Disciple-ship

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 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; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-22)

If you want to know what a disciple of Jesus is, some commentators have noted, you don’t have to look any farther than Jesus’ calling of His first four disciples in Matthew’s Gospel. Disciples are those who believe in Jesus enough to listen for His voice and respond when He says, “Follow me.” As such, they belong to an elite group of individuals who are becoming more like Jesus, as He promised when He said, “and I will make you.” Ultimately, disciples are those who grow to join Jesus in His mission, recruiting and building other disciples as “fishers of men.” 

“Almighty God, thank You for calling us to know You, grow like You, and go with You into the world as Your disciples. Give us wisdom and courage to be Your means of discipling others, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

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CASTING CALL

The rain was pouring down.

Standing alongside a large puddle outside the pub was a bewhiskered old man.

He was drenched, holding a long stick with a piece of string dangling into the water.

A curious passer-by stopped and asked, "What are you doing?”

"Fishing" replied the old man, as he shrugged his shoulders and coughed.

Feeling sorry for the old man, the gentleman offered, 

"Come in out of the rain and have a drink with me."

In the warmth of the pub they sipped their whiskies and swapped stories.

Finally, the gent finally got around to the elephant in the puddle, so to speak.

He asked, "So how many have you caught today?"

"You're the eighth," responded the old man.

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The LORD give you both compassion and discernment this week! 

Pastor Kirk