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T O D A Y G O D I S F I R S T
Marketplace Meditations
by Os Hillman
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
How God Makes Fishermen
"Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19
Our calling has three distinct stages, which we can see in the lives of
many called before us, to become mature fishers of men who greatly
impact God's Kingdom. First, there is the gestation period. This is the
development stage of our lives. It may involve years of normal work
experiences. You may be a Christian during this time, or you may be
following after worldly success as a non-Christian. Paul spent years in
religious and political training, persecuting believers most of his
early life. Moses spent years in the court of Pharaoh and 40 years
tending flocks in the desert. Jesus spent 33 years living at home and
working in His father's carpentry business. However, all these years
were part of their preparation.
Next is the crisis stage. Sooner or later, God calls you into
relationship with Him. For many, like Paul, it comes through dramatic
encounters like being knocked off a horse, blinded and spoken to
personally by God. Some people are more difficult than others to reach
and so require this level of crisis. This is a time when God requires
major changes so that you follow Him fully. It can be a time in which
God harnesses years of experience for a new life purpose. Paul's earthly
experiences would be used in his calling to the religious and political
leaders of his day. For Moses, the burning bush experience would begin
his journey in which he would discover his ultimate calling after years
of preparation. For Peter, it was his denial of Jesus three times that
allowed him to face his shallow commitment to Christ. For Jesus, it was
the cross. These were the benchmark turning points for men who made an
impact on their world.
Last is the fruit-bearing stage. In it, God's power is manifested in
your life like never before. God takes all your experiences and uses
them to build His Kingdom in and through your life. Your obedience to
this final call results in fruitfulness you could never imagine without
the long preparation process. For Abraham, it resulted in becoming the
father of many nations. For Paul, it resulted in bringing the gospel to
the Gentiles. And for Peter, it meant becoming the rock the Church was
built on. For Jesus, it was salvation for the entire world.
What does God want to achieve through your life? God has a plan that is
so incredible you cannot comprehend it. It requires only that you love
Him and follow Him. Then you will become fishers of men like the world
has never known.
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Published and distributed by Crosswalk.com, this daily devotional is
written by Os Hillman ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Os is president of
Marketplace Leaders, an Atlanta based ministry teaching Biblical
principles for career and business success. He offers a FREE newsletter
and other resources at:
http://www.marketplaceleaders.org
Order "TGIF: Today God Is First" - 365 daily meditations to motivate
and inspire for $17 for TGIF subscribers. Click here to order:
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Mail: 3520 Habersham Club Drive, Cumming, Georgia 30041 USA.
To receive personal prayer or encouragement, please visit Marketplace
Leaders' ministry partner http://www.handsforchrist.com
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