Father God, I thank you this morning for allowing me to see one more day in the land of the living. I pray Father that you grant this blessing not only on me, but for my family, and on all of your children who read and practice your word. I pray a blessing on them, and I pray that you cover them in all that they do. I pray that you continue to use me as a vessel to bring forth and share your word. I pray that I have decreased, so that you can get all the honor and glory. I pray Father that you forgive us of any trespasses performed, and we pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
I went fishing the other day with some brothers of mine in Christ. We went fresh water fishing, which I have never done before. The bait that is used in fresh water of course is different. In salt water, baits such as shrimp, crab, sand fleas, squid, and mullet are used to catch majority of fish in that type of water. In fresh water, the main bait is worms, and I believed crickets can be used as well. Again, I have never been fresh water fishing before, but these were the bait I told to use. I learned something interesting though. At one time we were using fake worms as bait, and it seems that the younger fish were the ones that fell for it. The bigger fish, which of course are the older ones, seem to be attracted to the real deal.
Of course you will hear stories of how people caught monster fish with fake bait, but those same people do not go fishing with fake bait alone, which indicates that it is not often that fish go after fake bait unless they are really hungry, but that is another story. As I look back at my fishing experience, I am reminded by the conversation Jesus had with the men, who we learned have become his disciples. In the bible it reads “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Mr 1:16-18) What Jesus was referring to was teaching the men to be able to speak to people with such fervor, that they will be attracted to what is being said, and would desire to hear and learn more. What they would be attracted to is the word of God.
We refer to fishing for men as being a witness or evangelizing. What I realized is many churches fail in their evangelical efforts because fake bait is being used to attract the fish, or in other words, the wrong kind of people are being used to do the right thing. You have plenty of people out there who are hungry for truth, and deep down they want to change. However when they are confronted by that person, who is claiming to be a part of a local assembly, they are making a sales pitch, instead of bringing an unadulterated word. The bible says “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Matt 7:15-20)
You have churches that send out teams of people for the sole purpose of filling the church. They ensure that the teams are made up of good orators, and pleasing people to look at. They may where attractive jewelry and make promises of blessings that may not be contingent upon faith. As stated earlier with the young fish, they seem to be the ones who fall for the fake bait, but the older ones, who have been there and done, they reject it. They want real food. Majority of the people who have been through things, are not interested in the hoop-la, and the promises of material things. They will reject it. They want to hear the word of God. They understand that eyes are not needed to hear what thus saith the Lord. They want to hear someone willing to pray for them right then and there. They are not concerned about what this or that church can promise them, because if the person evangelizing sounds like a car salesman, they have just lost that person.
Churches can be fishers of men; however they have to have a sincere heart of wanting to see people saved. If they send people out to solely preach the gospel, those who ears it falls on will automatically want to hear more. By default they will come to the church to hear it. Real food is what attracts real people. Amen!
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