Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

March 7
Friday


A NEW CAREER

READ:
Matthew 4:18-22
_______________________________________

Immediately they left
the boat and their
father, and followed
Him. __Matthew 4:22
________________________________________

For some guys, the annual fishing trip is the highlight of their calendar. They stay in cozy cabins and spend long days fishing just for the fun of it. You can be sure it wasn't that way for the disciples. They weren't on vacation when they met Jesus. Fishing was their career.

Our careers often demand much of our time and attention. But Jesus has an interesting way of interrupting our business-as-usual agenda. In fact, He invites us to join His business.

Notice the sequence of His statement to the fishermen: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). We are tempted to think that we should make something of our lives and at the same time follow Jesus. Wrong! He calls us first to follow Him, and then He makes something of our lives. He leads us to prioritize so that we see the needs of people and their eternity as the goal of all our endeavors.

And while God may not require you to give up your career, following Him will guarantee that you will never see your career in the same way again. Where you "fish" is not important. But if you follow, you must fish.

What are you waiting for? Drop your nets, follow Him, and let Him make something of your life. __Joe Stowell
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`````````````"Take up your cross," the Savior said,````````````````
``````````````````"If you would My disciple be;```````````````````
``````````````Take up your cross with willing heart`````````````````
`````````````And humbly follow after Me." __Everest```````````````
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Drop your nets and follow Jesus.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 4:18-22************

18 And Jesus, walking by
the Sea of Galilee, saw two
brothers, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his
brother, casting a net into
the sea; for they were
fishermen. 19 Then He said
to them, "Follow Me, and I
will make you fishers of
men." 20 They immediately
left their nets and followed
Him.

21 Going on from there, He
saw two other brothers,
James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in the
boat with Zebedee their
father, mending their nets.
He called them, 22 and
immediately they left the
boat and their father, and
followed Him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Matthew 4 records some of the early days of Christ's earthly ministry.
We see the testing of Jesus by Satan (vv.1-11), the establishment
of Capernaum as His ministry headquarters (vv.12-17), the calling
of His first disciples (vv.18-22), and then the beginnings of His
public teaching and healing ministry (vv.23-25). All of this laid the
groundwork and established the foundation for His first great public
address__the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). WEC

[realtmg]

Amen. When I had lots of money and everything many life had to offer, I was still unhappy. Until I CHOSE to drop my net and follow Him did I find meaning and joy followed. Life took over a new meaning. I try and set my affections above and not on earthly things.
When God called me here, He placed my heart with people here and my prayer is for each one who is a member to begin to smile and choose God's will for them. Only God can fill what we humans are looking for down deep. If we seek Him with our whole heart, then our focus will begin to change. If you feel a nudge that you might be called, check out our Many Are Called Few Chosen Program.

Just wanted to share.

Luv Ya,

Real

[Sylvia]

If you ask God to take away your stress you might be surprised how He does it. I asked him that 3 years ago now. Boy has my life changed.
I went from being an underwriter at a big insurance company making good money to being on disability. But I have never been happier.
And I get to spend so much alone time with the Lord.
He also has opened up different ways for me to serve Him.
I am so happy now. Though my world still has some big ups and downs, I know who is in control of those ups and downs.
Two people at church came up to me and said how terrible I must be feeling being diagnosed with MS. There is times I can't walk, and sometimes I can't think, I had a couple seizures. The fatigue I feel is almost a constant thing. But I have the joy of the Lord. I feel like I did when I was a 12 year old girl getting saved at a Youth for Christ ralley.
And it's been a whole lot of years since that happened!
Praise the Lord
Sylvia

[realtmg]

It is post such as yours Sylvia that makes it easy to drop the nets and follow Him. I know some of the tough things that has happened lately in your life, but you've chose to serve the Lord. I can sense the joy that is within and even though you go though some trials, your trust is in Him.
I know I was called a long time ago. He did not make me serve Him. He gives us a choice. We have to choose. It all requires faith and faith comes by hearing the word of God.

Thank You for sharing the Glory and Power of God even when life is not always pleasant.

Luv ya,

Real

[realtmg]

After I posted the last post, the Lord laid on my heart this verse.

1 Cor. 1:26 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"


Luv Ya,

Real

[Sylvia]

Amen. I always knew I was called to be a Mother. Even when I was little I Mothered adults, kids, anybody.
I Mothered my Parents.
I used to hate that about myself.
Now I know why God made me that way. If I had not been made that way I would not love my step-daughter so very much. I hate the word "step"
She is my daughter in every way. I also brought up a neighbors child whose Mother left her. She to this day calls me Mom. Her daughter calls me Nana.
Just because we do not understand why God made us a certain way does not mean He cannot use it.
Luv Ya
Sylvia