Don’t Wash Your Nets

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WASTED NIGHTS

qWEARY NATURE

qWASHING NETS

qWORD NEEDED

qWONDER NEARBY

qWILLING NEVERTHELESS

qWORSHIP NECESSARY

Have you ever been there? You know, things are not going as you planned. You have done the best you can and seems like everything has failed. You feel like a failure and you really don’t see how things can change for the better. Have you thought about quitting? Are you ready to "fold your tent"? "Throw in the towel", "clean out your desk"? Do you feel like you did your best and still have no hope for anything better? Have you had your wasted nights and do you have a weary nature? Read Luke 5:1-11. Look with me at 7 truths from this great section of scripture.

WASTED NIGHTS

Peter, and his partners, James and John, has fished all night and had nothing to show for it. They had done their best. They had put forth their best fishing efforts and skills but had no fish. They were in the right place for fishing, they had the right equipment and still had no fish.

WEARY NATURE

They were tired and frustrated. They had decided to wash their nets and head back home. They had put forth a good effort, probably did everything they knew to do...but were empty handed and were calling it

quits. It’s difficult when you have done all you know to do and have nothing to show for it. Not only did it seem like a wasted night, now they have a weary nature. They are washing their nets when Jesus comes by.

WASHING NETS

Seems that He still walks by when we reach this point in life. Maybe that is where you are right now. Don’t wash your nets! Jesus got into Peter’s boat and began to teach the throng of people that followed. They pressed upon Him … they all wanted a Word from Jesus. I would like to have heard that message! At the close of His message to the people Jesus had a Word for Peter … don’t wash your nets, go further out, let down your nets again. "Try it again and do it my way...let me help you!" Don’t quit, I can help you with this.

I’m sure Peter was shaking his head a little and maybe mumbling under his breath, "I know how to fish, I’m a pro. I have given my best effort here and applied my best knowledge…" That was likely what he was thinking but what he spoke changed his life forever. In spite of what he thought he knew he decided to believe Jesus, he offered a…

WILLING NEVERTHELESS

This is really where life changing events take place. When all odds seem to be against you and God’s Word seems so hard to believe. There was a…

WORD NEEDED

What we need most is to hear from God. Jesus had been teaching from the boat and the word brings faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word. They needed not a word from another fisherman, but a word from Jesus. Peter said what we say many times when we have experienced wasted nights and have a weary nature, "we have toiled all night and have taken nothing". Yet there was a...

WILLING NEVERTHELESS

Even a reluctant, cautious step in faith is rewarded by God. Peter said what we say many times. It just doesn’t make sense, I’ve already tried it my way but because you say so…"Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net" James and John had heard Jesus as well and they went with Peter into the deeper waters.

When they believed Him and obeyed Him, when they acted upon His Word, what they could not do by their own skills and knowledge was done. They enclosed a great multitude of fish...so much so that the net they were washing broke! They filled both of the ships with so much the boats began to sink. Wow! The blessing for persevering is bigger than you think it is. The rewards of obedience and faith are beyond your expectations. Keep on fishing! There is a

WONDER NEARBY

Often, the thing we need most to happen seems beyond our grasp. It seems that only a miracle from God could change things. The miracle here was closer than they thought. They had already done their best and they were good at what they did, but they had nothing to show for it. Even the Word spoken by Jesus was difficult for them to believe, but they acted upon His Word.

Simple acts of obedience can make or break a situation. The very thing you need is closer than you think. In spite of their experience as fisherman and their human logic, Peter offered a willing "nevertheless".

WORSHIP NECESSARY

What would you do? Think about what Peter and the others had just experienced. Empty nets now full, wasted night now fulfilled. A weary nature now revived...worship was necessary! How could you not fall at Jesus feet? How can we not give Him first place in our life all of the time? When we see ourselves and how limited we are and we see God and how limitless He is, worship is necessary!

DON’T WASH YOUR NETS

You need a word from God. There is a wonder nearby, full nets and fulfillment are closer than you think. Can you look at your situation in light of God’s Word. Can you "launch out" a little further because of God’s promises and regardless of circumstances. I am not talking about foolish decisions, I’m talking about obeying His Word and moving upon what God has spoken to you through His Word. I believe I can tell you with assurance that there is a wonder nearby, don’t wash your nets!    $15.00 plus s/h  ($17.50)

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