Hear, Act, Receive

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:1-11 (KJV)

These verses talk about what God’s Word can and will do for those who act on God’s Word.

People pressed on Jesus to hear the Word of God. We must press in to get close enough to Jesus to hear His Word, the Word of God. We must get in a place and in a position to hear and receive the Word. As we spend time with Jesus, pressing to get close to Him, we encounter Jesus, the Living Word. The Word Made Flesh will speak God’s Word to us as we spend time in His written Word.

We must let Jesus teach us. When we learn Jesus’ Word, He prepares us to go deeper in Him and with Him. His words enable us to go deeper and receive what He has for us. Jesus will provide for us when we put Him and His Word first.

Jesus said for them to let down their nets (plural). Peter replied that they had let down the net (singular) at His word. They were only partially obedient. Don’t limit God. Do what He says. God’s plans are always bigger and greater than ours.

God starts in the natural and then we see the supernatural in our lives. Fish can represent people. God wants us to be fishers of men. When we listen and obey, many people can be led to Jesus.

As we press into Jesus and His Word, letting Him teach us, He will give us instructions about what to do where we’re at. We will reap just like the disciples did if we act upon Jesus’ Word. This builds faith to follow Jesus wherever He calls us to go and to do what He tells us to do.

Let’s follow these principles consistently, over and over. We’ll see Jesus do miracle after miracle. But, be sure to follow Him out of love and not only for what He can do for you. Love Him for who He is rather than His actions. He is our Lord God of love.

Hear God’s instructions today. Act on His Word. Receive many into the Kingdom of God.