Topic: Launch Your Net into the Deep
Text: Luke 5:1-7.
INTRODUCTION
This is just the first quarter of the year, yet many people are already frustrated and worn out by the current state of affairs. Some individuals have employed the most effective strategies they are aware of to improve their circumstances but to no avail. Many are confident in their abilities and mental prowess to complete tasks, but they all fail.
The current circumstance renders a warrior weary, a brave person fearful, an expert foolish, and a giver a beggar. Due to their environment, several individuals abandoned their posts in search of means to improve their standard of living. Such was the circumstance for Peter and his companions.
These aforementioned men held large nets that could help them catch enough fish, but they didn’t see any fish to catch.
What is the net you are holding? Your net could include your talent, skill, vision, field of study, potential, and enthusiasm. You may have tried to fit into an appropriate position of opportunity but to no avail. The good news is that you have hope because Jesus, the Master of possibility, is close by.
In this article, we will outline some techniques for launching your net into the deep.
1) Discover Your Net.
2) Surrender to Jesus, The Master.
3) Act on Jesus’ Instruction
The breakdown of the write-up
1) Discover Your Net
Many people are irritable, frustrated, and overworked because they are not in the right place and have not discovered their net. Some people are followed because their friends are doing something; others follow their friends haphazardly. Some people are starting businesses or looking for work because it is prevalent.
Peter and his friends were skilled fishermen. They had nets and were in the right location for their businesses. Franklin stated in his writing that, “Character discernment is a valuable tool for avoiding toxic entanglements. It is a skill many of us lack. What is character discernment? It is simply the ability to find relationships that are good for you, and to avoid those that are not.” (Pg. 50)
These guys knew what they were doing; they had many customers with whom they traded, but on this particular day, they were embarrassed because they couldn’t catch a single fish.
2) Surrender to Jesus, The Master.
Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe; He is always present and ready to assist, even when things go wrong. Luke 5: 3 says, “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.” (NIV).
When Jesus appeared, these guys didn’t look at their situation; instead, they let Him do whatever He wanted with their boat.
Joyce Meyer mentions in one of her writings, “We may expect the day to be sunny, but instead it rains. We may expect to get a raise at work, and we don’t.” (Pg. 8)
There will always be a bad day, no matter how good you are at your job. The ability to put your emotions aside and be aware of what is going on around you would link you to your helper.
These guys may have promised their customers that they would supply them with a large number of fish. They may have collected money in advance with the promise of making an ample supply when they arrived. But even though they were in serious trouble, they surrendered to Jesus and listened to His teaching. I want you to know that Jesus is aware of your situation, but He desires that you submit to Him. Anderson stated that “We have a whole God, the Creator of all reality, and He relates to us as whole people (Pg. 21).
3) Act on Jesus’ Instruction
Some individuals let their difficulty overpower them, and as a result, they disregard the voice of their helper. Some individuals are confident in their routines, while others fear failure. They are unwilling to try again or take professional guidance.
Peter and his friends were confident in their abilities and were so sure that there were no fish in the ocean, so they could not harvest any. After Jesus had completed utilizing their boat, He wished to express His gratitude for their willingness and generosity.
In Luke 5: 4-5, “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 caught nothing. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (NIV)
Peter, the leader of the guys, just spoke. Can you hear him? “We have attempted to use our professional expertise, but it has not been successful.” Are you in a comparable circumstance? Are you fearful of trying again? Are you attempting to discard the Spirit’s directions? Peter and his pals obeyed Jesus’ command, and they had their fortunes.
Kenneth E. Hagin stated with a clear explanation that “There is something about the Lord – there is just something He won’t tell unless you ask Him because He is a perfect Gentleman.” (Pg. 16).
Peter and his friends would have stayed hopeless if they had disregarded Christ’s commands. Jesus will not coerce you, yet He desires your cooperation because He is all-powerful.
Conclusion
If you are where Christ has called you and are carrying out His commands, He will protect you during the storm. You should not hide your problems from Him, the Master; instead, you must allow him to assume full responsibility for your position and carry out His commands.
You must finally surrender your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Let us Pray
Dear Jesus, I recognize you as the universe’s Master, Creator, Conqueror, Savior, and King. Forgive my limited understanding of who You are; have mercy on me, and shower Your blessings on me. I promise to obey Your commands and instructions. I believe in You; please help me not to be ashamed of my faith in You. Amen.
John Aderogba for ROPMI.
References
- Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
- Jentezen Franklin (2007). Right People, Right Place, Right Plan, “Discovering the Voice of God,” Ministries/Kingdom Connection. P.O. Box 315, Gainesville, GA 30504
jentezenfranklin.org. - Joyce Meyer, (2003). Straight Talk on Depression,”Overcoming Emotional Battles
with the Power of God’s Word!” Publisher: Faithwords, USA. ISBN: 0446691518, ISBN13:9780446691512. - Kenneth E. Hagin, (1992). PURPOSES PURSUITS, Fifth printing, USA, ISBN, 0-89276-512-7.
- Neil T. Anderson and Dave Park (2012). Stomping Out Depression. Published by Bridgetree, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-9856907-5-5.