King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.' Agrippa said to Paul, 'With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?' Paul said, 'I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.' Acts 26:27 WEBWhen a net is pulled out of the water on a fishing boat, it may contain many types of fish. They dump the net on the floor of the ship and then someone sorts them out while the fishermen prepare to put the net back in the water. In Christianity, we work with the Holy Spirit as the fishermen, but God sorts the fish. He chooses what to keep, and what to release.
I once watched as the Holy Spirit's presence caused a hardened drug dealer to weep. He was a long time friend who had made some bad choices in life. That day I was going to town and he wanted to go as well, so I brought him along. We lived in the country and as we drove down the highway, I began to tell him about some scripture that I had been studying recently, and how it fascinated me.
At first he just laughed it off and said a few mocking things like 'You don't really believe that stuff do you?' But soon the Holy Spirit's presence settled over him and he became shaky and scared. If he could have gotten out of the car, he would have, but today I was driving. He stared out of the passenger side window for a while and when he looked back at me, he was in tears. I was in awe of power and love of the Holy Spirit, and a bit surprised.
Here we were with the Holy Spirit loving this guy who had never given Him a positive thought in his life. He did drugs, sold drugs, stole things, and nothing really seemed beneath him. He was the kind of man that would rob from Peter, and write a bad check to Paul. Yet God loved him and He was reaching out to draw him into the flock that day. God includes the ones that we would exclude.
We don't get to sort the fish. We should reach out to the lost wherever, and whoever they may be. Be a friend to those that need one, because they will not listen to an enemy. Also, don't try and correct the problems in people's lives. Lead them to Jesus first and He will take care of the rest. Paul witnessed to everyone around him. Some were saved, some were not. His goal was to save everyone and let God sort them out. We should do the same.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for putting me where I am. Put Your words in my heart and let Your Holy Spirit rise up within me. Please fill me with Your wisdom and tact, let me know when to share with others and when to keep my mouth shut, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Help us God Amen
AMEN, Thank you Father GOD!
Amen, thank you Jesus.
Amen. Thank you God for each day. Amen
Amen. Lord you know whom I pray for and may they one day soon lean on You and not to their own understanding.
Amen!
Amen! Thank you Father Yahweh,Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit for the way you all work through us and through others around us. You know,You know,You know and are able to accomplish all things in whom ever You choose! Hallelujah!
In jesus name amen
Thank you Lord for allowing me to go out there and fish for the souls of men. I pray that you continue to guide me into the right directions and that you allow me to speak to those who you desire to be caught at your appointed time. You are an awesome God, and all the praises and glory belongs to you Jesus. Thank you Lord for this awesome gift and thank you for this very timely message that you have given to Pastor Todd yet again, in Jesus name I pray. AMEN
Amen Lord.
This was a really good one.
So often "we" look at others by their outer apperance, their IQ, their cleanliness or their addresses. I volunteer at our local homeless shelter and I've learned a lot from working there. I've tried to explain it to others, but the most common response I get is..."Oh, I could never work there, I'd be so scared of those people." That hurts my heart when I hear that. Those folks are no different than you or I, the only difference is they have a different address. I try to explain to others the love that I have working there, but they just don't get it. It's okay that they don't get it, Daddy knows my heart and He knows that I get it.
Once I mentioned on FB that I wanted to go to a Def Lepard concert that was coming to Columbia. My Christian friend commented that I shouldn't go because of the folks that would be there and message that I would or could be sending. Unintentionally, I hurt her feelings when I said, Daddy can use me to witness with someone in line or the person sitting next to me.
I guess my point is, when Daddy wants to use it, it doesn't matter where we are, who we're with, what situation we're under, if we are obedient and willing, He can and will use us to fish.
Thank you for sharing you life with us.
Amen!!
Heavenly Father I thank You for giving me the opportunity to change, that Your Holy Spirit inspires me to do the same You did to me towards others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Glory be to our Lord Almighty.
Excellent devotional Pastor, God bless you.
Amen!
Amen
THAT REMINED ME OF A TALK I HAD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH MY HUSBAND. WE WERE SATING IN THE COOL SHADE AND PASSING THE TIME AWAY,FOR SOME REASON I STARTED SINGING WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE WHEN MY JESUS I WILL SEE WHEN I LOOK UPON HIS FACE,THE ONE WHO SAVED ME BY HIS GRACE, I LOOKED AT MY HUSBAND ,HE WAS CRYING HIS EYES OUT, HE TOLD ME ,YOUR GOING TO SEE HIS FACE,YOUR GOING TO BE WITH HIM,HE WONT HAVE ANY THING TO DO WITH ME,I TOLD HIM ,HE LOVES YOU AS MUCH AS HE LOVES ME, THE MORE I TALKED THE MORE HE CRYED BUT I'VE DONE SO MANY BAD THINGS ...... REMEMBER. IF WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OF ALL OUR SINS.
Great word today thank you Pastor Dion!
Amen.