Stephen Newdell

 LUKE 5 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a] 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.
They were sure Jesus, this stranger, this “land lubber” was no fisherman and he was wrong. This was not the time to be catching fish. This was the time to go home, eat, rest and try again tomorrow early in the morning.
People often assume, ‘If I don’t know something, no one else knows either.’ It’s a huge mistake.
Even people who claim to be God-Fearing people will say nothing can fix their problem and certainly God cannot or will not come to their aid.
Sometimes our own reasoning can deter us from the best God has for us.
The television news, if believed, would have you assume you can’t have a job, can’t make a living, can’t get educated properly, can’t  be healthy, and can’t have a successful life. Can’t rescue a family, a neighborhood or a country! Of course all of that is nonsense.
At some point, you must recognize, “With God all things are possible.” You must stride confidently into the future and just meet every obstacle and find a way (with prayer and God’s help) to go over, or around the obstacle. Continue doing that until you’ve found the success you need!
Don’t let circumstanced direct your life. Don’t let doubt, lack of belief and lack of faith in God ruin your opportunity to survive and prosper. Learn the facts but always the truth of God’s Word is what stands forever!”
Those rough fishermen went out and caught so many fish that their nets began to break! When they stepped out and obeyed God by faith, God did more for them than what they could have ever imagined!
When things are good, consider God and when things are difficult consider the problem deal with the details and put even more serious prayer and study into God’s word.
God’s word does not return empty. He does as he promises to do. Don’t talk yourself out of working with God. Talk yourself into working with God.
I can tell you from my own experience, when things go badly, with prayer, new solutions to my problems appear and give me hope. With hope and confidence in God I carry on and find success. I may fail. God never fails. I might fail because it was the wrong thing for me to do and God answered me with a “no”.
But remember, we serve the creator of the universe! Continue believing, striding forward, and continue reading and obeying His Word. He is faithful. If He said it, He will do it. He will open newer and better opportunities for you. Allow your faith to call upon His infinite power and you’ll see Him  do extraordinary things in your life!