Letters From Grandpa #76

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 76

Dearest Grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with the guidance of God. As you know, we now have sophisticated ways of guiding airplanes, bombs, and even cars. God, of course, always does it better. God has placed a sophisticated guidance system in birds, animals, and fish, but he is more interested in guiding you. If you will receive Christ into your heart, God will give you guidance and you will never be sorry. The Scriptures teach that the children of God are led, or guided, by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). If you are a child of God, your loving Heavenly Father is willing and eager to give you guidance.

Luke 5 tells the story of 4 fishermen who toiled all night and caught nothing. Even though they were experienced fishermen, they still were unsuccessful. Even though they had good nets, and good techniques, they were still unsuccessful. Even though they worked hard all night long they were still unsuccessful. In the morning, after a long night of fruitless effort, they washed their nets and were ready to go home and get some much needed rest. Then Jesus showed up. When Jesus got into Simon Peter’s boat and began to teach, they stayed around. When Jesus told Peter to launch out into the deep and let down his nets it was decision time. Peter had many things to consider. Remember! These men had toiled all night long and caught nothing. The Greek word describing their toil is “kopian” which means to labor to the point of utter exhaustion. There were several reasons why Peter didn’t want to launch out into the deep.

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The best time to fish was at night.

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The best place to fish was in the shallow water.

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Jesus was a Carpenter, and Peter was a fishermen.

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There were people standing on the shore who would probably laugh at Peter for doing something so ridiculous.

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Peter’s nets were already washed and dried, and now they would have to be washed and dried again.

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Peter had toiled all night along and was at the point of complete exhaustion.

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NEVERTHELESS, Peter obeyed Jesus anyhow. As you probably remember, with Jesus as his guide, he caught so many fish that his nets were breaking. Peter called for his partners and both boats were so full of fish that they were about to sink

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Peter was glad he allowed Jesus to be his guide. You will be too!

It was some time later, while Peter, Andrew, James and John were mending their nets, that Jesus called them to become fishers of men! The connection was obvious. Jesus would help them catch men just as He had helped them catch fish. There is more to success than merely hard work. The disciples worked hard and caught nothing. With the guidance of God they worked even harder, but this time their efforts were rewarded by success.

I’m sure you know the story of the late Dr. George Washington Carver. He is credited with being the “Father of Synthetics”.

Please take ten minutes and watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYnVgfbZAGQ

Dr. Carver believed that God was broadcasting information like a gigantic radio station. Where you are right now there are a great many radio signals all around you. You cannot hear those radio signals, however, unless you are tuned in. Dr. Carver believed that his success as a scientist was the direct result of “tuning in” to God.

YOU are just as important to God as Dr. Carver. Please read your Bible every day and “tune in” to God for guidance.

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce