Devotions with Pastor Jerry

Dear Church Family:

Do you recall the words from an old TV show The Sportsman’s Friend with Harold Ensley: "Gone fishin' instead of just a-wishin"? As a young boy, going fishing with my best friend was always fun with challenging opportunities to change and learn. Although we spent more time playing in the creeks and rivers than actually fishing, we learned it was easier to catch fish by feeding them first before you try to fish for them.

Peter and Andrew were also out fishing when Christ said to them “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  They left behind the comfort of everything they knew and were familiar with to follow him. Although after Jesus death, Peter found himself alone, separated from the one he had followed only to find himself face to face with the reality of the moment. Peter boldly declares “I’m going back to fishing.”  Going back to what he knew, was good at, back to the old way, back to fishing.

In view of our current world health situation, have you and I been tempted to say “I’m going back to the old way?”
 
From the moment we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we begin a lifelong process of transformation, being changed into the very likeness of Christ. However, being changed into His likeness also means that, like Christ, there will be times of trial, temptation and testing throughout our day to day lives.
 
Peter went back to fishing for it was easier to fish & return to the old ways, than to pursue righteousness. Christ called Peter, and is calling you and me; out of fishing just as Peter was called out of fishing for fish to become a fisher of men. Though Peter did not know how, Christ gave Peter a new method; feed my sheep.  
 
So today, even in light of the Coronavirus situation, Christ is calling you and me to stay the course, above all pursue righteousness, and do whatever possible to tend His sheep; your neighbors, the one down the street. Not just a-wishin, but going fishin; for men.

May God Bless and keep you in his care and Grace as you pursue righteousness, heeding His call to tend His sheep.

Pastor Jerry