Going Fishing

  • Keith Waldrop
  • May 19, 2008

     

    More than 30 years ago I started following Jesus Christ.

    Little did I know what an adventure it would be.

    Jesus invaded my life one winter night at Troy University in my college dorm room. I came to Him for purpose in life, to have my sins forgiven and to go to Heaven. I didn't sign up to become a fisher of men. But Jesus said, "Come follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men." (Mark 1:17) He said He would make me something different than I was.

    Christ immediately put a passion in my heart to share Him with others. I had the honor of leading my roommate to Christ two weeks after I began my walk of Faith...what joy! Over the years Jesus has given me so many opportunities to share my faith one-on-one and in groups, teaching Bible studies, starting new ministries, speaking at retreats and conferences, leading mission trips around the world, and then starting a church in 1996. My life purpose is to exalt Jesus Christ through preaching the gospel.

    Twenty years ago this year God expanded my borders of Evangelism to include the world. In 1988 I took a student team to Durango, Mexico. I didn't know how it would impact my heart for His world. I got to see firsthand, how the Great Commission must be fulfilled to the ends of the earth. You and I are invited to participate.

    Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Brazil with Randy Williams to build a church with CMU (Christian Missions Unlimited), and to proclaim the gospel. It was an amazing mission as we built a church for the people of Recife, Brazil. They had been praying 10 years for their church to be built. To be a part of their prayer being answered was very humbling. I'm so glad Chuck Connor heard the call to build churches in Brazil many years ago. I got to be a part of the 272nd church being built for the Glory of His name. Our God is a missionary God, and He has been sending individuals for years. Please pray about whether the Lord is calling you to go across the street or around the world. When He says go, don't hesitate...GO! The Great Commission does not say consider, it says. "Go."

    The call is simply to follow Christ and to fish. You and I are perfectly positioned in someone else's life to help them understand how to be a follower of Christ. It can be intimidating and fearful to fish for souls, but He has promised to give us words and His power as His witness. You have influence for the Kingdom of God, and leverage your life for the sake of the eternal. Be intentional about sharing your faith, and confident that your witness matters.

    There are three groups of people:
    1. Those who keep to themselves
    2. Those who share Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit
    3. Those who are not a Christ follower yet

    Where do you find yourself? Are you one that is not verbal about your faith and believes it is only personal and not to be shared? I'm afraid our churches are filled with folks that attend, love God and do many things, but don't articulate their faith, mostly because of fear.

    Do you find yourself praying for divine appointments to share Jesus Christ? When we read the Book of Acts, we see mighty witnesses. Particularly in Acts 4:20 which says, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." They had to speak about Jesus, as there was no way to shut them up even though they were commanded not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. There is something about that exalted name, and it is above all names. The name of Jesus Christ will cause a stir, and it always calls for a response. I am so passionate about Jesus. He is simply undeniable!

    Possibly, you are not a Christ follower at this time. My prayer would be that you would attend a good Bible-preaching church this weekend. We have many in this River Region area. Begin to study the scriptures and ask God to reveal Himself to you. Your quest for life can be found in Jesus Christ, and scripture tells us, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

    Fishing for Souls,

    Keith