“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishers. And he said unto them, Follow me. And I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:18).
Jesus saw these two fishermen busy at their work. Then He told them to follow him. And they said, “Wait a minute, we got to finish cleaning our nets. We got to set our house in order. I have to wait until I finish my degree, Lord.”
No. That’s not what they said. The Scripture says that “they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” (v. 22)
Now, don’t you know that God knows what you’re doing? He knows about what you’re planning for your life and what you’re doing right now and what you’re going through right now. God knows all that stuff. He knew it before you knew it.
While you are living your life, the spirit of God starts showing up. God’s calling you. He knows he wants you to come right now. He knows what’s going on. Remember that Peter and Andrew immediately follow Jesus. Jesus went on and found James and John. They too were busy at work. He said, “follow me.” And they immediately followed God.
What happened then? Jesus went about teaching, preaching the gospel and healing all manner of sickness, all manner of disease. I mean, they got to be in on the miracle power of God. They got to go with Jesus. Why? Because they obeyed God immediately.
Now, I was twenty-two years old when the Holy Ghost began to deal with me about opening a church. When God first began to speak to me about it, I argued with Him at first. Then finally I obeyed God. I decided, “Well, forget it, I’m just going to do what I know God has called me to do and just, let the chips fall where they may.”
That was the beginning of my “suddenly.” I followed God and began to see the power of God operate in the lives of people that came to the church.
When you obey God you get results, despite what your head may say and despite what your friends may say. My friends told me not to do it. But if I had to listened to them, I wouldn’t be doing anything yet.
So you have to follow God immediately. He knows what He’s doing. Suddenly God will make you a fisher of men. When you obey God suddenly, you will begin to see the power of God operate in the lives of others.
Scripture References: Matthew 4:18-24; Luke 5:4-7
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).