Fishing in the Right Place
In the years of my youth, I was shown the magic of catching a fish. There was such complexity in how it was done, though it seemed to be made up of a simple sequence of events.
What pole to use, what bait, the type of line, what kind of hook, if you needed a float, or a sinker? You had to consider the time of day or night. Oh and of course, the location, from the shore, a pier, in a boat, standing in the weeds. You needed to learn patience and be flexible.
For the true angler, there is no bad day fishing. Sure, you could lose your bait, never get a bite, get a sunburn, run out of snacks, your boat might sink or the weather get bad to the point you want to just close up and go home.
In the gospels when Jesus begins to collect those that would be taught the truth of GOD, It is interesting that Jesus chose Peter, a fisherman. In fact Jesus chose mostly fishermen of those that walked with him in the 3 years of his ministry.
Jesus picked a common skill that provided for the needs of those that did the work and also provided for those that needed the goods of the fisherman’s labor. Fishing was understood by most people.
Jesus also knew where to fish, he knew how to fish in the right places. Of course when he asked Peter to put out in the boat and cast a net, Peter was not anxious to do so. He stated they had fished all night and have caught nothing. However, when Jesus asked, Peter and some of the “angler” disciples were called to go out and cast the nets. The nets were filled to overflowing in a moment. There is plenty and Jesus mentions this in another statement when he stated the Harvest is great the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send Laborers.
Peter, then knowing that Jesus was a special teacher and fearing that Peter’s own sins were not going to be something that Jesus would be able to accept as a man to go with him, he told Jesus his concern and Jesus, in His loving way, told Peter, “follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.”
When Saul of Tarsus, later to be known as Paul the Apostle, met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he did not know that Jesus would continue selecting those that would fish for men. In the book of ACTS, chapter 16, versus 6-10 “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in [a]Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. The Holy Spirit told them not to go, because Jesus knew that it would not be a right place for Fishing at that time and Macedonia would be a better place to share the Gospel message at that time. There were plenty of fish, hungry for the Salvation bait.
Today, thanks to Jesus Christ death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of GOD, all of the world is the right place to go fishing today. In the command of Jesus Christ; Matthew 28: 18-20; 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Today, you don’t need any special bait and tackle, but your personal testimony plus the Gospel message in your heart. When you are a true believer in faith, you can spread the Gospel message. It becomes the bait that once taken in the heart, the Holy Spirit will reel in the catch of the day, saving a sinner from the eternal fire of torment and all heaven will rejoice.
It is not a believer’s responsibility to bring a person to accept Jesus Christ, but to inform them, give them the truth so they will consider accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit will do what is needed to bring them through to Salvation. For we are saved by Grace and not by works so that no one can boast.
We at Give Hope Ministries share the Gospel message with all the children, caregivers, teachers and the community through the Busia Community Church. It is shared in the word of GOD, the testimony of other believers, the factual truth that GOD is changing lives and giving a hope that a few years ago seemed only a fading dream of a path out of Poverty and no Hope for a future.
We share with others on this website, on the Facebook posts, and wherever we can the Glory of our GOD in what he is doing daily as we keep the command that Jesus Christ give in Matthew 28.
You don’t have to be so bold to go out into the world and spread the Gospel message if that is not your calling by GOD, but you can help those that do. Here at Give Hope Ministries we are called to make sure that what GOD has put in us is set forth and we are on the move to move the word of GOD in every area we are responsible to, responding in Busia at Give Hope Ministries facility.
We desire to know if you and others you know will be part of this Jesus Christ lead fishing trip, it is not a half day excursion, but a lifetime event of Love to share and to show what GOD is doing and has done for you. We always need others to help; GOD can multiply even the smallest help. If we had faith the size of a mustard seed we could say to this mountain move and it would do as commanded. It is not the size of our faith that moves it, but the fact the we have faith in what GOD can do that takes the small faith in us and in GOD all things become possible.
Contact us if you are interested in seeing how GOD can use us in helping to provide for the 300 Orphans and children now at the Busia Uganda Facility. We very much need project funding so that we can add more value to the lives of the children and the community of Busia Uganda and spread that Love and work of GOD‘s grace outward for the place that GOD started a good work in the CEO/Founder Willy Ouma. Jesus is calling you his anglers. There is plenty of fish, will you help us Fish in the right places that Jesus Christ has given our ministry to cast His Love and grow others in Chris Jesus.
As we are blessed, let Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, bless you also. We hope that the Holy Spirit will stir your heart today and help us, do what we and you have been called to do, Love one another.
Ray E. Smith
Give Hope Ministries.org