Lots of God, a Little Bit of Fishing

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On a sunny, early morning, the old man decided to go fishing.  He drove out to his favorite fishing hole along the river.  Two teenage boys were also fishing near the same area. 

After a spell, the boys migrated over to the old man’s spot.  The brothers shared their names, Jaylen and Caden.  They were fine looking boys, and pretty darn good fishermen.

In about an hour, each had caught 2-3 fish, while the old man was shut out.  Perhaps he needed to take a break and think of a different plan.

The brothers were about ready to leave, but they hung around for a bit.  Soon the conversation turned to their personal relationships with Jesus Christ.  Each was a Christian, and had accepted Jesus as their Savior.

The old man had never considered experiencing a relationship with God.  There was a Bible somewhere at home, or at least he thought so.  The last time he attended church was for a dear friend’s funeral a couple of years ago. 

As the boys continued to share their faith with the old man, time seemed to stand still.  Without knowing it, Caden and Jaylen were exchanging their efforts to fish for trout for an opportunity to fish for the Lord.  Their little bit of fishing was replaced with blessed evangelism, and now they were casting their net—filled with lots of God.

After about 30 minutes, the brothers checked the time and finished up their conversation with the old man.  They needed to get the day’s catch home for their mother to prepare for supper.

The old man thanked them for the conversation, and gave them a wave good-bye.  He looked at his own fishing scorecard, and he was still winless in the fishing department. 

But, he felt like a winner in the faith department.  He picked up his fishing gear and headed up from the river.  As he began to drive away in his battered pick-up truck, he made a vow to find that phantom Bible at home. 

Jaylen and Caden invited the old man to visit their church for Sunday’s worship service.  Because of their encouragement, he told them he would attend.  The brothers also promised to share some of their fishing tips with him.

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From Matthew 4:18-19:  “As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers.  And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.'”

Martin Luther Quote

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Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.

From John 11:25-26:  “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

Mary McLeod Bethune Quote

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Faith ought not to be a plaything.  If we believe, we should believe like giants.

From Psalm 71:5:  “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.”

Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was an American educator, philanthropist, and civil rights activist.  A daughter of former slaves, she made a significant impact in the lives of many.

Strength in Faith

From the words of American Christian author, Kay Arthur:  “To be courageous is to step out in faith–to trust and obey, no matter what.”

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Each fear tests quiet resolve

Holding tightly to God’s Word

Strength in faith, stepping forward

Waiting courage, to be stirred

 

Another mountain to scale

Taking every fear to God

Faith’s shield shall always protect

Dissolving evil’s facade

 

Disappointment knocks at door

Believing in faithful Lord

Unspoken fears leaving heart

Sustaining grace, comes aboard

 

Endless wilderness journey

Seeing mercy’s light ahead

Every roadbed now smoothed out

Darning each fear, with faith’s thread

 

Dark challenges setting sail

Meditating day and night

Prayer surrounds every fear

Transforming faith, Savior’s light

 

Yesterday’s failures vanish

Removing fear’s daily stress

Faith encased with timeless love

Coming sunrise brings success 

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From Joshua 1:9:  “I hereby command you:  Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Letting Go

From Lamentations 3:22-23:  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

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Growing up with Father

Learning all about life

Encouraged to follow

Living without evil’s strife

 

Bearing Father’s commands

Nurturing faith each day

Drowned each fleshly desire

Witnessing His grace, let’s pray

 

Walking in Father’s steps

Surrendering to Him

Sensed righteousness calling

Praising each blessed hymn

 

Searching for Father’s peace

Letting go, finding love

Gleaned from each steadfast truth

Catching mercy from above

 

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From Hebrews 5:12-14:  “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God.  You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Charles Stanley Quote

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When affliction strips away every crutch, one has only the Lord to depend upon.  Though some people are destroyed by that kind of situation, others are built into undaunted believers.

From Proverbs 3:5-6:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Story Never Ends (Elfchen Series #140)

Illuminating

Witnessing

God’s Word

Greatest story ever

Christ becomes man’s Light

Salvation

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Welcoming

Praising

God’s script

Message never wavers

Story brings man Home

Redemption

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Believing

Sowing

Mercy’s seeds

Perpetual story retold

Harvesting grace at Calvary

Resurrection

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Joyce Meyer Quote

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Don’t be addicted to approval.  Follow your heart.  Do what you believe God is telling you to do, and stand firm in Him and Him alone.  

From 2 Corinthians 5:9:  “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.”

Joyce Meyer (born 1943) is an American Christian author and speaker.  

John Newton Quote

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Jesus did not tell parables to confirm well-known truths, but rather to shatter well-known truths.

From John 8:31-32:  “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'”

John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.”  His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life.  He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity.  He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.

Seeking Christian Soldiers

From 1 Samuel 18:14-16:  “David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him.  When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.”

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Marching upright, heaven’s sacred drum

Accepting His will, faithfully come

 

Shattering evil’s empty façade

Navigating from darkness, with God

 

Trusting His hands, molding every heart

Following Spirit, renewing start

 

Searching heavens, finding lasting peace

Living in righteousness, never cease

 

Leaving sinful ways, Jesus leading

Steering life’s mission, now proceeding

 

Heeding His call, taking faith’s high road

Promising light, Lord’s mercy bestowed

 

Looking past Bethlehem, blood-stained cross

Seeing empty tomb, enemy’s loss

 

Building up redemption’s faithful walls

Touching another soul, God’s grace calls

 

Seeking Christian soldiers, through His Word

Lasting victory, no longer blurred

 

Stepping on ashes, filled with untruth

Marching with Christ, believing His truth

 

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From 2 Timothy 2:2-3:  “What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.  Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”