The Little Fisherman

One of my favorite New Testament bible character is the Apostle Andrew.  He is the brother to Apostle Peter.  Although Peter is mentioned first in all Apostles name list, (see Matt.10, Mark 3, Luke 6 and Acts 1) Andrew was the first disciple of Christ. He was the first to believe in Jesus Christ the Messiah.  And may I say, the Messiah of the Old Testament is the Christ of the New Testament.

But I enjoy studying Andrew the first disciple. One writer said the two brothers Andrew and Peter, were opposites.  Where Peter was loud and emotional, Andrew worked quietly for the Lord.  Peter led while Andrew followed. They were different in character and actions but the Lord used both of them and in a mighty way.

Andrew is called the " introducer" and he brought many to Jesus. His pattern was to bring one by one to Christ. What a great soul winning example and lesson for us today. How many of you remember the old saying "Each one reach one"  Oh, how this would work today.  And yet in doing the little things, he won a big fisherman,  his brother Peter.  Jesus said I'll make you fisherman, .... fishers of men, literally catchers of men.  So Peter became the big fisherman as won 3000 with one sermon and did other great things for the Lord and Andrew was the little fisherman, winning by by one, but he won the big fisherman, his brother Peter. So Peter preached publicly but Andrew labored privately, the little fisherman landed the big fisherman.

What we do in this world will past, but what we do for Christ will last.  Little is much if God is in it.  The dollar you give for missions, the prayer you pray, my Lord keeps a record and will show up big in heaven one day.

But first my friend, the first thing you should do call on the name of the Lord and be saved, For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, for with the heart man believes and with moth confession is made, you must be born again.  Only trust Him only trust Him, only trust Him now !!

God Bless you friend and have a great day !!
RevDanSam

Not of yourself

I was reading an article by a successful secular salesman the other day, and he was passing on what he had learned in his business to the next generation. He said " no one gets to the top by yourself "   He had learned that from his mentor and he was passing it on to others. Then God spoke to my heart and mind.

Many think they have arrived in their Christianity, while others fall at the first bad turn.  In either case, you will not make it by yourself, it takes the Lord.  In New Testament, the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. "

Notice the key phrase " not of yourself" It's a work of God.  For God will use the Holy Spirit, scriptures and situations to make you what He wants you to be and that is, conformed to the image of his dear son, JESUS!! 

With the world system, our fleshly ways and the devil against us, we need God's help. For He will lead, guide and direct you. And if we reach any spiritual top it will be with His help. Many times I have to remind myself of this, perhaps, you need it too.

But Dear friend, all of this starts with salvation, which is of the Lord. When call on Him to save you and to accept His dear son as your personal Lord and Savior, then He can do a work in you.  Want you call on Him today.
"that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom10:9-10

God Bless you friend, have a great day in the Lord !!
RevDanSam

Do You Hear Him ??

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

I heard this verse quoted today, and God spoke to my heart and mind. The verse in Rev. 3:20, first says, "Behold" or take notice, Jesus is knocking on you heart's door through the Holy Spirit. The third part of the trinity, as He speaks in that still small voice to you heart and mind.  
Not only does he knock on your heart's door through Holy Spirit, but through the scriptures too.  The bible, being God's words, He speaks but are you hearing?? In many places in the bible, there's an invitation extended to you to "come" either in the Old Testament Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,”Says the Lord,“Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson,They will be like wool.  
Or in Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all [z]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 
And Rev. 22:17
 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”

And the Lord knocks on your heart's door through situations.  If you do not go to church, nor read the bible, God has a way to get your attention through many situations.  All that we have to do is trust in Him and He shall direct our path. He may use a little bird or the breeze of the wind in the trees, as He's knocking on your heart's door.

So keep your eyes and especially your ears open to hear from God.  

Of course, the first call will be for salvation, "ye must be born again", for whosoever shall on the name of the Lord, after His Knocking, shall be saved.

God Bless you friend, we will work until Jesus comes.