Fish are like people. So! How do we become fisher of men? Fish like something different and new too. Ever notice when we go fishing it might be with worms for the first few times and we catch something with no problems. Then the very next time they don’t take the bait at all. We do the same right! We don’t like eating the same thing every day either. Fishes feed depending on the weather, time of day and other things. Our eating habits vary by whether it’s hot or cold out, eat early or late, or even by our mood sick or healthy, or even on how it looks outside sunny, cloudy, or wet. The list can go on and on. Well fish like different types of baits or lures just as well depending on some of the above things just like us. We have to use different types of baits and lures to be able to hook the fish. On people we have to use different kinds of scriptures or passages to get them to accept the word. Our problem is how do we get them to take the bite (word)?
You Have to Bait the Line First! First, we have to be more like Jesus remember the scripture Mark 1:17 “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” What does these mean? For us to catch a fish we have to study and read all the ways to be able to use our bait or lures properly to catch that fish. RIGHT! Well then! We have to study God’s word and walk in his ways to get their attention. Why? Now the word of God becomes attractive to whom we are trying to reach. It’s the same as the bait or lures. We can use plain bait or add some attracting sprays to them. Lures are made different: by colors, have shiny or colored spinners; they float on top, middle or bottom of the water, even look real and etc. When we accomplish this then the people (fish) become attracted to the word (bait). Which Bait or Lure Do We Need? Let’s take a deeper look! We use weather, temperature, and the other situations to see which bait or lure; we might need to use to hook the fish. We need to use the scriptures pertaining to the situation at hand. The person whom we are trying to help do they need joy in their life, forgiveness, healing, undecided on which way to go, some financial help, completely lost (needing salvation) or whatever the need is. To help us decide which scripture or passage would be the most appropriate we need to seek God. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Now it’s Time to Cast out the Line! Now, that we got things in order to which bait or lure to use; let’s cast it out. When we get ready to cast it out; our hearts are pounding for that big catch. We want to catch that fish based on the bait or lure we have chosen. Well! The same should be with whom were trying to attract to the kingdom of heaven. This means we care at this moment on catching that big catch. Let’s do the same for whoever we’re trying to catch for Jesus by using 1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Why this scripture? Because this not only showing Jesus loves us (“for he careth for you”). It also shows we care for someone as well (“Casting all your care upon him;”) because of the Jesus inside of us. Jerk the Line and Hook Them! Now that fish has nibbled on the bait it’s time to hook them and reel them in. Right! The same things should be required of us. That is to recognize if they are taking hold of the word we are ministering to them. Then we should hook them. We can now lead them with the basics by guiding them to Jesus loves them with John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. Then go from there. Closing with Patience We have to remember just as fishing we got to be patience. Not every time! We go the fish want to bite right away or even at all. People are the same way. They have all different reasons why they are not responding to the word. Take time out and think about what Paul said to the Ephesians. Ephesians: 2:2-3 2) “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”. So this means! We need to be just as calm and patient with them as trying to catch that big catch.
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