Moments at the fishing hole - 3

Results?

We like to see the results of our work, no? I remember as a kid my Grandpa would take me fishing. We would get up early before sunrise and gather our gear, make breakfast and a sandwich or two for the trip. We did a lot of work to prepare. On the way Grandpa would tell me what to do. He would give me tips to reel in a good one. There were apparent techniques.

We would get there while it was still dark and find a good spot. He gave me last minute instructions and said to have fun. The gnats and skeeters, that’s country for mosquito, were thick like jam on biscuits. We would watch the bobber through the bugs in hopes that one would bite, a fish that is. There were days we just fed the fish and went home empty-handed and bit up by them skeeters. Grandpa would say, maybe next time. He kept hope alive for our next outing. Sure enough we tried again and landed quite a few fish.

Isn’t witnessing a lot like that? We prepare with prayer, fasting, reading and pack a lunch and find a spot. We even know of a few people that come to mind we could share with. If they received what you were sharing, we thought that was good. A lot of times they didn’t. Both were important and successful.

We are called to plant the seed of the gospel and water it. It is God that gives the increase. Our mission is 'process' based. We are to faithfully give the message that we have sinned against a holy God. We have broken his commandments and will have to face him on judgment day. Because he is good and loving and just, he will have to pronounce us guilty. Our punishment for that judgment is hell. God doesn’t want that for us. He wants you to be free from sin and hell, so he sent his Son Jesus to live the life we could not live and take our punishment on himself by dying on the cross. His death satisfied the God’s judgment and paid our fine so that we could be acceptable before God and enter his kingdom. (life now and heaven in the future)

Jesus rose from the dead and overcame death and hell, so we could be raised to life and live with God for eternity. To get this gift of life, we are told to repent and trust Christ for our salvation. We can’t do it by being good or doing good things. We can’t work our way into heaven. It is by grace through faith alone.

Be of good cheer oh fisher’s of men, God has overcome the world and he will fill our nets!

GO FISH!

Moments at the Fishing Hole - 2

Ideas for Evangelism

At some point we all eat at the local restaurant. Make it a point to speak to the wait staff. Intentionally plan to do so. Before you eat, ask the waiter or waitress if there is anything you can pray for them about. Most people accept prayer and this opens your conversation to the needs of those around you. See where God leads the conversation.

Mark down their name and continue to keep them in prayer. Leave a good tip along with a tract and your Church's business card.

GO FISH!

Memory Verse for the week of August 3rd

Proverbs 4: 4

Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

Tozer Devotional

Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer

Friday, August 01, 2008
The Set of the Sail Chapter #34
Why Faith Is Indispensable (3/4)

Acting Out Unbelief

Human sin began with loss of faith in God. When our mother Eve listened to Satans sly innuendoes against the character of God she began to entertain a doubt of His integrity and right there the doors were opened to the incoming of every possible evil, and darkness settled upon the world. The Bible talks about mans being alienated from and an enemy to God. Should this sound harsh or extreme you have only to imagine your closest personal friend coming to you and stating in cold seriousness that he no longer has any confidence in you. I do not trust you. I have lost confidence in your character. I am forced to suspect every move you make. Such a declaration would instantly alienate friends by destroying the foundation upon which every friendship is built. Until your former friends opinion of you had been reversed there could be no further communion. Only a restored faith could bring about a restored friendship. Now, it is well known that people do not go boldly to God and profess that they have no confidence in Him, and no one except the rare professional unbeliever is willing to witness publicly to his low view of God. The frightful thing, however, is that people everywhere act out their unbelief with a consistency that is more convincing than words.
Prayer
Forgive me for doubting You, Lord. It is often covered over with faith-talk. But only You can be fully trusted.
Scripture
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said, why did you doubt?— Matthew 14:31
Thought
Why do we doubt God? Is there a question about His character or His power? We often attempt to hide our doubt but it is evident in our prayer and our daily living, isnt it?