BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

A Different Reaction Not everyone in the Gospels responded to Jesus that way. Compare the responses of those two men to others Jesus called. Mark 1:16 says, “As [Jesus] walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.” Casting nets is what fishermen do. They weren’t fishing for a quiet afternoon of catch and release. They were trying to catch as many fish as possible, as quickly as possible. “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (verses 17-18). What a difference! Jesus gave them His invitation, and Simon and Andrew didn’t hesitate. They had their nets—their livelihood—in their hands. They depended upon their nets. But when Jesus called, they dropped them without hesitation. They didn’t only leave their profession; they left the very safety that was there to catch them if they fell. Today people tell Jesus, “I’ll follow You, but let me first get more money in the bank. Let me first get my kids through school. Let me first get more givers in my congregation.” Jesus would say to that, “I love you, but there’s no faith in that. I can’t use you as long as you’re holding on to a net.” He’s calling us into the deep, and He wants to be our net. Here’s another example. “When [Jesus] had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father…and went after Him” (Mark 1:19-20). Did you catch that detail about James’ and John’s nets? They had to be mended. That’s the way nets are. Those things you build all your hopes and dreams on, those things you need to keep you sustained have to be regularly mended—by you. And if they have to be mended, that means there’s something wrong with them. They’re unfit. You’re only as fit as what—or who—you put your faith in. Just as He did to James and John, Jesus is saying to you, “Pick Me! I’ll be your net! You don’t ever need to fix Me. I am forever strong. I’m fit, and I’ll make you fit. I’ll make you someone I can use.” You may feel afraid to get out there and drop your net because you don’t have anything to fall back on, but you do. You can fall into the arms of the One who called you. Hand to the Plow Now is the time for you to heed the call He has on your life. If you’re sincere about following Him, then you can’t look back at where you came from, where you were once comfortable or what used to keep you safe. As we read earlier in Luke 9:62, Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” If you’re ready to have the kind of impact your heart is hungry to have, plow forward. Remember, ground must be plowed to take seed. So get yourself ready. Live ready. Plow the hard ground so that when God’s call comes, you’re ready to sow and reap. Plow so when the opportunity comes, you can drop your nets and go. God wants people who are fit for His use and prepared for every good work. You’ll never be more productive, effective or blessed than doing what He calls you to do. If you’re ready, He can use you. You can be that gold and silver vessel fit for His use. He’s calling. When He says, “Follow Me,” how will you answer? V Jeremy Pearsons Jeremy and his wife, Sarah, are founders of Pearsons Ministries International. They travel to preach Jesus to congregations across the U.S. and around the world. For more information, visit them online at pearsonsministries.com. ********** ADVERTISEMENT ********** Watch Jeremy & Sarah on bvovn® BELIEVER’S VOICE OF VICTORY NETWORK REAL. LIFE. FAITH.® Send us your testimonies about how BVOVN has blessed you. KCM.ORG/TESTIFY WATCH ON: dish® CHANNEL 265 apple tv® 4th Generation Roku® bvovn.com YouTube® amazon fire TV ******************************************** BVOV : 21

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