And It Came

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Simon had listened to Jesus preach; he’d heard The Word. Jesus told him to go further for a reward, and Simon said, "we've done that already, but okay, if you say so."

“And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:6-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Simon not only became aware of Who Jesus IS, but he became painfully aware of who he (Simon) was not! Face to face with his sins, he's griped in fear of God and His Righteousness!

“For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” Luke‬ ‭5:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus knew his heart and encouraged  him with a promise!

“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.” Luke‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

For so many years I would read this story and would qualify Simon and the others! 

"Well of course they were afraid . . . 

"Well of course they realized their sins . . . 

"Well of course they forsook all and followed Him . . . 

"They knew Him!"

And then I met Him!

I HEARD His teaching!

I REALIZED my sin!

I CHOSE to obey Him!

And I FORSOOK ALL and FOLLOWED Him!

I became His disciple!

I had thought "forsaking all" meant walking away from everything I held dear; giving up or surrendering everything I was or hoped to be; totally changing my life!

And it does. 

And I did!

It's all about the heart!

Judas was His disciple but he didn't have a change of heart!

Without the change, without the surrender, you are still in the world! It takes coming face to face with the  immenseness of God and realizing you are not Him, no matter how much you have tried to control your world! Knowing how sinful you are; how wicked your heart is, even if most think of you as a good person! It takes coming to the conclusion that without Him you are/have nothing!

It's coming to the place where you KNOW there is no place else to go! Without Him there is nothing; no hope; no life!

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John‬ ‭6:66-69‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You see, I tried EVERYTHING else the world has to offer; I know there is nothing else!!!!!

If you are searching for the meaning to your life and all its pain, look no further! Jesus is the answer to every question!

Repent and follow Him!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 4/26/16