Luke 5: 1-8 One day as HE was preaching on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, great crowds pressed in on HIM to listen to the WORD of GOD. HE noticed two empty boats standing at the water’s edge while the fishermen washed their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, JESUS asked Simon, its owner, to push out a little into the water, so that HE could sit in the boat and speak to the crowds from there. When HE had finished speaking, HE said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!” “Sir,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, we’ll try again.” And this time their nets were so full that they began to tear….When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before JESUS….
The story in Luke 5:1-8 has been called many things. Many Bibles describe this story as “The Calling of the First Disciples.” Others may refer to this story as the “Miraculous Catch of Fish.” Still others might refer to this story as a companion of the story in Matthew 4:19 on “How to Become Fishers of Men.” The elements of the story are worth examining.
The first thing that we are told is that JESUS is in the neighborhood of some brothers (named in Matthew 4:18-21 as Simon Peter, his brother Andrew and John and James, the sons of Zebedee). These men had been fishing all night long and had come up empty. They had worked all night and made no money because they had caught no fish. Fishing was their livelihood, so they are probably frustrated and tense. They were washing their nets to probably “call it a day” when JESUS shows up. Unexpectedly, JESUS steps into Peter’s boat and ask him to push out into the water so JESUS can preach to the people. JESUS wants to use Peter and Peter’s resources and Peter obeys.
The second thing we notice is that Peter, who is generally known to be a “hot head,” and quick to act, (See John 18:10) and the kind of man who would “cuss you out” (See, Mathew 26:74; Mark 14:71) attends the impromptu “church sermon” and listened to the WORD of GOD too. Peter listened to GOD’s WORD.
Another thing we notice is that even though Peter was tired and had worked hard all night and was an expert fisherman, when JESUS told Peter to do something that Peter probably thought was totally ridiculous and made no sense at all, Peter did it anyway. In other words, Peter pushed out further and went deeper for JESUS. Peter pushed on and dug down deeper for JESUS
When the miracle occurred and the nets and boats were overflowing with fish, Peter immediately gave GOD all the GLORY. Peter realized he was in the presence of GREATNESS, GOODNESS and GOD. He fell to a knee, and worshipped JESUS. Peter thanked GOD and became HIS disciple.
Summarizing, in times of trouble (e.g. money problems, job disappointments, frustration, hardship, etc.) do the following:
- Invite JESUS to come in your neighborhood;
- Allow JESUS to use you and whatever resources you have;
- Listen to GOD’s WORD and join a community of believers;
- Although you may feel you have already given it all you have, when GOD asks you to do more, be prepared to push on and dig deeper for GOD.
- When the miracle happens, give GOD the GLORY.
PUSH-UPS
There are a great number of benefits from doing push-ups:
- Push-ups are a compound exercise that allow you to use a number of muscle groups (your pectoralis, biceps, triceps, lower back, anterior deltoids, and core muscles;
- When you do a push-up you are exercising you cardiovascular system (which is why you may feel breathless after do one or two, if you don’t exercise much;
- When you do a push-up you are weight bearing and thus increasing bone density thus reducing the development of Osteoporosis;
- When you do a push-up you are improving your posture if the push-up is done properly
- Push-ups are a strengthening exercise;
- When you do a push-up you are working on balance.
You can do a push-up with knees bent or you can do a push-up on your toes. You can also do wall push-ups. There are also modified chair push-ups. Push-ups with elbows close to the body tend to require more coordination and strength than push-ups with the elbows pointed out.
If you are new to push-ups, start small. Just do one or two in the morning or night and just add one more every day or every other day, until you reach your goal. Push up norms for men and women can vary. The chart below is just one example:
From: Physical Living.com.
Consult your doctor if you have a medical condition or you are on medication before attempted strenuous exercise or if you have concerns about your health or about a proper exercise program for you.
Push Out and Push UP for GOD
If we want to be used by GOD, we need to ready for GOD to use us. Luke 5 reminds us to be spiritually and physically fit and ready to be used. We also need to be watchful---because GOD may be in your neighborhood or my neighborhood at any time. We need to study GOD’s WORD and be willing to be obedient. GOD is still performing miracles. But, we often have to do our part.
So, be ready. Push out and push up and BE BLESSED!
