caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” In Luke 5 there is a short and powerful message about the blessings of obedience. This passage is regularly overlooked because we usually read through it so quickly but today we will take the time to pause and apply this word to our own situations. It can truly change our lives and increase our prosperity if we just obey. Here's the proof: In verse 2, the Bible says that Jesus saw two boats resting in the lake and the fishermen washing their nets. This tells us that the men were done for the day. They had docked their boats and were ready to go home. Can anyone relate to that? Have you ever been tired and just ready to go home? Then verse 3 says that after Jesus saw all of this, He got into one of the boats which belonged to Simon Peter and asked him to move the boat back out into the water. Can you imagine what that must have felt like? You're not only tired but exhausted and now you have someone asking you to do something (that requires work) that you probably don't feel like doing. At that moment, Peter probably wished that Jesus had chosen someone else's boat but yet, Peter complied and Jesus proceeded to teach to the multitude from Peter's boat. Now when Jesus had finished speaking, verse 4 says that Jesus took it one step further and asked Peter to sail the boat even further out into the sea and to drop his nets. Now doesn't this sound like Jesus is asking him to do more work? More work! Now. Right now. After working all night. After cleaning up the boat and it's nets. After already moving the boat so that He could teach from it. And after listening to yet another sermon. Jesus is asking him for more! Isn't this the point where Peter should be asking, "Why me?" But instead he says, [vs 5 Paraphrase] "Lord, I have already done that and failed. I have been trying all night and I have nothing to show for it. But because You asked me, I will do it again." And the moment that Peter submitted his will by casting down his net they caught so many fish that they had to signal another boat to help them bring the fish back to shore (which means that other people were watching him-some of you caught that). So what is the meaning of all this? God is saying that even though you have done something many times before, I need you to do it again. You may say: He will say: Lord, I'm tired of Do it Again being kind to this person Lord, I can't pray Do it Again for them anymore Lord, I can't afford Do it Again to keep paying tithes Yes, you may be tired. Yes, you may be frustrated but if you are obedient I will give you more than your nets can handle. I need you to trust Me and do it again. Don't get weary in well- doing for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not (Gal 6:9). If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Is 1:19). If you just do it again on your job, at your church, and in your home then you will be blessed in the city and in the field (blessed wherever you are) beyond measure (Deut 28:2-3), and this is a promise that cannot be broken, if you will just submit yourself and do it again, sayeth the Lord. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Minister Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray |
| Do It Again Jun. 13, 2007 |