AUGUST 8

Mathew 4:19

                             GONE FISHING – 1

Todd grabbed his shing rod and bait. He hurried out the car and ran most of the way down to the pond. When he reached his favorite spot, he saw a boy already sitting there. “Aiyoh!” Todd grumbled to himself. He hesitated, then decided to stay at that spot, anyway. “Catching anything?” he asked as the boy jerked his rod, popping his line completely out of the water.

The boy looked up. “Naw, this isn’t a very good spot,” he said with a shrug. Todd couldn’t believe his ears! This was the best spot! “I’ve been sitting here all morning without any bites,” the boy complained as he again jerked his line up.

“Well, you have to be patient,” said Todd. “How often do you keep popping your line out of the water like that?” e boy shrugged.“Oh,every few minutes,” he said. “Just checking to see if a fish has eaten the worm yet.”

“You fish much?” asked Todd, sure that he already knew the answer. The boy shook his head. “Never did fish before,” he answered. “I just wanted to give it a try.”

“What’s your name?” Todd asked. “Peter,” came the reply.

Todd sat down. “Peter,” he said, “we’ve got to talk.”

At dinner that night, Todd told his family about Peter.

Dad grinned. “I’m reminded of the Peter in the Bible. He was a fisherman, too, you know. One day Jesus came to Peter and said, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’Todd, you have a perfect opportunity to ‘ fish’ for Peter. As loose illustrations, your friendship can be the bait, God’s Word can be the hook and line - and if you let God work through you, He may use you to ‘catch’ Pete. Be a fisher of men, Todd, not just an ordinary fisherman.”

Thought: Do you go fishing? You should if you’re following Jesus. Being a “ fisher of men” doesn’t require handling wiggly worms or slippery fish! It
may require a smile, some time, and perhaps an invitation to some activity.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me that witnessing to someone (sharing the gospel with someone) requires prayer, a knowledge of God’s Word, and sharing it. And it’s more satisfying than fishing for ordinary fish! In Jesus’ name – amen.