Let's Go Fishing!

Daily Reading: John 21

Scripture Focus: Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. (John 21.6)

Devotional Thought: I read somewhere that one of John Wesley's (the great British evangelist of the 1700's and founder of the Methodist movement) secrets of success was to find where the Spirit was working and go there. He saw thousands of souls saved during his lifetime, and not just saved but discipled and organized into bands. He had learned the truth of what Jesus told the disciples in John 21: "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some."

Those disciples had planned just right and fished all night, but their nets were empty. They were expert fishermen, but their nets were empty. They had worked as hard as they could as long as they could, but their nets were empty.

Have you ever worked and worked and worked and yet gotten nowhere?

Jesus has told us to be fishers of men. He wants our nets to be full. Why aren't they?

• It could be that they're not in the water. We've forgotten what our job is. We need to get our nets wet!

• It could be that they're in the wrong place. We need to cast them on the right side. Some waters are 'fished out.'

• It could be that we're trying to find fish that are already found! We aren't in the member-transferring business, but the fish-catching business!

• It could be that the timing is not right. We must labor - even if it takes all night - and wait for Jesus to show up on the shore to lead us.
  

Do not grow discouraged, child of God. Keep on fishing!

Prayer: Father, help us to see the lost souls all around us and to tirelessly fish. Guide us to the 'right side' that our nets might be full. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence." 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (Psalms 39:1-6)