Moments at the fishing hole - 4

This morning I stopped in for coffee at a neat little coffee shop for a cup of joe. It was rather interesting. Each table had a pad of paper and pen on them. People would jot down notes, questions and deep thoughts. Some were really deep and far out.

I read one particular note that read ‘our hearts have a song to sing and that love speaks to us if we would listen’. As I read this I flipped to the Scriptures reading for the morning. It was Psalms 84. How fitting. That’s just like God to plug into our lives. “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

So, I responded to the quasi-instant message coffee shop notepad with an evangelistic message and sited Psalms 84.

You never know when fish catch your eye.

GO FISH!

Memory Verse for the week

Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.

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.