Yesterday I went fishing.  I was out there on an amazing boat in beautiful water surrounded by fish.  A good group of guys enjoyed the water and fellowship together, we had a great time.  the trouble is that, while we caught blue runners, jacks, and even sharks, we didn’t get the fish that we were looking for.  Let’s just say that if we wanted dinner we needed Jesus to be the chef.  I’m certain that today will yield better results (look for an update in Monday’s devo).  That’s the way it is sometimes with fishing.  Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen and they had days like that as well.  Let’s look at their first experience fishing with Jesus together today.

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Imagine giving up your life’s work in the blink of an eye.  That must have been some catch.  Peter, James, John, and Andrew were never the same after that encounter with Jesus.  My prayer for this men’s retreat is not that we will catch fish (although that would be a nice add on).  My prayer is that all of our men will encounter Jesus in a fresh way.  When we truly encounter Jesus it is a life altering thing.  Much like the disciples, our priorities change and we become more focused on building Jesus’ kingdom than our own.  Today make it a point to seek to encounter Jesus in a fresh way.  Through His word, through His creation, through prayer, or simple through singing His praises.  Now Jesus about that fishing spot…

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave