Jesus said, “…follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”  God by His grace has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light for a purpose!  His greatest desire is that you and I will spend an eternity in heaven with Him and that in this journey we influence as many as we can to go with us - hence “fishers of men.”   And just as with fishermen there is preparation, there is preparation for us as well.  Part of this preparation is dealing with and being victorious over temptation.  The Apostle Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12 regarding temptation to, “…take heed lest he fall.”

The bible promises, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and He not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10: 13)

Jesus, the Son of God applied His word to Himself as the Son of man and was victorious over satan’s attempt to stop God the Father’s plan to save mankind.  When tempted, Jesus (“who was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” - Hebrews 4:15b) used the word against the enemy! (cf Matthew 4)  As Christ followers, Jesus has modeled for us how we are to prepare as we become fishers of men.  “Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”  (cf. Ephesians 6: 17) 

 The only way we can lead others to Jesus (fishers of men), is if we are following Jesus.  As Christ followers we vow as the psalmist, “Your word I have hidden in my heat, that I might not sin agains You.” (119:11)

Our reward, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  (James 1:12)  And this is no “fish story!”

in HIS service,

pastor rodney