Fire on the Shore!
The "Fire of God" is something to behold. There are several times in Scripture where God comes upon the scene, and fire is a part of His visitation. It is interesting to note that God does not have to hunt for us. He knows exactly where we are: on land, in the sea, the wilderness, hidden under a juniper tree, or by the banks of the river. He seeks us out and calls us to His side. Such was the case after the Resurrection. Jesus had appeared to the Disciples on a couple of occassions; He had breathed on them the Holy Ghost. But, what now? It appears that they were not hanging around with Jesus as before the Resurrection. Now, Jesus just made appearances. So, what do we do? The Disciples did what they always did, they went back to work. Scripture tells us that six of them heard that Peter was going fishing. That was all it took! "We will go with you!" Now, these seven men were at sea all night, fishing, fishing, and fishing: and they caught nothing! In the early morning hours and in the far distance someone called to them from the shore. "Children, have you any meat?" was the question! Perhaps it was someone desiring to purchase some fish. Meat was a term for "fish." They had toiled all night once more and had caught nothing. Once again, Jesus had sought them out and found them. He spoke the same things to them He had a few years ago: "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." [John 21:6] They cast their nets as the voice suggested and now they were not able to draw the net in for the multitude of fishes. It is so important to recognize the voice of the Lord! John knew the Lord's voice and, interestingly, he alerts Peter to the fact that it is the Lord! O that humanity would respond to the voice of the Lord in our day! He would touch our lives with His Holy Ghost fire and fill our lives with the Meat of His Word! When we are out on Life's sea and our life seems filled with nothing, He waits by the fire, ready to give us the Bread of Life! We can never venture far from His loving care, for His greatest desire is to draw us to Himself and give unto us the Meat[Word] that will give us Everlasting Life! Let us listen for the Still,Small Voice of the Lord as He beckons to us!
Loving you, Pastor
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