Fishing stories Pt. 3 "Leaving the Boats Behind"

This is my last post on Luke 5, we are going to look at the last three verses of this passage and see what it looks like to walk in radical Christianity like the disciples did! 

Luke 5: 1-11

5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Notice that up until the end of the passage this event was mainly between Simon and Jesus. It was Simon who allowed Jesus to teach from his boat. It was Simon whom Jesus commanded to go back into the water, and it was Simon who obeyed him. However because of his faithfulness, James and John also experience the miracle and the breakthrough. Then, we see that in the following verse Jesus says that they are all called to leave behind their nets and to be fishers of men.

Just as Simon's obedience brought in bounty and blessing for he and his friends, as you walk in obedience to the Lord your breakthrough will affect those around you. You will bring those around you into an encounter and ultimately a relationship with Christ. Are you being obedient despite how crazy it sounds? If not you may not only be holding yourself back from your destiny but also those around you. Your obedience has the power to create an encounter that not only changes your destiny but changes the destiny of those who you surround yourself with. Had Simon not been obedient would all of the men simply continued to be fishermen? We don't know, but we do know that because Simon listened and obeyed he witnessed a powerful miracle before his very eyes, not only he but all of those around him saw it and were amazed! As a result every single one of them decided to follow Christ.

We are in a season where just as Jesus told the men to leave their nets and follow him, God is calling people to begin walking in their God given destiny. If you are hearing the Lord asking something of you be careful to listen to His voice, you never know when your obedience to the Lord will prompt Him to open a new door in not only your life but those around you. Maybe you are reading this today and you feel like you missed the call of the Lord for your life, repent for not being obedient to His voice and ask Him to begin re-positioning you to walk in the fullness of who you were created to be.


As we look at the last part of verse 10, Jesus speaks identity and destiny over these men. He says "Do not be afraid; from now on you will fish for people". I have heard this point preached on a few different occasions but I am not sure we take it to heart like we should.

Think about this..
As they obeyed they pulled in a multitude of fish so great that it tore their nets and their boats began to sink. This is a professional fisherman's dream come true! What more could they have wanted? I'm sure as they pulled in those fish they were counting the dollars they could make with this catch.

Imagine yourself at your own job, all of a sudden you get promoted to the position you have been dreaming of! How exciting! Higher salary, benefits, paid vacation, the whole package! You're probably already planning that trip you've always wanted to take with your family.... What would your response be?

But what do these men do? As soon as they haul in this massive catch they dock their boat and Simon throws himself at the feet of Jesus and says " Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful  man."

Why?... Blessing should always bring humility and gratitude. We often struggle with this. We may tend to hold our head a little higher and think "Alright! Finally things are starting to go my way." We've all done it, but this is a dangerous attitude. This attitude is the fruit of an entitlement mentality. Beware (BE- AWARE) of thoughts like this because it reveals that in our heart we feel like we deserve for things to go the way we want. As Christians we often fail to seek the Lord in blessing. When life is hard, we scramble to our prayer closets and seek the Lord for breakthrough. But when the Lord finally does bring us out of our season of hardship how many of us are still hitting our knees like we should be? I know I struggle with that myself. Peter shows us in this passage what the correct response is to a season of breakthrough. He bows before the Lord and he is brought to humility by this blessing. Instead of the entitlement mentality he actually points out how unworthy he is because of the sin in his life.


Breakthrough should yield two things in your life...
1. humility and repentance
2. new levels of obedience


Just after this conversation with Jesus the guys leave their big catch and their entire lively hood on the beach. Boats, nets, and a mountain of fish just left on the shore... Are you ready to leave it all behind if the Lord says to you "Come follow me"? They didn't say "Hey wait, let me sell all this fish you just blessed me with. And let me sell my boat or find a friend to give it to." They had no fallback plan, they simply left it there on the beach. This was their response in verse 11..." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed him". This is that new level of obedience I mentioned above. Jesus said to them "Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for people". Why did this require a higher level of obedience? Because this made absolutely no sense to them! They left everything they owned, everything they had to go do something that made no sense to them at all!

I want to encourage some of you and challenge others. Just like these men, God is calling some of you to do things that make absolutely no sense in the natural. Ward and I experienced this ourselves after we spent six months remodeling a house and were then called to move full time to Cambodia. We sold our new car, and left the house that we had just invested so much time and money into, but it was all part of God's plan to get us where we needed to be.

God is calling people into "deeper water", to do things that you don't yet understand. Do not worry what others say or think. You have to answer to the Lord for your own life, so step out in obedience if you are hearing His voice. I can promise it's a wild adventure but it's worth every moment!

So to recap our Fishing Stories from Luke 5 1:11

- Obedience is a Test of the Heart, don't allow offense to keep you from walking in obedience to what God is asking of you.

- Obedience Positions you for Breakthrough

- It's Time to Prepare our Nets for Harvest, don't let your nets tear or the boats sink with the soon coming harvest.

- Obedience has the ability to bring both us and those around us into our God given Kingdom Assignment

- Breakthrough should Produce Humility and Repentance, beware of the entitlement mentality.

- Breakthrough that comes from an act of obedience requires greater levels of obedience in the future.




In my next blog I am going to share one last fishing story, but this time we will be looking at the very similar fishing encounter found in John 21. Thank you for reading! I hope that the Lord met you and spoke to your heart as you read this series!

Much love and many blessings,
Arie! 

Fishing Stories Pt. 2 "Have You Prepared Your Nets?"

Fishing Stories Pt. 2

Did you miss Part 1 of the Fishing Stories Series? If so follow this link to check out yesterdays post, Offensive Obedience before reading on.

Luke 5: 1-11

5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

It's Time to Prepare the Net

Have you been waiting for God to meet you in your current circumstances? Have you been seeking for breakthrough in your job, family, or finances? God makes it clear in the verses above that He is able to supply exactly what we need at our most critical hour. 

Remember that Simon (Peter) was a business owner, he owned and operated a professional fishing business. At this particular time his business wasn't doing so well. He had a crew which he probably paid all night to fish with him and they literally caught nothing. Im sure business days like this were pretty devastating.

After his long day (night), he stops to hear Jesus teaching at the beach. As I mentioned yesterday, Jesus tested Peter's heart by telling him to go back out on the water and try fishing on the other side of the boat. We took a closer look at how Peter stepped out in faith and obedience despite the fact this sounded like a crazy request. Then out of nowhere something crazy happened, the entire net was swarming with fish! So many fish that he had to call the other boats in his crew to come and help him haul in the load...Once James and John, along with the other crew members, come on the scene they are all working together in order to haul in the nets with all the fish. As they do so the nets begin to tear, and the boats become so full of fish that all of their boats are nearly sinking.

There are two IMPORTANT things God has highlighted right now. 

1.  Obedience Positions you for breakthrough...

We looked yesterday at how Peter acted in obedience to Jesus, as we look today we see the reward of his actions. Obedience positions you for breakthrough! I love how Jesus met Peter's need in such a practical way. He provided breakthrough in an area that was close to Peter's heart. He also didn't drop a million dollars in Peter's lap, he activated Peter by having him step out in order to receive his breakthrough. Many feel like they are in a season similar to Peter's night out on the boat. In a season like this it is very easy to become discouraged. Jesus knows exactly where you are and the struggles you are facing, better yet He knows exactly how to meet your greatest needs. Just as Peter's obedience to the Lord yielded life changing breakthrough, I want to encourage you to keep moving in obedience to the Lord because He is positioning you for breakthrough as well. Jesus knew exactly how to meet Peter's need way beyond what Peter was prepared for and He is able to do the same for you too. Remember that stepping out in obedience activates your breakthrough. 

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. " - Ephesians 3:20-21  

 2. Prepare the Nets!

We also see in this passage that as they are trying to bring in the fish, the nets begin to tear. So if obedience positions you for breakthrough, are you prepared to hold the blessing when it comes? I believe this applies to both a personal breakthrough and also for the church. Prophets from all over the world have been prophesying for years about a great harvest of people who will be coming into the church. I feel such an urgency in my spirit that we are in the season right now and God is telling His people to get ready. Are your nets prepared to pull in such a harvest? Like Peter, will your boat (ministry) sink in the middle of great revival? God is urging all of us to go deeper with Him so that we are able to sustain the things that are coming. 

Over the next few weeks, set aside intentional time to spend with the Lord and allow Him to speak to you and prepare you for what is coming. Pray that He will reveal anything in you that needs to be removed in order to walk in who He has created you to be. Invite Him to heal any broken places in you that would hinder you from pouring out His love to others. If you are in a season like Peter where nothing seems to be working, encourage yourself in the Lord daily by spending extra time in worship and prayer. This is a test of the heart just like Peter. Be faithful, continue to walk in obedience, and know that breakthrough is just around the corner.

Check out Fishing Stories Pt. 3 Coming Soon!

Love and Blessings,
Arie

Fishing Stories Pt.1 "Offensive Obedience"

I don't know about you but I have been in a bit of a dry season lately. It has seemed harder to hear the Lord and to receive revelation about the things God is doing. I feel so strongly that just as the season is changing in the natural it is also changing in the spiritual. Be encouraged if you have been having a hard time receiving from the Lord, we are entering into a new season where it will be easier to hear His voice. He is also beginning to move and align things into this season, He is releasing Kingdom strategies and plans and re-aligning a lot of things! Be encouraged, Spring is coming!

For the past week I have been getting up and taking my cup of coffee outside for my quiet time. The new flowers blossoming, the warm air coming in, and the birds chirping always make me happy and encouraged. This morning as I was sitting outside on the porch I felt led to read Luke 5:1-11. As I began reading, the Lord began giving me revelation upon revelation regarding these verses. I wrote down these revelations and will be putting them into a series of posts titled "Fishing Stories" which I will be posting over the next several days. As I mentioned above, we are entering into a new season and I feel like these revelations are to prepare the body of Christ to move into this new season of going deeper with the Lord. 

Luke 5:1-11 

1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Offensive Obedience 

Simon (Peter), James, John, and their fishing crew fished all night.  They were probably exhausted both mentally, physically, and emotionally (anyone who has ever worked third shift can sympathize). After their long night of fruitless work, they pull up on shore and begin washing their nets. . . Suddenly this Teacher comes up and asks to use their boat in order to teach the crowd from the water. They agreed. After teaching Jesus tells them to take their boats out to deep water and to put down their net on the other side of the boat. 

... Hold on. They've worked all night. Caught NOTHING. They cleaned their nets! (Cleaning the nets was a critical step, as the nets were made of linen and the sea salt would damage the nets if left uncleaned). These guys were ready to go home for the day! Have you ever been closing up shop and a customer walks in at the last minute? I mean you've already swept and mopped and shut everything down, but suddenly someone walks in wanting something? Having worked in retail myself I understand the agony of that customer that walks in at 7:58 and takes their time looking around the store... 

Can I just be honest right now? If this were me, my thoughts would be something along the lines of: 

"Are you serious?...I want to go home!"  

"Who does this guy think he is? How is he going to tell us how to catch fish!" 

 " We JUST finished washing the nets, if we put out we are going to have to wash everything all over again. And we aren't even going to catch any fish!" 

Anyone else agree? But instead of this attitude Peter's response was simply: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

This was a test of the heart. These men made their living catching fish, Jesus was a carpenter and a teacher. I'm not sure how many Teachers were familiar with fishing back then but my guess would be very few. Also Peter had already finished for the day, cleaned up, clocked out of work, and pulled his boat up on shore. I can only imagine that the request to put your boat back in the water and simply put your net on the other side sounded a bit crazy. These men had so many opportunities to choose offense in their heart yet they responded out of obedience. If Peter had chosen offense, it could have robbed him of his calling to be a disciple of Jesus and later to take the gospel to the nations. How great the reward is of obedience!

I've heard a joke told that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plan. This is a funny statement but it can be very true! So many times God instructs us to do things that don't make sense to us at the time. We may have a plan and God can come right in and blow all the cards right off the table. It can be difficult at this time to choose to act out of obedience. As I mentioned earlier I believe that we are entering into a new season where God is shifting and changing many things. I want to challenge you that as you start to hear the voice of the Lord and as He begins to give you new direction, choose obedience over offense!

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession.... " Exodus 19:5