GPS-Grilled Tilapia

JUL 07  / Sunday – Read Matthew 4:18-20

Overview: Bible people ate more fish than meat. Not for heart health, weight loss, or because it was so tasty (it is), but because it was cheap and available. And Jesus chose fish because he knows us and speaks our language.

08 / Mon – The Lord’s creation  |  Read Job 12:7-10

Being out on the water is a great, one-with-nature experience. Fishing on a nice day is peaceful and beautiful. One gets time to slow down, think, and pray. An old Danish proverb says, “Religion is a man sitting in church thinking about fishing. Christianity is a man sitting at a lake, fishing, and thinking about God.” Where is your quiet, peaceful place? While there, do you make room for a conversation with God, just the two of you? If not, try it next time. He’d love that.

09 / Tue – Confidence  |  Read 1 Peter 5:6-7

While fishing with an accomplished fisherman, I was confident that I had absorbed his lessons about casting. Then I ended up with my line hopelessly tangled in a tree branch. I thought I would have to cut the line, but I instead gave my rod and reel to him. He expertly untangled the mess and we moved on. When has something backfired that you ‘knew’ you had in the bag. Did it undermine your confidence? Did you turn to the Lord for help? What was the outcome?

10 / Wed – Bait  |  Read 1 Peter 5:8-9

Fishing requires that you have the bait that will lure the desired fish to your hook. The devil knows exactly what will lure us to his hook. Thomas Adams, a 16th-century clergyman said, “Satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish.” What might we hunger for that pushes God aside? Unlike fish, we have the word of God to arm ourselves against Satan’s ‘hooks.’ The Bible records situations where His word and power pushed back evil. Find one that speaks to your heart and keep it close for when the devil’s bait is before you. And ask the Holy Spirit for help.

11 / Thu – No fishing  |  1 John 1:7-9 / Hebrews 10:26

There are signs forbidding us to do certain things, like no trespassing. God loves us and forgives our sins through His grace and mercy. He doesn’t want us to return to those sins, dredge them up, and repeat them. If you have repented and turned the other direction, keep going on God’s path for you. Corrie ten Boom said, “God buries our sins in the depths of the sea and then puts up a sign that reads, NO FISHING.” Is there something for which God has forgiven you but you just can’t let it go? Release it to the Lord. Pour yourself into his Word and prayer. And don’t go back to that old fishing hole.

12 / Fri – Sharing information  |  Read 1 Peter 3:15

Fishermen can be reluctant to share the location of a good fishing spot. When questioned about where he caught a particular fish, one man’s amusing response was “At an area lake.” He didn’t want to share his treasure. The good news about Jesus is not something we want to keep to ourselves. If someone asks why your faith and hope is in Him, what would you say? Are you prepared to give a good answer? Try writing it down in 25 words or less. Maybe even rehearse it. Then be ready.

13 / Sat – The choice  |  Read Mark 1:16-20 / Mark 10:28-30

Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where men were fishing. He called them to follow him. They did. Can you imagine the talk at dinner that night and in the neighborhood when word got out that Simon, Andrew, James, and John dropped everything, including their livelihoods, and took off with some guy on the beach to fish for people? What would you have thought? Have you known anyone whose choice to follow Jesus did not fly with their families? Or are you that person? What has Jesus promised you?