“Beyond All Limits”

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.”

(Luke 5:1-6)

I believe God wants to give His children “net-breaking blessings” in our walk with Him, in our family, ministry and finances. No doubt, we have a role to play and a responsibility in that. Consider with me some valuable lessons from Luke 5:1-6:

1) Blessings follow obedience. Obedience is not a popular subject. Many Christians

want the blessings of God on their terms. More times than not, the promises of God

are tied to conditions and instructions. The instructions were clear:

• Launch out! Jesus instructed Peter to untie the boat and go where the fish were. Jesus could have commanded the fish to come to where Peter was---but He didn’t. Some churches are waiting for the lost to come to them, thinking if we can just have a great service…. they will come. Days and weeks and months… in some cases, years go by with no salvations. “Launching out” may be done in many ways - A missions driven church finds many ways to launch out in their community.

• Let down your nets! cast the nets! In ministry, casting the net is done by presenting the Gospel through preaching, youth ministry, children’s ministry, nursing home ministry, VBS, street ministry, live-streaming services…and the list could go on. Presenting the Gospel in the presence of the lost under the anointing of the Holy Spirit produces converts. Cast the nets!

2) Blessings follow faith. The obedience of launching out and casting the nets was

an expression of Peter, James and John’s faith in what Jesus said to do “for a

catch”. James 2:17 says that faith without works is dead. Faith without works is lifeless and incapable of producing anything. Studying God’s Word is an expression of faith. Worship is an expression of faith. Tithing is an expression of faith. Giving to missions is an expression of faith. Witnessing is an expression of faith. Reaching out into the community is an expression of faith. God blesses faith driven obedience.

3) Past failure does not mean future defeat. Simon Peter said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing”. It would be easy to come to a place where we think things will never change and it will always be as it has always been. Regardless of how many times you feel you have failed God or how many times you have preached and served with few results… God Is Forever Faithful! God is a debtor to no man. Keep praying, keep preaching, keep praising, keep loving, keep serving, keep giving. According to God’s Word, if we sow-----we SHALL reap!

Perhaps you are going through a dry season in your life. Though you have worked hard and long, the nets are empty. There is a deep longing in your heart to see a change in your situation, in your family, finances and ministry. Be faithful, fervent and focused on God’s promises---a net-breaking blessing is sure to come!