GET TOGETHER- We Catch Them and He Cleans Them

Mt 4:18 -20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
This time of the year my daddy used to go to Wheeler Dam and stay the whole week. I don’t remember if it was the crappie, or the stripe that were biting this time of year. What I do remember is that he fileted them and cooked them and they sure were good. During other parts of the year, he and my uncle Blondie would go to the Sipsey River and catch them and do the same. For Daddy fishing season was year-round. It didn’t matter if it was hot, or cold he was going. And most times he, my uncle, or some of his other friends would bring back a good catch and we would eat fish year-round.
I think for us in the church that God is saying that it is fishing season year-round and that we need to be about the Father’s business and doing what Jesus has called us to do. The good news for us is that we can catch them, but we do not have to clean them. That is the Holy Spirit’s job and I have found out that He does a much better job that I do.
He cleans the fish by bringing conviction of sin. He cleans the fish by making sin a distasteful thing to the born-again child of God. He cleans the fish as the fish begin to pray. He cleans the fish as other believers begin to encourage them. He cleans the fish through small groups where the fish can be authentic. He cleans the fish as the fish begin to serve Him.
I remember when we first went to Christ Community Fellowship. A man of God asked one of our Elders when we met with him if we were ready to catch dirty fish. I think that is what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church of God today. Are we ready to catch dirty fish? This kind of fishing is messy. This kind of fishing is risky and will take you out of your comfort zone. This kind of fishing isn’t always convenient. You may have to put aside watching your favorite football team, or some other interest to go on these fishing trips. And to be honest it has its emotional highs and lows. Sometimes you think that some may be in the boat and they get away just before they get there. Others will at times jump out of the boat and go back to the muddy water that the Lord wants to bring them out of.
On the other hand, it is a joy and a blessing to watch those that the Holy Spirit is cleaning become the men and women that God desires for them to become. It is a blessing to see them gain a heart for the Lord Jesus Christ. And the good news is that there is no pressure on us to do the cleaning. We can look in the Bible and see fish that the Holy Spirit cleaned. Peter, Paul, the Prodigal son. And there were many many more. About three thousand on the Day of Pentecost got in the boat on that day and they would be cleaned up by the Blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Remember when I said for my earthly Daddy that it was fishing season year-round? How much more for our Heavenly Father is it fishing season year-round? If you are a fish out there swimming in the muddy waters of life don’t think that you smell to bad for the Lord to clean you up. If you are a Christian that has been saved. Let me ask you this question are you ready to go fishing, or are you waiting on someone else to bring the catch in? Where someone spends eternity and the life that they ,and their family experience here on earth could depend upon it. Cast your net and catch them. Then let the Holy Spirit do the cleaning.

Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus we know that You desire to make fishers of men out of Your followers. Forgive us for often sitting on the bank and watching others do the fishing. Give us a heart to be fishers of men and women and help us to trust the Holy Spirit to do the cleaning.
In Jesus Name
Amen

Get your tackle box out!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
PS I was a very dirty fish myself until coming to Jesus Christ!
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