April 19, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- BIG CATCH, BIG CHALLENGE
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Sunday, April 19, 2020
TOPIC: BIG CATCH, BIG CHALLENGE
Read Luke 5:1-7
[1]And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,[2]And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.[3]And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.[4]Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.[5]And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.[6]And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.[7]And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
MEMORISE: And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking (Luke 5:6)
EXPOSITION
Most times, God deliberately allows certain things to happen, so that we can prepare to become challenged. He brings big successes, breakthroughs and victories to His own (Psa. 23:5). However, along with these comes big challenge of managing them! It is he who is able to do justice to this that really succeeds. Peter had released his boat to Jesus Christ for the Master’s use. He was not going to do that in vain, for God rewards people who obey and honour Him with their resources (Deut. 28:1; Prov. 3:9, 10). As directed, Peter launched deep his net and it made a great and astonishing catch (v. 3).
Among the catch would be Salmon, Tilapia, Prawns and other diverse sea foods. They were so much that he had to call for assistance to lift the fish-laden net. The net was almost tearing for the big and unprecedented catch! When evangelism is rightly done, the big net of the gospel catches various people: the religious but sinful, half-baked church attendants, soothsayers, moralists, fornicators, adulterers, idolaters, and very many others who have come to see Christ as the solution to their sinfulness and sorrows, through the right division of the Word in evangelism (cf. Gal. 5:19). They are caught and brought to the church for restructuring, rehabilitation and rejuvenation (Acts 2:40-43). There comes a big challenge for church teachers, elders, pastors and other administrators (Eph. 4:11-12; cf. Acts 6:1ff).
Managing the sinners just turned saints is not an easy task. The stakeholders in the church must be calm, patient and loving to be able to tutor them well. Our churches can only record the desirable growth and development if we are able to manage effectively the additions to the saints (Acts 6:2-3). Dear reader, you can be an agent of your church revival, God helping you.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to be relevant in making the Church a safe haven for new converts and existing members, in Jesus’ name.
2. O Lord, help our churches to be more equipped to properly manage the sheep You are adding to the fold.
3. Pray for the leadership of our churches to be more up and doing in the administration and ministration for the edification of our churches and the glory of God.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Judges 16 – 18 & Acts 22
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!