Main Navigation

Blog Post

Teach a Man to Fish

Posted by Dion Todd December 19th, 2024 1,107 Views 30 Comments

Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men." Immediately they left their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:16-18 WEB.

When I was young, I spent a lot of time navigating the waters near my home in South Carolina. The black water of the Waccamaw River was just a few miles away. Hunting and fishing are a big part of growing up in the country, at least when I came up.

I learned that bait selection is imperative, crickets for bream, night crawlers for catfish, minnows, or lures for bass. A good fisherman always went prepared and had a well-stocked tackle box with him. Also, you use different tactics according to the quarry you are after.

When fishing, you try and entice a fish to take the bait. You put something in front of them that looks appealing, a lure they would want to eat. If you use the wrong bait, you'll be ignored, but the fish will pounce on the right one. You have to be patient, for you'll drive the fish away if you make too much noise or bump the bottom of the boat with a paddle.

Hunting is almost the opposite. You pursue your prey, often with the help of barking dogs and other hunters, depending on the quarry. The target does not willingly submit either. It is being chased or ambushed. Their only desire is to get as far away from you as possible as quickly as they can.

God knows the difference between hunting and fishing as well, and there are different seasons for each. In Jeremiah, He gave Israel a chance to come willingly by having fishers "lure" them. Afterward, He sent in the hunters to force them to come. The Lord told Jeremiah:

"Behold, I will send for many fishermen," says Yahweh, "and they will fish them up. Afterward I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain, from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks" (Jeremiah 16:16).

Jesus said that He would make us "fishers of men," not their hunters. We are to make Jesus look good and appealing, someone people would want to know. If they aren't interested in your bait, then move on. Don't pursue them like a hunter, as you'll just drive them away. No means no.

The prodigal son's Father didn't chase him down the road yelling at him but instead waited for his return after he came to his senses (Luke 15:17). Jesus told us that He didn't come to destroy men's lives but to save them (Luke 9:56). So make Jesus look good, and don't be offensive and scary when you share your faith with others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace, tact, and wisdom. Please help me know what to say at the right time and keep me from driving people away from You. Help me find a balance in my life. Please walk with me and talk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the Ministry Events group! This event gives us an opportunity encourage each other by posting thoughts, moments, and prayers of gratitude for Him, His creation and all that He does in our lives. All our welcome! To join, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.

Join the discussion! Please sign in to comment, like, and share.

Post from Nell Neathery

Nell Neathery commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


sharing the pastor's prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace, tact, and wisdom. Please help me know what to say at the right time and keep me from driving people away from You. Help me find a balance in my life. Please walk with me and talk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

I saw a post on Facebook: Our Stable Influence is Jesus while we are trying to find stable balance in our lives, and He will do that. It has taken me quite some time to get there, and He is not finished with me yet! We will must talk the talk and walk the walk with Him and He will do the same for us!

Please pray for my brother Gary as he doesn't have much contact with his 4 sisters, especially since my mother passed away in 2017 and he retired last year. He is a fisherman, and he has treated us to his fried fish! He needs to do that again for us since we all haven't been together since Mother's Day 2017, 1 month before Mom passed away. Maybe, with the help he is giving me to stay here, and he is busy with his retirement, I think, he doesn't have much time. I have learned to take time for my family.



Avatar image
Comment from Susan Petho

2 days ago

Praying for your brother, Gary.



Post from Susan Petho

Susan Petho commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

2 days ago


Amen!




Post from Mari Kaufmann

Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Help me be more outgoing God Amen




Post from Wesley Paulus

Wesley Paulus commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen!




Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

3 days ago


Amen and Amen, this I pray!!! πŸ™




Post from Sherri Mcgraw

Sherri Mcgraw commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Pastor you've obviously never been squirrel hunting. My dad took me and my sister one time and that was more than enough for me. You have to sit still and not make a sound. But good times. LOL. Squirrel gravy is still one of my favorites my Grandma Graw would make for us. God bless



Avatar image
Comment from Debi Burton

3 days ago

What !!! Squirrel gravy!?!?!? Really…. Never heard of that! Wow! πŸ˜³πŸ«£πŸ€”
What does it taste like ?


Generic Avatar image
Replies to this comment

3 days ago

I'm from southern WV squirrel and squirrel gravy were very common food when I was growing up


Avatar image
Comment from Dion Todd

3 days ago

Actually, I grew up squirrel hunting here but it was best with two people. You walked through the woods searching for a squirrel nest which usually had vines around them. One person would shake the vines while the other stood ready. The squirrels would jump out of the nest, run to the end of the limb, but then pause as they prepared to jump. That's when you took your shot. I don't hunt anything today as we have all the food we need and it is sad to have to take a creatures life. πŸ˜€ Also, squirrels are high in cholesterol lol


Generic Avatar image
Replies to this comment

3 days ago

I bet me and my sister would have had more fun hunting your way. Sounds like it at least. LOL



Post from Elena Vasquez

Elena Vasquez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen




Post from Debi Burton

Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Praise the Lord Hallelujah! I made it to Seattle for 3 days, then we will go to Canada…..😬😁
Thank you Lord for keeping me safe, in Jesus’s name! Amen




Post from Marisa Jackson

Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen πŸ™πŸ™β€οΈβ€οΈπŸ™πŸ™!!




Post from Kevin J. Eck

Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen, Todays devotional is a great reminder. Father, shine through me and use me as a lure, using my testimonies as bait. In the name Jesus, Amen!



Avatar image
Comment from Debi Burton

3 days ago

Amen


Avatar image
Comment from Wanda Pennington

3 days ago

Amen!!


Avatar image
Comment from Valeri Frank

3 days ago

Amen! πŸ™πŸΌ



Post from Bella Colliander

3 days ago


Heavenly Father, Please help me find balance in my life. Thank You for Your grace, tact and wisdom. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!πŸ•ŠοΈ



Avatar image
Comment from Debi Burton

3 days ago

Amen



Post from Mark Williams

Mark Williams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace, tact, and wisdom. Please help me know what to say at the right time and keep me from driving people away from You. Help me find a balance in my life. Please walk with me and talk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!



Avatar image
Comment from Debi Burton

3 days ago

Amen


Avatar image
Comment from Sylvia Todd

3 days ago

Amen, brother πŸ™!



Post from Debi Burton

Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace, tact, and wisdom. Please help me know what to say at the right time and keep me from driving people away from You. Help me find a balance in my life. Please walk with me and talk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❀️🀟🏻




Post from Donald Woodard

Donald Woodard commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen, Holy Spirit give me the words to say and the words to pray.




Post from Shara Abel

Shara Abel commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


I really like this advice, so true!




Post from Scott Riegelmann

3 days ago


Amen




Post from Jackie Tipton

Jackie Tipton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen




Post from Wanda Pennington

3 days ago


Yes Lord, I pray for Your guidance and love to help me fish for others, in Jesus Name I pray, Amen




Post from Lynn Brown

Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Father, I pray You would give me the right words at the right time, Amen.




Post from Theresa Bright

Theresa Bright commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen πŸ™ thank you Father for your Son, please give me wisdom when I share your words.




Post from Gloria Nebarez

Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Lord, help me find a balance in my life guide me to say the right thing at the right time. In Jesus name I pray, thank you Jesus.




Post from Deborah Blackshear

3 days ago


God thank You for being slow to anger and abounding in mercy



Avatar image
Comment from Valeri Frank

3 days ago

Amen!



Post from Brenda F

Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen




Post from Dana Rozell

Dana Rozell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen!




Post from Candy Laventure

3 days ago


Amen!




Post from Celeste Strenn

Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen❣️❣️❣️❣️




Post from Kay Collinsworth

3 days ago


Amen




Post from Narciso Salas

Narciso Salas commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Amen




Post from Schalk de Beer

Schalk de Beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Teach a Man to Fish

3 days ago


Yes, amen Lord.






RHM Eco System Version: 0.503 Β© Refreshing Hope Ministries . Page rendered in 0.2623 seconds.