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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 7 – THE POWER OF TEAMWORK IN FISHING

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 7 – THE POWER OF TEAMWORK IN FISHING Luke 5:7 (NIV) “ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” 🔁 Recap From Part 6 – No Strong Nets, No Deep Harvest In Part 6, we saw: Deep water exposes weak nets. Increase tests structure. Breakthrough demands capacity. The nets strained, but they did not break. And when the weight became too much— They called their partners. Now we examine something critical: The harvest was too big for one boat. Fishing in the first century was rarely individual work. It required: Coordinated casting. Timed pulling. Shared strength. Communication. Trust. One person alone could not handle large nets. The Kingdom operates the same way. Jesus Never Built Solo Leaders Notice a pattern: He called Peter and Andrew. He called James and John. He sent the disciples two by two (Mark 6:7). Even power was exercised in partnership. Isolation was ...
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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 6 – NO STRONG NETS, NO DEEP HARVEST

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 6 – NO STRONG NETS, NO DEEP HARVEST Luke 5:4–6 (NIV) “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” 🔁 Recap From Part 5 – Net Menders In Part 5, we saw that: Casters expand. Menders strengthen. Growth without structure leads to loss. James and John were mending nets. Peter and Andrew were casting nets. Two functions. One purpose. Now we see what happens when both meet obedience. Jesus gives a command: “ Launch into the deep.”  But notice: He did not say, “ Throw a single line.”  He said, “ Let down the nets .” Plural. This required: Casting skill. Net strength. Team coordination. Obedience. And when the harvest came, the nets began to break. That moment re...
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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 5 – NET MENDERS: THE GRACE TO STRENGTHEN WITHIN

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 5 – NET MENDERS: THE GRACE TO STRENGTHEN WITHIN   Matthew 4:21 (NIV) “Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.” 🔁 Recap From Part 4 – Net Casters In Part 4, we examined Peter and Andrew — the casters. They represented: Initiative Expansion Outreach Evangelistic grace We learned that without casting, there is no harvest. But now we shift focus. Because before expansion can be sustained, something else must happen. The nets must be prepared or mendered. James and John were not casting. They were mending. Repairing. Strengthening. Preparing. Different action. Different focus. Same lake. Same Lord. Same mission. This is the other hand of the Kingdom. What Does Mending Symbolize? Mending is: Inward Patient Detail-oriented Protective Preventative When you mend a net, you: Examine weaknesses. Repair tears. Strengthen fragile areas. Prepare...
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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 4 – NET CASTERS: THE GRACE TO REACH OUT

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 4 – NET CASTERS: THE GRACE TO REACH OUT Matthew 4:18 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” 🔁 Recap From Part 3 – Leaving The Nets In Part 3, we saw that calling requires surrender. Peter and Andrew left their nets immediately. They released security for destiny. They chose obedience over comfort. Now we zoom in on something specific: Before they left the nets… They were casting them. That detail is not accidental. Not all disciples were doing the same thing when Jesus called them. Peter and Andrew were casting. James and John (as we will see later) were mending. Different actions. Different expressions. Same lake. Same Lord. Same mission. This is where diversity begins. What Does Casting Symbolize? Casting is: Outward Risk-oriented Initiative-driven Faith-based When you cast a net, you: Step into uncertainty. ...
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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 3 – LEAVING THE NETS: THE COST OF CALLING

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 3 – LEAVING THE NETS: THE COST OF CALLING Matthew 4:20 (NIV) “At once they left their nets and followed him.” 🔁 Recap From Part 2 – The Invitation Before The Assignment In Part 2, we established that Jesus began with an invitation: “ Come, follow Me .” We saw that: Relationship comes before responsibility. Formation comes before function. Identity comes before activity. But an invitation always demands a response. And this is where many hesitate. Because following Jesus is free — but it is not without cost. Matthew says something powerful: “ At once they left their nets …” No debate. No delay. No negotiation. Immediate obedience. The shoreline became a crossroads. Stay with security. Or step into surrender. What Were The Nets? The nets were more than fishing tools. They represented:  Income,  Stability Family business Familiar identity Daily routine Predictable future Leaving the nets meant: Leaving control. And that is where the real cost lies...
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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 2 – THE INVITATION BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 2 – THE INVITATION BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 🔁 Recap From Part 1 – God In The Ordinary In Part 1, we saw how that Jesus met Peter and Andrew at the Sea of Galilee — in their workplace, during their routine, while casting nets. We established three powerful truths: God calls people in ordinary places. Faithfulness in routine attracts divine attention. Your profession does not disqualify you. The shoreline was not random — it was preparation ground. Now we move deeper. It is one thing to be seen by Jesus. It is another thing to be invited by Him. After observing their diligence… After seeing their consistency… Jesus speaks. And His first words are not instructions. They are invitation. “ Come, follow Me .” Before authority. Before miracles. Before public ministry. There was closeness. Kingdom Principle #1: Relationship Before Responsibility Jesus did not start with...
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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 1 – THE SEA OF GALILEE: GOD IN THE ORDINARY

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DIVERSE HANDS, ONE MISSION PART 1 – THE SEA OF GALILEE: GOD IN THE ORDINARY Matthew 4:18 (NIV) “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” Before there was a sermon on the mount… Before miracles shook cities… Before crowds followed Him… Jesus started at the shoreline. Not in a synagogue. Not in a palace. Not in a religious council. But at work. At the water. At the routine place of labor. The Kingdom of God did not begin with celebrities — it began with fishermen. The Setting: God Moves In Ordinary Places The call happened at the Sea of Galilee — a place known for: Fishing Trade Daily struggle Long nights of labor This teaches us something powerful: God does not wait for perfect environments. He invades ordinary routines. Peter and Andrew were not fasting. They were not praying in a temple. They were not preparing for ministry. They were working.  An...
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JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 8:WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW

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THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION Romans 1:11-12 (NIV) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Welcome to Part 8 of our Series, Jumpstarting Your Life: The Power of Divine Connection.  In Part 7 , we saw how my landlady’s son, who had once been stranded, later became a helper to another driver stuck in the mud . We learned that helping others after receiving help is a key principle of life , and sometimes, we must recognize when we need assistance instead of struggling alone. But what if the real issue isn’t about getting help but knowing when to move on? PART 8: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION I have a friend named Kwame who had been driving an old car for years . It wasn’t just any car—it had been his first car, filled with memories. One day, after heavy rain, he...
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JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 1: WHEN LIFE REFUSES TO START

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THE STORY: A CAR THAT WOULDN’T START Romans 1:11-12 (NIV ) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." One early morning, I was in my room when I noticed my landlady’s son struggling with his car. No matter how many times he turned the key, it refused to start. Minutes later, a co-tenant arrived with a car battery, connected it to his, and in seconds— boom ! The engine roared to life. It hit me: Sometimes, we need external help to restart what isn’t working in our lives. HAVE YOU EVER FELT STUCK? Just like that dead battery , life can sometimes feel like it just won’t start: Spiritually – Your passion for prayer and the Word feels drained. (“ Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5) Physically – You’re constantly exhausted, no matter how much you rest. (“Even youths grow weary, but those who wait on the Lord renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:30-31...
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DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING

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DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING Revelation 2:4-5 "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."  Not every wound bleeds. Some deteriorate quietly beneath the surface—unseen, unfelt, and unspoken—until it's too late . Just like a diabetic wound that looks minor at first but spreads when ignored , many of life's deepest issues— spiritual, emotional, physical, and even national—start small . But delay is dangerous . Healing begins when we are humble and honest enough to recognize the wound. Key Scripture: " You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." – Revelation 2:4-5 LIFE APPLICATION: Two years ago, a friend called me, asking for blood donation for his father-in-law, who was scheduled for a leg amputation at the 3...
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