SCRIPTURE: Luke (NIV) 5:1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding round him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
OBSERVATION: When I read this story, I cannot help but think about Joshua, the owner of a second-hand business in Freetown, Sierra Leon. When Pastor Andrew, looking to buy printers for the SOAP ministry, first walked into the store, Joshua was joining 4 or 5 other businessmen to purchase a container of used items from the USA. They would divide up the laptops, computers, etc. and sell them in their stores. Like Simon’s boat, Jesus got into Joshua’s “boat,” his business. He began giving to the SOAP ministry. If we bought 8 printers, he would donate one. He began printing the SOAPs and taking them to his church. His business, under the blessings of God, grew to where he purchases whole containers himself. Then he started providing, at a good price, the paper needed for printing the SOAPs. With God’s blessings, he has become a major part of the SOAP ministry!
APPLICATION: Jesus got into Simon’s boat, and Jesus has gotten into Joshua’s “boat.” Whatever our “boat,” it is good to have Jesus in it with us! He can work far beyond our ability. And what joy it is to know that He is being blest by being a part of what we are doing.
PRAYER: Lord, whatever my “boat,” I want you to be in it. I want to follow your directions. Use me for your glory! Amen
Pastor Leon
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