OPENING PRAYER by Robert

Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

OPENING STATEMENT 

Our spiritual journey has in the article “IF YOU KNEW WHO YOU WERE TALKING TO” identified us as Beacons reflecting Yeshua’s light into this dark world desiring to draw those who recognize it out of the world. In doing so, we have become what I call modern-day disciples who like the Apostles have by following Yeshua’s call “Follow Me“ become an instrument He will use as Fishers of Men.  

When we Reflect Yeshua’s light into this dark world, it is casting a net into the sea and pulling in your catch. As it draws those who see this light, it opens a door for us as God’s messenger’s to identify who “The Word the Son of God” is.  It allows for awakening the light they were born into this world with and identifying His gifts (John 1:9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  

Here like the Apostles, as we step into Yeshua’s footprint, will recognize through the Holy Spirit’s tutoring and guidance, how Yeshua ministered to all, so they might be disciples as well. For there were many Disciples (Acts 9:10 Ananias in Damascus.) (Acts 9:26 many in Jerusalem who feared Saul) (Acts 9:36 Tabitha in Joppa who did many miracles).  We know this journey will not be without great Temptations and trials as even the Apostle Paul recognized he had to bring his body into submission as do we. Isaiah warned us, to walk the “PATH of HOLINESS” we cannot be unclean during this journey to Eternity. We must learn how to become proficient “Fishers of Men,” it isn’t just enough to cast our nets into the darkness James taught we should connect our wisdom with our faith and use it prosperously for the Lord.  

We must be cautious when sharing our gifts not to be overzealous as Paul relates in 1Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. v5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.  

Commentator Matthew Henry (Oct 18, 1662 – June 22, 1774) reveals what is required as a Fisherman once we have brought our net in. The commentator states That which raises questions is not for edifying, that which gives occasion for unresolved disputes pulls down the church rather than builds it up. The godliness of heart and life can only be kept up and increased, by the exercise of faith in the truths and promises of God, through Yeshua. Then emphasizes  Yeshua is a follower’s hope; all our hopes of eternal life are built upon him, and Yeshua in us the hope of glory. 

I now recognize the three disciplines Paul pointed out as templates to showcase our walk as modern disciples, which need to be the demonstrations of our walk for all to see. Particularly those who have approached us through the casting of our nets as Fishers of Men:

1.  Be Temperate: Temperance must be continuous as well as complete. One moment of debauch is enough to undo the results of character for honesty, which years of upright living have toiled to earn. Beware then of giving place to the world or flesh at any point. 
2. Be Decided: To be among those who win as well as among those who run and finish, we must know where we are going and be confident we want to be there. 
3. Be in Earnest: In most followers, there is an enormous expenditure of thought and or feeling about sin; your spirit is probably more disbursed in the shape of shame, compunction, penitence, resolve, self-restraint, watchfulness, prayer. This needs to be brought directly to bear on some definite object, which will produce a significant effect.   

What the Holy Spirit is showing here is the parable of the sowing of the seeds which Yeshua shared. Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold a sower went forth to sow; v4. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up: v5. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up because they had no deepness of earth: v6. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. v7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: v8. But other fell into good ground and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. v9. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.  

The Holy Spirit reveals once our nets are cast into the darkness, a variety of different personalities are going to be drawn to the light, including those who follow evil (Job 1:6). This parable is one of many strong tools we are going to learn about and use as we go forward in our walk. It explains not all bought, because the light is going to continue in that light.

The commentator John Gill (23 Nov. 1697 – 14 Oct. 1771) We will encounter those who are careless, negligent, and inattentive, who hear without understanding, judgment, and affection. He explains from the Vulgate Latin and Munster’s Hebrew Gospel to mean the enemy (Devils) are around us in the air at all times. They are said to be “the power of the air.” Because of their ravenous and devouring nature, their swiftness to make mischief, and they’re flocking in multitudes, especially when the gospel is being preached to hinder its usefulness, as fowls do, where the seed is sown. Satan and his principalities and powers rove in the air. Come down on earth, and seek whom they may devour, and often mix themselves in religious assemblies. To do what mischief they can; see (Job 1:6) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

Do not be naive to the truth. Our enemy is not shy. He knows Scripture possibly better than we do and possesses a passion for destroying us, our walk and the work we do for “The Word the Son of God.”  Folks welcome to the “WAR ON THE SAINTS” we’ve been in it all along possibly didn’t realize to what depth. So what are you going to do learn as a “Fisher of Men.” How to rescue those lost. Or as a “Beacon of Light” or step back and become a flicker in the distance, the choice is yours? Know this. You won’t have to chase, by being a living example, just be patient. Your light will do the work for you.

Recognize our spiritual battles to come are for souls and who the enemy is you are battling as well as their strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge becomes a tool in assisting, maintaining and deepening our walk as we continue to work out our Salvation as well as attending the front line of service by casting our nets (reflecting God’s light) into this darkening world.

Matthew Henry (Oct 18, 1662 – June 22, 1774) The nearer we draw to Yeshua, and the more we converse with him. The better acquainted we shall be with gospel mysteries, and that is, without a doubt, the best knowledge. A principle of grace in the heart is that which makes men of quick understanding in fear of the LORD, and in the faith of Yeshua.

And so in the meaning of parables and for want of that. There are those to whom this knowledge is not given.  And a man can receive nothing unless it is given him from above (John3:27). And be it remembered that God is a debtor to no man his grace is his own he gives or withholds it at pleasure (Romans 11:35). The difference must be resolved into God’s sovereignty, as before (Matthew 11:25,26).

What is being revealed is not only the different personalities to be encountered but what we need as armouring to enter into our battles, God’s wisdom, discernment, dedication, devotion and the ability to share God’s love and Laws as those who have become “Fisher’s of Men.” So when we draw our nets and having those coming out of the darkness (all things are drawn to bright light in the darkness) looking for understanding and guidance, we must be prepared to battle for their souls.

The reality is many will come few will hear and continue in the light, however as “Fishers of Men,” we will continue to cast our nets into the Darkness as our Lord has called and groomed us to do. As Yeshua did with the Samaritan woman at the well, look for that one soul to be saved from death. But like fishermen of the world recognize that not everything brought forward as we cast our nets are going to be kept, some were drawn because they were only curious about the light.   

John Gill (23 Nov. 1697 – 14 Oct. 1771) identifies some who we will encounter will not receive the light even though they appear as doing so:  There will be those who have slight convictions of sin, and awakenings of the natural conscience. Some little, light, and speculative notions of the word, in the understanding and judgment. Some flashes of natural affection for it, and outward expressions of delight and pleasure in it. Some show of grace, and a form of godliness, but no real heart work. Though they did not refuse to hearken to the Word externally. Did not put away the shoulder, or stop their ears, yet their hearts were still like an adamant stone.

Nothing but the mighty power of God, and His efficacious grace can break the rocky heart in pieces. Or give a heart of flesh, a sensible, soft, and flexible one, with which a man truly repents of sin, believes of Yeshua, and becomes subject to him.  

Matthew Henry (Oct 18, 1662 – June 22, 1774) gives us a deeper look at those previously spoken of by John Gill’s commentary. They have no root in themselves, no settled, fixed principles in their judgments, no firm resolution in their wills, nor any rooted habits in their affections; Nothing firm that will be either sap or the strength of their profession. Where there is not a principle, though there be a profession, we cannot expect perseverance. Times of trial comes, and then they come to nothing. When Tribulation and persecution arise because of the word, he is offended. It is a stumbling-block in his way which he cannot get over, and so he flies off, and this is all his profession comes to. Note: After a fair gale of opportunity, usually follows a storm of persecution, to try who have received the word in sincerity, and who have not.

Matthew Henry (Oct 18, 1662 – June 22, 1774) goes on to describe that part, which is the thorns that choke off the light. What are these choking thorns? Worldly cares are the great hindrances to our profiting by the word of God and our proficiency in religion. They eat up that vigour of a soul that should be spent on divine things divert us from duty. Distract us in duty, and do us most mischief of all afterward quenching the sparks of good affections. And bursting the cords of good resolutions, those who are careful and cumbered about many things commonly neglect the one thing needful. Observe it is not so much riches, as the deceitfulness of riches, that makes the mischief: now they cannot be said to be deceitful to us unless we put our confidence in them, and raise our expectations from them, and then it is that they choke the good seed.                                                                

Here we finally see what distinguishes good ground from the rest, was, in a word, fruitfulness. By this, followers are distinguished from hypocrites, that they bring forth fruits of righteousness, so shall ye be my disciples (John15:8). Saints, in this world, are not entirely free from the remains of sin but happily freed from the reign of it. The hearers represented by the good ground are, Intelligent listeners. They hear the word and understand it. They know not only the sense and meaning of the word but their own concern in it. They know it as a man of business who understands his business. God, in his word, deals with men as men, in a rational way, and gains possession of the will and affections by opening the understanding: whereas Satan, who is a thief and a robber, comes not in by that door, but climbeth up another way. 

Fruitful hearers, which is evidence of their excellent understanding which also beareth fruit. The fruit is to every seed its own body, a substantial product in the heart and life, agreeable to the seed of the word received. We then bear fruit when we practice according to the word when the temper of our minds and the tenor of our lives are conformable to the gospel we have received, and we do as we are taught. Some will bear hundred-fold sixty-fold and thirty-fold, we are not all alike; some are different levels of faith and grace as they progress working out their Salvation.  

CLOSING STATEMENT by Robert  

Praise the Lord for all things great, which he has brought to us as humble servants. I recognize that there is a massive movement Yehwah is causing to happen currently. I give thanks and am rejoicing as I have chosen to be a part of this movement. And even though I am a part of His great Army of Disciples as “Fishers of Men” receiving a heart like Yeshua to look for that one soul, I can help save from death. I recognize he has placed a burning desire to let his light reflect through me and to have heard his call “Follow Me.” I see this anointing is for everyone who desires to draw closer to Yeshua through a personal relationship. What I do recognize and state this walk will not appeal to everybody. However, it is available to everyone desiring to become a Beacon. Spiritual Warfare must never be feared as truly it is a part of our walk-in Salvation under Grace, whether we are just working out our own Salvation or being a Beacon recognize it for what it really is Worldliness. Temptations, Lustful desires, self-centeredness, Self Importance and the list goes on and on and attacks us constantly.  Something I must share when you walk in darkness, Satan doesn’t know you or care about you because he has you already.

Think about this when you come to Yeshua walk in His light become an obedient servant and Beacon because your light has become brighter, visible and an example of God’s love. That’s when he knows you. That’s when you become a threat to him. That is when Satan develops an attack plan to cause you to stumble and fall and even cause your death. One thing I know, Satan knows every word of the Bible, and as a legalist knows how to use them as weapons, they are called curses, and he will use them if you give him the opportunity to.    

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Heavenly Father, I give thanks to you, Father, for all blessings and teachings you have brought to us through the Holy Spirit. Father, I would ask that you build a hedge of protection around those who are reflecting your light into the world as Fishers of Men. Bring to them your wisdom and discernment strengthen them, Lord, fill them with your Love build walls of protection around them Father that they may continue doing your excellent work and reflecting your light into this world. This I pray in the name of YESHUA Amen and Amen  

Again please remember this is just a humble servant doing the bidding of the LORD I pray you have a safe journey forward. Walk-in God’s love and peace and may the “CASTING OF YOUR NET” be fruitful, remember He is always with you if you hold His love in your heart forever.  

Robert