My husband and I recently went away for a week. We both love the outdoors, especially any place with trees and a lake! I grew up on the lakes in Arizona (yes, this desert place has water). Back then, I took it for granted, but today, I realize just how precious it is to get into nature and enjoy the stillness of it. No phone (if I don't want), no internet – so no emails or social media. I do not have to engage in anything I don't want to. Everyone should take time to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
My hallway is covered in old pictures of family and fish. I have a trunk full of other pictures. Many years ago, my uncle Bill held a record in Ohio for the largest Walleye. My dad spent as much time as possible on the lakes fishing in tournaments. My son has the same DNA and he has a fishing group on Facebook and spends as much time as he can in his boat. The fishermen's DNA was most definitely passed down from generation to generation. Fishing is a thing in our family. However, it does not offer any eternal rewards—fun here on earth but not longevity.
One day, Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He saw two men, brothers named Simon called Peter, and Andrew. These two brothers were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. – Mat 4:18-22
When Jesus saw these two men fishing for the natural, He called them to Him for the purpose of teaching them to fish in the spiritual. He told them if they attached (followed) themselves to Him and would do as He did, they would become fishers of more importance. They would become fishers of souls. Now if you know anything about fishing, you know that you would not leave your line (or nets) unattended for fear of missing the big one. However, Jesus radiated such an authority that He was irresistible. The two men left what they had and what was in their DNA and went with Jesus.
Becoming a good fisherman requires practice and someone to show you the ropes. There are many varieties of fish, several types of bait, and different kinds of poles and reels. It is essential to know what you are fishing for and what to use or else you will be casting your resources into a large body of water with only hope and no skill of catching fish.
If you are an angler, you know what it is like to fish in the wind, especially from the bank. The wind blows your line back to the shore, and if you use a bobber, it drowns it. If you are not careful, the wind will blow your line right into the rocks and snag it! Fishing in the wind can be pretty frustrating.Â
Now, some of you who would rather have a bad day fishing than a good day at work don't really care how the day goes so long as it is spent in nature by the water—better yet, boating on the water. Evangelistic people are the same way. Even if they don't save a soul, they must tell somebody about Jesus.
However, fishing in the wind does not always have to be difficult. When the wind is blowing, and you are in the right place, the wind can carry your line farther, making your cast more efficient. The wind can also keep your line out in the water longer.Â
When Jesus called these fishermen, He said that He would make them fishers of men if they would follow Him.  Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of men. – Mark 1:17
Jesus causes people to perform His will when He calls them to Himself -- for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. – Phil 2:13
Jesus causes us to become someone useful for His kingdom. Nobody comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ and unless He draws them. We cannot draw people to us, or it won't last.
We use bait to draw fish to our hooks. Sometimes, the bait is not suitable for the conditions we are fishing in, and the same is true for fishing for souls. The gospel of Jesus Christ is always relevant, but the timing must be God's.  When we try to force our timing for another person to make Jesus Lord and Savior, it will not work, and if it does it won't last. A person may feel manipulated or coerced into saying a "sinner's prayer" and make a confession of faith, but it is not rooted in the Spirit of faith. The spirit of man will not allow for salvation to root. One must be called to salvation. So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."   - Matt 20:16
Those who look the least likely to obtain salvation are often the ones who have received Jesus Christ in their hearts at a depth few will ever know. Anyone can go to church and look like they are followers of Jesus, but only those who have given everything up to serve the Lord have really obtained the riches of the kingdom of heaven.
Salvation is not just words. It is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ from the heart. Salvation becomes a lifestyle that promotes life in every area where death once resided. Salvation brings restoration, reconciliation, and redemption, and it repurposes life. The life that once served the gods of this world now becomes useful for kingdom purposes.Â
If you have been called to be a fisherman of souls, start with your own. A fisherman will get up before dawn and go to great lengths and costs to fish. They are motivated by a deep desire to hunt and catch. As fishermen of souls, one must make sure your motive for getting others saved is out of love and not out of selfish ambition. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. - Phil 2:3-4
Let's Pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for the good and bad days.  I choose to rejoice no matter the outcome. Help me to become a fisher of souls before I fish for anything else. It is my desire to see Your kingdom advance and to participate in the process, knowing my rewards in heaven are great. May I be found in the coming days as a vessel of honor, worthy for Your use. In Jesus name, Amen
Be sure and watch the video below...you will be blessed:)