From Empty Nets to Filled Lives

Jesus uses the available, blesses the teachable, and transforms the humble.

He Uses the Available

A crowd had formed to hear the Word of God! People are hungry to know what God says!

Peter’s boat was available for use by the master and he was willing to drop mending his nets to make his boat available for Jesus to use.

Whatever is presented to Jesus is usable no matter how insignificant. Little is much when God is in it! A boy’s small lunch fed 5,000+ people, a boat became a pulpit, and a simple fisherman became a great preacher.

Matthew 13:31–32 “He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.””

Are you and your resources available for God’s use?

He Blesses the Teachable

Have you ever been frustrated by your own efforts? You are doing what worked before, but it doesn’t seem to work this time?

Peter was a fisherman by trade and for generations they had fished at night with lights in the shallow. This night was an utter failure!

Sometimes God allows us to experience failure to teach us to depend upon Him. Sometimes He drys up a brook to get us to move (Elijah at the brook).

We have to learn to listen to the Word of God. Peter could have said, “you’re a carpenter, what do you know about fishing?” Instead he said, “At your word I will let down the net.”

Luke 11:28 “But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!””

Matthew 5:5 ““Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Are you listening to the direction of the Lord’s Word in your life?

He Transforms the Humble

Peter’s response to the miracle of the catch was to recognize his own sinful unworthiness before the Lord.

Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

Jesus will change your life if you recognize your need for Him! He has come to call the sinner to repentance and transform us!

In much the same way, Jesus called Matthew to follow Him.

Have you humbled yourself before the Lord, admitted your own sin and need for Him?