back today.  

So I began to think about the boat and how the boat might reflect our personal lives/temples or perhaps even the church. I reflected on how Jesus told Peter that He would build His church.  I reflected on the navigation of the boat and the environmental and worldly influences which affect the navigation such as storms, day light/darkness, human powered vs. sailing with the wind.  How our soul/free will might be the oars as our self-will and determination are often different than what The Lord desires vs. how the Spirit resembles the wind and power. 

I found myself in a deep communion with The Lord as he revealed so much about the current state of His people and His church.  I reflected on Jesus who is our is Shepard leading His sheep.  How the harvest of fish was food and necessary to survive to remain nourished and full.  I thought of how Jesus said those that hunger for righteousness would be filled through Him and how he said to Satan that man can not live on bread alone but by every word of God.  How the boat/vessel sustained the fisherman’s live but how through Jesus we have everlasting life. The boat could also be the “church” and how easily the church can be led astray through deceptions, traditions, human intellect and the environmental influences.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven

(Matthew 16:18-19 KJV)

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16 KJV)

I recalled how Jesus was with the disciples in the boat during the storm and how Peter who was an experienced fisherman now was fearful of the very environment which once was his very way of life!  The bible tells about many wilderness experiences and the profound impact they have had. Some of the most powerful experiences come from wilderness experiences.  So if the water was Peter’s prior environment being away from it now revealed just how threatening and hostile the environment was.  Often when we are confused, troubled and burdened we need to go into the wilderness with The Lord seeking Him for clarity, sound mind, discernment and revelations.  We must not live in confusion as the Lord is of sound mind! Peter had once walked on water with the Lord!  I recalled how Lot and his family were told not to look back when they were saved and delivered from Sodom and Gomorrah and what happened when Lot’s wife looked back.  We can’t make Jesus just our Lord for a day it must be for life.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

(Matthew 14:29 KJV)

When I came to the net I reflected on the veil over man’s eyes which was the dividing factor of discernment keeping what is good inside and what is evil outside; the net that took the fish/men out from their kingdom into another kingdom.  How the fish were unaware of the net/veil and how man is often unaware of the veil/net of entrapment.  I thought about the holes in the net representing attacks of the enemy getting at the harvest of the fish/man.  Perhaps these holes were even fish/men that were lead astray and exited the protection boundaries.  How Jesus said to seek and find the “one” who is astray.  

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

(Luke 15:4 KJV)

I began to think about the sea and how the view was so grand from stable footing on the shore.  Oh how wonderful and breathtaking the view is where the sea meets the sky in all it’s beauty; yet once you set sail life is so undeterminable, unpredictable and can be so perilous.   I thought about murky waters, pollution and contamination and how Jesus is a “pure stream”.  I recalled the many times I have heard pastors, preachers and the like tell us regarding speakers they endorse not to through out the baby with the bath water and to eat the meat and spit out the bones.  I have asked some people why they even put a clean baby back in the dirty water yet they just continue to contaminate the “pure stream” of Jesus Christ.  Have we forgotten the a little leaven is all that it takes!  

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

(Galatians 5:9 KJV)

I thought about diving in the ocean and the deeper you go the less light and more darkness engulfs us and how the pressure on our lungs increases reducing our breath of life.

  I reflected on the false love and grace messages that are preached and how the righteousness of Christ is removed from love and how grace is no longer preached as the empowering presence of God to be an over comer and a pure, holy and righteous Christian.  How the enemy has reduced grace to tolerance, acceptance and complacency to embrace sin rather than repentance and transformation.

I reflected on all of the persecution on those who bring correction, reproof and edification contrary to the false preaching and deception that has veiled much of the body of Christ.  How the Lord’s children have gotten out of the boat but cling to a false life raft to preserve their earthly desires. I saw the church being more of a boat anchor docked in stagnant water vs. the move of The Spirit allowing the Lord to minister freely.  

So my prayer for you today is for you to seek the Lord in fullness, meekness and humbly with fullness of heart.  I pray you will be the vessel which calms the storm, becomes a “pure stream” and is sailing in the wind of The Spirit of everlasting life.  Pick up your anchor, set sail in your Spirit and don’t settle for life behind the veil.  

The storms of life are intensifying, deception is increasing and many are being led astray. Don’t be the lamp without oil, the unprepared bride or late for the marriage supper.  The table is set and judgment is at hand.  

PSALM 34

The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God

A Psalm of David When He Pretended Madness Before Abimelech, Who Drove Him Away, and He Departed.

1      I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2      My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3      Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

4      I sought the LORD, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

5      They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6      This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles.

7      The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,

And delivers them.

8      Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

9      Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him.

10      The young lions lack and suffer hunger;

But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

11      Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12      Who is the man who desires life,

And loves many days, that he may see good?

13      Keep your tongue from evil,

And your lips from speaking deceit.

14      Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

15      The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their cry.

16      The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17      The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18      The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,

And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

19      Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20      He guards all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.

21      Evil shall slay the wicked,

And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

22      The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

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