Verse of the Day weekend 7/31

Through the Bible - Psalms 51-56, Acts 20:17- 21:17

 

The other day I quoted the Casting Crowns song "In the Middle".  One of the lines stated "deep water faith in the shallow end".

 

While sitting on the beach (on vacation) last week I saw many toddlers playing in the sand on the edge of the water , little kids were playing in the shallow water willing to brave some of the waves.  Older kids were on their skim boards and boogie boards.  Then there were teenagers and adults out in the deeper water, surfing, riding the waves.  The risks were higher but the thrill the joy and satisfaction were probably higher as well. All of them were having a good time enjoying the surroundings.  Those surfing had grown, had moved out of the shallow end into the deep.

 

Will we do so in our faith?

 Luke 5:4-5 (AMP) When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon (Peter), Put out into the deep [water], and lower your nets for a haul.

⁵And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].

The disciples had been fishing in the shallow water, working all night with nothing to show for it.  Jesus asked these veteran fisherman to break from what they knew to experience more.

 

Wading all day in the shallow water can wear you out with the endless string of waves pounding the shore and you.  Even kids will tire from it.  As kids grow older they may have to be encouraged and challenged to risk moving out into the deep.  But in doing so they'll grow, they'll learn, and they'll ride the surf and the waves.   Moving beyond the waves in the shallow end in our faith will bring our greatest joy and fulfillment in life. 

 

Jesus used this situation to call Peter, James and John to become fishers of men.

 

 Matthew 5:10 And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon (Peter). And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!

 

Is Jesus calling you to a deeper faith?

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

 

Luke 5

The First Disciples

 ¹ One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

 ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish."

 ⁵ "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

 ⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

   Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!"