Bible League: Living His Word Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."— John 21:3 ESV In John chapter 21 we find the disciples waiting after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew and Mark's gospels tell us Jesus had instructed them to wait for Him in the mountain region of Galilee. However, in our occasion here, we find them waiting near the beach in Galilee. Although disobedient to the Lord's instruction, it can be understood (and we all can relate) as their hearts and minds were greatly troubled. A week had passed and there was no appearance of Jesus as promised. Having had great expectations of the kingdom reign, instead they witnessed the trial and execution of the Lord in Jerusalem. Their hearts were crushed, and in fear they probably left the mountains to check out the lower regions of Galilee in case they missed anything. The disciples were confused, unsure of what to do and what was to come. They greatly missed their Lord after three years being together in ministry almost on a daily basis. They had depended on His leading and directing, teaching and counseling. So, they headed to familiar territory, the Sea of Galilee where they fished for a living. The disciples were in need of a reset in life and ministry, so they followed Peter's lead, going back to what they knew. "I am going fishing." For many Christians, there are seasons in life and ministry in which there is a need for a reset. We don't know what to do or where to go. We may be stalled or stymied or just plain exhausted from life and have no idea what to do. The disciples found their reset in Jesus. Experts in fishing, yet they catch nothing after fishing all night. A familiar voice yells from the beach to toss the net on the other side of the boat. Reluctantly they comply, and to their surprise they haul in more fish than they can handle. The blessing of waiting on Jesus came by just continuing in what they knew. We can learn from that. Keep showing up, keep punching the clock, and on His timing the reset will happen. New mercies, new grace, new directions, new confidence will come when we are faithful to what we know and continue to do as we press on to the high calling. Peter, in going fishing, probably was on the water reminiscing over his times with Jesus at sea—the rebuking of the storm, walking on water, the feeding of the 5000 overlooking the sea—amazing things that happened in the presence of the Lord. "I am going fishing." In recent history, COVID brought forth a great reset in the hearts and spirits of many Christians. Many went back to church or found a new church. Sadly, others left the church and have not come back. Those who were blessed in coming back or finding new churches were going back to what they knew, rediscovering the rock of our salvation so needed at such a confusing time. It was a reset of faith for many, but to what end? How many are back in churches, back to what they know, but just sitting and waiting unwilling to toss the net of their hearts and faith to the other side of the boat? Are they stuck sitting in the pews or are their hearts and minds anticipating a new direction, new purpose, new call, new dedication in a reset of faith? Are we just hanging out on the beach, or are we willing to put ourselves out there in faith and go fishing to see what the Lord is going to do? Peter and the disciples went back to what they knew, and their reset transformed them from fishermen to fishers of men. What are you anticipating from the Lord, friend? While the day is at hand, let your great reset be His best. Perhaps now is the time to get up and go fishing. Stop waiting and just start doing what you already know and be willing to hear and do what our Lord says. Be willing to toss your net to the other side. Our faith journeys are never about what we intend to make of the Lord, but rather what He intends to make of us. By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Kings 21, 22 1 Kings 21 -- Ahab Takes Naboth's Vineyard Due to Jezebel's Plot NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Kings 22 -- Ahab Warned by Micaiah, Slain at Ramoth Gilead; Jehoshaphat King of Judah; Ahaziah King of Israel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 3:1-21 John 3 -- Jesus Teaches Nicodemus: You Must be Born Again; John's Testimony about Jesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “But there is no peace for the wicked,”says the LORD. Insight Many people cry out for comfort, security, and relief, but they haven't taken the first steps to turn away from sin and open the channels to God. They have not repented and trusted in him. Challenge If you want true peace, seek God first. Then he will give you his peace. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead.The whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that "Christ is risen from the dead;" for, "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain: ye are yet in your sins." The divinity of Christ finds its surest proof in his resurrection, since he was "Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." It would not be unreasonable to doubt his deity if he had not risen. Moreover, Christ's sovereignty depends upon his resurrection, "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living." Again, our justification, that choice blessing of the covenant, is linked with Christ's triumphant victory over death and the grave; for "He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Nay, more, our very regeneration is connected with his resurrection, for we are "Begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." And most certainly our ultimate resurrection rests here, for, "If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." If Christ be not risen, then shall we not rise; but if he be risen then they who are asleep in Christ have not perished, but in their flesh shall surely behold their God. Thus, the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the believer's blessings, from his regeneration onwards to his eternal glory, and binds them together. How important then will this glorious fact be in his estimation, and how will he rejoice that beyond a doubt it is established, that "now is Christ risen from the dead"! "The promise is fulfill'd, Redemption's work is done, Justice with mercy's reconciled, For God has raised his Son." Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Colossians 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Revelation 12:10,11 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. • "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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