Born to Fish

As I pondered upon what Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him (LUKE 5:11, NIV), I observed how Peter (pre apostolic person) practiced net fishing for a living. However, Peter said, “Leave me, Lord. I’m a sinful man” (LUKE 5:8, NIV). But Jesus says, Fear not. From now on you’ll be catching men.

Indeed, the LORD said, “Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the Lord, and they shall catch them (JEREMIAH 16:16, NIV).  And, Peter’s career has just changed from fishing to end-time evangelism (becoming disciple/apostle). He abandons his boat and all the fish he has just caught. He follows the Master to share in his mission to seek and save the lost. Soon, he will catch men and women by the thousands from every nation under heaven (ACTS 5:5/41, NIV).

This prompts me to reach out to bless the special needs community and enfold pre-believing souls – special needs clients + their families/siblings, friends into the church community, as I did my today’s reading.

Are we busy fishing for people as true disciples should? Or are we lost in our own world of vain ambitions - fishing for applause, recognition, rank, compliments, and legacy? as (CHRIS CHIA) highlighted these questions inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

As the apostle Paul said, “Don’t give up. Love never fails” (1 CORINTHIANS 13:8, NIV).

Let’s fish for people as true disciples’ of Christ + enfold pre-believers into the Church today! 

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 2nd July 2019)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months. He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore + a valued Co-Partner/Worker as Outreach Officer (Project Role Based) in Access Path Productions, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and currently setting up + involved in Project Story LIFE Team with Special Needs Community.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, enable us to bring the power of your Gospel for salvation to bless our communities whom we’re reaching out today.

 

Turn the page

 

As I meditated upon what the disciples said, “We have found the Messiah”.... He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter)” (JOHN 1:41-42, NIV), I examined how Jesus saw something in Simon that no one else saw. And, Jesus took one good look at him and saw something he could build on. He committed himself to bring out that Rock buried deep within Peter (pre apostolic person) back then.

What does Jesus see in you today?

Indeed, my true life is hidden with Christ (COLOSSIANS 3:3, NIV ) and I pray for Jesus to bring out the hidden me if I follow Him long enough and close enough, to let my real me come out of my inner being, and allow Christ to transform my life around gradually. Hence, I surrender my life anew to my Maker and Master forever + letting Him fulfill His purpose in my life for His glory!

Today, I plan to bring a pre-believer (able bodied or PwD) & introduce him/her to Jesus + how this person’s new friendship with Christ could be earth-shaking, and for him/her to become a key influencer who plays a pivotal role in salvation history, as Peter (pre apostolic person) did, as I read my today’s reading. And, this also prompts me to pray for God to refine you + me as gold so that he can present us to himself a radiant Bride, holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27, NIV), and for us to have the grace to learn our lessons well to COVID-19, and for this generation to watch closely, tread carefully, and respond rightly to this crisis as I pray for God to show His favor upon Singapore and for Godly leaders to be elected and lead this country forward, as they take us through this crisis & to the future crisis that comes along the’ way, as we humble ourselves today (James 4:6, NIV).

Ask God to fulfill His purpose through you for His glory today!

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 1st July 2019 & 3rd July 2020)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months. He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore + a valued Co-Partner/Worker as Outreach Officer (Project Role Based) in Access Path Productions, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and currently setting up + involved in Project Story LIFE Team with Special Needs Community.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, deliver us from the tyranny of first impressions which are often unreliable, unfair, and sometimes dead wrong! Grant us the grace to look beyond the outward and see others, and not for who’ they are, but for who they can become in you.  Jesus, help us to see their inestimable worth as humans created in your image.