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Mini-Worship
July 16-21, 2024
Center yourself (take a few breaths and quiet down)
Enter to the presence of God
Psalm 66:16-20
Come and hear, all who fear God.
And I will tell what he has done for me..
I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue..
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, .
The Lord would not have listened. .
But truly God has listened, .
He has given heed to the words of my prayer..
Blessed be God,.
Because he has not rejected my prayer .
Or removed his steadfast love from me.
Adoration:
God of caring, it is good to know that your eyes watch over us. Your ears listen to us. As we go through our days, through our routines, and unexpected events, you have kept us and upheld us. You have brought us out to a spacious place. We give you thanks and praises. In Jesus’ name.
Scripture reading
Mark1:16-20
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Thoughts to share:
When Jesus called his first two disciples who were in the fishing business, he gave them a mission: fish for people. Jesus used the word that was familiar to fishermen: fishing. Fishing for people is as fishing for fishes. What does it mean? What is in common between fishing and ministry? What lessons can people learn from fishermen?
As I meditate, I find a few things-
The work of taking risk: There was no guarantee of a good result from the fishing trip. Sometimes, even overnight there might not be a good catch. But sometimes, there might be too many fish and the risk of breaking the fishing net.
The work of preparation: Nets were the basic tool for fishing. Nothing could be accomplished without a net. The fishermen learned to make nets and take care of them. They learned how to throw nets and how to draw them back.
The works of discerning, decision-making and trying: They learned when and where to throw the net out.
The work of drawing back a net: Fishermen had an expectation to catch fish in each throw of the net. They would bring the fish back to the land for processing, management, distribution, and use.
The work of response to the unexpected: There would be sudden storms at the lakes. How could they survive? How could they turn danger to safety?
What similarity is there between fishing for fishes and fishing for people? Those who fish for people need to go out, to give away the Gospel. Very possibly, not many people listen to them. But they need to keep trying. They may encounter various risks and oppositions. When they have harvest, they need to bring those people back to follow-up, to edify, and to use.
Apparently, fishing for people and fishing for fishes are two different businesses. Their products are different. But they share some common attitudes, aptitudes, characters and skills. God can use them for his own need.
Our 21st century’s workplaces have prepared many people for ministries in God’s kingdom. By God’s own choosing and placing, transforming and renewing, everyone can become the useful disciples of Jesus.
Prayer suggestion:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your wise eyes and generous heart. My life and work is not by accident. In your eyes, there is meaning and purpose in who I am and what I am doing now. Continue to shape me in where I am. I am here. May you transform me and use all that is in me in your mission in due season. Amen, in Jesus’ name.
5. Benedictions
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Request
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