B-Side - Luke 5:1-11

When Jesus appears to Peter, he was cleaning his nets, a long and laborious process... so it was a big deal when Jesus told him to trust him and let down the nets. The yield was supernaturally large, and Peter realizes his sinfulness in the presence of God.

The concept of "fishing for men" is also found in Jeremiah 16:16, Amos 4:2, Habakkuk 1:17, in a military context. So Jesus may be saying he's raising up an army, to rescue men from Satan's kingdom.

God takes Peter's existing talent as a fisherman and extends it for his purposes in the Kingdom! God does this throughout history, with George Whitefield as an example. He was an actor whom God redeemed, and turned into a powerful preacher in Europe and early America. Similarly, D.L. Moody's entrepreneurial skills were used mightily to further the Kingdom. As he did with Peter, God redeems our past experiences for use in his Kingdom!

Getting into the presence of God... how do we get into his presence and cling to him?

- In Revelation 1-3, we see that to encounter Jesus, know that he is with the Church! So to encounter him, be at church when the people gather! Join in fellowship, the eucharist, corporate prayer, the public reading of the Word... let it do its work in you! We need to gather where he is, and he says he's with his Church!

- The heavens declare his glory... spend time in nature! Gaze in awe at the stars! Behold his glorious works! Behold excellent and praiseworthy art and performance; we also encounter God through the work of his people!

- Read his Word and pray! Reading is taking in, listening; praying is speaking to him. Have a daily devotional life, reading God's Word and pouring your heart out to him in prayer.

Bottom line: be where God is, go where he goes, and stay where he stays!